When I first met him, he immediately reminded me of my grandpa Charlie. A straight shooter with a warm, warm heart who just wanted to chat and tell his stories. His name is Jim and he was our dinner date this evening. Keri, my sis-in-law invited me to yoga and dinner with her friend. Yoga was a killer but super fun and sweaty. But the real fun came afterwards when we all met for dinner. I didn't know that Keri's friend's father-in-law was going to join us but I was so happy. He sipped on his red wine and told us stories of how he landed his job on wall street, went to the Korean War, spent 6 months in a hospital for fear he had TB (but didn't) and why he moved to Park City. He told us about his health and he would follow it all up with, "But who am I to complain." He was kind enough to let us tell a few stories of our own.
I spoke a bit about my grandpa and how much I loved him. I said that he was a similar straight shooter that would tell you to your face if you had bad breath because he would want you to know and wouldn't know any other way to do it. He had dinner with us practically every night when we were growing up. The funny thing is that I always knew how lucky I was to be that close to my grandpa. I always knew how special he was and how much he meant to our community. I hope my kids see their grandparents that way. I hope they listen to their stories of life and lessons and everything inbetween and know that there is so much to appreciate and learn from them.
I feel like I could have sat there with Jim and the girls forever. I miss my grandpa Charlie every single day and tonight Jim reminded me of how important it is to spend time with our elders. To hear their stories and let them shine. Boy they deserve it. As we left, Jim was saying goodbye to everyone...especially the ladies. I can't wait to meet him for lunch and hear more. Thanks for dinner Keri!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sorry I have been away!
Time flies when you are having fun. This summer was exactly that. Fun! Fun! Fun!
It was the perfect combo of work and relaxation and excellent activities. We went to the pool plenty which the kids enjoyed so much. It is pretty funny how all the mommies are half in a conversation and half in life saving. I actually just enjoyed sitting by the side, soaking up the sun and watching the kiddos play in the water.
We have some great pools where we live. The shallow end is just deep enough for them to go under but shallow enough so they can stand super easily. I don't think there is anything that is more tiring for a kid than a day at the pool. It was heaven. We would play for 2 hours at the pool and then come back, have lunch and have a delicious nap.
I feel so satisfied when my kids spend lots of time outside and then take a super great nap. Now that I think of it, that is what made my summer so great. We used every ounce of great weather and had fun outside. We tried to camping but go pounded by a wind storm and sand was whipping in our eyes and through our tent and camper. We muscled through it for about 3 hours and then decided to call it quits. All that work to just breakdown our camp and head home. So sad. But we did stop at a wonderful playground on the way home, which ended the trip on a good note.
I took my daughter to Indianapolis for the US Nationals. My mom came along to help watch her while I worked. It was a really fun trip. Just us girls hangin out in Indy. She came to the swim meet a few times and fell in love with Julia Smit. And, of course, she loves Michael Phelps. When we came home, she would put her swim cap on and she would be Julia Smit while I was Katie Hoff. A fun game...especially when you are in the pool. :)
I am sorry I was away for awhile but now I am back and committed to this blog. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I will expand on a few of my summer tales. I hope that some of my stories as a mom, wife, friend, athlete, working-mom and struggling cook entertain you a little.
It was the perfect combo of work and relaxation and excellent activities. We went to the pool plenty which the kids enjoyed so much. It is pretty funny how all the mommies are half in a conversation and half in life saving. I actually just enjoyed sitting by the side, soaking up the sun and watching the kiddos play in the water.
We have some great pools where we live. The shallow end is just deep enough for them to go under but shallow enough so they can stand super easily. I don't think there is anything that is more tiring for a kid than a day at the pool. It was heaven. We would play for 2 hours at the pool and then come back, have lunch and have a delicious nap.
I feel so satisfied when my kids spend lots of time outside and then take a super great nap. Now that I think of it, that is what made my summer so great. We used every ounce of great weather and had fun outside. We tried to camping but go pounded by a wind storm and sand was whipping in our eyes and through our tent and camper. We muscled through it for about 3 hours and then decided to call it quits. All that work to just breakdown our camp and head home. So sad. But we did stop at a wonderful playground on the way home, which ended the trip on a good note.
I took my daughter to Indianapolis for the US Nationals. My mom came along to help watch her while I worked. It was a really fun trip. Just us girls hangin out in Indy. She came to the swim meet a few times and fell in love with Julia Smit. And, of course, she loves Michael Phelps. When we came home, she would put her swim cap on and she would be Julia Smit while I was Katie Hoff. A fun game...especially when you are in the pool. :)
I am sorry I was away for awhile but now I am back and committed to this blog. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I will expand on a few of my summer tales. I hope that some of my stories as a mom, wife, friend, athlete, working-mom and struggling cook entertain you a little.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
I am not a perfect mommy.
Today was not my best mommy day. I woke up rested and ready to go but my kiddos did not do the same. They were exhausted. I had my daughter, who is 3, in camp 3 days last week and she never napped. We had several night activities and she had a sleep over last night. Her cousin slept over in her new "big girl" bed. It was a HUGE deal and I felt I couldn't say no....well, now I wish I had.
My daughter was just exhausted but would not rest. We managed to do things in the morning with a lot of whining and drama. We finally got to the swim pool for a fun outing and she went down hill very fast. Luckily my sister in law was there because while I was retreating back to the car an hour and a half later with my screaming, kicking daughter and 4 bags, I needed somebody to carry my 18 month old son.
