Thanksgiving recap.

I have a lot of guilt because we did not see a single friend. It was a whirlwind. In on the red eye. Dallas the next day. Turkey day full of thanks. Recovery. Kate's baptism. Just not enough time. I will be making a more relaxing trip soon to my beloved Texas and spend quality time with all of those that we hold so dear.

Hope your turkey day was fantastic.

Thankful.

Regardless of what the news says, or what is going on with the economy and the future outlook of our country or how much longer we are going to feel the effects of the recession that is said to be gone, on this day I am thankful.

We have been blessed this year in ways that many have not. We have faced challenges this year that I hope no one ever has to face. Challenges that I would rather not talk about with the blog world or even some of my dearest friends, but challenges that have made us better, stronger people.

Today I am thankful for Ralph, Gia, Mom, Dad, Eddie, Jenna, and Kate. For the chance to celebrate together in the lovely Dallas and spend time that will provide us years of memories.

Today I am thankful for turkey and my dads stuffing. Really, I am thankful for the comfort of a holiday meal that is prepared like my memory serves me. There is something so special about the way that YOUR family did it. And while I love the fact that Ralph and I are starting our own traditions with bits from his, bits from mine and those that we just want to have, there is something so dear about what I grew up with. When it was my mom, my dad, Eddie and me. Joined by our wonderful extended family. Hours of gin rummy, parade watching and of course....Miracle on 34th Street.

Today I am thankful for Miracle on 34th Street. Natalie Wood, you have provided years of entertainment for my mother and I. I am looking forward to the years of entertainment that you will provide for Gia and I and then for Gia and her little ones to come in the future. There is nothing like, "Yes, we would LOVE to have Santa Claus come and stay with us." And the hours of laughter that comes with that. I honestly don't know if I have actually watched it in years. But the time that is spent with my mom on the couch with it in the background is something that no one can ever rival. Some of the most joyous, difficult, happy and sad times have been with this movie and I can not even imagine Thanksgiving or Christmas without this gem of cinematic perfection.

Today I am thankful for running. It is still an ever learning process and something that I am growing in and becoming better at every day. You have provided me with endless therapy, release, calm and enjoyment. For every mile logged, I am infinately better to my loved ones. And for that, I am sure that they are thankful too.

Most of all, I am thankful for God. I am not the best servant, but I try. I have Faith, but it waivers. Each day, I grow into what YOU want me to become. Each day I try to serve You and sin tremendously. Each day, I am thankful for all of the blessings in my life and all of the wonderful things that you have bestowed on me.

May your celebration be filled with lots of butter and lots of thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!

Overprotective parenting?

I grew up relatively sheltered. My parents let me roam, but on a VERY short leash. And I was a child that needed that. I would have tried everything that there was to try, pushed every boundary that could be pushed and would certainly not have been the same person I am today if they had not kept me on that short leash.

With that being said, and at the risk of sounding super old, I grew up in a very different time. I rode my bike around Hearthstone with my friends like we owned the place. I played for hours until it was dark with little or no supervision. There was a network of parents that watched out for each and everyone of us and we each thought we were unsupervised by our own parental units.

In todays world, with longer work hours, more nomadic families (like us, the Three T's), more suspicion, more bad media reports and really, more parents that just don't care giving your child even a short leash is really hard.

While only Amy had parents more strict than mine, most of the parents had similar philosophies and wanted similar things for their kids. Even now that we are all grown and well into making our lives we still have similar stories that we tell about our own children.

Gia has just passed the three year marker and I am already worried about how I am going to give her the necessary freedom when the time comes. I am not an overbearing parent. Just ask many that surround me in my parenting efforts. I let her fall and I do not respond until after the fact. She roams in eye sight and when at parks with fencing. And for now, that is plenty of a leash.

These are not the things I am worried about. Will kids of today, my kids have the ability to ride a bike to a friends house, play at the pool for hours supervised only by the lifeguards, walk to Stop 'n Go (which I was never allowed to do) or even walk down Creek Crest to El Miranda to see if Holly wants to Rollerblade?

What is the balance. With fourteen year old boys stuffing four year olds in dryers and the Jacy Dugard's of the world, how do you allow your child to find their independence without being an irresponsible parent? I do not have to face these dilemmas for a few years, but they already weigh on my mind.

I love my kid and want nothing but the best for her. So, any suggestions for raising a self sufficient child while keeping them safe?

Davis turkey trot.

Well, Saturday marked Gia's first "competitive" event. She had a blast. We arrived in a whirlwind (which I think is just part of being the mom of a tot) and grabbed her bib number and t shirt and raced off to the starting line.

This "race" was so well organized I was really in shock. And the number of participants just warmed my heart. The 5k and 10k's had been early in the morning so many of the parents running with their kids had already done their race. It was such fun to see so many parents passing on their love of the pavement to the little tykes.

Gia did have a spill mid race. But like a true champion she picked her self up and just kept going. She kept saying, "See mommy, I just like you." Now, I have not fallen in a race, but I do just keep going. I have to say that certainly was a heart swelling moment.

When she crossed the finish line there were ribbons. Which I was a little bummed about. I thought they were giving "medals". I would have happily paid five dollars more for a plastic medal for Miss Thing. The disappointment quickly left when she realized there was free chocolate milk, Greek yogurt and face painting galore.

Don't you remember the orange slice smile from soccer when you were a kid? I just thought it was too sweet. All in all, it was a great time. She has talked about it non stop. I am keeping my eyes peeled for more family events like this. I think all kids should at least be exposed to the joy of activity and healthy competition.

{Super proud mom and dad}

{At the finish line}

And in case you were wondering, yes we are THOSE parents. Not only was I shooting pictures of her the entire time, RT had the video camera. Oh well, at least her early years are well documented.

Off and running.

I just registered Gia for her first race. On November 21, 2009 at 11:45am she will be participating in a two hundred yard dash at the Davis Turkey Trot. I can not wait to see how excited she is about her own bib, goody bag, medal and T shirt. She always steals mine.

I will be sure to post all about it when it is said and done.

Who knows, this little monkey may just have the running bug. Lord knows she is better built for it then me!

Gia's birthday extravaganza.

Last night, Gia and I decided to join Ralph on a business trip. He is leaving again in the morning and will not be home until late Friday and has to entertain a client on Saturday and Sunday so we won't be seeing much of him between now and when we leave for Thanksgiving (which I am super excited about).

We had dinner at our favorite Walnut Creek restaurant, Pomegranate and headed to the hotel for Ralph to finish working and for his girls to hit the hay early. Ralph was up and out super early and Gia started stirring not shortly after his departure.

We started the day with some relaxing followed by room service. It was such an exciting treat for Gia and I did not have to clean it up or cook it, so that was a great treat for me! The most exciting part? They put chocolate milk in a Starbuck's cup and the Monkey thought she was pretty hot stuff drinking her coffee.

{Relaxing Girls}

{Room Service}

We then got dressed and headed to a local park. It was about three miles away so it gave us a nice walk and we just enjoyed this amazing fall day. When we arrived at the park, there were no kids in sight. No less than ten minutes later ten to fifteen kids arrived. Gia kept saying, "Mommy, thank you for the birthday kids!?!?!" She thought they had all come for her. We ended up staying for nearly two hours and she had a blast. It was like an impromptu birthday party. Which provided me with some relaxing time. A complete win win situation.

{The sweet birthday girl}
{The really awesome park}
We came home and Ralph had to do some work and he had a very special helper. We then decided to go out to dinner. Where you would have thought we had not been feeding this child all day long. She put away so much food it was hard to believe.

{Proud parents of a darling girl}

{Happy Birthday Baby Girl!}

We did not even give Gia her presents today. I know, we sound like horrible parents. But we had so many generous things from her birthday party and such a full day that we did not get around to it. I am really thinking about saving them for Christmas because I do not think that she even knows that she is supposed to get presents and she has so much stuff that I really don't think she would notice all of what we would give her.

The three best years.

Each birthday comes with a sense of joy and a sense of sadness. I do not think that sadness is the correct word, but I am really having difficulty coming up with another word.

So many moments of childhood are fleeting. Never again will Gia need for me to do absolutely everything for her. Nor will she only have eyes for me. I am fortunate to have an incredible relationship with my mom and I know that the moments become not necessarily better, but different.

There is a part of me that wants to go back and just hold that precious, no neck control baby again. I have never been a, "I can't wait until she can...." mom and I am so thankful for that. I have done a very good job of cherishing every moment and trying to etch it in stone in my brain. (Granted, the whole temper tantrum every forty five minutes is making the cherish part a little more difficult.)

These are the days. These are the days that I will tell her little ones about one day. Honestly, I do not know why God chose me to be the mother of this amazing little girl, but I am eternally thankful.

Gia is the light of our lives. She brings joy to all around her. Thank you Gia and thank you to those that are involved in watching our little girl grow.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl~