Glen Allen Days Parade

We enjoyed the Glen Allen Day Parade on Saturday morning.  We ran into a family from daycare and Ian and Nathan hung out a lot.  The parade was fun.  My favorite was when Ruby took advantage of a break in the parade traffic to strut down the road like she was on display too.  Ha!

Here are some photos:



Landen's Football Game, Go Ravens!

We went to watch Landen play flag football.  It was fun!  The little football players and cheerleaders were so cute. 

Here are some photos:



Thirty-Four!

Today I turned 34.  I can't complain, I'm feeling great and I am blessed with a loving family and amazing friends.  Thankfully my birthday fell on the day after Labor Day and I was lucky enough to have a 4 day weekend.  So, it was a weekend of celebration.  Chris wondered if it would go on all week long.  Why not?  Is there a problem w/ this? 

Here are my favorite memories from my lengthy birthday celebrations:

• Friday, my day off, after I went to the dentist for a filling, I just hung out on the couch all day watching movies.  I did nothing. 
• Friday night I got an impromptu call from a neighbor to come drink martinis.  I couldn't resist and went in my PJs to taste a sour apple, metropolitan, raspberry, and many more martinis.  It was good to catch up w/ some of my friends/neighbors too. 
• Saturday's visit with Uncle CC, Drew, and Amanda.  We enjoyed a nice cookout and the kids played outside for so long.  Amanda gave me a beautiful card and amazing earrings. 
• Sunday we played and hiked at Three Lakes Park.  Later, we went to fun cookout in the neighborhood with more friends.  Chris enjoyed picking crabs with the guys.  The kids loved the moonbounce.  We all left with no head injuries!  Score!
• Monday (Labor Day) we went to the pool for the last time for the summer of 2010.  Boo hoo!  We had a good time and I think we all go too much sun.
• Meg and I went to enjoy Panera and pedicures to celebrate our b'day.
• Chris, the kids, and I then walked to Chili's and Coldstone Creamery for dinner and dessert.  Ruby pushed her little pink stroller the majority of the way.  It was a test of patience and I think I may have made a B+.  She loved pushing her stroller along with her pink cell phone and half-eaten apple in the little pink seat. 
• Tuesday morning was the big day!  I begged the children not to cry and "to help" since it was my birthday.  They did great!  Ruby even sang "Zipidee-Doo-Da"  which was so sweet.  Ian started with a new teacher since he is now considered Pre-K.  I really like the teacher.  She said, "I've heard that Ian is smart."  I agreed.  I then I said, "But he's very social, and that's good and bad."  She agreed and said she'd keep him busy and challenged.  Works for me!
• My coworkers had a surprise breakfast in my honor.  Pretty impressive after a long holiday weekend.
• My boss, Kiki, sang "Happy Birthday" to me over the phone with no oxygen shooshing in the background. Her voice sounded so strong.  What a blessing!  She hopes to get back to work soon.  A true miracle. 
• I had so many wonderful birthday wishes from friends and family!  I lost count of the well wishes through Facebook.  So neat to hear from so many people who have been part of my 34 years. 
• We had fun at Chick-fil-a for dinner.  We chose this b/c kids eat free on Tues. nights.  Chris and the kids then snuck away to buy my "gift".  They brought home yummy cupcakes from Coldstone Creamery.  We decided to eat them on Wed. night since the kids had just had ice cream.  And I'd already had way too many indulgences in one day. 
• Chris had bought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and Ian had made me a card.  So sweet! 
• We had a great phone call with Mom Mom and wished her a happy birthday too!  I share my special day with 2 amazing ladies!
• Meg and I then went out to Chili's for a beer with a couple of neighbors.  It was fun! 
• AND the BIG ONE that I almost forgot, it has been 1 year today since my last Transverse Myelitis spasm!  That is definitely something to celebrate!

It was a wonderful celebration of being 34.  Living, laughing, and loving! 

I'm glad to finally be blogging again.  I took the month of August off.  I may be doing some back dating on some great events in August.  We had such a wonderful whirlwind tour of the mountains that I definitely want to blog about!

