Happy 1st Birthday, Lilly Anna!

Loss

The world lost a great man yesterday

He was warm, generous, genuine, and admirable

He had an open heart that radiated warmth to anyone near

He lived through the dust bowl, war, loss and disease, and yet

He always found the beauty and good in his life

He was a man of deep faith and few words

He wore a button down shirt and slacks every day, except when he gardened, upon which he wore jeans

He worked well into his eighties and was forever a student of new things

He and his dog Lady were hospice workers, who brought joy and compassion to those who needed it most

He ate out every meal, frequenting the same places who eventually named sandwiches after him, and

He always cut the crusts off ours

He was an artist

He was the officiant of my wedding

He was the best person I’ve ever known

He was James Benjamin Wright, my grandfather

And he will be greatly missed

Multiple choice with Lilly

What is Lilly doing?

a. Learning to wink

b. Eating a lemon

c. Practicing the Force

d. Doing an impression of Paula Abdul

Please scroll down for the answer...

If you guessed b. eating a lemon, you are correct!

Tell them what the win, Lilly!

Lilly, almost 9 months

Hey there. How's it going? Just breaking in some new teeth. No biggie. This lipstick tube is perfect for teething! I'm gonna have to remember this for the next tooth.

Ha, ha...why are you laughing? What's funny?

Seriously, what's so funny? What?! Do I have something on my face?

Happy Easter from Lilly

Hi! I haven't seen you all since Valentine's Day when I came to Colorado for a visit. How's life? Everything is great here! It's Easter, my new favorite holiday! Family, and candy, and cute clothes!

What did you get for Easter? Anything good?

Check out my new Easter dress. I love it. Mom got it from this awesome little boutique by my house.

And look at this fabulous headband! I literally squealed when I saw it!

Yea! I love Easter! I can't wait to show off my new outfit! Everyone is going to love it!!! Happy Easter to you!!!

Lucky Me

This weekend we were predicted to get another 6 inches of snow.

Happily, we didn't.

My dad and sister Sarah arrived into Denver safely and without delay on Friday.

Dad, Sarah, and hubby

You can see where I get my good looks from.

We did a quick tour of the must-sees/must-eats of Denver and the mountains. And this morning they were here to wish me good luck on my 2nd half marathon before they flew back home.

Danielle and I were able to run The Platte River Half in very decent conditions.

Finally, a picture of me running where I don't look like I'm about to collapse.

Even though I might have felt like I was. Danielle and me post-race.

I didn't improve upon my last race time. But let's face it, that's not really why I train for half marathons.

Ho-ho cupcakes are though!

I topped off a day that started with hugs and well-wishes of encouragement from my family, with mimosas and toastes of congrats from my friends. Not too shabby.


It may be snowing right now, but I can't help but thank Mother Nature for her great timing. And I still have 4 cupcakes left. Lucky me.

I have good news, and I have bad news...

The good news is that I'm not totally devastated, since my hubby and I decided about three weeks ago that going to grad school isn't the direction we want to go in the next year after all. The bad news is that Vermont College "regretfully" REJECTED me!

Sad.

I'm actually fine with it, aside from a serious feeling of inadequacy and mediocrity. But I'm really surprised at how not-devastated I am right now. Much more not-devastated than say, when I didn't make the final cut for the Broncos Cheerleaders. That was devastation, people. Not really because I just really wanted to be a cheerleader, but for the sheer rejection of it all. I made it through all the dance cuts, all the way to the final interviews. I got all dressed up, studied the rules of football (which I quite promptly forgot post-rejection), and went down to the interviews. When they read the final list, I wasn't on it. They said I just wasn't cheerleaderish enough, which if you've ever met me, you're probably saying, "Duh!"

Now, eight years later or so, I know it was never meant to be. Sure I have a degree in Dance, but I'm admittedly not cheerleaderish. I probably would have been really unhappy- and annoyed- the whole season. But of course, the opportunity to turn down the offer would have been much easier on the ego. Then again, I wouldn't have turned it down at the time, and my life would have gone down a totally different path. It just wasn't meant to be, and the universe delivered that message.

I know, you're still reeling from the fact that I tried out for the Bronco Cheerleaders. Get over it. I was 21. Let's get back to my most recent rejection.

My only regret in choosing not to go to grad school next year, when I made the decision three weeks ago, was turning down a great opportunity. But now, I don't have to worry about that I guess. It just wasn't meant to be, and the universe delivered that message.

Ah, well. Onward and upward. Thanks to everyone for your awesome support and encouragement. You're *sniff* the best!

Lilly Sees Colorado

Hi, I'm Lilly. I finally got to visit my aunt and uncle in Colorado. I understand my Aunt Christie has been making a fuss over my visit. It was cool. Busy but cool. I got to see the Rocky Mountains, my beagle cousins, and my dad try to pet a goose. It was a good time. Take a look...

So, I spend a lot of time in my car seat. It kinda sucks, but I really enjoyed Uncle Kris' Audi. He's got good taste.

You've got good taste.

Did I mention I liked the Audi. Yeeeah. Definitely pimp.

Here's me and Dad stepping out into the clear mountain sunshine of Frisco main street. Cute little mountain town. But not as cute as this coat. Admit it, you wish you could pull this off.

The next day we went to Wash Park. It's chilly in February in Denver. But I travel well prepared.

