#DRW40

In 2000, when Doug started at Whitman College, he was "old" compared to the rest of us, and the ongoing joke (for years) was that Doug was already 30.  So, when Doug did FINALLY turn 30, it felt like he had always been 30. This year, when Doug's actual 40th birthday arrived, it reminded me of his 30th, because it, too, felt like a final culmination of months of anticipation.

Doug's 40th celebrations truly started back in July when he and a small group of friends met in Scotland to golf, to watch The Open, and to drink whiskey.  It was his dream trip, and a week hasn't gone by when Doug hasn't thanked me for encouraging this adventure!

In keeping with the whiskey-theme, we planned a party with friends at the Whiskey Bar in downtown Boise. The night before his birthday, Doug returned from a grueling work trip in the Middle East.  But, in true Doug-fashion, he rallied, beating his jet lag and exhaustion, so we could all celebrate him.

I told Doug that if people all over the world could simply press a button and be transported to his Boise party, he would have had thousands of attendees.  In his 40 years, Doug has experienced and accomplished, tried and failed, explored and stayed.  One of his greatest traits is his easy-going, positive, kind, and generous personality-- people are drawn to him because he makes them feel special and validated.  Because of this, he has friends all over the world, some whom he has known for close to 40 years, and some whom he has only met once.  His loyalty to friends stands as one of the top reasons I love him.

It is because of Doug that I have this life I love.  And as much as I tease him, I love that he essentially  had 6 months of 40th celebrations!

Following this weekend's birthday celebration, our days have continued to fill with snow and Christmas cheer!

her profile gets me everytime

walking to school as the snow first arrived

winter recital whispers

first school music concert

And I think I even included 40 photos for #DRW40!!

December Days

EVERYthing about this season of life seems to be speeding by...

Cameron's first official family portrait: I'm the one with the mustache. 

In computer class, the computer teacher asked the students to type "Merry Christmas Mom and Dad" and then sign it.  Sophie typed her note but changed it to "Mommy and Daddy" because that's what we use in our house.  She subsequently got teased for being a baby who still calls her parents by those "baby names."  I was so proud of Sophie for acknowledging that her feelings got hurt by the teasing, but for also not changing her mind and typing and printing out what she wanted to type.  This girl will move mountains, I tell you.  And I'm pretty sure Santa is going to spoil her rotten.

 Writing letters to Santa:

a morning date with Cameron and Wise, the owl

By far, one of my favorite Christmas memories to date... these two kids, multiple stuffed animals, and  collaborative story telling...

We have missed our captain, oh captain, while my D has been busy working on the other side of the world! But, our favorite guy returns home soon, not just to enjoy more December Days, but in time for us to celebrate him and his BIG BIRTHDAY!! 

Moments of November

 
These faces...

Cameron: Today, at school, there was a new student named Abraham Lincoln.
Mommy: Abraham Lincoln? For real?
Cameron: For real.  And he was disgusting because he did icky pickies.

Cameron: When I was a Daddy, I didn't have kids.  And I didn't want to get married.
Mommy: When you were a Daddy, why didn't you want to get married?
Cameron: Because then I would have no power.

Sophie's first piano recital was a special moment.  Her poise.  Her confidence.  Her excitement and joy.  Her stage presence.  Her appreciation for music and for the talents of others.  The list goes on and on for the reasons we are proud of her.  

Cameron has developed a new word that he has been using for months.

WORD: Fasternate (verb, noun, and adjective)

DEFINITION: to be fast, to go fast, of or relating to speed, possessing quick characteristics
USAGE: Hurry up! Let's fasternate!
USAGE: This car can fasternate.  It's fasternate.
USAGE: That monster truck is broken cuz it doesn't have a fasternate.

And now we will fasternate into December.  Christmas is fasternating as the snow fasternates down outside.  As I'm typing this, the kids threw fasternate snowballs at the window to try to startle me.  My love for them continues to fasternate forward.  I am continually thankful for these fastnerating and full moments.