Here it is. Another "year according to facebook" post. Kinda cliche but I love it! Some of my statuses make me chuckle, all make me realize how much has happened over the past year...I'm definitely adding this to my Journal Your Christmas book (which is coming along albeit slowly).

Last day of winter break. I'm so not ready. I'd love another week at home with my guys...yet, here we go!

“Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.” —Marcus Aurelius

Yesterday we had the good fortune of going to two Memorial Day celebrations. The first in the morning held at the Lynden Cemetery and the second, The Festival of Flags, held at Moles Greenacres Memorial Park.

Troy participates in The Festival of Flags with his reenactment gear (hopefully next year Mabel will make an appearance). He has a stream of people stopping and checking out his stuff and talking about memories or asking questions. It is great fun for him.

The festival included many speakers, including Jerry Stewart (from the radio programs One Moment in America) and a Homeland Security Blackhawk that delivered the American flag. I spent some time watching children create message for the troops overseas.

The park was full of families and community members celebrating the fallen and active soldiers as well as visiting loved ones who may not have served. There was such beautiful energy in the cemetery. It was wonderful. A cemetery should be a place of celebration and yesterday it certainly was...

And, of course, I visited grandpa and grandma. I miss them daily. I didn't get to the other cemetery to visit my other grandparents - this week for sure.

I just couldn't stop taking pictures of the flags. There are over 1400 flags lining the pathways - it truly is a spectacular sight.

It was an amazing day. Much thanks to the soldiers that have laid down their lives for our freedom, our way of life. Thanks to those who are currently serving - be it at a base stationed in the U.S., on a tour of duty in another nation or deployed to a hostile environment. Thanks to everyone who has served a short enlistment to those who have retired from our military. Thanks to the families left at home while their loved ones are serving. Thanks to the civilians who support our military daily...It takes everyone!

This was in my in box this morning.

“Do more than belong: participate. 

Do more than care: help. 

Do more than believe: practice. 

Do more than be fair: be kind. 

Do more than forgive: forget. 

Do more than dream: work.” 

—William Arthur Ward

***photo from way back. love my boy.***

These words speak to me. This reminds me to put action in life, not just words. It is so easy to sit back and not put in the work...Good quote - food for thought.

Have a great weekend friends.

"Sweet childish days that were as long as twenty days are now." - William Wordsworth

While Spring cleaning with Troy last weekend I found Archer's first pair of cowboy boots under the couch. I dusted them off and they are on a table in the living room now. And as I was dusting them off I thought of this picture, taken about ten years ago (he is wearing said boots and his Power Ranger jammies).

I love this picture. I love this quote. Last night on the way home from youth group two of the boys were talking about how time passes so much quicker now that they are "older" (ya, older at fourteen! Yikes!).

I know we can't slow down time or go back to visit this sweet little boy in his boots and jammies. Oh, how I'd like another day with my four year old boy. However, we can be present in the moment; cherish and be present in the days with the fourteen year old boy. Celebrate everyday we're given.

Happy Day!

Celebrate: Connections

“A good friend is a connection to life, a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” - Lois Wyse

This week I've really been celebrating connections. Friends. Family. Since I've been sick for the first part of this year and really stuck at home I've spent quite a bit of time on facebook. I don't know about you but I love facebook. I love the updates from friends, reading people's statuses is so much fun. I love the quick look into people's lives - people I see daily and people I haven't seen for over 20 years. I like being able to quickly comment, let people know that I'm thinking of them.

And I love, LOVE reconnecting with old friends. Especially old friends I thought I may never hear from again.

Be it over a cup of coffee or over the internet I love the connection to other people. I celebrate them and who they are and what they are to me at this point and what they were to me in the past. It's an awesome thing.

This week I've made plans to see a friend who lives in the next town over, but who I haven't seen in over five years. We've kept up via facebook, but face-to-face? Not so much. We plan on changing that.

This week I reconnected with an old Beau (yes, Troy knows...I tell him I'm collecting boyfriends). We hadn't talked in 16 years. It was good to catch up and hear about his life in North Carolina and remind him why the Pacific Northwest is so wonderful!

This week I had some great conversations with my sister over coffee and a few lunches.

