Four, four? How did this happen?

Somehow, someway while I wasn't looking Quinn turned 4. She was very excited for her 4th birthday. To her, this was a biggie. She wanted 3 things, bike, barbie house and fancy party. We were able to check all of those off her list.

She is a smart, beautiful and interesting child. Preston and I often joke that we don't know anyone like Quinn. She has a unique outlook on life, sense of humor and personality. She is strong, confident and humorous. And, she knows how to make herself happy. I can't imagine our family without her. We love you bug, QB, princess Quinn, sassy, monkey, baby girl. Thank you for putting up with us.

A Century of Agriculture

This year my family celebrated 100 years on the farm. Spilkers have farmed the land for a century and we decided it was a great reason to celebrate.

So all summer my family and the farm crew spent their spare moments (right, spare moments on a farm) painting, weeding, mowing, and spit shining everything on the property. When the party came it seemed as though even the rocks had been polished. It was an amazing time for our family.

I've always been proud of my parents and that land, but that night I was beaming. I'm not involved on the farm today, but it has been so influential to my life. That raising and lifestyle sticks with you. Now that I have my own children I realize how so much of who I am and what I have become points back to those 18 years on 722 Road. I watched my parents work hard - enduring tough times and worse weather, surviving the farm crisis of the 80's and working early in the morning until late at night. I remember getting off the school bus and onto a grain truck with my mom at the wheel and my homework on my lap. I remember riding on the floor of the combine with my dad so I would get to see him that day. They did all of that for the love of the land and to build an amazing life for my brother and I. Thank you Mom and Dad for not just talking to me about values, hard work and dedication, but showing me. Demonstrating each day what it means to believe in something, commit to it and never waiver.

This year my brother joined my dad on the farm. And with that, the Spilker farming tradition continues.

Fall

I love everything about the Fall season - cooler temperatures, beautiful leaves, my youngest's birthday, football, Halloween and pumpkin bread.

Enjoy it with a Snakebite:

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Snakebite!

Pumped up kicks

Connor's new kicks - sweet, huh?

Kickin' ass...

and takin' names in Pre-K. Well, technically writing her name (backwards). But, I'm sure Quinn is also kickin' some serious "a" in that class.

First day...check!

The first day of school is in the rearview mirror and we are officially in school days mode. The summer didn't just fly by, it zoomed by at mach speed. In the blink of an eye, gone are the lazy days (although they didn't really feel that lazy) and back are the days of homework, spelling tests, and packing lunches.

The kids are excited for the new school year. I always felt the same. There was such great anticipation and hope about what the school year would bring. I think this is going to be the best year yet!

Making 13 Lucky!

Happy Anniversary Preston. Yes, I will renew your contract for another year. I could count all the ways that we are lucky, but it would just make us look like sucks. Because we are really damn lucky.

You asked me a while back if I was nervous on that day in August in 1998. I wasn't. I wasn't nervous or apprehesive or worried. I was only excited. Excited about all that was ahead of us and all that I knew that we would have together. That hasn't changed - not one bit. I'm still excited about all that lie ahead. Thank you for being my partner in this crazy life. I can't imagine it without you.

It's FRIDAY - what will you do?

It's Friday, it's Friday, it's Friday. The entire weekend lay before us.

I will sleep until the sun is up instead of waking in the dark. I will take a couple of glorious, sweaty runs out of doors. I will play with the kids. I will have a date with my husband. The kids will have pizza and a movie with a sitter. I will get together with some girlfriends. I will slowly drink two cups of coffee while reading the Denver Post each morning. I may throw in a load or two of laundry. I may tidy the house a bit. I may stock the fridge for the upcoming week. We may go to the pool. I may drink a glass or two of wine. We may go to Cactus Jack's for the best burgers in Colorado. Connor will load his backpack for the first day of school. Quinn will try on her uniform for her first day of Pre-K with Ms. Summer. Connor will build Legos. Quinn will play babies and barbies. Neighbor kids will knock on the door and ask if the kids can play. Preston may mow the yard. We may light the firepit and enjoy smores. We may eat a home cooked Sunday meal OR we may get take out.

So, so many things are possible.

What will you do? Don't you wish just a tiny bit that you were part of the Barton 4? It's a pretty good place to be, especially on the weekends.

A little cushion, please.

Build cushion-room into your life. We should have a little cushion to put our feet up on at the end of a hard day, a little cushion on our backside for when we fall down with laughter and a little cushion for those we love.

Embrace the idea that a certain amount of failure is good and make allowances for it.

Fortunately, I married someone who gives me a ton of cushion. Giving people a little give is an incredible gift. Couldn't we all just use a little?

These are a few of my not so favorite things...

Untangling my ipod headphones

Mondays

grocery store tomatoes (vs garden tomatoes)

calories

meetings to discuss an upcoming meeting

whining

hangovers

blowdrying my hair

the shoulder strap on my handbag falling off my shoulder

bubble tea (it's just too weird)

Emails with a red !

chipped/chipping nail polish

traffic

mushy apples

lazy people that don't return their cart to the cart corral

scratchy sheets

dirty bathrooms

lima beans

"have-tos" that get in the way of my "want-tos"

I'm gonna be a Superstar

When you ask our children what they want to be when they grow up, Connor's answer is pretty typical (completely unattainable, but typical). He replies, "Professional soccer player, lego builder, army guy (uh, over my dead body. I'd rather buy him a motorcycle.), or insert new interest/hobby.

Quinn's reply is succinct and always the same, Superstar. For those of you that know her, this reply should come as no surprise.

And, here's our little Superstar...

I'm a glutton...

Is it more gluttonous to:

Take a bite of dark chocolate, 2 sips of wine, bite of dark chocolate, 2 sips of wine...(you get the idea)


OR


Take a sip of wine, 2 bites of dark chocolate, take a sip of wine, 2 bites of dark chocolate...

