This makes us "real" parents...

We are entering a new era of our parenthood--we officially have a swingset in our backyard!  That, among having a mini-van, has really confirmed that we are a family with littles.  Not having a swingset with one child was easy because we could just zip to the park on our bikes.  Having a baby changed that--and we found that having our own little piece of the park in our backyard advantageous.

This is how it started....looks rather daunting.

Rory was SO happy to help and be able to use tools.  I hope he remembers these memories with his Dad and Grandpa.

Rory was a tad disappointed when he realized that the swingset was going to take longer than an hour or so to complete.  He did jump right in and help out and by the end of the weekend he was swing ready!  He loves it and I love being able to walk right out the backdoor so he can play!

What I learned today....

James E Nuckols

June 10, 1924-June 9, 2014

As a little girl I remember Grandpa was always reading or tinkering on the computer.  He was always learning something, reading a technical magazine or sharing a bit of knowledge that he picked up.  He enjoyed the more technical side of life, many things I didn't understand.

It seemed our usual conversation each time we would visit.  Grandpa would ask, "What did you learn in school?"  Since I was in school I always had a legitimate answer.  Grandpa asked me this question regularly and all the way through my nearly 4 years at college.  I can distinctly remember the summer I graduated from UC---visiting Grandpa he asked me the usual question, "what did you learn in school?"  I've always remembered that moment---even where I was sitting in Grandma and Grandpas living room.  For a moment, I didn't know what to say and was a little hurt because I wondered how could he forget that I had graduated college?!?  I said, "Grandpa, I've already graduated college."  He looked at me with a sheepish smile, an ability that all the Nuckols men have, and said, "I know, but we are all students of life.”  He paused for a moment and then said “What did you learn in school today?"  I smiled back and thought of something that I had learned. 

Every visit after that I was prepared and thought about something neat I had learned and added to my bank of knowledge.  I started asking him the same question and he always had something to share.  Now I wish I could have remembered the tidbits we exchanged.

It wasn't until a couple years ago that I realized the life long impact these 2 minute conversations.  I was driving home from work and the question popped into my head, “What did I learn today?”  We've not been able to have those conversations for quite some time now, but rarely a day goes by now that I don't look back at the end of the day and think, "what did I learn today?"  Some days I'm quite happy with how the day went and what I learned.  I learned how to sew a curtain, I learned how to fix a strand of Christmas lights. I learned how to read the bedtime story just right.  I learned sometimes all people need is a smile.  Other days, I look back and think, "Jenna, did you not learn anything?"---and I'm disappointed by the day that got away, a day I merely passed through.  A day that I would have no answer for Grandpa…

Maybe Grandpa didn't intend to but he's taught me a lifelong lesson of learning everyday.  He didn't just teach me one great principle, one great lesson or one great theory....he taught me to keep on learning every single day.  We are never too old, too young, too busy, too tired, too wrapped up in our own world that we can't learn something new.  So I ask you the same question, "what have you learned today?"

What I know 30 years later...

There were many things that have stressed me out about this birthday.  And stressed probably isn't the correct word anyway because it is what it is and I'm OK with that.  I felt like I'd be wearing a banner around that announced my graduation to the next age bracket. Maybe because it's a huge leap from being a young adult to just an adult.  It could have to do with the fact that when I fill out surveys now, I'm no longer in the 20-29 range.  There is something about not being in my 20's anymore that makes me feel less youthful...and if I had any cool factor before I'm pretty sure it might be gone now.

I am by no means old (right?) but there are a few things I've noticed these past 30 years:

1. Some people don't make it to this mile-stone and I am ever so thankful that I have.  In my graduating class alone, sadly, there are too many that have not gotten to celebrate this day, or rather their day.

2.  This feels weird, but it is OK.  Sometimes when I hear people talk about college-agers or early 20-somethings I instantly think, "Oh, so they are about my age."  BUT, there is usually a big difference between someone who is 21 and 29+.  The difference is OK--it's just a difference, not good or bad.  I think so much can happen in those 10 years that can define and change each person.

3.  I am now just an adult.  Plain. Simple.  Adult.  Secretly, I hope and love when people call me a young lady, sweetheart, girl, or honey.  Some are offended by it but I see it as still being youthful.  When people start calling me ma'am--well, that is an entirely different mile-stone that shouldn't come for many, many, many years!

4.  I may be 30 (there I said it) but I will always be my Mom and Dad's little girl.  They text me often, check to see how I am, and after I drive to visit, well, they have my drive home timed...and my cell phone starts ringing the moment I pull off the highway ramp, "Just checking to make sure you made it home OK...."  It's good to be someones little girl.

