Zac's Phone Etiquette

Not much to report here. Just thought this video was cute. Usually he lets out a big laugh after he 'answers' the phone and then says "bye", but he didn't want to perform for the camera. I wonder where he gets this phone etiquette?!?!

Welcome Home, Kid!

Change I Can Believe In

All That Is Good and Right About Professional Sports

Seattle's Golden Child, The Kid, Junior....call him what you want. I call him my hero. I've always been a baseball fan, but Ken Griffey Jr is the reason I fell in love with the Seattle Mariners. I was heartbroken when he left Seattle 10 years ago and vowed to become a Cincinnati Reds fan (in addition to maintaining my support for the Mariners, of course). However, not a lot of National League baseball was being broadcast here in Mariners country. Then when he came back to Seattle two years ago with the Reds for interleague play, I watched all three games of the series from my living room in Juneau, Alaska. Seattle fans sold out all the games and his reception was phenomenal. I wished so much to be there in person. At that time, he held a press conference saying he was deeply touched by the support of his old fans, that he loved Seattle and would like to retire as a Mariner. That sparked hope in my mind that someday it would be true. So, as you can imagine, when I'd heard in the last week that there were talks with Griffey and Mariners management to bring him back, I literally screamed in excitement. Now, for those of you who are not true fanatics of any sport or athlete, I can't expect you to understand this momentous occasion....why get so excited over someone I don't even know? Someone who will not be anything like the athlete he was 10 years ago. Someone who is at the end of his career returning to a team that lost over 100 games last season. What's all the hype about? Well, if you don't know, then I couldn't possibly explain it. I don't care if he only has one at bat the entire season. The fact that he will be wearing a Mariners uniform again, choosing Seattle over Atlanta shows just where his heart is. I always thought he was a good guy, but now I know for sure. I can't wait to hear them call out his name when they announce the players on opening day. If I am not in the stands, I will be watching from somewhere because I won't miss it for the world. Welcome home, Griffey! Seattle has missed you!!

A Valentine For My Mom

Scotty with a baby pic of my mom

This February 14, Valentine's Day, marks what would've been my mom's 59th birthday. She's been gone almost eight years now. I don't talk about my mom much, usually only when asked about her. I don't usually dwell on the past or waste energy on things I cannot change. Life is what it is and it keeps on going despite desperate wishes to stop precious moments in time. I think I am a pretty strong person, but naturally my emotions do get the better of me. Sometimes when I look at my boys, I think about her and how much she would've adored them. When Scotty does something silly, I can almost hear her laughing. I can picture her holding Zac and playing with both of them. I can see her beautiful smile and her eyes light up when she looks at them. I wonder how it can be possible to have a vision of something that's never actually happened? Maybe it's my heart's wish playing out in my mind. I remember how she was with my nieces; the perfect grandma. Everything you think a grandma should be, she definitely was. Their memories of her are short, but fortunately mine is long. At the time my mom passed, I was no where near having children of my own, so I never asked the ever important questions about motherhood. There is so much I want to know from her and about her and no one to tell me. My dad tries. My aunt tries. But their memories will never compare to first-hand accounts that my mother could've provided. Though I had 27 years with my mom, there is so much she has missed in these past eight. I feel I've done most of my true 'growing up' during this time and all I've had to help lead me is her memory. My brother is one of my best friends, but we don't speak of my mom very often. We don't have to. I actually find comfort in the silence, knowing he shares my grief, understands my heartache and feels the void that no one else could possibly fathom. I sure do miss her. I lead a pretty fortunate life; I have a family that I love, a roof over my head, and many, many things to be thankful for. I just wish she was here to share it.

Kids Say the Darndest Things....

When we went to the pier to pick up Jay last Sunday, Jay took Scotty with him back onto the ship to get his bag. As they were sitting in his state room gathering items, one of Jay's ensigns came in to talk with him about something. This is how I know Scotty is my child. ....Jay introduced Kevin to Scotty and here's how the conversation went:

Jay: "Scotty, this is Mr. Kevin, can you say Hi?"

Scotty: "Hi"

Mr. Kevin: "Hi Scotty, how are you? I work for your daddy. He's my boss"

Scotty: (giggles) "No. My dad's not the boss. MOMMMY's the boss!"

Jay's Bears

Jay finally got his bears back from the taxidermist he brought them to in Juneau last June. The smaller one (on the floor) was his first bear he shot on opening day, Sept 2007. He tried to "rug out" the bear himself by skinning it and tanning it....however, it looked horrible and there was no way it was staying in the house in that condition. So when he got his spring bear last May, it was quite a bit bigger and he decided to have them both professionally done. They just arrived in the mail a few weeks ago and we were both amazed at the detail. They even smell nice! So I gave my stamp of approval to hang one of them on the wall of our entry way. Jay hung it as soon as he got home, probably fearing I would change my mind. His next goal is to get a moose. Yikes....

Best Birthday Ever!

Cassandra, Victoria, Me and Red (Andrea)

Hanging on to my youth....

For most of my life, my birthday has always been more like a birthweek, celebrating for several days rather than just one. This year was no exception. It started off with my trip to San Diego. Then, proceeded on Thursday when my aunt took me to dinner and a movie. We saw "New In Town" and it was super cute. I always love hanging out with my aunt because she's the closest thing I have to my mom and I love her to pieces. Friday, Nikki and I went for a quick dinner, had a drink with some of her co-workers at a local restaurant bar and then met three other girlfriends to see the premiere of "He's Just Not That Into You"....for all you romantic comedy fans, this movie was TWO THUMBS UP. It was funny, sad, endearing, enlightening......undoubtedly, the best one I've seen in a long time and what made it all the more worthwhile was sitting in the theater with four of my girlfriends among 20 other groups of girlfriends just like ours. Too funny. Saturday, Nikki treated me to a pedicure and I have to say, my hot pink toenails have me in the mood for spring. Then, three of my dear friends from my softball days in Port Angeles came over for a visit. It'd been four years since I'd seen two of them and six months since I'd seen the other. We went bowling, drank beer (yes, I actually had BEER instead of a girly drink!), laughed a lot and had a great time. To top my birthday evening off, the boys and I went over to Scott and Nik's to enjoy a nice homecooked meal, chocolate-peanut butter cupcakes and yellow Vans. All in all, "great" birthday is an understatement. Time spent with family and friends is the best gift of all. That's what it's all about. Jay will be home tomorrow and that will be the icing on the cake. So this is what mid-thirties feels like? Can't complain about a thing. Here's to 35 more.....