8 Years Ago!

Eight years ago today, Chris proposed in Central Park.  I love Central Park.  I loved it before he proposed but now I love it even more.  He surprised me with the proposal on August 2, 2002.  We rode in a horse- drawn carriage to Bethesda fountain (which had no water because NY was in the middle of a drought, so they couldn't run the fountain).  It was so romantic to ride in a horse-drawn carriage but I just thought he was being sweet and romantic.  I was clueless.  And then we got to the fountain and were sitting on it talking.  He then said, "Here, sit here and I'll take a picture of you."  I agreed and he took a photo and then walked up to me and got on one knee.  I was so surprised!  He said some very sweet things (which he had to remind me later), showed me the beautiful ring, and asked me if I'd marry him.  Of course I said, "yes" and we kissed and ran to the carriage.  A huge storm was brewing and it was going to pour!  And it poured rain and we got soaked.  I remember talking to his parents on the phone under the awnings of the Essex House trying to hear them over the pouring rain.  They were so happy for us!  Then we went back to the Manhattan Club (my parent's timeshare) and enjoyed some champagne and chocolate covered strawberries with Mom and Dad.  Of course, we had to call some of our favorite people and share the news! 

I was so touched with his planning and preparation to make the proposal a surprise and perfect.  He couldn't control the lack of water in Bethesda fountain and the huge rain storm.  By the way, it stormed the day we got our marriage license at the courthouse before our wedding, it rained (drizzled) at our wedding reception, and poured rain the day I was "laboring" to have Ian.  The rain has been good to us. 

Chris and I are not perfect and our life is not so romantic these days but we've made a family together and that is what we both wanted.  He is a wonderful man and I'm so very lucky. 

The Memorial for Allen M. Starrett, Jr. -- Letting Go

Chris, Ian, Ruby, and I went to NJ for the weekend for Allen's/Pop Pop's memorial service.  We made the trip in record time, 3hrs 32min from Glen Allen to Haddon Heights.  Chris was so ecstatic with the pace we were making on the trip that he could barely keep the pedal to the metal.  It was a busy weekend but the memorial service and boat trip to deliver his ashes offered peace of mind.  The memorial service was lovely and I was touched by the outpouring of support for Shirley, Chris, Allen, and the rest of the family.  It really is remarkable that the Starretts have not lived in Haddon Heights for many years but they are still so well-loved.  It was a tribute to the man Allen was and the whole Starrett family.  Another special tribute was to have the American Flag at half staff in honor of Allen.  Allen served as a police officer and volunteer firefighter in the town of Haddon Heights. 

The memorial service was great because friends and family got a chance to greet Shirley, Allen, and Chris.   Then we had a prayer, and tributes to Allen by Bob Starrett, his brother, Allen Starrett III, Chris, Tim Daly, his friend/colleague, and Shirley.  There was a lot of laughter and some tears but it was a great time to celebrate Allen.  Chris did a great job with his comments and he looked so handsome in his suit.  Christine and I were trying to keep the rowdy grandchildren in line while they were speaking.  Of course, the kids were being entertained by books about trains, race cars, and airplanes.  Pop Pop would've approved of the books but probably not the behavior.  A few memories stand out:

• 10 Starrett children seated in the board room chairs of the Haddon Heights Borough Hall
• Allen's grandchildren (minus Grayson) forming an impromptu train in front of Allen's ashes
• The changing of the guard at Allen's ashes, so special
• Hearing about Allen's wonderful sense of humor and the funny "one liners"
• Ian picking up Pop Pop's ashes and holding them and Christine and I couldn't get to him fast enough.  We were afraid he would throw them or drop them.  Yikes! 
• Bob, Allen, Chris, Tim, and Shirley's remarks about Allen
• Ruby seeing that Mom Mom was crying and climbing into her lap to cuddle with her.  My sweet little comforter, I am so proud. 

We enjoyed a lovely reception at the firehouse.  Chris's cousins, Carl and Lisa, prepared and served the food and everything was so delicious.  Ruby enjoyed seeing the "firefucks".  She kept asking to see them and I couldn't help but laugh at her pronunciation.  I enjoyed seeing the photos of all 3 generations of Allen M. Starretts photographed on the walls of the firehouse. 