5.  I've come to terms with the fact that I'll never be allowed to hold the communion tray at church by myself.  I'm not sure how it all started, probably people being helpful but it never fails--no matter who sits next to me, they hold on to it.  If I have a person on each side each one holds onto the tray until the person on my other side has a firm grip.  If I'm sitting by myself, the usher retains his grip.  I wonder if I  have the look that says, "yup, that girl is going to spill the grape juice everywhere."  For the record, I've never spilled any or dropped as much as one cracker.

6.  Drama--I didn't have time for it 10 years ago and I have even less now.  I'm not into drama, pot-stirring, digging things up or getting people going.  I just want everyone to be happy and loved.  Is that too much to ask?  Spending time with each other is just too important--it's important to encourage and lift-up, not tear down.

7.  This decade has brought on more personal confidence than I thought possible.  Some of this could be moving to an entirely different city and finding my way here but I'm doing things I wouldn't have pictured myself doing before, in high school, college or early adult.  A few months back I was on stage at our church talking...it was only 30 seconds but I still did it.  It took lots of prayer but not something I would have done 5 or even 10 years ago.  I've gone out of my way to talk to people I don't know, invite people for lunch to make new friends, and genuinely forge relationships with new people.  I think I've solidified more of who I am and who I want to be than any other time in my life.   I don't want to be scared of other people, meeting new friends or trying new things.   I don't want to have regrets and look back in 20 years and wish I wouldn't have been such a weenie about things.  Mostly, being moved out of my comfort zone was terrifying at first but I've learned once I'm out of "the safe zone"--well, it's kind of nice out here and I like it.

8.    The past couple years has brought on more confidence in mothering.  It's a hard job--and I feel like the first year, all people do is give you advice on what you should or should not do.  The only unsolicited advice I'll give new moms is, "People will give you all sorts of advice on what you should or should not do with your new baby, but God gave you this baby and he will also equip you to be a good mother.  Seek advice from only those you really trust."  I've honed in on my own mothering instinct and I follow that.  I've surrounded myself with Moms that have great advice and show what being a Godly mother looks like.  Whether you have 1 or 19 all mothers get stares and silent judgement but I've learned to ignore that.  I'm doing the job God trusted me to do and I'm doing the best I can.

9.  I'm certainly not where I thought I'd be--and thank God for that!!  If you had asked me as a senior in high school where I would be when I was 30 it would not be where I am at now.  I had big plans to move up the corporate ladder as an accountant, have an assistant, a nice little sports car with personalized tags, and a nice paycheck to go with it.  I envisioned myself traveling for my job and being "really important."  I was going to be that lady in the airport, catching a plane in a black suit and heels, carrying my designer bag and computer.  I'm really not any of that--I did graduate with a Bachelor's in Accounting and worked as an accountant for nearly 7 years but that is where the similarities end.  I push a stroller through the airport, wearing slip on crocs (they are very practical), carrying a book bag full of cheddar bunnies and fruit snacks.  I don't have an assistant, I am the assistant.   I drive a mini-van (which is a long story on its own).  I'm content with the paycheck I have.  I'm not important to hundreds of people at a corporation but I am important to a few people.  I'm important to God--and most importantly, I've learned to see my value and worth through Him.  He loves me no matter what I'm carrying at the airport, if have an assistant or I am the assistant.  He's not ashamed that I drive a mini-van.  He is proud of what I have accomplished, not of what I thought I could accomplish.  He values all 30 of my years and so do I.

So we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way
That he loves us!

-John Mark McMillan

So today I did what any normal 30 year old would do--took my son to Chuck-e-Cheese!  Ha!  Rory could not understand why in the world we would not go there for my birthday.  He had a blast--and I've realized (we will make this #10) as a Mom I have more fun watching my family and others have fun than doing something just for me.  We had a blast and I wouldn't change one minute of it!

He is a bit like his Mama....

Oh my son---his imagination can get him into trouble.  He is always turning a chair, box, kitchen stool or bench into some sort of adventure.  Typically, it's an airplane, train or wagon to drive horses.  This particular time it was a rocket ship.  We were getting ready to walk out the door when I hear, "I'm stuck!"  

I'm flashing back 27 years ago to Sawyer Point in Cincinnati.  Our extended family was looking at the Ohio river and I couldn't see over the railing--so I did what any 3 year old would do.  I forced my head through the rails and voila--I had a great view of the river!  I can still remember the view but I don't remember much after that, other than crying.  I must have blocked out the traumatic event.  Somehow, my parents pushed my head back through the rails.  I lived another day to tell and I'm sure got into more shenanigans.

I have no idea how Rory got his head stuck in this chair.  Logically, it looks like there is no way for his head to fit through.   I didn't really even try pushing it back through.  Above, I'm just cupping his little face trying to get him calmed down because he was going into a full on panic.   I had Josh take a few pictures because 1-I knew he wasn't in grave danger so it was a little but comical and 2-someday when his son or daughter sticks his head through something and gets stuck he will have this little memory to look back on.  I'm a good Mom like that...

