That doesnt make me a shallow person ... does it?

Quick - name that song/quote (no fair Wendy as you hooked me on to him...)

My life has been focused lately around so many every day activities that it has me wondering if I have lost all capacity for critical self reflection and if I am becoming a shallow person. What's driving this? A couple unrelated and minor situations that stick out and are causing me to wonder if I am a shallow person...

Triangulating....
~ article/editorial about moving from early adulthood into middle age and how you seem to lose interest (or maybe you dont have time) in navel gazing & self absorbtion (I mean reflection)
~ the Beatles song "Let it Be"
~ watching my kids dance, sing, play & with total abandon

I remember being VERY passionate about a variety of subjects in high school, college and my 20's. I could argue ad naseum about politics, world events, religion, human rights, anything, you name it. I had an opinion. When did I stop caring/arguing? (now some of you will say I havent, but keep reading)...

Really, now I find these discussion really base and silly and not worth my time. I'd much rather talk about my kids or your really cool vacation, or if Brad and Angelina have really broke up (again). Really. I am becoming a People magazine addict. I love spy novels and have given up ever making it through Ayn Rand (and then having a deep conversation about the symbolism in the book). I am happy to chat about good food, where did you get that cute outfit, how is your family doing and which hair color would look best with my eyebrows. Some of you will think this is totally shallow and you may be right. But, here's where I am coming from (see triangulation above...)

Per the editorial, I think I spent MUCH of my earlier adulthood figuring out who I was, talking about it, testing it out, feeling its limits, getting comfortable in my skin. I think I am "there" now. I know who I am, what I stand for and what I want. I dont need to debate it anymore. I dont need to convince anyone else. I am heading down that path and pretty darn happy about it. (and I invite you all along for the ride!)

The Beatles song "Let it Be" is SUCH a mantra for my life right now - it strikes me as extremely relevant and spiritual in 2 ways. You can interpret it as "Let it Be!" like "let is go" "drop it" "give it up" "give!" (when talking to the dog) - you know, "get over yourself" OR, it can open up a universe of possibilties that you never thought existed like "let it BE", "create your own reality" "power of positive thinking" "ask and you shall recieve" "cocreate your own consciousness"- do you feel the power in that?! In both? Let it go and let it come. Let it BE!

Finally, my kids are totally themselves, all the time. They dance when they feel like it, they sing (probalby off key but how would I know) they cry and laugh and talk and giggle and wiggle and cuddle and hug and love ... all when they feel like it and in fact THE INSTANT they feel like it. They dont spend timing wondering and thinking and arguing and reflecting. They dont try to change other people to fit their needs. They express them (often very loudy) and react accordingly. I dont think of them as shallow, just really really connected.

So, no, I dont think I am shallow. And, no, I havent stopped caring about things that matter. I still want cancer/disease to 'go away', hunger to be non-existent, every child to have a loving/safe home, every person to know their personal worth and value AND to look good in my swimsuit for vacation. But, I'm not going to argue/philosophize/dissect it anymore. I am going to do what I can to change it in my world, with the people I touch and insure that my kids/friends/family know that they are loved & supported. I wont do it perfectly and I'll screw up some days and sometimes I'll need others to remind me that I am who I am. But ... that doesnt make me a shallow person, does it?! :)

Call me a slow learner, but wouldnt this have been great to know 25 years ago? Think of all the back issues of People magazine that I could have read in all that spare time:)

Shhh...its a secret...

Ok, I am banking on the fact that Tom is WAY too busy with school work to check out the blog this week. So, keep this quiet until Thursday:)



Thursday 9/24 will be Tom's 1st annual 49th birthday.



Please send him emails, give him a call and wish him a happy day and a fantastic year.



We have a quiet night planned to celebrate with just the kids on Thursday and then dinner out with Wade/Angela on Friday. Wade and Tom share a birthday (with a few years difference).

Then he's having some buddies over for steak on Saturday.



All in all, should be a fun week.



But, until Thursday, keep this between us:)

Nothing much to report..

Its that time of year when you are so busy you cant see straight, but when people ask you "what have you been up to?" you give them a really dull look..."uh...nothing". How can that be? We fall into bed each night exhausted and we have nothing to report for it.

Its back to school, the kids are staring to ramp up with activities (gymnastics, drum lessons, sunday school, tennis, etc)

The weather has been gorgeous, we finally got summer in MN; so we've been swimming, biking, climbing trees, walking Nikki, grilling out, etc.

Mary Pear Tree in the front yard is giving off pears so juicy and sweet they make your teeth hurt, so we have been busy delivering those to anyone in the neighborhood that will take them.. we have smoked a turkey stuffed with pears, had pears in our salad, grilled them with balsamic and our neighbor made the best pear crunch. Now our apple tree is about to "go" too and we have thousands of VERY tart apples ready for pie, crumble, waldorf salad, etc. We are even considering giving pear wine a try.

Tom and I are waged in a battle of the fittest. Literally. The group we vacation with has set out a health challenge. Who can get MOST healthy before our non-kid vacation to Mexico in November. Its based on goals and miles and it guys vs girls. So, everytime Tom has a salad for lunch, I have to too. Every time I take Nikki for a walk, he sneaks in some heavy duty yard work. Our house has not looked so good all summer, Nikki's in great shaped and I do have to admit, we are going through veggies like crazy. All for 7 guilt free days in November. (oh, and feeling better about ourselves too, thats right...)

Jimmy lost another tooth, Kay has a casting call with Target for one of their ads and Billy started preschool where he is the token male. (He has it good). Tom continues to get 'A's in class and I am working my fingers to the bone.

But, we are happy, healthy, relaxing, enjoying the weather, visiting with friends and even reading a few good books.

We had family movie night last night and enjoyed Shark Boy and Lava Girl. Its got a great message, I reccomend it.

In proof reading the above, we sound like the Waltons.

Good night John Boy.

Back to School

It is with SWEET sorrow that the 104 days of summer vacation have come to and, but the Loudamericans can say that we did it all!!

The final weekend of Summer was filled with activities and a visit from aunt Sue and we celebrated her birthday with cake, ice-cream and flowers!! Happy Birthday Sue!!

Sue spent the weekend playing with the kids, building forts and most importantly she babysat them while Tracy and I went out to dinner!! Thanks Again Sue.

Jimmy was to excited to sleep and was up bright and early for the first day of school. His second grade teacher is Mr. Davis and Jimmy is in hog heaven. He has a couple of kids from last year in his class and is ready to hit the ground running.

Kay is moved into Jimmy's old class and her first grade teacher is the same as Jimmy's, Mrs. VanBatavia and we are all please as pie. Kay was well has some friends from last year in her class and she is digging her new pack pack!

Look for weekly updates, antidotes and pictures from this years educational story book, yikes!!!