Hold On Loosely

I am a traveling consultant. I guess there is a big part of me that was in denial about that for a while. Thankfully, I am not a true 'road warrior' those people that are on the road 50 weeks out of the year. But, I am gone more than I like.
I think I have come to terms with it. I don't cry anymore when I tell people that I missed his first steps. Last year, in the midst of my 6-month traveling blitz I was seated next to a couple from the Ukraine. They spent the entire (and I mean entire) flight talking. At one point the woman looked over at me and I was holding a picture of Nolan, something I do without fail.
"Is that your little boy?" She asked in a very heavy accent
"Yes"
"One piece of advice, if I may. Don't hold on too tight. Let him go and explore and find his own life, that's your job."
I smiled and nodded, and thought, well you don't know. You don't know how often I am gone.
But, she was right. And I think of her often, and one of my favorite songs "Hold On Loosely" by .38 Special.
So, as I am about to embark on an 8-week trip, coming home only on the weekends I will listen to that song and think of the Ukrainian woman and know that everything will be just fine.

More Pictures

Hey, that's me opening presents:)

I got some books!

Say, "Cheese"

Daddy and Nolan on the snow hill in our parking lot

He'll remember these big snow piles forever

Some Pictures

Look at me, I'm Mommy!

This is his "I'm Cute" pose

A book! Yeah, something new to read

For me?

Nolan and David playing, Karl standing by

I promised some pictures so here they are. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe 2010 is over, I can't believe the first decade of the 20's is over. Time goes incredibly fast as you watch your child grow. For the first time in a couple of years I have some resolutions. Maybe less resolutions and more goals. I have been swimming in the sea of the unplanned for a few years now. Frankly, Nolan put my world into a tailspin and it's taken me this long to get back to level flight. It's been a wonderful ride.
So, this year I plan to take better care of myself. I have been unable to digest food without issues for a couple of years now, so I finally went to the doctor. I have to get an upper endoscopy, and I am sure that will be as much fun as it sounds. I want to start eating a bit better and getting a little more exercise, but I also don't need to add any stress to my life (see digestive issues above). One big goal, or resolution, is to write a book. Either professional or personal. I have been working on some ideas for a book for my work for a bit now, but the stars haven't yet aligned. Personally, I have had an idea for a book recently and I have started sketching out some of the characters. I figured if I wrote that goal down maybe the pressure from my huge throngs of fans here on this blog might keep my honest. (That's sarcasm, I am pretty sure Karl doesn't even read this blog). Maybe I will start putting excerpts here for your enjoyment. In the meantime, pictures of Nolan will be forthcoming.