Special Times with Number 2

With Marshall and D-man gone, it is a special week for me and T-man. We've dined al fresco together every night. We took a bike ride each of the last two nights and tonight we are baking cookies and going to have a slumber party in the guest room. Really enjoying this special time with #2. 

Sleep Away Camp

Yesterday, T-man and I dropped off D-man at Camp Chief Ouray outside of Winter Park. Be jade he was so organized, packing up didn't take too much time. He had told me the night before that he was nervous. Of course! 5 nights away from home with no family is no small feat! 

After we checked his stuff and got a health screening (he was running a low grade fever), we headed to his very rustic cabin. I tried to talk him through things he might need to know (hang up your towel, put your shoes under your bed, tell the counselors if you need your allergy medication), but I, of course, was thinking of other things I should have told him. I know he will have a great time - just hard to believe he is old enough to do this! 

Last night, I got the following note from a mom of one of D-man's friend he spent the afternoon with on Saturday. 

"I had so much fun getting to know D-man. He and I had a great conversation at the pool--he was very "adult" in his ability to communicate. He's a great kid and you guys should be really proud of the wonderful young man he is."

It made me miss him even more, but also confirmed what I already knew - he will be just fine. 

Happy Father's Day from Afar

Unlike many families, we didn't celebrate Father's Day today. We "celebrated" (and I'm saying that very loosely) on Tuesday night before Marshall took off for Thailand. He got home around 8 and we had a couple of gifts and cards for him.  The boys enjoyed watching Gangnam style videos with Marshall. 

Fortunately, we did chat with Marshall briefly today and wished him a happy Father's Day. And Marshall had a pretty good day (and adventure). See picture of his location. We are all very fortunate to have such a wonderful man complete our family. Happy Father's Day from half way around the world. We love you. 

Poppin' Tags

D-man's first sleep over camp starts tomorrow. Not surprisingly, he is living by the packing list and we have been on the hunt for all the items. This led us to Goodwill. What a find! We got 8 items for under $25. It also allowed me he opportunity to buy T-man some "new" items (see picture) as D-man is getting so many things. We will be off to Target to finish this list this afternoon. Wish me luck convincing him that we don't have to have EXACTLY what the list says. :) 

Movie in the Park

Food trucks. Wine in a water bottle. ET. Two boys driving me nuts. Small town feel. All good. 

Just Leaning

I just finished reading "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, on the recommendation of my old boss at work. I don't know that I would have read it, but she highly recommended it (and we are going to have a book club discussion on it). 

I have to say that I really enjoyed it. As I read the book, I found myself saying,"yup, I have felt like that." "Yes I have done that." It was just nice (and at the same time sad) to know that even one of the most influential women in the world has had the same thoughts and feelings about being a working Mom. 

The book cites a ton of research that is both eye opening and depressing. I know that I am fortunate to have a a flexible job. But, I know I need to "lean in"ore. I need to ask for projects. I need to get out  of my comfort zone. Because as I know, stretch assignments and projects are an opportunity to grow. You have to be willing to take risks. You have to know that you do know more than you think  you do. You have to participate. You have to stick up for and support all women in their choices - even if they aren't choices I would have made. And I have to know that a ton of work has been done, but there is much more to do.  And that having it all really is a myth. 

I am fortunate. I am lucky. According to Sheryl these are very female things to say. But, I do think I am all of these things, but also know that I have worked hard and done good work to get where I am. I just need to remember that. 

So sometimes I'm leaning in. Sometimes I'm leaning out. and sometimes, I'm probably leaning sideways. But, the lesson for me is that i need to actively do my leaning and not leave it up to others. For many, many reasons, I can  be happy that I have the opportunity to lean in any direction. 

24 Blissful Hours

I arrived in Minneapolis last night at 7:30 and I'm catching the same flight number - just 24 hours later. The little stopover provided a wonderful time with my sister and her family. Chatting, laughing, relaxing, baby time, a walk around the lake, happy hour outside with the boys. A great, great day. What a beautiful family. 

Congratulations to the Marshall family! (I wrote the draft of this blog in the airport while waiting for my flight. Love that Jacki's blog read almost the same. :) 

Surviving Conferences

Conferences are interesting. Lots of waiting around. Filled in with shots of busy. No daylight and lots of free stuff. 

Fortunately, I did get out for dinner both nights with coworkers. I also enjoyed a few minutes each morning out by the river. I never got to the lake unfortunately. But, I'm excited that I'm wrapping up this trip in Minneapolis! 

Running

Marshall has been running the many trails in our neighborhood recently and ran the 5k associated with the Taste of Louisville last weekend. D-man ride his bike down I the trail that morning so he could cheer on Marshall and hand him some water (so cute). D-man had wanted to run with Marshall so he needed to find another race. 

