Betty

Growing up us Mahan kids didn't all look as much alike as we do now. I've always been a bit of a black sheep, not in the fact that I have a darker complexion (although that is part of it) but in that I don't look like my parents. Sure, there's a facial expression or two, but really I get my face and my color from my Gram, Betty Irene Walton Mahan.

And she was a Betty. She had classic good looks that carried over into her age. No wonder my Gramps snatched her up when she was only 20. (Or was it 19? Either way, they were young.)

Gram was one of the most head over heels in love women you could ever meet, although she didn't show it with public displays of affection or grand gestures. She did live every day to take care of my Dad, my Uncle Mitch, and her husband, my Gramps.

In the summer of 2006, a few months after Gramps had passed away and my parents made the courageous decision to leave their home of 20+ years and move closer to their parents, I got to go for a drive alone with Gram after we had helped move my parents (and Kelli) into their new home. We chatted about lots of things, but the conversation turned quickly to relationships and finding the right person to spend eternity with. Gram's advice was to find someone who could make your knees go weak even after 50 years. She told me that with Gramps, sometimes when they were out and about he would catch her eye from across the room and wink at her. And my 67 year old Gram told me with her hand fluttering over her heart like a teenager that she would just turn a bit red and say, Oh, Dennis!

Gram had two of her sons, their spouses or loved ones, and all the Mahan grand kids to love and care for even without my Gramps, but we've all known that she would never be truly happy again until she was reunited with Gramps.

This past Saturday night, around 12:30 when he came to take her Home with him, she went. She had not only Gramps waiting for her, but two sons who didn't live past infancy, Kirk and Tracy, and her parents and grandparents and her older brother, Jim.

It's these thoughts that bring a little peace to my mind in otherwise emotional and tumultuous times. I was not expecting to have to say goodbye to her this early. I am glad she met Monroe but wish there had been more time. I'm struggling to express my grief.

I am grateful for my memories of my Gram, both in the seven years since we lost Gramps and the years before. She was an amazing cook, a trait I hope can be said of me by my child(ren) and future grandchildren. She was stubborn as all get out, and had opinions and advice for every situation but especially about love. She had great friends who have looked out for her and taken care of her in the day-to-day. She was dedicated to her job, and shared her great work ethic with her children, which has been passed down to us kids as well. Sometimes I could make her laugh. She found my ridiculous antics around my family funny, which I always loved. She could've been on the show Hoarders for the amount of change she kept. She and my Gramps must've never given exact change once in their lives. I'm pretty sure we rarely left their home as kids without a $10 roll of quarters each. Gram and Gramps are the ones who got us the organ that spawned us starting piano lessons, which is a love that has obviously carried over into adulthood.

I'm grateful for my Gram. I'm blessed to have had the opportunity and the time to get to know her as much as I did. Thanksgivings, Christmas', every graduation, every milestone in my life thus far she has been there for me and my family.

It's hard. It's hard for us left here to handle the loss. I'm thankful for faith, for the knowledge that there will be more time to spend together. We'll have eternity. I pray that is enough.



Betty Irene.
December 15, 1938-January 12, 2013

Monroe can say "Sh!t", and Other Things

Yep. She sure learned that from both of us. I don't mind swears really, and neither does Hondo, but we have both realized after our beautiful one-year-old yelled out "SH!T" after I did (because I dropped a gallon of milk on my finger and it hurt!) that we should be a lot more careful about what we say around her. She's a little parrot right now, saying everything I say and learning words like mad. She's moving from just repeating everything I say into saying words that I don't necessarily teach her but that she has obviously heard (example: "box." Why would I teach her that word? but she walked up to a present on Christmas, pointed at it and said, "Box." She's a genius.)

From our Friend Christmas Party

We had a very blessed Christmas. Hondo completely spoiled me (not complaining!!!) and I got some fabulous new toys. A speaker/ipod dock, a jewelry box, a Kate Spade purse and iphone case. But the real doozy is.... wait for it...

A piano.

WHOOOP WHOOP!

It's digital and we don't actually have it yet, but should get it today or tomorrow. They were out of stock (right before Christmas, go figure). Hondo wanted to just tell me what it was but I said no I needed him to draw me a picture, so this is what I got to open on Christmas morning.

My favorite part is that he wrote "It's a piano!" at the bottom. Just in case I couldn't tell.

He got the full set of Harry Potter books, a movie he wanted, socks, some new running shoes and I registered him for a Half Marathon in May. I registered myself too but we'll see how gutsy I'm feeling come May. 

Monroe is funny, she doesn't like the act of opening presents, she wants them to be already open. So I'd try to get her to tear the paper and she would just grunt in frustration that it wasn't already open. She got some new books (which are as much for me as her, I can only read "Put Me In the Zoo" so many times a day), some bath toys and a Disney Princess chair. She loves to climb on things and has already colored all over the new chair with a blue pen.

You can just tell from the look on her face that she is a rascal. 

But really Mo is the best kid. She listens so well, I've had people compliment me when we are in public on how well she behaves, which I appreciate. I'm so grateful for how happy and healthy she is. She is teething a lot now (molars) and hasn't been sleeping as well as she used to but that is hardly something to complain about. Especially since when she takes naps during the day, I can too.

I think we've adjusted into me being home during the day pretty well. I never felt like I was ready before, when Monroe was littler I would get restless easily. Now that we can play and talk all day it's been a lot easier for me to be home. I was really ready to be done with the company I had been working for, this last year was so crazy there and I don't envy the people who are still working there.

I don't really set New Years resolutions because I'm horrible at setting goals. But in 2012 Hondo and I made it our goal to get out of debt, and we have (almost) done that. It is a huge relief to be able to move forward with our lives. 

2013 should be interesting. Our 2 year anniversary is in February already, and Mo will be 2 in July. I've submitted some applications to graduate schools to start in the Fall semester, although i'm nervous about my chances of being accepted. We could move, if school takes us in that direction. Hondo's job has continued to bless our family, and it looks as though it will continue to do so as long as we stay in this area. We shall see.

Welp. See ya later.

The Coolest People You Will Ever Meet

October Week 1

I didn't realize how truly great my parents are and were growing up until I moved out, which probably a lot of people could say. But once I saw how absolutely insane other people's mother's were, and how crazy their father's were, I began to appreciate how good I had it. Yes, we were poor, but we had a lot more going for us than most people.

Out of every thing though, one of the things I admire most about my parents as a couple is their politics.

This may come as a surprise to some, seeing as my parents (particularly my Dad) are very, very Conservative and I am very, very Liberal. Although I do not agree with much of their ideas and they for sure don't agree with mine, I have had several experiences that have impressed me. I have seen my parents sitting at the kitchen table, discussing and researching the candidates for an upcoming local election together. My mom told me later that even though they discuss things together, they choose to vote personally and don't necessarily always vote the same. I know that they do not believe in voting strictly according to party lines, but will vote for who they believe is the best candidate, even if that means they vote for a Democrat. I'm grateful to know that I have parents who care, who take their right to vote seriously. It is a great example to me that they can discuss issues and not necessarily agree or vote the same, but have the respect for each other's opinions to not allow it to cause an issue at home.

I also love my Dad's ghostie pants dance and my Mom's "Bland" moments.

Being the 5th of 6 kids I've had the unique opportunity to spend time with each of my siblings and their significant others as the "third wheel" in multiple instances. Because of this, I feel blessed to know my in-laws well and have a personal relationship with each of them. I have also been able to observe them together as couples.

The Sadlers and I go way back. There were several Christmas Breaks and Summers where Jen and I lived together/lived in the same town and spent our free time together. I think I was the first Mahan to officially meet Nick. I have been there to see the many ups and downs they have had in their relationship. They are in one of the most trying downs of their lives right now, and I can only pray that things are never this hellish again. But I admire their willingness to fight. They both, particularly my sister but I give him credit too, have refused to give up on their relationship. In a world where divorce is all too common, and people split because of "irreconciable difference" or lesser reasons, it is admirable that they have stuck things out. I love them both, and I pray that things do work out for the best for their family.

I also love Jen's hilarious openness about all things personal and Nick's obsession with his hair.

The Mahans have been together the longest out of all of the couples. They started dating right after Adam graduated high school. They got engaged the day Kara graduated from high school. They just had their first baby, Paisley, and they have built their home in Broomfield after moving around and being apart for several years while Adam finished his service in the Marines. Through all that time, one thing I have noticed and I love about them as a couple is that they always do small, nice things for each other. You can tell that they care by looking at how they treat each other. I remember once Kara was at our house and Adam got home and he gave Kara a mini Nalgene bottle because he saw it at the store and knew she would like it. She was so excited because she likes small things. You can see how Kara decorates and prepares for Adam's birthday, making it different and special every year. I love to see that. It inspires me to try and do the same in my relationship.

I also love Adam's giggle and Kara's inability to laugh hard without also crying.

The Griffiths are so talented and have done so many things together as a couple that I'm pretty jealous. They have traveled together, played together, suffered together, had babies, you name it. What I admire most about them is that they are truly chasing their dreams. Matt is a phenomenal musician, and their mutual love of music has led them to Nashville, where they live with their two girls while he pursues his career in music. I love that Stef loves him and is so supportive of his dream. It takes a lot of guts to move away from home and family to make a living doing something you love that is crazy hard. I wish we were more like them, unafraid (or at least brave enough) to go after something we loved.

I also love Stef's facial expressions and Matt's bizarre comments.

The Glems are the ones I have spent the most time with, having lived with them on and off for the first 3 years of their marriage and in the same town since they started dating. Holly is my other soul mate, and I'm grateful that I have been able to establish a great relationship with Eric as well. Spend ten minutes with them together and you will see that they have the most genuine mutual enjoyment of the other's company of anyone I've ever met. They are best friends before anything, and with everything that they have been through as a couple and still are going through even now, they love each other so much. They both think each other is hilarious, and they laugh and play together almost as if their love is new, even though they have been together for several years.

I also love Holly's freak outs and Eric's wheeling and dealing.

Kelli is the youngest, and although she has an adorable boyfriend that I love, I will not put any undue pressure on that relationship by writing about it here. :) So it's just Kelli, my only single sibling left. Her and I had some time together at home without any other siblings since we are the two youngest, and let me tell you, no one can get under my skin and bug me more than her. She knows exactly how to push my buttons and she is not afraid to do so. (We get along better now that we don't live together or share a room.) She is funny and has a strange sense of humor that is hilarious and weird all at the same time. I love her a lot, but I admire her commitment and loyalty to people and jobs that she loves the most. She has worked at some great places with some great people, and also some not so great people, but she sticks it out a refuses to sink to the level of some other more immature people who try and tear her down. (PS if I ever meet those people, I WILL have a thing or two to say and they should be scared) She is great at rising above, and I love that about her.

I also love her permapart. I miss it.

As you can see, these are some pretty cool peeps. You should try to be their friend, if you aren't already.

"So how's my butt?" " I don't know, are we grading on a curve?"

Let's talk about Seattle.

Hondo's birthday was last week (which I wrote about here.) He has been practically begging me to go on a trip, a "real vacation" where we could spend some time together somewhere that wasn't here.

I debated many locations, and searched for deals for several weeks before settling on the idea of Seattle a couple weeks ago. I told Hondo about the surprise the day I booked it because I am the worst at keeping surprises secret, and also I hate surprises myself.

Our flight was super early Friday morning. We landed in Seattle at 8 am. We were super tired but we couldn't check in to our hotel til the afternoon so...away we went. We found a place called Lola's for breakfast that was absolutely delicious. Everything locally grown, all natural farm raised animals, fresh squeezed juice and not a regular soda to be found. Mexican Coke is allowed, but not anything else. (This was the case at almost every restaurant we went to. What is this obsession with Mexican Coke? I don't even think it's good! And are they thinking it's healthier or something? Because really...I doubt it.)

Seriously, if you go to Seattle go eat here. Totally worth it!

Since we had time still we decided to fill it by sight-seeing right away. First stop--Space Needle. It was a little cold but not too cloudy so the observation deck was great. 

We also went to Chihuly Gardens, which was awesome. If the exhibit comes to your town, go see it. I heard that it is especially cool at night. What must it be like to be the guy who pioneers an entire art form?

We were so tired that we went after lunch at Red Mill Burgers we went to our hotel and took at long nap. Which is kind of a vacation unto itself seeing as that can't happen with a baby around.

Dinner at Ivar's down by the water was pretty good too. I tasted salmon (it's a little fishy) and we walked around the pier a bit, then went to a movie (which we also rarely get to do anymore.)

Parking in Seattle is a bit ridiculous, and by ridiculous I mean expensive. I think we literally spent about $100 just on parking this whole weekend.

Saturday, since parking is so horrible, after brunch at Boat House Cafe (which was fine but took too long) we parked and walked around downtown for the next four hours. We saw the famous market, sampled some local fruit and baked goods, saw the Gum Wall and then went on the Underground Tour, which is pretty cool. You learn a lot about the history of Seattle and get to see some of the oldest parts of the city.

Hondo "Underground"

For dinner we wanted to try the best pizza in Seattle, so we went to a place called Serious Pie and if that is the best then that sucks for Seattlites. It wasn't bad, but we got an appetizer that was possibly the worst thing I've ever put in my mouth. Thankfully we had a great waiter who didn't charge us for the gross food that we hated.

Sunday was our last full day so we went to breakfast at The Lucky Diner (who served normal Coke products, along with the Mexican Coke) which was everything you want a diner to be, but still a little healthier. They didn't serve hash browns or pancakes as a side, they served sliced fresh tomatoes and fruit cocktail. It was pretty good. The tomatoes made me miss Mo a lot (she would eat them whole like an apple if I would let her.)

We stopped by the Pacific Science Center to see the King Tut exhibit there and play at the other exhibits a bit. My favorite pics from the whole trip came as a result--gotta love photo booths.

We went up to Kerry Park to catch the great views of the city and Mt. Rainier, which is huge. We kind of slowed down that afternoon, after going back to the Market to pick up some souveniers and fresh fruit, we headed to Daniel's Broiler for dinner. It's a great steak and seafood house that I would also recommend, if you don't mind spending lots of money on great steak. We agreed at dinner that we felt good about our trip, and neither of us really felt like we had missed out on anything while we were there. We walked around downtown enough to last us quite awhile, and I know we were both anxious to get back to Monroe. 

Thanks so much to Holly and Eric who had Mo for the weekend so we could have some time alone. If you want to see how crazy Mo can be on a day-to-day basis, head over to Holly's blog here and see how the weekend went in pictures/video.

I'm very grateful that we have been so blessed to be able to afford this vacation. We definitely appreciate spending time together and getting to experience a new place. I love being able to try new things and see new places and I'm so lucky to have such a handsome man to experience  it all with!

"If I had ever learned, I would have been a true proficient."

Name that movie.

If I could be instantly proficient at one thing, it would be a foreign language. I really wish I could speak completely fluently another language, probably French but I'm not necessarily particular. I did take several years of French in high school and college but that unfortunately doesn't mean that I remember much. I can still understand French pretty well but responding...that would be a little touch and go.

I do miss it. I want to go to Paris more than anything.

It's Pride and Prejudice, the BBC version. Obviously. If you knew that we could probably be best friends. If you didn't well...thanks for stopping by.

Things that almost always give me chills

A great song. For example, the first song on the Mumford and Sons new album Babel...instant chills.

Pictures of cold weather.

Even this much snow makes me feel cold

When my hands are wrinkly from washing dishes or swimming...I get chills just thinking about it. In a bad way.

Touching construction paper.

Movies that show landscapes/cityscapes of Paris. These tend to produce tears as well.

The beginning of a play or movie I've been anticipating.

Hondo kissing the gap between my neck and shoulder on my back.

A moving political speech.

"We believe that a little girl who's offered an escape from poverty by a great teacher or a grant for college could become the founder of the next Google, or the scientist who cures cancer, or the President of the United States – and it's in our power to give her that chance."

I can't help but think of my daughter and the enormous potential that she has.

A moving religious speech.

"Though we will face trials, adversities, disabilities, heartaches, and all manner of afflictions, our caring, loving Savior will always be there for us. He has promised:

'I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. …

'My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' John 14: 18,27"

And of course, other random things. But these? They get me every time.

A Proposal, A List, Some Cheese, and a Birthday

It's Hondo's birthday!

And as such, I feel it is time for a list.

First, small anecdote.

Once when Hondo and I were engaged, someone asked me, point blank, "Why do you love him?"

I was caught off guard. I didn't expect anyone else to really care that much about my actual reasons for loving him, just maybe about the fact that I did (and do.) I thought it was a strange question to ask. I mean, it's fine to ask. Sure, maybe you just want to hear...about...how we love each other...or something... (I actually don't really understand why anyone would ask this question, but that is okay, I don't have to understand everything.)

Second, I was like "This is a test and I'm about to fail." I don't think I've ever had to explain why I love Hondo to anyone before or since this, and even though I'm sure it was not the intent of the question, I felt cornered a bit.

So my answer came out in some generic form of, "Well, we fit together. It just makes sense." Which is perfectly reasonable.

But today, in honor of Hondo's birthday, here is a list of things that when added together, make up the reasons that I love him. Which I do.

Most passionately.

1. He is obsessed with turkey. Most people think turkey is a thanksgiving thing, but not at our house. It is at least a quarterly thing, if not every other month.

2. When he gets mad and says something (usually me) is "frustrating," he actually says "fustrating." It's all I can do to not laugh at how cute it is.

3. He sings slightly off key. Mo laughs every time he sings, and I think it is because it makes her so happy. Me too, Mo. Me too.

4. He calls a group of men "cats" and often refers to girls as "kid." Very Casablanca.

5. He swears like a sailor while driving and exercising (not at the same time). I shouldn't laugh, but I do.

6. He gets a little handsy when he takes sleeping pills/cough medicine.

7. He stresses all the time about the kind of Dad he is going to be for Mo as she gets older. Which I think proves that he is going to be a great one.

8. He gave me Monroe.

9. He supports me in every decision that I make and wants nothing more than for me to be happy.

10. He loves celebrity gossip.

11. He loves talking politics. Which is great, since I do too. Luckily we agree on (most) things.

12. He loves and looks after my family.

13. When he talks about exercising, he refers to it as "Bringing sexy back."

14. He's the only person I know who calls "sherbet" "sherbet ice cream." Most people say either "sherbet" or "ice cream," but to him it's both.

15. He listens to me well enough that even if I'm having a conversation with someone else and I say something, he'll respond and that reponse will be completely out of context and irrelevant to the conversation. It's quite funny.

16. He thinks it's funny that I'm competative. Which is a good thing, especially when we're on the same team.

Of course, there are more but i'm at work and out of time. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."

I love you, Hondo. I love you for the man that you are and the man that you are going to be as we grow old together. I couldn't have picked a better partner to navigate through life with. Marry me!

And Happy Birthday!