Yeeeeah. Piiiimp.



Photo op with Mom.




And Dad. He's got a little Captain in him.





And Goose Whisperer as well...

I'm exhausted still.

So that's about it. Nice to finally meet you all. I'm sure I'll see you again soon. Aunt Christie can't resist my pimped out style. Later peeps.

Quick Preview

5 days and counting...

Lilly is coming!

In two weeks!

This is my precious niece at one month old. So tiny! She's traveling to Colorado as a wide-eyed six month old, who sits up and has full control of her neck.


I will be adding to my collection of Lilly photographs, and will be sharing. So, if you are offended, annoyed, or just plain bored by sweet little blond babies, consider yourself warned. It could get obnoxious...

Generation Gap

Last week I went home to Oklahoma to visit my family, and meet my new niece Lilly. You should know that Lilly is the first grandchild on either side of my family. She is the first baby since my youngest sister Sarah, who just turned 21.

In the days leading up to my trip, I kept wondering how I would react when I finally got to see the real, live, breathing and vomiting little baby Lilly. I wondered if I would cry. Or maybe begin to crave a baby of my own. Neither of those things happened. Rather, the first words out of my mouth were, “Holy s%!# Carrie, you’re a mom!”



My little sister is a mom.



My dad is a grandpa.

Seriously?

Most of the time, it feels completely normal that this has all happened. Carrie is 24, she and Steve got married last year. My dad is in his fifties, has glasses and grey hair like all the other grandpas. It all fits. I’m in my late 20’s. Of course my sisters are getting married and starting families. 'Tis the season, if you will.

But here’s the thing: none of this looks like I pictured it. In my mind, the adults in my childhood were “older.” Not in a biological sense, but in a “because I said so and I’m in charge” kind of way. I remember my idea of my parents, my aunts and uncles, in their then-fabulous-now-ridiculous 80’s glasses, driving their sweet maroon-striped mini-vans. They had it all figured out. I couldn’t wait to be an adult. I would be able to do whatever I wanted, receive mail addressed to me every day, and know how to make Strawberry Shortcake themed with pink frosting birthday cakes. I was always in such a rush to grow up.

And now I’m here, clicking back through my digital library of the photos I’ve collected of my brand new niece. These photos are the beginning of the next generation’s childhood memories. And THAT is the part that gets really heavy. I just don’t feel like the “adult” that I thought I would be, that I saw in my parents and aunts and uncles through my 6-year-old eyes. I am still that 6-year-old.

I feel like we (as in me, my husband, my sisters, my friends) are still fumbling along in our lives. Sure, we are getting married, building careers, having children. But we are taking one step at a time, groping through the dark without a flashlight. It scares me a bit that we’re the ones now “in charge.” If our parents in fact had a how-to manual, as it appeared back in the day, it got lost in the move. We are making it up as we go.

We are not the ever-perfect supermen that I saw my parents to be. Sure, there comes a time when every child begins to see their parents as real people with real imperfections. But in your early years, didn’t you think, didn’t you trust?! that your parental figures had this amazing grand plan for your day, your week, your life? They knew everything, could fix anything, and were the ultimate decision-makers of your universe. The reality (that I didn’t get until now) is, they were living the same 20-something life as I am, as my sister is, that is unpredictable, messy, and complicated. It’s not perfect. We hang on by our fingernails and make the best decisions we can. And apparently, put on a great front as the ultimate decision-makers of the next generation’s universe.

I guess my point is this: things aren’t always how you think they will be. The picture in your mind is just that, a romanticized expectation.



Maybe I just need a change in perspective. Outrageous 80’s glasses are back in style, after all.

Cox and Johnson

A law firm? Nope. A classic “adult film”? Perhaps. The perfectly-paired, yet totally-coincidental surnames of my mom’s sweet little girls? That’s the one.

Congratulations to my little sister Lauren and her now fiancé Mr. Erik Johnson! My family had the pleasure of not only being present at the proposal, but in on the whole secret plan. The gathering was disguised as Erik’s birthday, and hidden inside the biggest present was the ring box. Lauren was totally blindsided. I have it all on video, but my husband somehow taped the whole thing sideways. Once I figure out how to fix that little technical issue I’ll let you know. In the meantime, you can enjoy a few snapshots of the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.

Awww!

My family is thrilled. We love Erik, and my sister deserves all of her happiness. Plus, the bonus is, on July 4th, 2009 (their set wedding date) my sister and I will be Cox and Johnson. Not Baker and Cook, Woods and Forest, Berger and King. Christina Cox and Lauren Johnson. What are the chances???

Mi sobrinita bonita

I’m an auntie! I’m an auntie! I’m and auntie!

My sister Carrie and brother-in-law Steve had their little girl Lilly Anna on August 15th. Awww, I hear you saying. I know, right?!

As a person who rarely feels different than I did as a child, what wise knowledge might I pass along to my new cotton candy tufted niece? There are a few things I learned at a very early age, that still hold true today:

1. Dogs are the best friends you’ll ever have.
2. Dry cat food is salty, but edible.
3. Never doubt yourself.
4. Blond is totally better. Rock it!

5. Music is best played loudly.

6. Cool aunts always carry gum in their purses.

7. You can never have too many shoes.

8. Cherish family.

9. Peanut butter and crackers are a perfectly acceptable dinner.

10. "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

Welcome to the world, little one!