Last night D-man and Marshall ran a 3k in Boulder. He had wanted to run it in 20 minutes and did it in under 17. He placed   3rd for 9 year olds and was very proud. Go D-man! 

Player of the Game!

D-man was one of the last kids on the team to get a game ball. It was really getting to him the last couple of games and he was mentally having a difficult one with it. His last couple of games were not good and if given the ball, would not have deserved it. 

It has been a good teaching moment on keeping at it and not letting your team down even if you are down. Fortunately, he had a GREAT game on Wednesday (unfortunate I wasn't there). He had a nice play at pitcher, caught a fly ball in center field to end the game, and batted well. He earned it. He deserved it. He got it! 

Making the Most of a Bad Situation

The serpentine belt went out on the jeep on Marshall's way home yesterday. On our way to the mechanics, it completely stopped working. Fortunately, there was a pull out. Pretty beautiful place to be "stuck." 

Summer Festivals

Summer has officially begun in Louisville. Saturday was the Taste of Louisville. Marshall ran in the 5K race and the half mile was on the trail right by our house. 

Marshall, T-man, and I headed downtown after his game and walked around the Taste of Louisville a bit. The rest of the summer sees a weekly art event on Tuesdays, movies and food trucks in the park on Wednesday, concerts in the park on Thursdays, and the street faire on Friday nights with live music including the Samples and Bodeanes. The weeks wrap up with a Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Whew! We are not going to be lacking for things to do! 

Last night D-man stayed down at our old neighbor's house with his best bud. I met them in downtown Denver for the chalk art festival. It was a nice central meeting place and we saw some amazing art. 

We also took a bike ride, hung out at the pool and had neighbors over for dinner both Friday and Saturday night. I think tr summer is off to a great start! 

Player of the Game!

T-man had an awesome game today. As per usual, he did not want to go to the game. And after a strike out on his initial at bat, he had a great game! 

Great fielding with two outs and solid hits at bat. With his older brother at a sleepover, we were able to cash in on his reward at Dairy Queen and celebrate his great game! 

Traditions

Marshall and I had out first date a week before my birthday. A week later, he took me to Cafe Brazil in the Highlands neighborhood in Denver. Every year, we try to go back for my birthday. It, of course, got harder once we had the boys, but we still tried.

It was only fitting that we go to Cafe Brazil on my 40th birthday. After attending D-man's baseball game, we were able to sneak away to Denver while Mom and Dad watched the kids (thank you!). 

It was a very special way to cap off several days of celebrating. A flight of rum, a birthday shot, and a great meal with a wonderful man, husband, and father. Lots of reminiscing and a reminder of while many thigs have changed, so much is still the same and only gets better with age. 

She's Not Fancy. Just Old.

Last night, we celebrated my birthday at home with dinner on the deck. Mom and Dad planted flowers and plants, got the boys from camp, and picked up a birthday cake from a bakery I had been wanting to try (D-man was so excited they could personalize it so "nicely"). Gifts in and of themselves. 

We enjoyed going through old boxes of letters from college - many of which were sent from my Dad to me. It was a nice trip down memory lane (and I found a $50 savings bond!). "Pop - was that written on a typewriter?" 

I also received a beautiful new Coach purse from the boys and Marshall. And a final box that Mom brought that included a couple of items from my great grandma Afflack. As Mom said, "they aren't fancy. They are just old." Kind of like me. :) 

And the night was capped off with D-man hiding in his sleeping bag to make me a special card. Quite from the card, "It must be weird to live that long." Very true. Weird. Wacky. Wild. Wonderful. 

Bang the Gong - Julia's Almost 40!

As part of my birthday celebration, Mom and Dad treated us to sushi on Monday night (you know? This turning 40 thing is turning out to be ok). The boys tried something new (shrimp tempura), the sake just kept coming due to an overworked server and Mom learned about "marble drinks." 

As part of the celebration, I got to hit the gong two times - the first time I didn't hit it very hard so they told me to really hit it. What fun! 

Just so special to celebrate with such special people in my life. As I head into the new decade, I'm constantly reminded of how fortunate I am. Earlier this weekend as i sat on the porch with my Dad, he said, "These are special times." I couldn't agree more. 

Camp!

After 4 days at home to kick off the summer, the boys headed to Rocky Mountain Day Camp (which according to many is the best camp they will attend). They were both a bit nervous (and rightly so), but I think this is a great first camp. 

We've got quite the summer planned. Here's to enjoying every moment! 

Happy Memorial Day!

Summer is Here!

Skyview Park

In Pender, my Mom and her friends go to "Skyview Park" (aka our farm) to watch the sunset and moon risings. We have now found our "Skyview Park" in Louisville. Just a short walk up around our neighborhood provides a pretty darn good vista.