I came home last Saturday after running some errands to find Camlon sitting at my computer, listening to Tim McGraw's, "If you're reading this...." I already knew what he was thinking.....
"I miss Eric," he said.
Getting together with Dixie regularly, discovering our old LIFT photos and our recent correspondence with Eric's family has finally opened the door for Cam's grief. With all that has taken place these past few years and even before Eric was killed.....Life was getting away from us. The daily demands of kids and the stress of changing jobs, moving.....
Even during the time of Eric's funeral.... In a crazy whirlwind of driving 44 hours in 48, we got to Kentucky late the night before, found the church the service was moved to, drove over to the burial site..... As the jets flew over, it hit Cam for the first time and he lost it. But, immediately, we had the 22 hour drive back to New Jersey to pick up the kids and then continue on up to New York for a mission trip that Cam was supposed to be leading already. Talk about jumping right back into things!
Today, I finally made it to Mt. Soledad, a Veteran memorial.
In my eyes, it is the most beautiful place in San Diego.
I parked in this huge lot, looking out over the ocean. I sat there for awhile. Finally, it was time pay my respects. I knew I wouldn't be able to do that very well at the monument with three children running loose... I think that is why I paused before even getting out of the car.
I found his plaque after awhile and wouldn't you know, he directly faces the ocean. My kids played like monkeys on the railings while I sat there and ran my fingers over the words....
Ally brought a rose...
I'm at a loss for words, Eric Terhune. You had so much to come home to. You had so much to offer still. Your last months were beyond challenging.... You gave all...
And, here we are today.
Today we played Chris Mann's song, "Beautiful Life" and danced together. Little Eric loves dancing. You put a fast song on and he bounces around with the biggest smile.
But, if you put on a slow song, he curls up like this.
Today, as we danced to this song, little guy actually curled right up and fell asleep in my arms.
To the whole Terhune family: Eric paid the ultimate sacrifice. However, yours is still on going. We pray for you today and I remember your sacrifice as well.
(**to listen to this song, scroll down to the bottom of the page and stop the playlist.)
Cam took all of us to a secret spot in our neighborhood. If it weren't for him, I know I would never have found it.
We sneaked around our neighbors' backyards and held branches so they wouldn't hit the next one in line. Yes, Ally was bushwhacking in a pink tutu and black dress shoes!
Cam always finds these great spots.
Calendar shot for sure!!
We discovered a stone-age playpen!
Finn rarely performs for the camera, but I caught him today!
And after all those fun shots, I caught this one!
All our kids had a blast climbing around up there. Even Eric. Camlon says he's a natural!
I remember the first time she commented on the blog. Cam was at OCS and I was rockin' through a tough winter in Iowa. Her sweet words inspired and validated my feelings. We had never met. In a way, those seem to be the blogs that are easier to comment on. No one else reading it knows who you are. No one is going to care what you share. Truly, a friendship was born.
Last Friday, I finally got a chance to meet, Jorie! Ironically, her and her husband live very close to where we just moved from! Awwww! If only we knew sooner!!
After a week long vacation they had taken with some of their lovely friends.....
We all met up at Balboa Park, one of my favorite places in San Diego!
It was truly one of the most bittersweet meetings I've ever had.
And it is laughable how little time we actually got to share with one another. Our brief walk from the archways to the playground was it, baby! and that was my fault for planning too much in one morning! See HERE for more on my morning!
My kids loved them b/c they brought these for us....... Sprinkles, those were amazing!!!
After that crazy morning, we had lunch and just hung out at the playground!
These were taken by Jorie or Jorie's friend (I don't even know!) and I love them!
By bedtime, Eric was sooo tired, he fell asleep on his book!
And, this might be another "I'm the last one to know this!" But, did you know you can make a great cookie from cake mix (just omit the water!!).
They are awesome! Thanks, Danielle!!
Enjoy these soon!
Here's to, hopefully meeting you again soon, Jorie! Maybe this time, on your coast!
I was really listening to the lyrics of this song this morning as I played with the kids and I decided to see what kind of a video they created for it. The video changed my view of the song completely! I'm sure it will for you as well. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page to turn off the music before playing this video.)
Also, check out Rachel's forTea for a Spring Photo Deal that can't be beat!!
It was 4 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon and yet, Cam and I looked at each other and said,
"Let's take the kids to SeaWorld."
Why not!
We hopped in the car and sped down the freeway.
This car.......I don't know. It just sorta spoke "California" to me.
Now, my photog PIC(partner-in-crime) and I have a new project: Capturing images that are just "so SoCal" and well.....it is pretty easy to do.
One of our favorite parks!
SeaWorld was packed that night!
Where's Waldo??
Our favorite show is actually a "before" show where this guy warms up the crowd..
He does different stuff every time and it is so funny! He is better than Jim Carrey and I'm sure he will be "discovered" soon!
We love a good sunset at the beach....
This shirt was actually mailed to us when we lived in the Adirondacks. I believe it arrived in the dead of winter and the sender (whom shall remain nameless) chuckled in her note to us...."dreaming of warmer weather..." Well, HA!!!! It is finally getting some wear!
But...*sigh****most of the time lately, when Cam's off, we just want to be home. Our friend always finds these great things to do and we still just opt for home.
I *heart* our HOME!
I think it is because our kids are still so little and we, as parents, are just worn out a lot!
Cam's most recent day off was spent starting a garden.
These beautiful lilies just started blooming outside Ally's bedroom window a couples weeks ago.
And, we've already got our lemon tree. I think my friend is moving across town to a place with an orange tree, so I'm already arranging a swap!
We planted a few annuals around the lemon tree...
..and we got the ground ready between the lilies and the lemons for some veggies, lettuces and hopefully some snap dragons(my favorite!!).
Camlon was having one of those days where he cherishes every second he has with the kids. Much like how he takes 10 minutes to say goodbye to his loved ones whenever he leaves VA.
Yes....
I needed to post all of these.
All
Our
Little
Peanuts.
We went for a walk around the block tonight. Can you guess who this little guy takes after??
Yep. We had this great discussion the other day. Finn had just finished telling me how much he adores sparkly dresses on Ally, going into all the detail of the flowing skirt and sparkly fabric. So I asked, "Finn, maybe you will be a fashion designer...." He answered right away, "No, I'm going to be a pilot."
A pilot with a sensitive side, I hope.
It was a beautiful evening. Happy "Almost St. Patty's" Day!!
P.S. I can't hold back any longer. All you Mamas out there reading this, I hope you enjoy a surf over to this website called: A Magical Childhood. It is an awesome resource!
