She's IN

Congratulations to my girl for being accepted to every university that she applied to.

But most of all...

Congrats to getting in to the school you REALLY wanted to get into.

I love you ans Dad and I are so very proud of you!!

Gone Fishing

Dear Dad,

I sit here thinking about you and am filled with nothing but gratitude and love. 

Thank you for teaching me about fishing, camping, and sling shots, and finding treasures where no one else looks.

Thank you for giving me some of the best childhood memories a girl could want. Those annual trips to Rock Creek for camping are still some of my fondest memories. 

Ice cream cones and Big Macs. Thank you for teaching Ted and me how to replace windows on an old house. For showing us that almost anything can be fixed... not replaced. 

I'm sorry that you never had a relationship with my kids. They really missed out, and so did you. I'm sorry that we were distant these past several years but I'm glad that we were able to have a nice conversation a few times a year to catch up. I know that you did the best that you knew how. We all did. I know that I would change a few things and I know you would too if we had a do over. We don't get a do-over.

 I'm so glad that I got to sit by your side last week. I got to rub your arms and tell you that I love you. I know you already know that but I do. I will miss you. I will carry on and never forget you.

Rest in Peace Dad.

Say Hi to Nana, Papa, Mimi, Grandad and all the others. I know they were happy to see you. Now go find some fishing lures in the streams and fix something. You surely will have a workshop up there filled with lots of stuff for tinkering.

 I love you.

Senior night

Plus a few other things.

The volleyball team has worked very hard this season.

 No seriously.

that's my girl

My girl in the red.

Her kill went right through their hands. It was awesome.

I mean really hard!

Senior Night

Each senior had a poster on the gym wall.

Then the seniors were introduced along with their parents.

Then they played a game. They won.

That's Ari on the right. And her little sister on the left. She is a goofball. I love her.

Ari was about to slap her. I'm sure of it.

I cooked and served the pre-game meal at our house. The girls feel very comfortable here for some reason. They lay around on my furniture and giggle... and fart.

 There was a parent meeting the other night. After a few minutes of VB business, the seniors got up and surprised us parents with hand written letters of appreciation. They read them allowed to all of us.

She tried to read her letter but started to cry.

 

So her trusty friend read it for her.

Ari tried again to read. Again, she cried so Shannon took over.

They really do work their butts off. I swear!!

See?? I told ya

Oh yea!! That's my girl coming down from another kill.

seniors setting a good example as usual.

Birds of a feather flock together.

That about sums up senior night.

He is 12

12 years ago I gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby boy.

My world changed for the better.

I felt like I had won the lottery that day.

Happy birthday to one of the funniest, sweetest, and most sensitive boys I know.

I love you more every day Alex.

Love Mom.

20 Years

20 years ago I married my one true love.

Three kids, 3 dogs, 5 houses, 7 moves,

5 states and a bunch of adventures later...

I still love you more than the day we got married.

Happy Anniversary to my super sexy husband!!

Nashville Here I Come

I'm taking off this weekend

to see this girl.

 She' the one in the life sized poster back there behind her fans.


She's playing in Nashville this weekend and since she is graduating from college next year I thought I'd better get my sorry butt up there and watch her play.


This is her twin below. Who is also on full scholarship like my girl above.
Don't know when I'll get to see her play, but if I can I will.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

This girl will ALSO be playing. I don't want to miss a moment of watching her play either.

She's my baby. This is her senior year. I have to savor every moment with this kid. Good thing her daddy will be there to cheer her on.

This one here is also one of my girls. ( The tall one in the middle) She is just starting a very promising volleyball college career. I'll be thinking of her this weekend as she plays in her first away tournament of the season. Go get em Holland!! Aunt Steph loves you!


To all four of you amazing women... I love and admire each of you for who you have become and for all you've done. So proud of you and remember I'm always in your heart telling you what a great ass you. have.

Love Aunt Steph... and Mom

Reservations by Indiana

Many years ago I warned my parents of the following...

" One of these days, Indy is going to call you up and ask to come visit"

"She will then come to Ted and I and inform us that she'll be taking a vacation and that she's going to need a ride to the airport." "No need to make the flight reservations because she will have gotten Poppy Toms credit card and booked the trip herself"

Well that time has come. She flew out last Monday with my mother who had been here visiting. Every now and then I get a text from my mother that gives me an update on what they've been up to.

Here are a few pictures I've received.

some sort of "Fiesta Days" thing going on in Santa Barbara.
And for that we get a Spanish dancing dress and a sombrero.

Oh and then we go shopping at Nordstrom. We wear glasses and sombreros because we like to keep a low profile. That's how we roll in our family.

Then Gramma send me a text asking if Indy can dye her hair.
I said yes but NOT with permanent hair color. I'm all for expressing yourself but Not with permanent ANYTHING!!

We get to go to IHOP for pancakes
And we also get confetti eggs to squish on people's heads.

 I wanna go to Gramma and PT's house.