Spur of the moment

Life can be unexpected. When it becomes unexpected, like it has for our family this past week, I find that I gravitate towards three things; Dave, the girls and my family up North. When I am away from them all I can think about is seeing them and being around them. So, because life has become very unexpected right now, I did what every teacher hates parents to do; I pulled my kids out of school early to drive to Bothell to celebrate this girls 3rd birthday.

Looking at her face you wouldn't think that she has been fighting pneumonia all week or that her brother was too sick to come out to enjoy our first sun of the spring. He has been fighting a cold, a double ear infection and a ruptured ear drum.

Nor would you think that by looking at this happy face that the next day after this picture was taken that her Grandma Kathy would go in for a very important doctor's appointment.

And looking at this girl, all grown up, you would never know that her Grandma Kathy would find out that she has a mass on her ovary the size of a newborn babies head and that she would require surgery on Monday morning to remove it and that she has a 50/50 chance of having cancer to go along with that mass.

So, here I am, hopping in my car spur of the moment to help keep things real for me.

I need these people in my life, every day, to help ME get through these unexpected times.

Life can be unexpected, but as my amazing mom has said multiple times this week: "You can wallow in this and simply give up OR you can look to the future and make the most out of your given situation." I'm with mom...the future does look scary, but together, we can definitely make the most of every day and every situation.

Starting Somewhere....

It's been a long time. I know. There is lots to share and I just didn't know where to start. So, I'm starting here. With what matters most.

Two sisters. As close as ever. They fight like crazy but have each others backs day in and day out. True love.

This girl is about to be 7! She got her ears pierced, got an infection and no longer has them pierced. She learned how to sew by needle point and can tell you (and show you) 8 different ways to use the needle. She is a reader, an artist and an amazing friend to others.

This girl went to her orientation to meet her Kindergarten teacher last week. I sat with tears in my eyes as she ran off with the teacher without so much as a backward glance towards me. She lives life to the fullest these days; she is writing her name, knows all her letters and sounds and continues to light up any room with her laugh and smile.

Ahh. These two. They are happy. Busy. But happy. He celebrated a birthday in April (and turned my favorite number), is recovering from a gum graph surgery and busily finishing up another school year. She has stumbled upon a new business making headbands and clips (look for Seriously, Heather LLC to debut soon) and is counting down the days until she can sip coffee on the back porch without being in a hurry. Life is busy but the love they share is in full bloom.

And all of us? Happy, united, strong and feeling blessed to have one another.

Snow Days!

Wow! We were hit hard (as most of you were) with snow last week! Wonderful to not have to work for two days but we are officially at June 24th as our last day of school. Yikes!

It snowed so hard that the girls had a hard time posing and smiling for me.

Now that Taylor has the basketball bug, she's even shooting hoops in the snow!

It was snowing so hard and the neighborhood gang was over that we ended up having a fire, hot cocoa and girl scout cookies. Fun Times!

The kids worked really hard to roll the bottom ball of this snowman! The dad's ended up doing the other two. The kids were thrilled by the end result!

He's HUGE!


Even in the snow we have to take a trip to the marina!

The girls had no problem finding a place to sit! They didn't mind the snow at all!

We spotted these icicles and then quickly realized they were all around us- on the bird house, on the bottom of the kayaks- everywhere!

We all got the sledding bug....although I could hardly stand up the next morning :)

The girls had made a jump....lets just say that Dave went over the jump once and chose the smooth path for the rest of his trips :)


Maddie literally stayed outside morning, noon and night! She spent the majority of her time doing just this!

Her sister wasn't too far behind her...although she did take occassional breaks to build snow forts with the neighbors.

I love this picture. The three people I love most. Happy and beautiful.

Dave and I decided that after these 48 hours of non-stop fun in the snow that we could definately do a snow vacation somewhere- even though we prefer the sun! We had a blast sledding, going for walks, building snowmen and then cozying up at night in front of the fire!

Basketball Trophy!

