For the first 50 years of my life, my perfectionist self mistakenly believed it was all about knowing more, getting it right, planning, attempting to prevent bad things from happening, and keeping all of my chicks in a row. It took me this long to discover that the JOURNEY is all that matters. This quote from Gilda Radner sums it all up:

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.
"


Sunday, June 18, 2017

Happy Father's Day to the Best Dad!




 From day1, Vance has always been a great dad.
He is never happier than when he is spending 
time with his children!




He could always be counted upon to meet 
their needs and keep them safe.



He got down to their level and did whatever
the situation called for!



He was often the object of their entertainment.



They always felt happy in his arms. 



He rode countless kiddie rides.


He always went to work late on the first day of 
school so he could see the kids off.


He was a good sport!


He went on the scary rides.



He taught them many things.



He left work for preschool holiday parties.



He carried heavy pumpkins.



He was the chopper of the Christmas tree.


He did little things to make them happy.


He waved to the camera on the helicopter ride.


He gave them encouragement.


He gave them comfort.


He made things less scary.


He went to Father/Daughter dances.


He left work to support his children's special days.


He lowered branches so they could reach the good apples.



He played along to make days fun.


He nurtured many pets.



He never missed a sporting event.


He tried to beat Kerry in basketball.



He climbed ladders to rescue cats stuck in trees.



He not only took an interest in his own kids,


but also their friends.




He watched Annie run her first half-marathon.



He has shown he can drink with them too - entertainment
in its own right!


He taught them to fish.


He helped with birthday parties.




















He has been all of these things and more.
Thank you, Vance, for being a self-less father
and helping to make our kids
the wonderful adults they are today!

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Becoming

My youngest child, Annie,  will graduate from college on Sunday.

When I look back on my life,  
the time after college until I became a mom
was very unique and special.

It was a time of "becoming".

There were:

challenges, fears, adventure, responsibilities, plans made and derailed, overwhelming happiness and heartache, uncertainty and doubts, feelings of accomplishment and pride, and unbelievable growth

and love.




Looking back on my these years, 
I was fortunate to have enjoyed going to work everyday.
I met many friends and spent time
socially with them after work was done.






I attended and took part in many weddings during those years.
Love came into my life in its own time.


When I found the right person, I knew it.


I did things I loved,


and always remembered to spend time with those I left behind at home.



I felt the comfort of pets.


I enjoyed my youth.  I never thought there would
be a time when I would have to watch what (and how much)
I eat.  Time has taught me otherwise.


I thought my fiance was dreamy.


When the time was right, I pledged my love and life to him.


We traveled and enjoyed our life together.














We built a life and a home.


And finally, we were fortunate to become parents 
and headed into another time in our lives.

A time full of: 


challenges, fears, adventure, responsibilities, plans made and derailed, overwhelming happiness and heartache, uncertainty and doubts, feelings of accomplishment and pride, unbelievable growth

and love.


It was a time of "becoming".