Y3W

Do you remember this post a while back? When I had a big secret but couldn't share it with anyone? Well, that cat is finally out of the bag and I'm so excited to say...



...or seven (if you count all of their animals!)

We are so excited for these two and can't wait to meet the little bundle of joy next April!

Congratulations Zane and Ellen!

Y3W

Y3W

Check out the beautiful mums we picked up at our neighborhood farmer's market. Every Thursday in the fall, the Town Center hosts a farmers market where several vendors, some from across the state, attend offering everything from turnips to handmade bird houses. We picked up some very pretty mums yesterday that I can't wait to plant. I was told that pansies will be available beginning next week - I can't wait!

We have a fun weekend planned - I have a girls get-together tonight, the Carolina vs. SC State football game tomorrow and celebrating Jon's birthday on Sunday. We also hope to get some stuff done in the backyard at some point. We have family coming into town to celebrate, so it should be a great time. Parker will actually be making an appearance at the Carolina game on Saturday. We'll see how that turns out!

You're probably wondering what my Y3W post is all about? Well, Mum's the Word! We found out some wonderful news last night that we are very excited about! For now, we'll keep it a secret, but you can enjoy looking at our beautiful mums! (and no; I'm not pregnant!)

Y3W

We were able to pick Brice up after the Carolina game last night and bring him back home. I'm so happy he's back with us! I believe he was excited too. He still hasn't fully recovered - it will take several more weeks - but he's acting more and more like himself everyday!

Speaking of those Gamecocks! Did you see the game last night? It was the biggest win at home in Carolina's history. I have never seen the student section as 'rockin as it was last night. We had so much fun - we even were able to fit in a little bit of tailgating before heading in!

Y3W

Y3W

Parker had a big first this week! He rode sitting up in the shopping cart for the first time. I know, not that big of a deal, but he seemed to enjoy looking around at all the colorful packages on each aisle. I know people must have thought I was crazy for taking a picture of him in the cart in the parking lot - but it was a new milestone!

Also - I want to shout out a "Happy Birthday" to my wonderful mom who celebrated yesterday.

Y3W

The past seven of eight weekends, we have had something going on. While it has all been fun and entertaining, I am very much looking forward to having no plans.

Maybe we'll take a trip to the zoo or spend some time at the pool or even do some *much needed* work in the backyard…we’ll have to see what the weekend holds.

I’ll let you know on Monday!

Y3W and a quick update

That's right! Our vacation begins at 5 o'clock this afternoon. I am looking forward to having some fun in the sun over the next week. We actually don't leave for the beach until Sunday morning, but we'll be packed up and ready to go. I can't wait to see what Parker thinks of the beach. This year we had to have a hitch installed on Jon's Jeep so we have extra room with everything we have to take. I hope we can fit everything in!

All the family is coming to town tonight for Meg's wedding which is tomorrow. I'm sure we'll have a blast and am looking forward to it!

I'll leave you with a few pictures..

My three boys (don't you just love Brice's face and his sheer enthusiasm)


Jon ate at the Varsity while in Atlanta for business and brought back a hat for Parker. Not too much longer until it fits his head. Also, notice how the big boy is starting to eat "finger foods!"

Y3W

Over the past week our little man has been saying more and more. I think we've even heard a couple of "da-da's" between all the gibberish. However, both Jon and I think the first word out of Parker's mouth will be "Brice."

Happy Friday!

Y3W

That's right - only seven weeks from yesterday until Carolina's first kick-off this fall. The first game is September 3, at NC State.

Preparations are already underway and we know one little Gamecock fan that can't wait!

Y3W - A Couple of Days Late (Long)

Remembering a Grandfather: William Franklin Cowherd November 28, 1915 - July 5, 2009

As some of you may know, my grandfather passed away on Sunday, July 5th 2009. He was 93 years old and lived a long life. I wanted to post a blog about my week remembering a great granddad. This week was a pretty crazy week as it was an emotional rollercoster for me.

