Blessing of the Fleet

Well, its clear I did not do a very good job taking pictures of the special event that took place a few months ago in Bellingham. These are the only 2 I have on my camera. But don't you worry Harvie family, you know I've got it ALL on video.  I had to push the crowd out of the way but I did it.  Should probably join the Paparazzi.  I was pretty good at clearing the way.

This year, for the first time in many, friends and family members of fallen fisherman came to honor them at the Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony.  A Catholic Priest encouraged the crowd to honor their memory as he read, one by one, all of the names of those who lost their lives at sea.  A member of each family and/or friend placed a flower on a wreath that was later released at sea.  The Priest blessed the fisherman heading out on their journeys as well as those men who lost their lives.

Papa Roderick,

We have never met but we sure do love you.  We enjoy hearing stories about you and know you are with us, even way up in heaven.  We will continue to honor you, talk about you and love you.  Watch over us Papa Roderick and send Grandma Helen our love too.  We miss you both.

Lots of Love,
Your name sake Roderick and Sissy Mckenna
XOXO

PS- I think my mom has officially lost it Papa Roderick.  She tried to surprise my dad on Father's Day with a picture of 3 generations.  She tried to take this adorable picture of you, daddy and Uncle Mike.

And make this picture (sorry Uncle Mike- nothing personal) 

As you can see, it did not turn out too well.  It was kind of creepy actually.  Mommy settled on a famed picture of just you and our dad.  It hangs in our bonus room next to a picture of your fishing boat "Vaya Con Dios." It was that thought that counts mom.  It was the thought that counts.  

My Baby Boy is 3

Roderick, Squeaks, Rocky, Sassu,

Yesterday, you turned 3 years old.

I really can't believe it.  I honestly have no idea where the time has gone.  I do know three things.

1) You have brought so much joy to my life
2) I am absolutely positively your biggest fan
3) I love you more than I ever knew I could

Oh, and for the record, you are my FAVORITE son.

Thank you Roderick for being such a wonderful little boy.  I am just crazy about you.  Give me just a few minutes to tell you why.

You are the BEST big brother around.  You look after Mckenna and I know how much she means to you.  When she puts something small in her mouth, you run and tell me.  When she needs help with her shoes, you put them on her.  When she wants to play with your toys, you, well, you rip the toy from her hand BUT, in your defense, you always run to the playroom and get her something to play with.  That shows me how much you love your baby sister.  My heart smiles every single time.

You have a heart of gold Roderick.  You walk Grandma Chuggles out to her car every time she leaves our house.  You share your food with everyone (is that because you don't like to eat?) Anyway, you share your food with everyone, you tell me you love me multiple times a day (which makes me the happiest mom in the world), and, even though you don't show it the way you show me, I know just how much you love your daddy.

You are honest (most of the time), you sleep in your bog boy bed (most of the time), and you are just about potty trained (most of the time).

You are generous too Roderick John.  Instead of receiving gifts for your 3rd Birthday, you had your friends and family donate to Peyton's Ranch and Comfort Critters.  I know you didn't come up with this  on your own but when I told you about it, you loved the idea.  I adore that about you.  Yesterday morning when you came up to me I was on the computer.  You asked me what I was doing and if I was donating.  Yes you actually said "donating" and you used it in the right context too.  I was reminded immediately that you had a kind, generous, heart.  For the first time I wondered if perhaps, just perhaps, you got that from me.  I can't take all of the credit though.  My entire family is incredibly generous so, as they passed along this gift to me, I give it to you.  You are a quick learner my son.  Already donating.  LOVE that this word is in your vocabulary.

You are so so so smart.  Yes, I know every parent says this but I am not kidding.  You are SUPER SUPER SUPER smart, like, I think you might even be a genius smart.  I am not the only one to say this either.

From your dad you get your determination, your intelligence and your ability work hard.  Oh, I think your whining comes from him as well.  NO WAY did you get that from me. :-)

All jokes aside Roderick, I love you SOOOOOO much.  I am not sure you will ever comprehend how much I love you until you have children of your own.  In the meantime, I will tell you over and over, every single day. I LOVE YOU!

All my love,
Mom
XOXO

Magoo Theckston

I know this post is so 2 months ago but I am a little behind on my blogging.  I have about 10 posts before I am all caught up.   I know.  I stay home all day.  It's so easy.  I have no job.  What do I do with my time anyway? I mean, come on, catch up already!

I'm working on it guys.  For all 3 of you that read my blog.  :-)

At the end of May, one of my dearest friends got married in Maui.  I was the Maid of Honor, which, is almost as cool as being the bride! Anyway, I think the poem I wrote her says it best.  Magoo, this one is for you!!! ALOHA!!!!

Here we are on May 28th
Grab your drinks and celebrate
The bonding of Micah and Little Jenn
Now your journey will begin

Hi everyone, I'm Ma-Go
I love this couple, don't ya know?
Long time friends, Jenn and me
16 years, how can that be?

