Love Abounds

Top Ten Reasons to Neglect Your Blog

1. Every day is filled with listening, talking, playing, smiling, laughing & loving each other.  Pure, liquid happiness.  Not so much kissing in public anymore.
2. Bedtime reading:  favorites are Tikki Tikki Tembo, The Monster Manual, One Dog Canoe, all things Farmer Brown
3. Favorite fruit:  strawberries with nutella.  Veggies, not so much
4. The Good Castle & the Bad Castle---well, there are two & sometimes, they are called different names. Knights & dragons have replaced dinosaurs.
5. Not only an imaginary friend, but an imaginary sister:  Sara
6. Loving Montessori school, aka learning to play with children instead of adults
7. When Mom works, it means a trip to White Horse Toys.  A favorite place with Daddy, sometimes followed by playland.
8. Swimming:  jumping off diving board & swimming to pool edge, Spider man flippers, & as always, loving Ms. Kristen (teacher)
9. When Nannie came to visit, fun day followed by fun day followed by fun day---for 3 glorious weeks! 
10. Age 4 is awesome, mid-40's, sometimes a struggle!


More Family Pictures

Jack in Chris coat from 1969

Love always & forever!



Future Dead Poet's Society member



One Little Happy Family



Happy Holidaze 2011

“I am so blessed,” thought the big red dog to himself, as he sat on his very own part of the big green couch, looking up at the sparkling, 12 foot tall Christmas tree. Even though I am a little older, I can still run from Jack and grab a snack from his table. We are both happy (& full), because after Jack finishes off his meal, he can get his favorite treat, a sprinkle cookie. Working together, we like to keep the little girl & the little boy guessing.


Life is good on the Pacific Northwest farm. The year was filled with many happy moments, sprinkled with challenges to overcome. Jack was now 4 years old and the little girl & the little boy are savoring every moment. He loves swimming underwater and can hold his breath for 10 seconds. “Future scuba diver,” smiles the little boy. Jack is into all things dinosaur & knows all their names. He is smart & even taught the little girl where Patagonia is. He goes to Montessori school and loves to play with his friends. Each night, you will find the little boy or the little girl, reading & rocking Jack, their dream come true. His stuffed animals Spike, Mighty, Sammy, & Steady are keeping watch over the family by night.

Sometimes, the big red dog tries to remember life before Jack but the memory is so fuzzy. No more days of sad longing, only good news of great joy. Even though he may not get as many pets, he sees the happiness on the faces of the little girl & the little boy and it makes him happy. “I am one lucky big red dog to be a part of such a happy little family”, he thinks as he drifts off to sleep, listening to Jack singing Away in a Manager.

Christmas Train

Jack & St. Nick

All smiles on the Santa Train

For the second year, we have taken the Snoqualamie Santa train, for Jack to see Santa.  He has no fear now but is still innocent to the commercialism of Christmas.  When Santa asked him what he would like, he responded, "presents".  "What kind of presents?", asked Santa.  "Christmas presents", Jack said.  Santa also said that he would bring him some toys too.  It was so sweet to see Jack eyes looking at Santa!

Reptile Jack

There is a lucky (or unlucky) snake that sticks around Red Dog Ranch and Jack has no fear of him.  He must not mind being played with b/c he doesn't slither away when he sees Jack coming.  Chris used the rake to help keep the snake around b/c Jack wanted to pick him up...Look at that smile on his face while he's holding the snake!  All boy!

A Boy With Many Talents

Jack helped bake a chocolate cake.

Licking the frosting...Tucker is eating from the table in the background...caught in the act!

Frosting complete.

Jack's job is putting sprinkles on the cake.

Sprinkles are done, so Jack is cleaning up around the cake.

Jack cut his own piece...a little big.

Everyone who knows me well, knows that I am not a cook or a baker.  I sometimes feel bad about that but actually, I don't have much interest or aptitude for it either.  I'm not going to say who, but I've been told (& it was true) that I can't boil water.  But since I want Jack to have fun memories of me, I helped him bake a cake (from a box, nonetheless).  I followed the directions explicitly.  It actually worked & tasted good!  Jack loved doing the decorating.  So, if my future daughter-in-law is reading this (25 years from now)....I'm doing my part to teach my son to be a well rounded man!

Cherish Every Moment

Some days the realization pops up in my mind...even though the days can be long, the years are fast.  Jack is so fun right now.  The other day, he fell asleep in the car, so I carried him in and instead of putting him in his bed, I held him in the recliner and we both took a nap.  Now, he loves to be held at night, when we
"read & rock"...but he is always sitting in my lap, facing out.  Our nap together was special because he was facing me and I could feel his every breath.  I am so, so thankful for him.  What a wonderful gift...my own child to love and nurture.   I wondered why I ever felt it necessary for him to always sleep in his crib when he was a baby.  I thought I was doing the right thing (& maybe, I was), but I had a twinge of regret.  Why didn't I hold him more when he was a baby?  Whatever I felt was necessary to do instead, maybe could have waited.