These are the things that keep me up at night.

Oh, and by the way, if I were to do it right - I'd be gluttonous with these:

Car Talk

I have some of my best conversation memories with the kids when we are in the car. I'm usually driving along, listening to music and one of the kids brings up a topic that almost has me swerving into oncoming traffic. (Not because I want to end it all, simply because I'm so thrown by what they've just said.)

The other day was one of those moments. Connor and Quinn were talking about having hair on their arms and Connor said, "Dad has a lot more hair on his arms than I do." I replied, "Yeah, well when you are a man you'll have more hair on your arms than you do now."

He thought about this and then said, "Mom, I never want to grow up and move out. I want to live with you forever." "Oh honey, you'll definitely want to move out someday and start the next phase of your life," I said with a tear in my eye picturing him moving out and not being able to check on him each night.

Then, like the true independent child she is Quinn said, "Yeah, well I'm going to move out when I'm five. I'm getting an apartment."

I just hope it's nice, because she has really high standards.

Things that make me happy

Fridays

Hitting the 5 mile mark during a run

Quinn in a swimsuit

Freshly painting fingers and toes

Red wine, dark chocolate, a good book and sleeping kiddos

Connor's lego creations

Christmas morning santa discovery with coffee at the Bartons

Waking up on the farm

Preston's grilling materpieces

ladies night

learning something new about a loved one

buying gifts

many feet under my dinner table, with excellent conversation above

a great handbag

Happy Friday to you all!

Let it go...to accept what could be great!

I'm a planner, an organizer, a budgeter, a menu for the week maker, and a tidier upper. It's just part of who I am. But, I have had to let go of a "life plan" because I kept trying to force things to be a certain way when they could actually be much, much better if I just let life guide me.

Said it before...

And, I'll say it again - sorry for diappearing to the few (even fewer now that I frequently disappear for months at a time) that read this. I'm going to try to get better.
As Preston knows, it's not that I don't have a lot to say. It's simply that I don't have as much time to say it and how I hate that.

Anywho, getting back to regular posts. Think it'll be good for my soul AND I know that ya'll are just dying for all of my thoughts and opinions.

Today, you get a recipe for a cocktail (because it's hump day after all). One of our favorites at the Barton casa and we stole it from some dear friends.

Sassy Mofo (I added that) Lassy
2 shots vodka (for Goddess sake, use the good stuff)
8 ounces sparkling lemonade (Or, a Mike's Hard Limeade/Lemonade - because your mixer should also have booze in it)
fresh lime juice from one fresh lime (then dump the used up lime right on in)

But, I warn you...be very, very careful - you will slur your words. It happens...to other people.
Enjoy and drink often and plenty.

School's Out for Summer!

Well, we made it through 1st grade. It was pretty painless (other than the weekly homework, ugh). Connor had a great year - made incredible friends, was lucky enough to have an amazing teacher, and made huge strides in all learning areas.

It was such a kickin' year that I was actually sad to see it end!

Story update - much to his demay he's starting summer "camp" today.

Making the move...

I can't believe it, I can't believe it, I can't believe it! I got such incredible, amazingly wonderful news last week.

Our dear friends and neighbors from Salt Lake are moving to...Denver (ta da!). I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I read the email.

Such a hard goodbye almost 2 years ago. We can't wait to welcome them to the Mile High City!

Very soon, the gang will be back together.

EMAW

Bring on the Cats!

104 Days until Summer!

Are you ready?

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my parents! They are off in Mexico, so I guess I should say Feliz Cumpleanos!

Shark Infested Waters

Just another day in paradise.

Where is the love?

Really? Really? Is this where we are right now? What about tolerance? What about love, compassion and kindness?

Those carrying signs with the mention of their God - what about...

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. – 1 John 4:19-20

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. - Proverbs 17:17

'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. - Leviticus 19:18

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. – Proverbs 10:12

But most of all - what about the Golden Rule?

Lucky #7 - Mr. Connor George Barton

Today, you turn 7. It's a shock just to say it - 7. Feels like tomorrow you'll be taller than me and driving. How can that be when it feels as though it was just yesterday when I could hold you in one arm and unload the dishwasher with the other (or eat dinner, pour my coffee, check out at the grocery store, you get the picture).

My how you loved to be held. This hasn't changed much. You still crave us, your family. I so fear those days are numbered, but until then we will continue to take in every moment of your affection, hugs and snuggles.

I am in awe of you child - your view of the world, your empathy, kindness and sincerity. For 7, it really feels like you've got a lot of it figured out - maybe you could fill me in on the secret?

Thank you for filling our lives with so much. We adore you.

Now, let's have some cake!

Game Changer

Thirteen years ago today everything changed...Preston got down on one knee and said he'd love me forever. He's a brave, brave man. Two states, five houses, two kids, hundreds of k-state games watched, and cases of wine later here we are. Better than ever, stronger as a two-some than we ever were solo and happier than I ever thought possible.
Thank you for asking, saying I do and sticking around. The best is yet to come.

Good riddance 2010!

It wasn't the easiest year that 2010, so I'm not sad to see it in my rearview mirror. I am excited about the prospect of a fresh year. Preston and I spoke briefly about our resolutions for the upcoming year. First on my list was joy - I want to try to experience more of it, in every aspect of life. My gift from Preston of snowshoes will certainly help!
As usual, I included being more patient. I struggle with this, so any tips are greatly appreciated.
I'm also going to try to keep at the treadmill and eat well when I can, but going back to the joy thing - sometimes those two things are just not in the cards and joy takes precedence over sweating and eating veggies.
Happy New Year to you - I hope 2011 brings you much joy!