I was that mom today who is manhandling their child into their car seat. I tried my best to reason with her. I tried to listen to her demands. I even tried to let her do it herself but nothing was working. She was just too tired. Thank goodness my son was a dream throughout this whole ordeal or I would have lost it before I finally did.
We were about 1 minute from the pool and she kept screaming that she REALLY wanted to get dressed RIGHT NOW. She was trying to be polite by saying excuse me mom but I just knew we weren't going to get anywhere and in fact were probably going to replay what just ocurred with the car seat. I pulled off the road and gave her the benefit of the doubt.
About 5 minutes later, I was once again that woman you see manhandling their child into the car seat. She was hitting me and calling me names and I finally lost it and just screamed as loud as I could. I screamed so loud that my throat hurt and still does. I got her in her car seat and slammed the car door so hard I thought I might have broken it. I then screamed again. And then once more when i was holding the wheel. That is when my son lost it. That is when I felt like a bad mommy. That is when I knew that I was nowhere near perfect today. I am okay with not being perfect but I don't like what I did. I want to be better. Don't we all!!!
My daughter was just exhausted but would not rest. We managed to do things in the morning with a lot of whining and drama. We finally got to the swim pool for a fun outing and she went down hill very fast. Luckily my sister in law was there because while I was retreating back to the car an hour and a half later with my screaming, kicking daughter and 4 bags, I needed somebody to carry my 18 month old son.
I was that mom today who is manhandling their child into their car seat. I tried my best to reason with her. I tried to listen to her demands. I even tried to let her do it herself but nothing was working. She was just too tired. Thank goodness my son was a dream throughout this whole ordeal or I would have lost it before I finally did.
We were about 1 minute from the pool and she kept screaming that she REALLY wanted to get dressed RIGHT NOW. She was trying to be polite by saying excuse me mom but I just knew we weren't going to get anywhere and in fact were probably going to replay what just ocurred with the car seat. I pulled off the road and gave her the benefit of the doubt.
About 5 minutes later, I was once again that woman you see manhandling their child into the car seat. She was hitting me and calling me names and I finally lost it and just screamed as loud as I could. I screamed so loud that my throat hurt and still does. I got her in her car seat and slammed the car door so hard I thought I might have broken it. I then screamed again. And then once more when i was holding the wheel. That is when my son lost it. That is when I felt like a bad mommy. That is when I knew that I was nowhere near perfect today. I am okay with not being perfect but I don't like what I did. I want to be better. Don't we all!!!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
I Love You, friend. Have you said this and why lately?
Please do this. I love my best friend so very much. It brings tears to my eyes when I think of how special she is. I first met Heidi my freshman year in college. My friends, Lea and Laurie and I needed to find 3 more girls to live with our sophomore year. We were introduced to 3 volleyball players and immediately hit it off. Heidi, Piper and Dani were the perfect fit for us.
Heidi and I became close initially because we wore the same size clothes and shoes. We told each other that we had an “open closet” policy. If we needed some clothes, we could venture into the other’s closet at any time and borrow anything. From there, our friendship blossomed into a true sisterhood. She helped me through the stress of my pre-Olympic schedule. She actually came to the Olympics and sat with my family. I will never forget looking up at her after my first medal. I won the bronze in the 400 IM. I was on the podium and I saw Heidi crying. It was a pretty special moment.
From the Olympics, we shared a room that was no bigger than 250 sq ft. We traveled and grew up together. We saw each other through boyfriends and graduations for her and divorce and geographical changes for me. Life has happened to us and I am grateful she has known me and supported me the entire time.
We have turned a corner in our friendship now with our families becoming closer. Being a mom with your best friend is extremely special. I had the good fortune of living right down the road from her and her family for a few months this past year. She has a wonderful husband and 2 kids that I adore. We got to spend so much time together. You know, that spontaneous, neighbor fun time.
She has since moved a bit further south. We knew this past year that the fact that we were moments from each other was a rare treat and took advantage of it. We had dinner together as much as we could both as families and with just the adults. After we left California, I tried to tell her how much I cherished the time we all got to spend together. I know she got it as tears were rolling down my face. But today, I am going to write her a letter reminding her how special she is to me and how much I appreciate her friendship. Why not do the same?!
Heidi and I became close initially because we wore the same size clothes and shoes. We told each other that we had an “open closet” policy. If we needed some clothes, we could venture into the other’s closet at any time and borrow anything. From there, our friendship blossomed into a true sisterhood. She helped me through the stress of my pre-Olympic schedule. She actually came to the Olympics and sat with my family. I will never forget looking up at her after my first medal. I won the bronze in the 400 IM. I was on the podium and I saw Heidi crying. It was a pretty special moment.
From the Olympics, we shared a room that was no bigger than 250 sq ft. We traveled and grew up together. We saw each other through boyfriends and graduations for her and divorce and geographical changes for me. Life has happened to us and I am grateful she has known me and supported me the entire time.
We have turned a corner in our friendship now with our families becoming closer. Being a mom with your best friend is extremely special. I had the good fortune of living right down the road from her and her family for a few months this past year. She has a wonderful husband and 2 kids that I adore. We got to spend so much time together. You know, that spontaneous, neighbor fun time.
She has since moved a bit further south. We knew this past year that the fact that we were moments from each other was a rare treat and took advantage of it. We had dinner together as much as we could both as families and with just the adults. After we left California, I tried to tell her how much I cherished the time we all got to spend together. I know she got it as tears were rolling down my face. But today, I am going to write her a letter reminding her how special she is to me and how much I appreciate her friendship. Why not do the same?!
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