Familiar

Today, as I was sitting at a picnic table, singing songs with Harlie and waiting for Scott to come back to the park with lunch, I had a familiar feeling come over me...a hopeful, peaceful feeling. The same one from just over two years ago, when Scott and I brought Harlie home from the hospital and we had three or four days to spend just getting to know her better before Scott had to go back to work.

And even now, after we've finished our PB&J's, apple slices and chocolate milk, the feeling lingers. Harlie is napping, Scott ran to get his haircut and Austin is helping his friend haul all of the necessary gaming gear to our house for a sleepover tonight.

Now, maybe it's just the sun and that soothing warmth on your back that fills you up after weeks of damp and dreary days. Because, indeed, the promise of warmer weather and a new season is exactly what I need right about now.

Or maybe, this is how it was supposed to go after all.

Here's to hoping...

2010 Recap

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Go on an interview. Baskin Robbins doesn't count.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


I don't remember making any.

This year I resolve to be kinder to myself and those around me that deserve all the love I can give them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


Although not literally close to me, Emily and Lenette, who are dear, long time friends of mine each had a baby. Asher was born in July and Mia was born in October.

4. Did anyone close to you die?


Not that I can remember, but my mind is mush these days

5. What countries did you visit?

None.


6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Financial security.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

August 19th. The day our life was turned upside down.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


I think the most obvious would be landing a J-O-B, however, there were little victories throughout the year that made a big impact on my life. Signing the lease last week on our rental felt HUGE.

9. What was your biggest failure?
The short sale. And also the way I took my frustrations out on Scott.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had bronchitis that lasted about a month. That was annoying as all hell.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A security deposit and first month's rent.

12. Where did most of your money go?
GAS!!!! And food.

13. What did you get really excited about?
Trips out of town, to Livermore, Napa and Tahoe. My job. Scott's job. The email from Scott that said WE GOT IT!!!!

14. What song will always remind you of 2010?
I'm a believer

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? About the same, but for different reasons. Life is so different now.
– thinner or fatter? Probably fatter.
– richer or poorer? Richer in opportunity, about the same cash-wise.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?


Blogging. Reading. Memorizing. Traveling. Exercising.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Fretting. Nagging.

18. How did you spend Christmas?

At (my parent's) home with my family. It was perfect.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Brothers and Sisters...it's extra good this year.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Don't Say a Word by Barbara Freethy and Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton

21. What was your favorite music from this year?


My favorite song would probably be The Weary Kind from the Crazy Heart Soundtrack.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

I really liked Crazy Heart and Easy A :-).

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 32 and spent my birthday with the fam in Tahoe.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not having to move.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Slouchy.

26. What kept you sane?

My friends and sister. Hands down

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.


Home is where your heart is

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Harlie Shavonne, you are 2 years old...

So much has happened in the last 6 months and it seems that in the blink of an eye, you turned 2 years old. You're are a little girl now, and the only baby-ness left to be seen is in your belly and chunker monker thighs. You are talking up a storm. You're favorite things to say are "What's that noise?", "Dinnertime!" (or breakfast/lunchtime), and "Night Night!" (You LOVE to play the night night game with your stuffed animals and blanket). You also LOVE to thank everyone for everything, all the time.

Your favorite songs to sing are your ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, "Ernie's song" (Row Row Row Your Boat), The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Barney's Song, and You are My Sunshine. You know most of the words to these songs but you love to emphasize the last word of each phrase and sing it really loud as you close your eyes and scrunch your face. I love it, you are such a ham. I hope you never stop singing your heart out.

Crackers, chips, cookies, cake and icecream are your favorite indulgences. You will always ask for a "Taste!" if we're eating in front of you and you love ketchup on anything. And like ketchup, you will lick most sauces and spreads off your food before eating it.

You love a party, and it thrills me that you get excited to put your party dress on for any occasion. And since daddy gets to dress you most of the time, I almost always can come up wth a reason to put a party dress on you. Along the same lines, you're facscinated with anything princess, and have started calling things you like "pretty".

Shrek used to be your one and only love when it came to movies, but these days you also love Cars and Nemo. As far as cartoon characters go, your faves are Strawberry Shortcake ("Cake Cake!"), The Care Bears, Mickey Mouse, and Abby Caddaby. Dad says you also like to watch Sid the Science Guy.

Since moving in with Grandma and Papa, you are obsessed with cows, and also have a great fondness for the horseys, llamas, and goats down the street. You like to tell them night night when we are driving home at night and like to watch the deer and turkeys from the window, often bursting into tears after they meander out of view.

Your hair is getting so long. It's about an inch past your shoulders now and I can finally pull it up into a ponytail with ease. You have a smattering of tiny freckles across your nose and cheeks...not enough to see from a far, but right up close, yup there they are. I remember rocking you as a newborn, wondering when they would first appear, knowing it was inevitable, you being such a fair skinned beauty. Sometimes I can't believe that these moments I wondered about have already arrrived, because geez, you are growing so fast.

You have become great friends with your cousins, Max and Mazzy. You love to go to "Keri's House" and seeing the three of you play together is one of my favorite things to do. It makes you so happy, that your smile hardly fades when you are around them.

Austin has embraced the roll of big brother with you and it's so darn cute. He looks after you, pulling you away from danger and letting you know when you're misbehaving. I catch him smiling at you sometimes and it makes my heart burst.

Monkey, I feel like there is so much more to say and that I couldn't possibly describe all that is TWO about you in this letter. You love BIG, you cry BIG and you are full of joy and personality!

I love you so much... you are my sunshine, my sweet sweet sunshine.

P.S. Oh, there is one more thing. This might be Mama's favorite thing of all time. Sometimes, when I put you down at night you grab my face with both of your hands and give me a big kiss and hug me so tight. Man that is THE best.

P.P.S. You still love to head bang when the rhythm gets ya. It's hilarious. Please never stop.

She keeps me believin'...

Harlie's 2nd Birthday Slideshow from Erin Wilson on Vimeo.

Fifteen

The Brightside

Snuggling on the back patio with Harlie, watching the sunrise and singing her favorite songs.

Feeling the heat of the city fade away as Austin and I zoom down Motherlode with the windows down, finally headed for home after a long day.

Sunday night dinners, especially when it's Mom's night to cook.

Watching Harlie makes friends with her favorite neighbors, the deer, turkeys, horses, goats, llamas and cows.

Taking a walk down Monitor on a cool night, right before sunset.

Literally getting away from it all when the weekend comes.

Mom's appetizers.

Memory foam beds.

Exploring our new town.

Double Ovens.

No longer watching Dancing with the Stars alone.

Grizzly Austin

Austin started shaving this week. The smattering of whiskers he's had for months finally became somewhat beardlike in places, and was kinda freaking me out. To me, he is still a boy in so many ways, but I realize that's quickly changing. I'm just not ready to see it on his face yet. Luckily, Aust welcomed the opportunity to start shaving, so Scott bought a cheap Walmart electric razor similar to one he had used when he first started shaving and showed Aust how to use it the night before last.

August 19, 2010

On My Mind Tonight

1. I have so many shows on our DVR that I haven't watched and I have no time to catch up before the move. So long crappy tv that I love so much.
2. Tonight I put Harlie down to sleep in her room for the last time.
3. It makes me sad that things are so crazy that I almost didn't realize it was the last time. I don't want these last times to pass me by. I want to remember.
4. What the heck am I going to pack my blankets and other linens in? Do you really put blankets in boxes?
5. A glass of wine would be nice right now.
6. How much do I sell Harlie's baby stuff for at our garage sale? I secretly want to over-price it all so it doesn't sell. Just another thing I'm not ready for.
7. I can't wait for Napa. I hope I can relax and enjoy it. Luckily there will be lots of wine there. That will help.
8. I love this house.