I first heard the news from my brother over the phone as Allison and I were driving back down the mountain after all our Independence Day festivities. We had been in the NC mountains since Thursday and were pretty much cutoff from all society as we didn't turn the t.v. on and cell phone reception was terrible at best. We were celebrating life and our freedom all weekend long and I was hit by an emotional truck when I heard the news. You probably know that I don't deal with grief very well. I do "happy" very well but don't know what to do when I'm sad. I was kind of shocked when I heard the news. I don't know, maybe I figured Granddad would be around forever. I mean, he survived WWII, two heart surgeries and had out lived his two loves of his life.

Granddad was my Dad's dad and I always had great memories whenever we were together. I remember the great times with Granddad and Grandmom Eloise in the Circle Drive house in Martinsburg, WV. I remember that great basement, back patio, the pool across the street and all the great cooking! We would always make biscuits together as this was something that the Cowherd family is know for liking. I also remember Granddad and Polly always making sure that we were having fun. I remember our millennium New Years celebration and I will always remember that bar he carried with him with the scotch and Bloody Mary's.

After I took the news in briefly, I called my dad to see what plans had been arranged and to see how he was holding up. Dad told me that the memorial service was going to be held on Thursday and I was racking my brain about how I could get up to VA around my work schedule. Mere was planning on driving up Wednesday morning and at first I was thinking that this would be my only option but I needed to be back to work on Friday. This was not going to work and I became sad that I couldn't make it. But, I knew I couldn't miss this memorial service. I knew that I couldn't miss it because I felt it pulling at me deep in my stomach. I did some research and found a flight going to D.C. Dulles airport on Wednesday evening and returning on Thursday evening. My dad understood that it was important for me to be able to attend the memorial service and was awesome not only to get the tickets but to also make the 50 mile drive with Mary Ellen both ways to pick me up and drop me off. Unfortunately, with the short notice and Allison's lack of PTO for the rest of this year, Allison and Parker were not able to make the trip.

The service on Thursday was at Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester, VA. Ironically, the pastor of this church, pastor Utts, knew Allison's uncle Johnny very well when they attended seminary together. I spoke with him a little bit about the Yost family and then got to see my family as we started to gather in a back room. It was great to see all the family again. I wish we didn't live so far apart as I want to make it a habit to get together more often. We all processed to the sanctuary for the service. Up front was a table set up with flowers, an American flag in a triangle flag frame, a blue US military urn and a picture of Grandad in his uniform that made him look powerful. The picture looked like a Hollywood picture, black and white and just really captured a great glimpse of who he was. The service was a traditional service and dad and my uncle Robin spoke about their memories. It was great to hear their memories and brought back a lot of mine as well. We obviously were sad but also were happy to be celebrating a long life. My cousin Erin and I also shared a laugh in the middle when I had to swat a fly that was in my face, lol. After the service, many people who knew Granddad came up and shook the family's hands and told stories of how they knew him. It was cool to hear how he impacted so many people.

The family then drove over the the Wayside Inn, the oldest continuously operating inn in America, and had a great setting to remember Granddad even more. We had a room setup with tables and a screen to view a great DVD that Jody and Sarah put together. Now this room wasn't just any old room, it was the old slave kitchen. It was a really cool setting with a very enthusiastic bartender. We all indulged his services throughout the night. Again, it was great to see all the family together and we discussed having a "Parker meets the rest of the Cowherds" party soon. We sat down for dinner which was very tasty. I had the beef and for dessert a key lime cheesecake fit the bill. Now for the emotional part...

As I mentioned earlier Jody and Sarah put together a DVD of pictures and captions that told Granddad's life story. It was great to see him as a boy and then every stage after as the Cowherd family grew and lived life. After the DVD, the best part of the night occurred. As I also mentioned earlier, Granddad always had his bar with him. It was a small case that carried his scotch in and some glasses. In his memory, we were all handed a shot glass with scotch. After each person told their memory or story of Granddad, they would take the shot. Diron started off and made us all appreciate the man Granddad was. We also heard Granddad's favorite story "Petey the Snake". It was so good to hear all those stories and memories and the worst part was that I had to leave early to catch my flight back home. I am so glad that I was able to be there and remember Granddad in that way. It really helped me and I know it helped Dad and the rest of the family. Granddad was a brother, father, grandfather and just recently a great grandfather. Granddad once wrote in his journal that he wanted to be remembered as honest, fair minded, friendly, jovial, generous and God fearing. He will be and more. Love ya Granddad and I will always remember you.

