SMU Homecoming Parade, year 3!

Stroller Mama

So, when you have to wait until you are 36 and watch everyone you know have a child before you...you learn a lot just by watching others.  If you are like me, you also get an obsession for some things.  "If I could only have a child of my own" is kind of depressing to think about, everyday.  How about just obsessing about the THINGS that you would have IF you had a child, that seemed more fun.  Diaper Bags and Strollers, those were my coveted vices!  The diaper bag was Kate Spade, of course.  But, I did a lot of research on strollers, a lot!  I couldn't justify the cost of the Bugaboo to Darren for sure...but also, it wasn't easy to travel with so it was a problem for me too.  Did I mention the $800 price tag!  We settled on Maxi Cosi for car seats and our stroller and I was really happy with them and their customer service.  But, when it came to traveling, it was a full sized stroller and was hard to fly with.  More research....I found an umbrella Stroller Kooper by Joovy.  Their company headquarters right here in Dallas-awesome, easy enough to fold and small enough you could get through security and gate check it- awesome, and it was actually functional and comfortable when we got where were were going- awesome!  We love our Joovy and it has gone to CA, CO, the State Fair, the Arboretum, the Aquarium and Grandma-mas!

It is crazy that we have 3 strollers, each for different purposes.  Consumerism at it's best.  (Did I mention we have 5 different IPods in this family).  Being a runner, something that truly brings me zen and joy...it is hard to find time to run being a single parent.  On my "off" days from Trevor, I take advantage of the freedom to go for a long run.  But, I kept saying "I would go running today, but I have Trevor".  We went through a long process with another stroller company....I won't go into it, with our first jogging stroller.  Loved the concept, hated the stroller.  The only stroller that seemed fit for a true runner was the BOB and that one costs $450.  That seemed excessive.

But, I kept wanting to go for a run...outside.  I could go to the gym and put Trevor in the kids club and run on the treadmill but that is a lose, lose for both of us...not fun!  Us both getting to be outside would be so much nicer.  I got on Craig's List earlier this week to see if any BOB's were out there (there never are).  But, then...I saw a post by the main Joovy office which is in Deep Elum in Dallas.  *Warehouse Sale*  by appointment only and they had jogging strollers for $99.  I called and ran down during my lunch.  They weren't quite sure about one of the wheels but I said I would try it out, he would only take $50 for it.  Sure enough it pulled to the right, so hard that it was difficult to keep it on the trail.  I emailed the guy who sold it to me and he apologized that he should have checked it out more before it got advertised.  He felt so bad that I came down that he said he had a brand new, in the box stroller that he would sell me for the original $99 advertised (so, $50 more dollars but what I had originally planned to spend for a floor model for a NEW one).  Sign me up!  Talk about great customer service.  Check out our new Joovy 360 Jogging stroller!

I haven't had a chance to really run with it yet because I have been so sick, but we did go for a long walk today and I can honestly say that I LOVE it!  I would love to be able to just go running and leave Trevor home while I did it.  That is just not going to happen during the week.  If you have ever been on a bike trail and see kids in jogging strollers you will agree, they NEVER look unhappy.  Trevor loves going "running" and being in the stroller, even at 2 1/2.  He does tell me to go faster, which is kind of funny...a new kind of motivation.

Get it! Rangers!

We will always love our Papa!

Poetry in Nature

Our guide, Julie, read this poem which was written by a woman who had run the river with ARR.  It really is a perfect reflection on the experience.  One of the great surprises of the trip was enjoying the readings and poetry about the Canyon that our guides shared with us.  There were some not so flattering stories about Powell but the style of his writings from the late 1800's is amazing.  Just the attempt to describe the Canyon and the river in mere words is amazing.

Back to Civilization

So, I’m back in the city

And my friends all exclaim,

“So, you had a good time…

well, you look ‘in pain’

“Your lips are cracked,

and your hair’s like straw!

“Your legs are bruised,

and your knees are raw!

“Your nails are broken,

you’ve gained weight,

“How can you say

that your trip was great?

“Your sunburn’s peeling…

it sure is a “beaut’

“It looks like you’re wearing

a camouflage suit!

“So, you had a good time…

well, you ‘tell me’

“You look like you just came

through World War Three!”

“Listen,my friend said, carefully,

and I will tell you what this all means to me.”

“My bruises will fade,

and my bones will heal”

“My skin will be soft

underneath the peel”

“My hair will recover, and so will my lips”

“And I’ll get those 10 pounds off my hips”

“But the memories I’ve stored,

will not fade away”

“They will be with me,

to my dying day”

“The whitewater thrills,

and the red canyon walls”

“The Indian ruins,

and pure waterfalls”

“The fun with new friends,

and boatman tall tales:

“Boatman great cooking

and whitewater wails”

“Yes, the memories I’ve made will

not fade away”

“They will be with me,

to my dying day.”

DC Annonymous

Day 12- I enjoyed my very last Diet Coke in Marble Canyon, AZ with some frybread on September 11, 2011. I really do think there should be a support group for DC addicts.  It's a true addiction and only cold turkey will work.  I did not give up caffeine, just DC.  Thank God I live in Texas and there is Ice Tea everywhere you go.

Trevor & his shadow playing BB

I don't get out my camera enough, period. I need to capture more moments, before they are gone.
Click HERE for more photos from September.

Mission Impossible

I know that I have said that Elmo is a marketing gold mine, but apparently the"diamond" approach to finding Elmo bedding makes it virtually impossible to redo Trevor's room in Elmo (which was his choice).  Sesame Street bedding is so "rare" and unavailable that I almost can't even believe it.  Now, I am on a mission which means this will occupy my time and frustrate me to no end.  You can't even buy Elmo fabric.  This is insane, people...it's Elmo! 

Mommy

Being a mother is the single most important job I will ever have. Don't bungle it, don't take it for granted, don't take it too seriously....how about- do your very best, enjoy every single moment and have fun!  Don't is no longer in my vocabulary.

365 Days

It's kind of hard to fathom...but, a year ago, I was living in a residence hall apartment.  I was so devastated, lost, incredibly sad, sleepless and depressed.  Just the relief of living closer to my friends and work made things so much easier and I didn't cry all day in my office anymore.  I had a HUGE moment tonight as I looked around my apartment to see just how far I have come.  I really shouldn't be so hard on myself.  One day, sooner than I think, I will be able to recall how things were from 2009-2010 but those emotions won't be able to sneak up and hi-jack me anymore.

I know that I don't want to live in an apartment forever (one more year, only, please!) but, I really am doing so much better.  Enjoy the present, live in the now...because Now is actually really great.

Trevor & Sophie in our McElvaney, Freshman Residence Hall home