This week I've run into friends at the grocery store.

This week I've had coffee with one of my best friends and my cousin.

This week I've laughed with my guys. Troy and I went out for an impromptu dinner - just us. I watched a movie with Archer, we made grilled cheese side-by-side, I danced as he rolled his eyes.

I celebrate each one of these connections! I am so blessed.

When I was in high school I went to Teens For Christ and Young Life. While I attended TFC only occasionally I always looked forward to their newsletters. I have several items clipped and saved still from those days.

This is one of my favorite poems. I read it several times during the season to remind me of the "reason for the season," as the saying goes. I know many people go to church, give food to a food drive, buy a gift off the Angel tree...My hope is that we never feel complacent, that we do these things from the heart and remember that being ready for Christmas happens all year.

Ready for Christmas?
author unknown

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high;
Then wearily sat for a moment and read
Till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.
Then quickly spoke a voice in her dream,

"Ready for Christmas? What do you mean?
Ready for Christmas, when only last week
You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street?
Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge?
Perhaps you had better let God be the judge.
Why, how can the Christ-child come and abide
In a heart that is selfish and filled with pride?
Ready for Christmas, when only today
A beggar lad came and you turned him away
Without even a smile to show that you cared?
The little he asked - it could have been spared.
Ready for Christmas, You've worked hard it it true,
But just doing the things that you wanted to do.
Ready for Christmas, Your circle's too small.
Why you're not ready for Christmas at all!"

She awoke with a start, and a cry of despair,
"There's so little time, and I've still to prepare!
O Father, forgive me, I see what you mean,
To be ready for means more than a house swept clean!"

Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree,
It's the heart swept clean that He wants to see,
A heart that is free from bitterness - sin,
Ready for Christmas - and ready for HIM!

Seven more days my friends. Are you ready?

The Garden of Proserpine

From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free,
We thank with brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods there be:
That no life live forever;
That dead men rise up never;
That even the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea.
by, A.C. Swinburne

I didn't post this yesterday, because I just couldn't. Yesterday was a year without our dear sweet Horton. I always thought those people who mourned their pets "forever..." were weird or something. Then we lost him.

Love you sweet Horton. You were part of us for so long. For the beginning of us. Thank you for your love. I am so thankful that we had you for as long as we did. Hope you're enjoying Heaven!

“Friendship is the greatest of worldly goods. Certainly to me it is the chief happiness of life. If I had to give a piece of advice to a young man about a place to live, I think I should say, 'Sacrifice almost everything to live where you can be near your friends.' I know I am very fortunate in that respect. ” - C.S. Lewis

She's my best friend. She's my cousin. I am so fortunate and thankful to have her in my life. Today is her birthday. While often her day is marked with sadness (our Grandpa died on her b'day, a beloved aunt was buried this day, and normally Rin seems to be sick, sick, sick) I look on this day as a day of celebrating life. She is so dear to me!

Looking forward to spending the day with her tomorrow...celebrating HER!
And here we are. Cousins on the couch. Me, Jen, Jeremy, and Lorinda, the birthday girl, with Snoopy!

Happy Birthday Lorinda, Rin, Rinna, Lorinder....
(there are a few more, however I will leave it at that. haha.)

Love ya my frousin!

*also off to the cemetery to say hi to Papa today. Love ya Papa!

then & now

“Friends are helpful not only because they will listen to us, but because they will laugh at us; Through them we learn a little objectivity, a little modesty, a little courtesy; We learn the rules of life and become better players of the game.” - Will Durant

first grade.

I shared a picture of these two in the last post. These pictures make my heart sing. In my mind I see their graduations and weddings...

9th grade.

Loving the journey.

Dancing, yes indeed.

As Archer prepares for his first school dance it made me reminisce a bit about my high school dances. At least the first dance with a date and dinner and pictures.

My first dance was actually a MORP I think...I didn't have a good reputation going to dances....At least not after breaking up with this boy twice at dances, standing up another, and wrecking a little VW bug in a parking lot with my dad's Caprice (please don't ask my dad about me and dances...I think it may be one of his favorite subjects and I don't come off in a good light. haha). This was Sean. He was my first high school boyfriend. This was one of our first dates, my freshman year, his junior year. We dated for about a year and half (with a few breaks when I broke up with him AT dances).

Ok. Now to what you really wanna talk about. Lookey at that hair...peroxide is a girl's best friend as is a perm on an already curly headed girl; bunchy socks (oh ya!); layered shirt with a polo; and those shorts were my fave - pink/light blue/white plaid - loved 'em. I had a lovely tan a la baby oil (before I cared about things like skin cancer and decided sunscreen was the way to go).

And another dance picture with Sean (uh...I broke up with him at this tolo, sorry Sean that wasn't nice).
Can you believe I broke up with him when we were so color coordinated?

Once again noticed the scrunchy socks...what the heck?

Well there it is. A little trip down memory lane. I am excited for Archer because now he's forming his own memories...one day he may make a similar trip and I have to say being 20ish years removed the trip is much sweeter.

*I really wanted to write today however the words didn't seem to come. So, in honor of what would have been my Grandma's 85th birthday I leave you with some Amazing Grace, Chris Tomlin style.*

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

Here is a link of Chris Tomlin playing and singing live. I can listen to this over and over and always sing.

“Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right'. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” - Napoleon Hill

This quote made it's way into my in-box today and spoke to me in that motivational way that resonates in your heart, but aren't sure where it will take you. Hope you enjoy it as well.

The picture is from a year ago today. I have to say that Archer no longer mows the lawn like this. Well, at least he hasn't for awhile. Last year I think he just tried to entertain himself during what he thought was a long chore, which in reality only takes about 20 - 30 minutes.

I had thoughts in my head for several posts over the past week, but none came. Hmmm...I'm feeling a bit unmotivated. I had a nice little piece written, in my head of course, for Mother's Day, however then Friday came and I was hit with a horrible Spring cold. Horrible. I spent the whole weekend (mostly) in bed.

So, I just want to say Thank You to my guys who took care of me this weekend. They cleaned the house, did yard work, made their own food, brought me Starbucks and flowers and most of all let me rest. I am on the mend, still not a 100 percent, but getting there.

Happy Monday friends. Remember, the time will never be "just right," - just DO! :)

oh another note? what the heck happened with my fonts today? aaaahhhhhhhh!!!

“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

Hi friends! Today marks my third blogoversary
(I would like to thank Teena in Toronto for reminding me as I think I would have forgotten! Thanks Teena!)
and I don't have a fancy-dancy post planned. Really? What did you expect from me?

I really just want to say thank you. Thanks to my friends and family who not only endure my constant, "I think I'm going to blog this," or "No, look cute, I want a picture for the blog," but also tell me when I should blog something (uh...thanks). My friends and family are also my devoted readers - they will read no matter what...even if it's crap (huh?).

(random childhood photo. I love it. I think...cute me!)

I also want to thank my new bloggy friends. Those who I don't know, but who stop by and glimpse into my life on a regular basis. People like Liz, and Tabitha, and Ali (go visit these ladies...I love them!).

And since it is way to early in the morning to try to think of something clever (which I should have done in preparation (whatever)...I will say...Have a great week!

Here's to Spring! and Here's to another bloggy year!

"Have a holly, jolly Christmas;
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
but have a cup of cheer
Have a holly, jolly Christmas;
And when you walk down the street
Say Hello to friends you know
and everyone you meet."

In the heart of Christmases past I share with you Christmas memory #78 - visiting the Yeager's Santa. Yeager's is a local sporting goods store and we would take at least one trip every year to go visit Santa. Santa was known the rest of the year as Grandpa Glen. He was a good friend's grandpa and I grew up with him...he was the perfect Santa. Always jolly. Kids loved him. And he always gave me extra candy canes!
1988 was a fine, fine year. Obviously. Look at that hair. We could de-construct this photo and have a field day, however we will just say that I was an adorable high-schooler and leave it at that. Ok? No? Let me give you the run down. The hair - peroxide and perm ('nuf said). The clothes - the sweatshirt belonged to my friend Simon and said "Whoa Chill Out Dude," and the shorts (which thankfully you can't see so I'm not sure why I am sharing) were, well, shorts in December (wonder where Archer gets it?). They were cut-off black and white tie-dyed stretch pants (from New York people)...They were glorious. Anyway...I think we can all agree that I was super cute!