Gotta go, I'm wasting time blogging when my boy needs me to cherish him right now!

Oh, sorry Tarheel diehards...the first poll is out...you know, those ones that no one can remember their names, because they don't really matter.  Well, of course, I saw that my TARHEELS were preseason ranked #1.  DOOK was # 6...boo, hoo for you Coach K.  I know you are up at night trying to come up with a fool proof plan to beat us...but I'm betting that we will make your boys shake in their shoes...Ha!

Sorry, no picture...camera connection problems:)

Making it Work

Love those eyes!

So when Jack & I are alone, it's not easy to take pictures.  Jack doesn't like to pose right now.  So, I found a way to make it work...hold the camera out and start shooting.  About 1 out of 10 are OK and every once in awhile....I'll take a great one!

Even Imitation Slurpees are Great!



He keeps drinking, even when it hurts b/c it's so cold!




Like father, like son...enjoying Slurpee's together....

 So Circle K has a great Slurpee knock off and since Circle K is closer...we get the knock off version.  It's still great on a hot summer day and Jack's favorite flavor is orange...I didn't correct him or explain that Carolina blue is a better color!

Let the Good Times Roll

Future scuba diver--Jack can snorkel at age 3 1/2...staying under to pick up things from the bottom of the pool.

Summer fun!

The Myers' family--chalk art fun.

Over and over, my mind replays the moment of Jack's birth.  So anticipated, so deserved, so surreal.  It seems so long ago and so many wonderful memories have been made since.  Fast forward to today...here are some interesting or funny things that Jack has said lately...

1. I'd like to be the letter I.  Why? I ask.  Because I already am the letter I.
2. I'd like something green with seeds for breakfast.  What?  I ask, half asleep.  He's never been given a kiwi, I think.  A pickle, he responds.
3. What kind of scarecrow would you like?  I ask.  He responds, a girl.  So a girl scarecrow was found, luckily.
4. Off with your head...LOUD as he flings his vorpal sword back and forth.  What are you doing?  I ask.  Killing the jaberwoccky, like in Alice in Wonderland.  OK, I say.  But that sword will go in time out if you hurt a person or a dog.  OK, he says.  Minutes later, Tucker runs from him.  The sword spends the rest of the day on top of the frig.
5. Look, Mt. Reindeer is so big.  Mt. Rainier, I say.  Yes, Mt. Rainier.
6. When will God take away the clouds?  Jack asks.  In February, when we go to Hawaii, I respond.  OK.
7. I love everybody that gives me candy.  How about when I don't give you candy?  I ask.  Silence.
8. Let's go, I'm ready to leave.  As he is running through the house naked. 

Camping at Cape Disappointment

Climbing trees @ camp ground

Navigating the driftwood

We're going to build a sand castle!

I can climb over this all by myself!

Almost there...

Our beautiful beach...

A first attempt at a sand castle...



Above our beach

Jack's first camping trip was a success (according to him!).  He was interested in helping set the tent up, build a fire (watching, at this point), roasting marsh mellows, sleeping in the tent, climbing trees, riding his bike, building sand castles, and playing on the beach.  It takes work on our part, but making memories is always worth it!  

Top Ten Things Said on the Camping Trip

1.  Me to Chris...What...you forgot the air mattress, & we are sleeping on the GROUND!  I only woke up 20 times in 9 hours but felt OK after some instant Nescafe coffee!
2. Where's Jack?  In a tree, I responded.
3. What's that noise?  Sounds like animals fighting...2 raccoons were fighting over a can of Sunkist!
4. Why is it so cold at this beach?  Jack to me...well, son, we have to accept the mighty Pacific Ocean for what it is...a cold ocean that isn't good to swim in!
5. Let's build another sand castle (after we had done about 100).
6. Thank you Chris for cooking a gourmet meal that Paula Dean would envy...grilled tri-tip, grilled asparagus, grilled tomatoes topped with cheese, & black beans...Wow, eating out in the wilderness is GOOD!
7. I need 50 cents for 3 minutes of hot water!  I guess, I need a dollar then, b/c I need at least 6 minutes to take a shower!
8. Chris to Jack & I at bedtime...Breathe in through your mouth, down your back, up through your stomach & out of your mouth...I was asleep after 2 breaths.  It took Chris another hour to get Jack to sleep!
9. Can I climb that rock?  No.
10. How long will it take you to pack up camp while I sit here & relax?  Me to Chris:)  Gotta love camping!

Summer Interruptus

Jack feeding a giraffe @ Woodland Park Zoo

Dinosaur exhibit featured a T Rex...of course, Jack wanted to touch him but was deterred by his roar & small ropes!



Riding Greg, the camel....ALL BY HIMSELF!  Last year, when I saw the lack of seat belts (now how, would you really put seat belts on the back of a camel)...I rode the camel with him.  This year, he told me he was big enough to do it alone.



Jack wanted face paint & he has a favorite---a kitty!  So Jack, the kitty, it was!

