The pets and other family members...

We have Bert the cat (the gray and white one), our first addition to the fam, followed by Elektra the cat/evil temptress (the black and white one), and finally Penny and Mary the gerbils, who just joined us right after Christmas (I made Ian clean his room before I allowed him to get the creatures). Our two cats were both rescued. Bert was dropped off at my house by a friend who found him wandering around his neighborhood for weeks. Elektra was found in the wheel well of a car at my ex's house by my ex's mom. She was only about 5 or 6 weeks old. Bert is named after Bert from Sesame Street. He is mostly an outside cat, but does enjoy a snuggle now and then. Elektra is named after the superhero Elektra (it fits for sure due to her ninja moves). She is the softest cat I have ever felt. Her fur feels like angora and sometimes I bury my face in her tummy. It's ironic, because I am horribly allergic to cats, but ended up with 2. So goes life, I suppose.


One of the things that Ian and I enjoy tremendously is lacrosse. Portland has a lacrosse team, the Portland Lumberjax. Here is a pic of us that we took this Friday at the game.

My immediate family is comprised of Larry, my dad, Kathy, my mom, and Aaron, my brother. Aaron is married to Josie and has Kyle and Bonnie. I have Ian. My brother also has a biological sister named Kim, who found him a few years back. She's married to Ryan and they have Molly and Emma. We all go to church together now. It has been a wonderful experience for all of us.

In this photo: (back row) Uncle Doug, Aaron, Ryan, Molly, Dad, my mom's best friend Ann and her husband. (front row) Kyle, Mom, Aunt Lennie (Ellen), Ian and me, Josie and Bonnie, Kim and Emma.

In the following picture (in which Josie refused to be photographed), we have from left to right: my brother Aaron in front, Kyle, my mom, me, Ian, Hunter (a friend of Kyle and Ian's), Bonnie Boo, my dad, and our two dear friends, Sue and John Keller. John is 10 years older than me, but that has never stopped our mothers from trying to settle us down and marry one another, lol! This picture was taken at my dad's 68th birthday in September.

The next photo was at Ian's baptism, which was a very special day, as it is not common for children under the age of 8 to have that sense of spirituality and really get what it means to be baptized AND my brother's biological sister's husband Ryan was the one who baptized him. My parents were fortunate to be in town for the event, so we were able to get a nice picture. This happened on December 17th. Josie is in this picture. You can tell by her expression that she's really happy we forced her into it. Josie has been married to my brother for 8 years and been with him for 14. You would think by now she would figure out that my mother and I are crazy and force our happy times on everyone within a 10 foot radius.

Ian and my dad have developed a very special bond. They call each other "partner" and spend a lot of time together. When I first had Ian, my dad wouldn't hold him, because he was afraid he would break him. My mom and I decided this simply would not do, so she conveniently disappeared, and I pretended I had to go to the bathroom. My dad protested holding him, so I said, "Sorry, I HAVE to go," plopped Ian into his arms, and ran to the bathroom. When I got back from the bathroom, he wouldn't give Ian back. And they've been stuck like glue ever since.

And on that note, I will end this blog post with a video of Ian and I singing (okay, lip-synching) our hearts out a few years back. It's a favorite and what caused my last boyfriend to fall madly in like with me...

A short history

I was born on March 17, 1978 here in Portland, Oregon. I grew up in Milwaukie, just south of Portland with an older brother (also adopted—his birthday is March 16, 1974), my parents, and a myriad of pets too numerous to list. We lived on a small farm in the middle of the suburbs. It was fantastic.

I trained as a vocalist in my youth and won several regional and one state awards for my efforts. I also performed in a few plays and musicals, which carried for a short while into college, at George Fox University, where I studied Writing/Lit. and Music. I went there because I'm a Quaker. After about two years at George Fox University, I transferred to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois and switched to Psychology and Administration of Justice.

Carbondale is a crazy place! It's a huge party school. My upbringing was strict and sheltered, so... it wasn't long before I lost myself in it. After three years, I found myself pregnant. My son's father did not want to be a part of things, and my mother wanted me to come home, so I did. I've been here ever since.

My son, Ian Abbott Ward, was born October 21, 2001. I've raised him on my own all these years, something I am proud of. He is the light of my life and a total ham. I always wonder where he gets it, and my mom tells me to look in the mirror.

This is a picture of me, my best friend Julie, and my son Ian. His face is not stuck like that, yet.

I've worked for the same nonprofit for the past four years, a support services agency for adults with developmental disabilities. It's rewarding to work for a cause.

My hobbies include writing, poetry, KARAOKE, cinema, biking, and, as of late, crafting out of felted wool.