The Joy of Swinging

Rest In Peace, Ms. Jo

Jack & Ms. Jo on 9/21/08

Ms. Jo, our next door neighbor and adopted Grandma, died on 10/17/08. Her & Jack had a great thing going...we visited her often and she loved to play with Jack. She gave so much of herself and her wisdom was great in the mothering department. We miss her so much, it's hard to believe that she's gone. We're happy that she went quickly, but it was so, so quick that we didn't get to say goodbye. So Jack went to his first graveside funeral but Chris kept him from distracting others by pushing him around the cemetary in his stroller.

So Ms. Jo....this isn't a proper goodbye...but thanks for all the love you freely gave to us! I'll tell Jack about you and one day, we'll see each other again....

I Love you Lance!

Tarheel88 & Lance
April & Lance's pumpkin.

Lance & his pumpkin that he named Pumpkin.

Lance at gymnastics--learning to do a cartwheel. He's better than Tarheel88 ever was!

Lance dressed as Buzz Lightyear.

There's a boy in my life that makes me smile the biggest smile. He's my 6 year old nephew Lance. I wish I had his energy! He makes over 100 on his spelling tests in first grade. He knows the order of the planets (which is more than I can say for me or his Mom) and he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. He's the man of the house while his Dad is in Afghanistan. He's so sweet & I love him!

Why, Oh, Why

Some things can't be planned & one of those is Lance jumping up in front of the camera, just as I tried to take a picture....here he is...

My special sister, April...look up "encourager, giver, stamina, endurance, & positive attitude" in old Webster and you will see this smiling face...& I know how happy she truly is that I have my Jackster!

The one who has been there from the very, very beginning...my Mom...what a heart she has to love all of us and still stay sane! A true example of what I want to be like when I grow up!

Here is the Sherbert family with me & Jack...April, Grace, Lance, & winking Zackery.

Get ready, cause here they come...there are so many great pictures from my trip back to NC. We had so much fun (except the sleepless nights...) and it was great seeing how my special nephews Lance & Zackery and niece Grace are growing up. I miss seeing them everyday...why oh why, do we live so far away? Questions, questions, questions....are bouncing around in my wooden head....

Steak & Cake

It was a special night for Chris last night...don't mention it but you know what it means to have "Cake & Steak"...it made Jack happy, even though Mommy did a "Nannie" curl on top of his head!

Twinkle of Understanding

Something really wonderful & exciting is getting ready to happen to two of my favorite people...my sister RaRa and her husband Kerry are soon to be parents of a very special baby girl....Emmalee Elizabeth. We gave Emmalee a "hurry up & get here" party and love & smiles abounded.

You've heard me before, but don't tone me out this time. Every baby is precious....but for some people, there was a mountain of pain & suffering to climb before this great earthly reward...so this little girl & her parents will always give me a twinkle in my eye......the twinkle of understanding of all they've been through and like all parents, the love they will have for their child. The tears of happiness are falling....

East Coast Vacation

Wow, over 2 1/2 weeks without a post...have you been worried about Tarheel 88? Sorry that I didn't tell you that Jack & I were going on vacation (sans Daddy Chris) to hallowed ground...the one & only Tarheel state. There was so much love & fun to experience. Jack LOVED spending time with his cousins Lance, Zackery, & Grace. He enjoyed taking a bath with cousin Gracie...the most beautiful 2 year old in the world!

We visited Old MacDonald's together for a fun & a photo op with cousins Lance & Zackery! Jack was overwhelmed at first with all the little people attention, but he got used to it fast and now, he's bored at home with just Mommy, Daddy, & Tucker.

Jack's pulling up to stand up on furniture over the last few days and his first ear infection/cold is winding down, thank goodness. That deserves it's own posting, later when the weariness is over...

10 Months Old

It's hard to believe that Jack is already 10 months old! Chris & I both agree that this is the best, but hardest thing (become parents) that we've ever done. We can only imagine how much easier it would have been to have been even 10 or 15 years younger...but here we are and I have to say, we are doing a fine job. I say that because our Jack is one happy & sweet boy.

New things: crawling & crawling fast...he is getting into everything, even in a semi-baby proof house. We have to do something about the speakers/wires....who needs surround sound anyway? Poor Tucker can't have his water bowl out anymore...it's banished to the powder room and opened intermittently because Jack loves to play in water! He's great at the frog kick & loves to splash in the tub.

The top two teeth are coming down very fast...sorry there's no photo...it's best seen when his head is leaning over & he's laughing. Not a one person feat to take a picture in that position. He's had some screaming, grouchy evenings but food, sleep, & an occassional dose of teething pearls/motrin take the edge off.

We've been to two mother-baby classes so far...that deserves it's own post. Let the competition begin! Why are mothers so competitive when it comes to their children? I feel it too....because, I have to say, Jack is the cutest, & I mean CUTEST, baby in the class. He is one of the biggest & has the most hair also. Sorry to all the little girl mothers...you'll have to wait for those pony-tails!