I took the cowboy to taekwondo tonight. The master presented my boy with his white belt.

My boy beamed like I have never seen. I was a proud mama… watching her boy reveling in the joys of his accomplishment. I could never have imagined how happy this would make him. How happy it makes me to see him learn, and grow.

This parenting journey is so amazingly, gut wrenchingly, beautiful. The depths of the commitment and passion that I feel for my family can not be described. My son calls me “mama” when he is particularly at ease and feels happy. I am “mommy” all the time… but “mama” at the special times.
Tonight, after his belt presentation, he ran to me and thanked me for being “the best mama I have”.

In interest of passing muster in that general area, we have had to make some tough decisions regarding our lifestyle and our parenting focus. My beautiful boy has made some school transitions this year that we are still riding out…. and while taekwondo is something that he is finding great joy and accomplishment in… his new educational endeavors are still a work in progress.

For this reason, my D and I have made the executive decision to remain in Maryland while the amazing Sea Socks 2008 Cruise is taking in the wonders of the inside passage. The time away is too great for the boy and the distance is too great to leave him. I hope you all understand our choice…and know that it was not an easy one to make. Patricia is a trooper, being so gracious and understanding fully why we have pulled out of the cruise. Amy, Chrissy, and Brenda will have many things to teach you all… and I am sure that you will have a great time.

I will, however, be providing extra special yarn-love for your goody bags. You bet your skein I will!

So… I am trying to live up the the words of my baby by being his “best mama”he has and remembering that yarn is lasting… but my baby will only be four once.

That’s right! We are finialized on a travel plan and the teaching staff!

Which one first?

Travel plan:

7 day cruise to ALASKA! Glaciers, the land of the Midnight Sun! The entire itinerary can be seen here.

Teachers? Weeeellll…

I will be there with my (contractually obligated: LOL) sparkling personality. I will be dyeing lots of yarn for you and teaching classes about color in knitting ( and child wrangling!)
There is my buddy, the Knittin’ Mom herself, Chrissy Gardiner. Chrissy is the quiet thunder of the knit design world. You probably have knit her patterns or seen them, They are all over! Knee High to a Grasshopper? That’s her! She is, by far, one of my favorite people to collaborate with.

Then there is the Mistress of Knitty, the Non-Sheepy Amy Singer. Do I need to say more? Amy is a hoot…one of those folks you just want to sit and knit with! Her vision in online publishing brings us all new patterns to drool over, acts as a spring board for designers to make their way in the world of knitted fashion, and really has moved online publishing in the realm of knitting to new heights.

And, last but certainly not least, Brenda Dayne. The queen of the pod-cast herself. Talk about making knitting accessible to the masses! her designs are brilliant…. Need I say more?

And, as ever, Patricia will be catering to our every whim and fancy on the great big knitting sea adventure to the north! You can book here (with a VERY MINIMAL down payment) or catch up with the breaking news here .

Won’t cha come on a SEA CRUISE???