Chris, Ian, Ruby, and I then drove "down the shore" to go to the Wildwood NJ boardwalk.  Chris's cousin and his family joined us and we really enjoyed riding the rides and hanging out on the boardwalk.  We also got to hang out briefly with Chris's uncle and his family.  I really enjoy the boardwalk, it is just so full of life and excitement.  Interestingly, Ian wasn't as excited about riding the rides, except for the train he rode 3 times.  He mainly wanted to play those expensive games.  Ruby was willing to go on whatever we took her on.  We stayed out until midnight or later. 

Sunday morning we got up early and went to the Stone Harbor marina to prepare for the boat ride to Allen's favorite fishing spot in the Stone Harbor Bay.  I loved the boat ride and so did Ian and Ruby.  It all just felt so peaceful.  Shirley put the ashes in the water and we all scattered flowers.  We said our goodbyes to Allen/Pop Pop and watched as the biodegradable urn sunk in the water and the flowers scattered and floated away.  As I heard Chris tell his friend, "We let him go."  And it was good. 

Beach Memories and Photos

OBX Beach Week 2010 has come and gone. My parents, sisters and their families, and our friends, the Hughes' and their children, and 2 dogs enjoyed a lovely, large house in Corolla, NC. There were 10 adults, 8 children, and 2 dogs.

Here is a list of beach memories that I don't want to forget:

1. The 8 hour drive from Richmond to Corolla on Saturday, July 3rd.  It usually takes 4 hours.  It would've been hell if we didn't know we were going on vacation.  It took Amanda & Chris 11 hours from D.C. 
2.  The 4th of July fireworks over the water in Corolla. Beautiful!
3.  Ruby saying "I like the orange ones." (fireworks)
4. Ian covering his ears for fireworks. 
5. Drew and Ian being roommates in big boy beds.
6. Drew's fear of Aunt Emily and tears every time I used a harsh tone w/ him. "Aunt Emily takes my toys." I plan to spoil him from here on out.
7. Molly's puppy brain on the beach. Her body is almost 8 years old but her brain thinks she's 6 months. She would've swam across the Atlantic if we could throw that far. I love seeing her with so much joy. 
8. Ian, Landen, Baylee, and Kate throwing toys into the ocean for Molly to fetch.
9. My mom walking out of the bedroom w/ her purse on her shoulder announcing, "I'm going shopping". It's been years since I saw that.
10. The yummy dinners and tons of fresh fruit.  Mom made fresh blueberry cobbler.  Yum!
11.  Ian's first trip crabbing on the boat w/ Daddy, Erik, Chris C., Kate, and Drew.  He wanted to "catch 1,000 or maybe 7". 
12.  Ian's excitement with his 2 new swim shirts from Meemaw (Mom)
13.  My bike ride w/ Meg, Kate, Cohen, and Ruby to Corolla Village and back. 
14.  Ice cream at Dairy Queen, just the messy Starrett family
15.  Lunch and shopping with my mom and sisters. 
16.  Meg's awesome camera that took great photos. 
17.  A full week of sleeping uninterrupted in our bedroom.  We only had one 2:30am visit from Ian one night and Ruby slept nicely in another room.  Of course, Ian did wake up at about 6 or 6:30am every morning.  Usually G'Daddy would feed him breakfast, thankfully. 
18.  All of the kids in the pool!  Ian was swimming well and Ruby was jumping fearlessly from the side of the pool.  Kate was so cute swimming like a submarine.   Cohen was fearless and enjoyed jumping when no one was really prepared for him.  Drew had fun in the pool but enjoyed playing on the deck of the pool too.   Landen is swimming really well and we didn't have to worry too much about him.  Kate and Landen really enjoyed the hot tub. 
19.  G'Daddy playing in the pool with the kids.   Meemaw swam with Ruby one morning and that was fun too.
20.  Chris cooking seafood for the crew.  He has such love for the ocean! 
21.  The children on the deck watching the light on the lighthouse come on and off like it was a spectator sport. 
22.  No one needed to go to the ER or Urgent Care.  :)
23.  The fabulous weather.
24.  The yummy cocktails.
25.  All of the kids and adults having a great time on the beach.  High tide would create a great shallow pool on the beach and the kids had a blast! 

I feel so blessed to get to vacation with my family and friends.  Life is short and I'm glad we could make it work to go to OBX again this year. 

Here are some of my favorite photos: