What Will Their Future Hold? (15 + years later)

I stole this video from a former classmate's blog. We both remember watching these commercials air and I actually recall thinking, no way will this stuff happen in my lifetime. Sure enough, we've surpassed most of the promises and funny thing, AT&T does bring much of it! I wonder how things will change for Ashton & Kate in their lifetimes...
Video from 1993 (I was 12ish!)

Most Important Election of My Adult Lifetime

Today I headed to the library to return a few books, grab some DVDs for the kids and pick out an audio book for my long Sunday car rides and was caught completely off guard by the lack of parking spaces at the normally deserted library. When I finally pulled into the grass in what I deemed a "parking spot" I stepped out into the blistery cold and extremely windy day to assess what was going on. I had to walk pass a line stretching down the side of the building, full of people of all different ages, genders and races. Some of the line were elderly, huddled together over walkers and in wheelchairs; some mothers with small babies wrapped in blankets; all it turns out waiting to cast their early voting ballots for the upcoming elections.

I cannot say what an impression this made on me. All of these people, waiting what turned out to be a two hour wait in very cold temperatures, simply to exercise their basic American right to vote and to make a difference. I knew this election would encourage voter turnout, but I had not expected the scene I saw today. What an amazing time this is and I am proud to be of age in this election. Regardless of the outcome, I see myself sharing stories with my children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren of how I waited my turn to cast my vote in this election of historic importance.

I also heard something on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" election discussion today that was so poetic and filled with such hope I don't think I'll forget it ever. It seemed to ring true with what I want for my own children, simply the opportunity to be who they want to be and do what they want to do, with no limitations but the sky. (I must admit I was jealous and wish I had thought of it, but glad someone had. )

"Rosa (Parks) sat, so Martin (Luther King, Jr.) could walk. Martin walked,
so Obama could run. Obama is running so our children can fly."

Wow, He Is Good

Monday was a tough morning all around. I was exhausted from sleeping 3 hours a night for 4 days in a row due to work and everything that could go wrong was. I knew I was yelling every other minute at the little ones to "Hurry up please!" and "Listen to me!", but couldn't seem to stop myself. Once in the car and nearing preschool Ashton, my three-year-old who had been quiet in the backseat, suddenly said "Mommy, it's a beautiful day outside...". I grumbled in agreement but really had to strain to hold the tears back when he followed in a softer voice with "...but you are having a bad day today. Can you please stop yelling at me?" I sent myself to time out after that and man, I deserved it. He is so perceptive for such a young soul and can humble me with one sentence. He is going to be a great man someday.

Olympic Fever at Our House

This is the first year we've all really been into watching the Olympics, actually...it's the 1st Olympics Ashton & Kate have been alive to see! This is how we are involving it in their lives:

Lego Beijing Olympic Renderings: Check this link out...holy cow these are LEGOS - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1046255/On-marks-set-Lego-Welcome-Olympics-everyones-quick-blocks.html

• Getting ready to witness history = 8 gold medals by 1 Olympian: We've spent all summer at the pool learning to swim so Ashton could begin his quest for the 2020 games and 9 gold medals!
• Making sure the coverage is ALWAYS on tv. Kate stayed up late and watched the opening ceremony on 08.08.08 and absolutely LOVED it! It was so colorful and fluid and simply the most amazing thing I've ever seen. (Outside of Micheal Phelps in a swim suit!) Can you beleive these are PEOPLE 2-3 high making a model of the stadium they are standing in?
  
• After watching the ENTIRE 2 hour 20 minute coverage of the Woman's marathon, which was sooooooooooooooooooooo much more exciting then I thought it would be, Paul and I have started going aggressively back to the gym and try to pretend we are marathon runners when we are on the treadmill. (And FYI, a 38 year old woman from Romania won which means...I still have time if I really want it!)
  

The Time Will Be Here Before We All Know It...

This list comes from Karen, but I agree with ALL OF IT. So, when the time comes for my little ones, I hope this still holds tried and true about the years post-high school with parents and pre-adulthood.
So you’re off to college? Things you should know…
-Go away to college! IF YOU STAY AT HOME AND COMMUTE, THAT'S JUST HIGH SCHOOL PART II!! (This is from Dawn).
- There is nothing worse than the first time you get sick and Mom isn’t there to take care of you. Driving to Wal-Mart to get your own Pepto Bismal and chicken soup is horrible and will make you feel very lonely and totally pathetic. To make this bad situation bearable, have “sick” supplies on hand (better yet, stock a medicine cabinet to take with you) before you get sick.
- You know you are a grown up when you have to spend your own money to buy toothpaste and toilet paper.
- You will hate doing laundry. In fact, you will go buy more underwear rather than washing your dirty ones.
-Good luck with roommates.
- The people you make friends with in college will probably still be your friends in ten years. You may never speak to the people from your high school again.
- Have mercy—call home.
- Tell your parents, grandparents, friends, and significant others to send you stuff in the mail. Empty mail boxes are depressing. Furthermore, have them send you “exam supplies” (with lots of sugar) during exam time.
- Stay on top of your academic adviser. They make mistakes that can delay your graduation!
- There is a limbo-zone in which you exist between graduating from high school and before you actually start college (or whatever you will be doing) when you feel like you no longer belong at home, but you don’t belong to this new phase in your life either. There is nothing to be done about this.
- There are idiots in your dorm who will pull the fire alarm at 3 AM. Keep a pillow and a blanket in your car (if it’s close) so you can stay warm and go back to sleep.
- Learn to write thank-you notes.
- Keep change on hand for vending machines and coin laundry.
- Take a multivitamin and drink A LOT of water.
- Everyone gets sick at exam time.
- Take advantage of the groups on campus but don't let them dominate and define you—Bible study, Young Democrats, sports teams, frats/sororities, RAs, etc. Be involved or you will get very little out of this experience.
- Live on campus for at least the first year.
- Learn to cook in a microwave and have a mini-fridge!
- If you’ve never had to study before, you are going to learn now.
- I would advise against a credit card.
- Have something you need to take care of—like a plant.
- You are going to make mistakes—some insignificant and some enormous—this is normal and it happens to everyone. Be the kind of person who learns from your mistakes.
- Every now and then, skip class to have an iced tea and sit in the sun with a friend.
- 8 AM classes will be the end of your academic career.
- The time that you are in college will be the point in your life when you are the most open-minded. Try not to forget what that is like after you graduate.
- Major in something you love—not something simply that may eventually make you a lot of money.
- Be safe, drive carefully, and wear your seatbelt.
- Go on big trips over summer break. Take LOTS of pictures.
- Sometimes life is going to throw you curve balls. You can't really practice for this, but the way you react to what happens will speak volumes about the kind of person you are.
- Try to conduct yourself in a way that you will not find embarrassing in the future.
- You absolutely never know what is going to happen to you so never say never, have a plan B and C, and remember that sometimes, when the door isn't open, you may have to go through the window.
- Keep a flashlight and an umbrella in your car.
- Remember that every person in your life is there for a reason. The right people always show up exactly when you need them and they stay just as long as you need them to stay. Be sure you make the most of the time you are given.
- Don't forget that "you are really fine" and "all is well in the universe."
- And, as Garrison Keillor says, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Daddy's Little MVP

What could make Paul happier than a child that L-O-V-E-S to watch basketball games? You see, the playoffs are on and every night Paul tries his hardest to watch any game he can. But, in this house the children rule the roost, and by roost, I mean remote control. So, you can imagine, Blue's Clue's always seems to make it's way on to the screen. But there has been a recent development that almost brings a tear to a dad's eye. Tonight, while Paul was stealing a look at a game's score Kate grabbed the nearest floor pillow, dragged it over right next to her Daddy and quickly plopped down while pointing and saying "Baket-ball daddy! Baket-ball! Yea!". She was very much into watching the game saying, "Hurray!" during either team's baskets and "Uh-oh!" when they missed. (This was a little unexpected as it was all done on Kate's own accord.)

While Paul is somewhat sad that neither Ashton nor I are ones to spend time watching sports on TV (although both Ashton and Kate REALLY enjoyed checking out a Steeplechase on tv the other day), I'd like to believe that his heart has been lifted when he realized he will have a Reid as a couch buddy when the sports seasons start.

Kate is very interested in and already VERY good at kicking balls, bouncing balls, throwing balls...but don't count Ashton out when it comes to athletics. My guess is he may shy away from team sports like soccer or baseball, but I anticipate we may have one heck of a golfer, swimmer or maybe even tennis player on our hands. Only time will tell!

Someday, But Hopefully Not Soon

Someday they will both take turns taking care of me, but hopefully not soon.

Someday my house will stay spotless, free of tiny hand prints on windows and doors, but hopefully not soon.

Someday I will have quiet mornings where I sleep in missing the
sound of "Hey Momma! Your awake!", but hopefully not soon.

Someday I will have more money in my bank account at the cost of less time with my children, but hopefully not soon.

Someday I will hear deeper voices discussing everything from politics
to music in place of higher pitched giggles and sequels of delight,
but hopefully not soon.

Someday there will be no toys to pick up because there is no one to
play with them, but hopefully not soon.

Someday they will not be constant interruptions, wanting to cuddle and read books or look at new discoveries, but hopefully not soon.

Someday they will be potty-trained and off to school and I will be sad that I don't have any little ones to buy diapers for, but hopefully not soon.

Someday I will have to let them go, free to live their own lives that will be
full of hard lessons learned, tearful times when I cannot console, boo-boo's I
cannot kiss away, and decisions I cannot make for them, but hopefully not
soon.

Someday I will look for my babies but find adults standing proudly in their places, but hopefully not soon.