This picture mixes a bit of this year's decor in with a Christmas past picture. One of my project this season was this cute little 7-gypsies frame. I have wanted to frame this adorable picture of Archer from his first Christmas. It is one of my favorites. I converted the pic to black and white since the reds of his suit and the frame didn't match matted it on some cute Making Memories paper threw a couple Creative Imaginations stickers on there and wa-la finished! And I love it. My sweet baby boy!


On another note: We got some SNOW today and tomorrow is a SNOW DAY - yay! no school! I say yay - I know there are other parents out there that aren't quite so thrilled. I still love snow days...there is something magical about them. I don't even mind the kids making them up in the summer - and Archer doesn't either by the way...He is a proponent of year-round schools, but that is a post for another day. Maybe I will sit down with him and we will do a post about it.
Our cats hate the snow. Makes them housebound, like the rest of us. The wind the past week has driven them crazy and now the snow...I think they need extra treats. This is a cat's view of the outdoors when we open the door. No wonder they slink away in defeat.

Happy Snow Day (if you get one tomorrow)! Enjoy!

"Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick"
- Benjamin Russell Hanby

I looked at the Christmas countdown and was a little shocked. I don't know why. I know the date (most of the time) and I know when Christmas is...But, eight days? Boy howdy that is soon! So, I had a plan for my blog this month. I think I shared the plan with only a few people, but now I am going to share with you my failed-until-this-point-plan. My plan was to share pictures of Christmases past. I scanned and scanned and scanned for about a week for a few "little" projects I was (am) doing so I have the pictures. However, I didn't get around to doing these posts. So, here is the first post of Christmas past. Better late than never.

First, the song above has been a favorite Christmas song since I first heard it probably in pre-school. I love it...It is snappy and fun!

Second, the pictures. When I was young my Grandpa Bud worked at the cement plant. Every year the plant hosted a Christmas party at the local skating rink. I loved those parties. I loved to skate, I would go skating anytime I had the opportunity. One of the guys at the plant would volunteer to dress up as Santa and of course there were pictures and treats. OH the treat bags. I looked forward to the treat bags all month! The bags were filled with peanuts, oranges, soft chewy peppermint candies and Santa gave a big candy cane. Yes, I looked forward to that bag all month. LOVED it! I was evidently pretty easy to please. (yes, I know that one of these Santas is a little scary, thanks for that Cheryl, however as I kid I didn't notice, they were all super nice guys!)

Do you have any songs/poems that you learned as a child that bring Christmas back for you? In addition to Up On The Housetop, the Chipmunk Christmas Song makes my childhood flood back. I had the Chipmunk record (YUP record) and would play it as often as possible, which wasn't as often as I would have liked due to the fact that my mom would only let me play it maybe once or twice in her presence. I would go to my room and listen on my little blue portable record player, but had to listen very quietly so my mom wouldn't freak out about the Chipmunks...she doesn't like those little critters. at. all. And listening to the Chipmunks quietly isn't nearly as fun...

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Troy-day!

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” - Dr. Seuss


First, I would, on behalf of my whole family, like to thank everyone who sent well-wishes, had(have) us in their thoughts and who supported us through the past few days. Losing Horton has been one of the hardest things we have done as a family and knowing there are people out there who care so much really touches our hearts. Everyday is a new struggle, from not wanting to walk in the front door because he won't be there to washing his food bowls. Thank you all and thank you for the upcoming time that we know will continue to be hard.

(I felt like the quote above was very fitting for this time...Love me some Dr. Seuss)

OK. On to...dahdahdahdah! Happy (37th) Birthday Troy!

Is this not one of the cutest babies you have ever seen? I am sure my mother-in-law would say yes.

Look at that smile!

I love this picture of Troy and Horton. It is so true to their relationship. Horton was most definitely Troy's cat (he - Horton - was just kind enough to spread his love around). Horton was a snuggler and this picture was taken on one of those many times where Troy way laying down reading and Horton was probably trying to crawl on his chest, but settled for laying down next to Troy.