Y3W

Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

On Saturday, when you are grilling out and watching fireworks, remember the brave men and women who are fighting for our freedom. They are all my heroes! God Bless America!

Y3W

Zane and Ellen, two of our best friends from college, are heading down to Columbia tonight to spend the weekend with us. We haven't seen them since February - that's way too long if you ask me!

Jon and I met Zane when we were all freshman at USC. Zane and Jon lived on the same hall in Laborde. Several football games and mountain trips later, we became pretty good friends. Jon and Zane ended up rooming together in the famous South Harden house during their junior and senior years.

I met Ellen my junior year when I joined the sorority Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Ellen had been in ESA since her freshman year. We quickly began to know each other, and at the same time, she and Zane started spending time together after meeting in a German class. They ended up dating, which obviously turned into something more serious considering they are now "Mr. and Mrs. Abbott." Ellen and I were also roommates for 6 months during our last semester at school.

The Abbott's live in Greenville, not too far away, but farther than we would like. We always have lots of fun when we get together. They have only met Parker once, so I'm excited for them to see how much he has grown.

A quick trip down memory lane...


We don't have big plans for this weekend...maybe some pool time and a round of golf for the guys, but mainly just spending time together and catching up.

Happy Friday!

Y3W

Happy Father's Day to all dads!

Jon and I both grew up with wonderful dads! We love you Pops and Granddaddy!

It has been so much fun over the past few months to watch Jon become such a great Daddy to Parker! If there is one thing for sure, it is that Parker loves his Daddy :)

Happy Friday and Happy Father's Day!

Y3W and an update

Sorry for the lack of posts this week...it's been a very busy week for the Cowherd family. I promise to do better this next week.

We spent Monday evening with Great-Granddaddy and got to see his new place. After dinner, he fed Parker while we set his Internet up.


Jon's softball team had their last game on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the lost the last game before the championship game, but they had a great time. Before we know it the fall season will be upon us.

Wednesday night we headed over to Lexington to spend some time with Nanette, Chris, Meredith and Kevin. We had a big event to celebrate (see my Y3W section at the bottom of this post)!

Thursday we were able to relax around the house and watched Twilight. Surprisingly, Jon and I both liked it! I can't wait for the second movie to come out later this year.

We're looking forward to a weekend of relaxation and pool time, with some cleaning and organizing thrown in. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Y3W: Congratulations Future Doctor!

If you didn't know, Aunt Meredith was accepted into the USC School of Medicine and will begin this fall. We are so excited and proud of her!

Y3W

Making Mountain Memories

We're off to the mountains for the weekend! Can't wait to spend some time in Blowing Rock with great people. I'm sure we'll have plenty of pictures to post next week!

Y3W

Y3W

My three words for this week are Time to Celebrate!

We're headed up to a big weekend of celebrations in Charlotte and will be seeing family that we don't get to see very often. We are celebrating two birthdays this weekend, an 80th for our grandmother, Grams (pictured above), and a 66th birthday for my mom's uncle. We'll also be celebrating the engagement of Jacob and Cameron, Daddy's safe return from Afghanistan and the arrival of Parker. Several people will be able to meet him for the first time! We're excited to see everyone!

We'll have plenty of pictures to post soon.

Y3W

Although if you have seen Parker's toes, you know they are not little at all! (He has his Daddy's toes).

Y3W

I recently heard about Good Morning America's "Your Three Words" campaign. It sounds like something fun to take part in. I think I will start doing this on Friday's. I'll sum up my week in three words.

Here's my first try: