Favorite Things

If you think this post is going to be about whiskers on kittens or raindrops on roses, then you have watched too many musicals in your life....like me  (thanks, mom). 

Yesterday, I got to thinking about the different stages of my life and how my favorite things have evolved over time.

I don't remember too many of my favorite things when I was really young, but I do remember some things:

• 8 years old (1984) - The summer olympics was in Los Angeles and my mom and sisters were obsessed with watching them (especially the gymnastics -- Mary Lou Retton & Mitch Gaylord among others).  I loved going outside and recreating events as best as possible.  We borrowed my dad's sawhorses (there were only 2) and tried to set up a hurdle event.  We got a large stick and pole vaulted over my mom's flower gardens.  I loved it, and I remember being outside until we got called in when it got dark.
• 9-15 years old - Chad and I grew up loving sports.  The first sport that we really got into (probably because of Little League) was baseball.  Much to the chagrin of our 2 next door neighbors, we constantly were hitting the ball outside of our yard (for a homerun).  I loved mimicing batting stances and swings of professional baseball players and trying to even master switch hitting. 
• 11-18 years old - I was obsessed with basketball.  If you were looking for me during those years, I was probably either at school or outside playing basketball (or some other sport).  If I was in a good mood I played basketball.  If I just had to get away, I played basketball.  I worked on trying to dunk...until I could dunk, then I worked on dunking better.  It never stopped.  Even in the winter, I would play basketball in the snow and would only come inside enought for my fingers to thaw out....then I would go right back out. 
• Post college - One of my favorite things to do with Emily is to go to different restaurants and try new food.  We have tried many different restaurants and different ethnic cuisines.  (I hope I never get sick of doing that.)
• But yesterday, I found my new favorite thing to do..... I love sitting in a chair with my son on my chest sleeping.  It is just so relaxing.  I love just looking at him and try to envision the future with him.  You can't help but feel very "big" in that situation.  But not only big, I think the main feeling I get is a sense of responsibility for a life.  (The only downside to it that I have determined is that I think I'm a little too comfortable for Owen.  If I was ripped like an olympic swimmer or gymnast, Owen probably wouldn't be able to fall asleep quite as fast as he does with my physique.  But that's ok.  I'll take it.)