In the end, I pulled his body up through the chair--he had to suck his little tummy in and curve his legs but he made it out unscathed.  He will live another day and I'm sure will get into many more shenanigans.

DONE with Winter!

I'd like to say that winter has gotten the better of us.  We, along with thousands of others in the Mid-West, are just D.O.N.E with the nonsense of snow upon snow, accompanied by the bitter cold. I cannot remember a more harsh winter.  Typically, we hover in the 30's and occasionally drop as low as the teens but this year we've seen temps hit -30 and have stayed almost constantly in the low teens.  One day last week it warmed up in the mid 30's and it honestly felt warm enough to break out the flip flops!

One the few rare days that is has been "warm" enough to go outside without your eyebrows freezing, we've bundled up and headed out.  My Dad brought up a couple old plastic sleds that I used when I was little, so we carted Rory to the park.

There is one hill on the farthest end of the park and it's just the right size for young kids to sled.  It was the first time Rory has gone sled riding and it was hilarious!  I thought he might be scared or nervous but he would giggle and laugh going down the hill--I couldn't help but laugh myself and at how much fun he was having.

How can you not have fun being pulled back up the hill like this?

We had so much fun that Rory and I took Daddy and Jessie back on Thursday.  I found out at work I had some personal time that was either use it or lose it, and I'm a use it kind of gal.   Hooray for 4 day weekends and having the hill at the park all to ourselves!!  It was a bit harder this time because it had snowed again and there was a layer of ice on the very top of the snow.  It was VERY hard to walk in but excellent for sled riding because the layer of ice made the sled go that much faster.  A couple times, if I ran fast enough pulling Rory and gave him a good fling with the rope he could slide on the flat ground--all because of the ice!  

The dog seemed a little less than impressed but did I mention how hard it was to walk in the snow/ice mixture?  My legs are still a little sore and my arms are sore from pulling the sled!  An hour out meant good naps for EVERYONE that afternoon!  : )

Although we had a blast, spring feels like light years away.  It can't come soon enough for us!

A Cyclo Cross Adventure...

A love of bicycling runs in the family--my Dad rides, my brother rides and races and Rory loves his bike and wants to ride all the time!  Rory has a Strider bike--it has no pedals--I get comments on it all the time when we are out.  Yes it looks a bit strange but this kid can move--fast--while balancing.

We ventured out to watch Seth compete in a Cyclo Cross event and we had a blast!  There was also a kids race and Rory was so happy to get in the action--he kept asking about a trophy. His race was at the very end of the day but when the Juniors group was lining up I had to put my foot on Rory's wheel because he was so anxious to get out there with the big kids.  I have no doubt that some day he will.

Due to some crazy traffic we missed seeing Seth start but got there in time to watch him do a few laps.  Rory could not stop smiling at all the bikes-and especially Uncle Seth in his bike gear.

This will forever be one of my favorite life moments!

In my unknowing mom brain I thought the kids race would be a quick 50 yard dash down a straight path and that was it--I was quickly schooled--that is not how it is at all.  Cyclo Cross is not just bicycling--it's turns, twists, barriers, stairs, hills and climbs.  The kids were not exempt.  I inwardly panicked--I had already promised Rory he could do the race but we had not practiced for this. Yikes!

Dad took him over to practice--Rory was a champ!  The hill the kids went down would have made some adults, including me, nervous.  He had one spill at the bottom while practicing but it didn't seem to bother him.  They did lots of practicing getting over the barriers.  

To put it into perspective here is what the adult race looked like--it is hard to tell in pictures but these Cyclo Crossers were moving fast--like, created their own wind fast.  

There was lots of getting on and off the bike to go up stairs or cross barriers.  The whole event was very fast paced and it was exhausting just thinking about doing all that!  I have to admit I wondered how long it would take me to run a lap--probably as long as it took some of the bikers to do 4 laps!

I know I'm partial since I'm his sister and all--but, basically, Seth rocked it!  He's worked very hard to get to this point of racing and I'm pretty proud!

There were all of 10 kids or so in the race and it was so precious to watch.  See the little girl in blue to the left of Rory?  She reached over and patted him on the back right before they started.  You can't script moments like this!  Rory was by far the smallest and youngest competitor but he had the heart of a champion and he rocked it too!

Uncle Seth ran along with Rory while he raced and Dad video taped the whole thing.  The course for the kids took about 5 minutes and it was such an awesome 5 minutes.  I'm learning as a Mom that my child is capable of much more than I can ever dream and I should not hold him back.  He can do this and he did a great job!

Rory was able to pick up his own bike during the race and hop the barrier--seriously, I love this kid.  Can you tell?

Each kids received a "trophy" which was a treat from the bake sale...now, Rory rode fast in the race but as soon as he crossed the finish line he really kicked it gear and rode even faster to the cookie table.  I literally had to run behind him to catch up!

It's not every day that moments like these are born but it's the every day moments like these that I will cherish forever.