This birthday is going to be a hard one for Troy being without his furry friend. We will attempt to celebrate. Celebrate Troy and who he is and celebrate Horton and our memories.
I am not going to spend a lot of time gushing over how wonderful I think my husband is in this post (you are welcome) because I think that anyone who knows us knows how much I love Troy and how special he is to me. Troy is funny, serious, goofy as heck, opinionated, he can drive a person crazy (huh Tami?), and he can make you feel like the best thing that ever happened to the world.

So, today I am thankful for Troy. I am thankful for our speed dating/marrying/family making - we didn't waste any time and look...it turned out great! I am thankful for having a husband that knows me so well - sometimes better than I know myself. I am thankful that we can talk, about anything, and agree, disagree or just discuss...I love our discussions even though sometimes, after awhile, I have no idea what he is talking about (nod and uh-huh). I am thankful for his kind heart and his wise mind (please don't tell him I said he is wise...please!). I am thankful that he can talk me down off my crazy ledge and that he rarely goes on the crazy ledge. I am thankful that Troy is such a great dad and a wonderful husband. I am thankful for Troy.

i interrupt this program

I am interrupting my regularly scheduled posts to bring something that might be slightly disturbing to some of you. While at Fred Meyer last night (camera in hand for the "week in my life" project) I wandered through the clothing department. Sounds innocent enough.

And then...

I came upon...

THIS!

I about fell over and actually laughed - out loud! Remember that I am by myself so it isn't like I could turn to someone and say "Holy crap I think I owned that!" Oh the memories. The totally awesome, radical, tubular memories. Not only stretch pants (which I love by the way), but STIRRUP PANTS! I was way too tall (and without a butt) for stirrup pants - which I wore anyway, but that is another story. The little skirt OVER the stirrup pants. And the vests on the side. They are just missing a thin tie and maybe some pegged jeans (loved those). Oh and the jeans should be acid wash I think (and you know they have those at Target right now...I'm just saying is all...).

Just needed to share a little blast from the past. Everything that way oh-so-right and oh-so-wrong all at once! Who knew?

Have a happy Thursday!

8th grade...Now & Then

Okay...I might be (slightly) biased, however...is this an adorable picture? When I first saw it I giggled and fell in love all over again. I still have a hard time believing that my baby is in 8th grade. And I suppose he doesn't have little boy cheeks anymore...Hmmm...When did that happen?

I dug through Troy's pictures and found his ASB card from 8th grade and thought "what a great opportunity to see us all. 8th grade...then and now!
Troy (1985) Key Peninsula Middle School; Archer (2008); Jerrie (1987) Whatcom Middle School. I really wanted to substitute my 7th grade picture in here...I think it is super cute, however that wouldn't be in the spirit of the post, so you may see my super cute 7th grade pic here at some point!

today.

This boy (man) is turning 21 TODAY! The day that every under-21-year-old dreams of. Yay him!

Dinner at Jalepenos. Then some barhopping I am sure. No tequila - that has been made perfectly clear.

I was 13 when Alex was born. What an exciting time for our family. He is, and will always be, our first baby. Our little boy. Ok, so his is a giant, but he will always be my little brother. He is funny, easy-going, and kind. I always have a good time with my brother. He laughs easily and is easy to just hangout with.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Be safe.

Festival of Flags

Troy participated in the Festival of Flags at one of the local cemeteries, Greenacres. He was invited to wear and bring his WWII Marines paraphernalia to share with the visitors. He loves nothing more than to share his passion with others. I took a quick trip out there to see him this afternoon and, of course, take some pictures.

I love this one. It was my photo of the day over on my photo blog.
The flag display is very impressive. Flags line both sides of all the roads with in the cemetery. There were a lot of people today. There was a nice Memorial Day ceremony complete with a 21 gun salute, bagpipers, and the county youth jazz band.

Troy at his "post" with a jeep named Valerie. The Jeep is not his (although I can see one in his future or maybe a tank...you never can tell) it came from the Heritage Flight Museum (maybe they tried to fly the Jeep I don't know...).

Another of Troy and his tent...

My Grandpa Bud is buried at Greenacres and I was actually able to find his stone this time. Maybe I will share my tear-filled story about "losing" his grave at another time - today I was just happy to find it. I miss my Grandpa.
Happy Memorial Day!