the new year rather than the old

In retrospect my ringing in the new year was more of a thunk than a tinkle, a thud than a chime. But now that the new year has begun and I'm looking forward... to changes, I can also see the good memories we made over the summer (Holly, Alamosa, Raton) and the wonderful weekend game nights chewing on gummy bears. It was the year of waiting for Miah's hair to grow out. We're still waiting. This was the year that Miah fell in love with swimming, started running, and had us laughing along with her sense of humor. This was the first year were extras in Miah's Musical--I'm pretty sure this only the start to her show. Even though her dad abhors all musicals he's oddly OK that she plays a lead role in one every day.

I don't want to forget that.

In fact, it makes me look forward to dragging the sleds to the Sand Dunes in May when the river is flowing, or to detangling my fishing poles to drop a line in the mountain lakes not far from Trinidad, or to inflating the raft for Miah's first "boat ride", or to dusting off my hiking boots to explore La Veta.The more I learn about Southern Colorado, the more I want to explore. Did you know about the thermally heated lake near Walsenburg? They say it's warm enough to swim during the summer months. I used to love lake swimming in Michigan. If it warm enough, I'll introduce Miah to that wonderful experience.

Here's to an exciting year of changes.

new year

This has been the year of baby birds and moving boxes. I don't remember much of the months before these two things. After the for sale sign went up on our house last year, I began to brace myself--never imagining that I'd be moving in three different directions and assigning finals. Since then (May) we've been largley unsettled for an assortment of reasons.

Symbolically we ended the year of 2010--you guessed it--moving. We were blessed with a sunny, but brisk, day in which to clear out our storage units. What we weren't able to unpack into the kitchen and bedrooms we were able to store in an unusually large closet in the master bathroom. Loading up the truck, I had to laugh at our porportions of things. When we left the house, we sold just about everything, and apparently all that remains are tools, cooking utensils, a good supply of linens, a few keepsakes, and books. A stranger would think all we did was read, eat, and sleep (and once in awhile play games). I can only wish that were true. 

There is a strange comfort that comes from having unpacked my kitchen, even if that kitchen is over 100 miles away. We hope to keep this rental until Mark finishes school. It's a nice feeling. It makes me want a contract with a local school even more. I don't like wanting something so much.

Take a look at this view. Mark took this picture with his phone from the front deck. You get the same view from the front windows which didn't yet get in the way of my cleaning spree--the kitchen and bathroom took too long.

I've told Mark that I want a futon for one of the sitting rooms. If we can find a good deal on one, we'll then have plenty of mattresses to host the family, or friends with kids, down for a weekend getaway.

At first Miah didn't know what to think: she didn't like the new place because of the mess, but she's also ready for a home. I am surprised that she's maintained the distinction of grandma and grandpa's home after all this time. After we cleaned up the boxes and Miah uncovered dolls and toys she hadn't seen for a long time, she accepted the new place.

third birthday

When the Lindens stopped by to drop off papers, they tried asking Miah how old she was. "Three birthdays," was the reply which was correct in a way.

While setting the table for her party, she snuck into my picture of her brightly colored table. There's no theme here other than bright colors, and that's pretty accurate. As I plan how I'm going to decorate her room this summer (because I finally feel comfortable doing that for her) I've planned the design-on-a-dime way to add some sparkle for her. It wouldn't be her room without it.

I intended to make a holiday punch, but after coming home from the store I realized I had forgotten to add the ingredients to my shopping list. Instead, I brewed up some gingerbread latte while the cake baked. This means that Miah had a gingerbread steamer with whipped cream and heart sprinkles on top. I don't know if she ever made it to the milk before she was distracted by cake and presents, but it made her smile.  

Ever since camp this summer, Miah has loved the idea of birthday cake. Every cake, to her mind, is birthday cake. I can't blame her for thinking that. It seemed like every other night the kitchen rolled out a new cake--five weeks in a row. Finally it was her turn for her own cake. Since plans changed the night before, I wasn't able to make this cake fancy--no time to find the dyes for the frosting. She didn't care. It was hers. It was covered in sprinkles and Mom found her pretty daisy candles. Before we could finish saying, "blow out the candles," the flames were gone with one blow, like she had been doing this all year.

She loved every single one of her presents. After we pried her computer out of her hands, she went to work on the puzzle. Grandpa tried to help our dressed up princess, but she was distracted by my cutting cake. With cake in her mouth and balanced on her fork, however, she assembled the puzzle without a second thought. I think we're making progress. I thought it was adorable that she recieved a puzzle from her cousin, the puzzle king. (Kellen, I can't wait to assemble complicated puzzles with you. That's a tradition I shared with my aunts!)

The don't-you-dare-take-a-picture-of-me-on-the-pretty-purple-computer look.

I just finished registering Miah's Leapfrog computer, and she loves it. Thank you grandma and grandpa. We've already "sent" her an e-mail from you.

Sweetheart, I thought about writing sentimental birthday prose to you, but I couldn't find the words. You fill my heart with all your quirks and busyness and I wonder every day what wonderful plans God must have for a spirit like yours.

belated christmas post

Diving in to find her first present.

Miah is pretty serious and focused when unwrapping presents.

She's been waiting almost a year for a My Little Pony. She also received her first game, Candy Land, but she's still a few weeks away from being able to play. Mark didn't realize that she's still struggling with colors when he sat down to play with her.