Year In Review 2002

Foreward- in order for me to locate this entry with greater ease- I am changing the publication date to match the date that I have summarized. In truth- this post was written 2/19/22 as part of my ongoing efforts to switch to a digital format for story telling.  

 Right Now

I'm thinking  maybe breaking down two albums in one day is a bit ambitious?   Going to mix it up a bit to avoid the monotony of repeating myself in my reflections.

I've always liked the "Ten best" lists- but when I've tried to do them myself, I get to about 6 or 7 and stall out.   Not this year-   I give you Ten Things that made 2002 memorable- in no set order of popularity I might add.

BEARS

Wait a minute- these aren't bears...

These are cute Things with their Uncle Carlos 

and their now official Auntie Ling

With all the Chang Siblings... (1.25.02)

Where did the bear come from  Girl- give it up-you aren't making any sense now?   

Well, when we told Thing 1 he was going to be a ring bearer in his Aunt and Uncle's wedding- he started to practice his growl.  Yep, he thought we had meant a true bear not one who carries the ring.   It remains a funny memory from this wonderful weekend where the Colorado Changs celebrated with the California Changs!  

And later in the year we would visit Build a Bear- where Thing 1 built his own "care bear" and named him Patrick Bear...Thing 2 opted for the more traditional name of "Teddy".

VEGGIE TALES

A chance encounter with Bob- while waiting for our table at White Fence Farm..

Waiting (probably impatiently) for the Veggie Tales Live show to begin!

Thankful for the extra pair of hands provided by "our" Allie

Mesmerized by the show-sporting an over priced T-shirt 

(that would get worn over and over as the year progressed)

I don't think he's ever sat as still as he did during this show...

"No Larry- we don't know where your hairbrush is!"

TRAINS

There was a day out with Thomas...

and a guest appearance by Sir Topham Hat..

and a trip to Georgetown with Cousin Greg

to see the sights along the Georgetown Loop Railroad

DISNEY

20 years later- I am willing to admit- the trip was more for me than the Things...

Don't get me wrong...they had fun..

And cooperated with my requests for photos...

And even helped Merlin successfully remove the sword from the stone..

But at a little over 3...This Thing found it all to be a bit too much sensory..

Within arms reach of buying this treasured lollypop- Thing 2 could not hold it in any longer and we had the mother-of-all meltdowns...if anyone wants my opinion, wait until closer to 4 before you experience the magic of Disney-

BEACHES

Living in a land locked state- trips to the beach don't happen very often...

But this year- we found ourselves with 2 opportunities to feel the wind in our hair

and the sand on our toes..

and while a  little cautiously curious about the waves...

These Things showed us they do indeed have a little bit of love for the beach...

AUNTIES

Auntie Kelly came from Wisconsin...

And Auntie Laura was here from Michigan..

And of course, we already showed pics of Auntie Ling.

Special treats for sure!

HATS

Thing One makes hats on a regular basis in his autism program...

and his sweet teachers were always most kind in making sure younger brother had one as well...

And if you have the perfect hat, perhaps it's time to strut your stuff in some

PARADES

Be it the 4th of July...

or Thanksgiving...

Our friends The Lishes help ensure a parade is on the agenda!

GRANDPARENTS

How very fortunate that this year, the Things got to spend a little time with both sets of grandparents

And coming in at  #10 ..

POUTING-

nah, how about a POEM

I'm going to wrap up this summary with a poem that I have saved for 20 years- and it just about sums up what life was like parenting two things just 25 months apart.

Her Little Shadows

I saw a young mother with eyes full of laughter 

and two little shadows came following after.

Wherever she moved, they were always right there-

Holding onto her skirts, hanging onto her chair,

Before her, behind her, and adhesive pair

"Don't you ever get weary, as day after day, your two little tag-alongs get in your way?"

She smiled as she shook her pretty young head,

And I'll always remember the words that she said

It's good to have shadows that run when you run, that laugh when you're happy and hum when you hum

For you only have shadows when your life's filled with sun

Yes indeed, 2002 was a year filled with plenty of sun!

Ok- I think this is it for now- off to go and work on some other areas of clutterly concern-or maybe I will just curl up with a good book...I think I've earned some time off for good behavior!  

Year in Review-2001

Foreward- in order for me to locate this entry with greater ease- I am changing the publication date to match the date that I have summarized. In truth- this post was written 2/20/22 as part of my ongoing efforts to switch to a digital format for story telling.   

RIGHT NOW

I'm thinking what in the world have I decided to take on?   I woke up this morning and looked at the bookshelf in the corner- thinking will I ever get it pared down to the point of satisfaction?  Lucky for me-  I have recently started listening to a couple podcasts on building sustainable habits and I am now reminding myself- it's not an all or none approach that will work-it's small steps.

So this morning, before I head out to the gym- I am taking a few small steps and will start working on 2001.

2001-  Yes, that year, that month, that day that we will never forget.   

9.11.21-  Where were you when the world stopped turning?  It would end up becoming a lyric from a song and also a question many people asked each other in those early days after this horrific tragedy.   

On 9.10-   Thing 1 and I had coffee with Clifford the Big Red Dog..

Ok, I had the coffee- Thing 1 probably had just juice...

For me- I was knee deep in the daily tasks of motherhood-  flipping channels from Barney to Blue's Clues in an effort to keep the morning routine moving forward with minimal meltdowns. 

I caught a quick glimpse of a news channel and noticed the World Trade Center was on fire.   My initial reaction was "Oh, looks like NBC is promoting another movie-wonder what it is".   I soon realized this was no Hollywood scripted event-  it was real.   Next I thought "it must be an accident".   Shock took over as I realized this was no accident but instead an act of incredible hatred.     

 In typical mom mode, I continued about my day- hauling Thing 1 off to preschool. For the Things-it was just another day in their childhood routine.     Not a game changer like so many families whose loved ones would never come home.   Not a game changer for adults like myself, far away from the direct impact of this tragedy, but suddenly reminded in a horrific way that everything can change on a dime.  

May I never forget the silence of the school yard -as other adults reached out in shared pain and sorrow, nor may I never forget the resilience of the American people and our fearless troops who in the years to follow, would continue their heroic efforts to take out the terrorist organizations that plotted and planned this devastating act.  

But what about the rest of the year- what made the year special?

There were cars to be washed...

And a car to be bought-  

Olga the '75 Mercedes-she would be the "first" of a few classic vehicle  purchases-

Hats to be worn..

From the youngest...

To the oldest- 

From just for fun...getting into the spirit of the rodeo in Cheyenne..

to symbolic of all the hard work that was put in..

With Dom receiving his Masters from Regis University-  Computer Information Systems-Network Technologies

and recipient of the Charles Baggage Award for Academic Excellence

It was indeed a YeeHaw year of fun!

There were hugs to be had from mom..

to Great Grandma Irene...

Ok, in full disclosure, her dementia was pretty advanced at this point

 she wasn't sure who those  Asian babies belonged to but she remarked they sure were cute...

Grabbing cuddles from busy Things is no easy task...

But Auntie A got an A+ for effort

Allie has indeed mastered the art of snuggling..

A trait she most likely inherited from her mother...

Whether it was just our cozy crew of 4...

or even more...

We were grateful for a chance to create special memories..

Final reflections-   This project is about simplification.   The album, in its original format, held way more pictures and countless details of every day life.   

But in the spirit of what sparks joy, and reining in the clutter that comes with holding onto everything ever crafted, I am letting go of a lot of the detail and instead have chosen to focus on the bigger picture and that is- the joy I had spending time being their mother!