Sisters in the wine and blue
My friend, my roomie, my magoo
The memories we've had, the trips we've done
With you I've had the most fun

Italy, Austria, and Germany too
Europe '99 I bonded with you
Way back then you said to me
"In my wedding, Maid of Honor you'll be"

Who would have thought, in our college days
Sarah would be your sister in more than one way
I never would have guessed, had you told me then
Theckston's baby brother would marry Jenn

Oh and Micah I remember the days
You came to visit the city of LA
You were young, wild and so care free
What a great man you turned out to be

So how did this happen?
Where did they meet?
Here is the story
Take a seat

Sarah's birthday it all went down
At the Black Bottle, right downtown
There he was, beard and all
Imagine my shock when I got the call

"Magoo, what a night, guess who was there?
Micah Theckston and all of his hair"
How did she see him under that beard
Plus he's Sarah's brother, isn't that weird?

Together they were from then on out
A girl from the country- a tough one no doubt-
And one mellow guy, a Pastor's kid
Who floated through life with all that he did

Look at these two, the even keel
One Type A, one Real Deal
It has been said, all along...
Dusty Springfield, what's that song?

"The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a Preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a Preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ohhhh yes he was"

All jokes aside, congrats you two
We wish you the best in all you do
Skal, Cheers, Ching Ching, Sante
To the bride and groom- Enjoy your day!

First things first:  Bridal Bachelorette on the Big Woody!!! Stops included a variety of wineries, Woodinville Whiskey Co., a few bathroom stops, a few "pull over the bus for a dance party" stops and one last stop in Bellevue for dinner, drinks and dancing.
Note to self: Skip a night on the town to party on the Big Woody.  Nothing beats it.

Woodinville Whiskey Co. Owners Brett and Camille Carlile

I've known them for MANY years

They are some of my BEST friends

They've been on TV and in Magazines

They will make millions

No big deal :-)

The trip to Maui with my roomies Curtin Magooo and Butts Magooo.  I loved it! I could yell MAGOOOO and they would both answer me! :-) 

Makena Beach

McKenna on Makena Beach

Our condo in Maui... Ok, so its not quite the Fairmont but it was clean

Rehearsal dinner at the Polynesian Village Luau

Note to self: Bring your own alcohol

This is a dry Luau but so super entertaining 

Um, no I am not pregnant and yes, they are real.  

Don't ask

Beautiful Wedding Site

My new Facebook profile pic

My match.com profile pic (kidding honey) 

The Beautiful Bride (let me see your other arm Magooooo- shhhhh)

The Bride and Groom

Congrats you two.  It was a beautiful wedding.

Oh, and shut up Magooo Carlson.

One last time

TTF

It's INSANE

And Contagious

And painful

But giving up never got us anywhere

New shoes, an ankle brace and 3 weeks later

Insanity, I am BACK.

Move over Shaun T.

Beach body here I come... in my tankini :-)

Oh, and the answer is YES Amy

I am still running the half marathon with you at the end of September

Insanity + Running = One Fit Mama (and maybe one bikini) 

Happy Anniversary to my One and Only

4 years ago today 

I married this handsome young man

I know I don't always show it

I know I don't always say it

But I love you more than you will ever know

Happy Anniversary to my overworked, Seahawk loving, early rising, floor steaming, handsome, loving husband

Thank you for being the BEST husband and BEST dad in the world

I LOVE YOU!!!

XOXO

And we have a walker

It only took 472 days but on June 14th 2012, Mckenna became an "official" walker.  She took her first steps months ago but this was the day her world changed forever.  Oh, and mine.  Another milestone caught on camera, video and blog.  Gosh I love technology.  Way to go Mckenna.  You just keep on making me proud.

Age: 15 months

"If you ever loved somebody put your hands up  

If you ever loved somebody put you hands up"

Me too Kitten.  Me too.  I love you. XO

School is out for Summer

Yeah, I know. School has been out for weeks.  We are well into July now.  I am so behind on my blogging that I am not even sure where to begin.  I will be playing catch up, no doubt but I wanted to share a few pictures from Roderick's last week of preschool at Northpoint Co-Op.  We have had the most incredible year learning, playing and making new friends (both Roderick and myself).  All 10 kids in this class (yes, I am talking about you Kennedy, Claire, Olivia, Leighton, Maddie, Callum, Mason, Benjamin and Jordan) have brought so much joy to our lives.  We love being a part of the Northpoint Co-Op community!

Oh, and the answer is yes.  I did get suckered into being on the executive board.  This is the secretary speaking.  I make a motion to... oh, never mind.  :-)

Dear Miss Melissa,

Thank you for being my very first teacher.  I have learned so much from you and I will never forget your patience, your kindness and your passion for working with toddlers.  It's a tough job but someones gotta do it.  I could not have asked for a better mentor.  My sister Mckenna can't wait to be in your tot class in the fall.  Thank you for everything!  

Your grateful student,

Roderick John Harvie