Taylor's basketball season is quickly coming to an end. She will play in her last game tomorrow morning. We are thrilled that Taylor has enjoyed playing and our main goal for her was to have fun and I think she's accomplished that! She had her best game last Saturday- she scored 3 baskets and best of all her teacher was at the game to see them! She thought that was pretty terrific! I'm hoping that she'll want to play again next year! At the end of their last practice they had a little party in the hallway at Boston Harbor Elementary.

Cupcakes and drinks were on the menu! Taylor was most excited that they got to eat off basketball plates....

Coach Darwin presented Taylor with her first trophy! She was quite proud to have earned it.
(Next year, we are going to push cute basketball outfits that match on her! :) )

Taylor and Daddy!
Dave's been a trooper this season- going to every practice to help out and helping Taylor get over some of her fears about playing.

And the prized trophy. On the way home, Taylor asked me if we could please display in on the mantel with all our other pretty things. How could I resist? So, here it sits.

The Sun!

Oh, how the Myers family loves the SUN! It makes all of us just that more perky and it's weird how when the sun is shining through the bedroom windows in the morning how we are all much more eager to get up to go to work and school! We've been taking full advantage of it's presence and we will certainly be sad to see it leave!

We've begun our daily walks (or should I say carries) to the marina. We've missed our home away from home over the winter!

And although this place is still VERY cold it always amazes me how beautiful it is!

And yes, the bikes have been found as well! I think this was Maddie's last ride on this bike as she can hardly fit on it anymore. She'll take Taylor's bike which is too small for her and then she'll get a new one (I'm thinking Birthday gift!) for the spring and summer.

We made a quick trip to Everett this weekend to be with family and couldn't resist going to the park. Although the sun was out, it was so cold outside with the wind that we didn't last long!

And I know these aren't taken outside, but they tie in with our visit to Everett. Taylor and Grandma played hangman on my cell phone (a sight I didn't think I'd ever see!) for a very long time. They were too cute for words with one another.

And who could resist this picture? Love them all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The week leading up to Valentine's Day is probably my least favorite. I know, I know, it's supposed to be all about love and happiness but anyone who has kids can relate when I say that having to make and write your name 24 times is one big pain in the rear end! However, when it's all said and done and the day actually arrives there isn't anything better! Seeing my own kids come home excited to pour over the Valentine's they received from friends and eating as much candy as possible is truly priceless! And being able to witness 24 first graders open Valentine's (and actually be able to read them!) is also an amazing thing. The shouts begin instantly: "THANK YOU!", "THANK YOU!".

Here's what I was up against for a little over a week....Taylor made her own cards again this year and I was really touched by her thoughtfulness to each of her classmates.



This was the first year that Maddie got to exchange Valentine's with her friends at her pre-school and I had thought it would be hard for her to get them done but she knocked out her name, added a tattoo to each card in a little under 3 days!



I surprised Dave with a quick trip to the ocean over the Valentine weekend. It was spur of the moment and completely fun! We ate, read our books, went to the movies and simply hung out with one another. I'm so glad that I have such a great Valentine of my own!

Happy Birthday Maddie! Part 3....

You have to enjoy a kid birthday party right? I can remember planning my parties with my mom and how elaborate, yet simple they would be. I can still remember my kermit the frog party, my barbie party and my first sleepover birthday party! I loved them and want my kids to remember their parties as well. Last year, Maddie wanted to go to Chuck-E-Cheeses for her party and this year, she wanted to go to the Painted Plate. I didn't argue with her about it because I want her to be happy. I have to admit, although the party was extremley quick, it was convenient and easy for me. We literally had to show up 15 minutes before the party and as soon as it was over we packed up our new treasures and left. Maddie had a great time and left happy- so that's all that matters. I got in the car and said to Dave that I was happy our birthday extravaganza's were over! :)
The birthday girl!

Sweet Cousins! Drew, Taylor, Maddie and Emilie!

Dave's dad, Lynette, Matt, Amy and the boys and my sister, Emilie and Trey all came over after the party and we visited and dinner while the kids played together. My sister and her kids ended up staying the night. The 3 girls decided that they wanted to all sleep in the same room- it went better then expected! Emilie was the last one to fall asleep at 9:45! Dave, Darci and I enjoyed cocktails and a movie together after all were asleep! It was a fun day!