I heard that we had had 78 minutes of summer thus far, meaning 78 minutes of temperatures above 80 F.  Well, my bones & joints are Southern and that just doesn't seem hot enough, but we have done a great job of extracting every little bit of heat/fun out of our cool summer thus far.  Jack & I headed to Seattle to the Woodland Park Zoo, his first visit.  The attraction...the dinosaur exhibit.  It was a great day & Jack slept all the way home!

Now on to Tarheel matters...I'm anxiously awaiting the release of the schedule.  Some pre-season announcements have been made including a trip to the Las Vegas Invitational & an invitation to play the first NCAA game on an aircraft carrier...YIPPEE!  The roster has been released and I am busy quizzing myself on names/numbers/height/weight/hometown.  I am the proudest of our only 7 foot player...senior Tyler Zeller.  He has successfully bulked up his previously skinny little body and will certainly be an inside presence.  Thank you Tyler for all those steaks/potatoes & weight lifting you did for the team over the last 4 years!  Oh yeah, he'll for sure be a sought after future NBA star....check out the UNC 2011-12 Roster

Don't hold your breath, but I'll try to be back before a month passes!  Toodle-a!

Soccer Camp

Soccer Camp...Jack is learning not to touch the ball!  He is on the far left & was the 2nd youngest in the class for ages 3-5.

Our best attempt at Jack holding his certificate and standing in front of his ball.

So this week was soccer camp for an hour and fifeteen minutes each morning...a little long for a 3.5 year old and his parents.  At the beginning of the week, we were out there most of the time helping Jack stay on task, redirecting, and motivating him.  By the end of the week, I had to go out to help him a little here & there...about 10% of the time.  He would become very distracted by something and forget...hey, yes, I'm in soccer camp and not flower picking or worm watching camp.

It was lots of fun and he liked his coach Jess from the UK.  Another person with an accent giving him directions!  I still think he likes swimming the best...and he definitely didn't like it when another kid could run faster than him.  But overall, it was a great experience.

The Perfect Belly Flop

Jack loves swimming, mostly under the water!



Uncle Marcus & Jack taking a smile break from watching Netflix!

It's getting easier...that's watching a toddler around the water.  This year, I could sit by the pool and watch Jack jump in over and over.  We tried to practice feet first & he would yell out "feet first" & then jump in & do a perfect belly flop.  Is that an Olympic sport? 

The picture of Jack & Uncle Marc is a great one of both of them...their best smiles!



Good Times



Aunt  Teresa & Lance (9 years old).  He is one sweet, special boy! 




April & Teresa, sisters & friends, forever!

Just to choose a couple of pictures from my vacation is very difficult to do...plus, I was so busy enjoying every moment...that I didn't take many pictures (thanks, John!).

People ask me sometimes, why did you move so far away?  Actually, it seemed like an accident at the time and I'm happy that I didn't see into my future (it would have frightened me), but now, the Northwest is my home.  But, I'm FROM North Carolina and love to go visit.  I did not enjoy the 90+ degree heat but I loved seeing the Atlantic, drinking lots of sweet (dark) tea, & just sitting around talking & relaxing with my besties...my family.  No words can express the love when a person knows & understands everything about where you've been, where you're at, and where you hope to go...that is the love of family!  And boy, is there lots of love in my family!



Sisterly Love

Jack's silly smile + my sister, Wendy

Jack & I went for a family & beach visit to NC...we had lots of time for hugs, talks, and fun, with my side of the family.  My sister Wendy had a scary (unanticipated) health crisis & I was able to be there, in person, for a change.  When you live far away & emergencies occur, it is difficult not to be there to hold a hand, give a hug, wipe a tear, or even paint some toenails!  I so wish Wendy had not gotten sick, but I'm glad I was there.

She is a strong woman who I remember as a brown-eyed, bald, beautiful baby who came into my world when I was 2 1/2 years old.  We shared a room together until I left for college and have a sister & friend connection that is deep & forever.

I'll always love you, my dear sister & hope that you will continue to heal & recover quickly & get back to your "old" self soon!

Where Heroes Rest--Tahoma National Cemetery

Memorial Day 2011

Waving the flag & singing "My Country Tis of Thee" with Mommy

Putting the flag on the grave

There once was an average American citizen, who served his country honorably and retired from the Army after 20 years of service.  He, his wife and two girls, moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he became a King County Sheriff's Deputy.  One fateful day, on June 22, 2002, he was responding to a call where a deranged, naked man was trying to get onto a bus.  He tried to pepper spray the man, but the crazy man retrieved the officer's own service pistol and killed him in front of all the horrified bus riders.  Yes, the SWAT team was able to arrest the murderer, and of course, he had come to his senses enough to get dressed.

Now, a wife and two teenagers, do not have a husband & father.  This man is Richard Anthony Herzog and he is who Jack & I memorialized this Memorial Day at the Tahoma National Cemetery.

Rest in Peace, our Hero!