Turning 4!!!

My youngest babe is turning 4 today… it’s bittersweet…

Years ago I watched my little princess turn four – all grown up into a full grown little girl, leaving her baby years just to memories etched in our minds forever.

I was yearning for that newborn baby again… the anxiously awaited moment when a baby finally arrives, waiting 9 months to find out if we had been gifted with a princess or a prince, the newborn baby smell, the miniature hands and delicate lips, the constant cuddling as they spent their days close to my skin in a sling, the comfort of nursing a newborn baby to sleep, sleeping side by side wrapped up safely in my arms each night…

I missed all this and I desperately wanted to bring another baby into our lives. Paityn was vying for a baby brother. Not being burdened blessed with twins we soon began the journey endlessly debating on boy vs. girl (realizing that Paityn might not get her wish but knowing that she would concede once she met her newest sibling). Nine months later our littlest babe – our first son arrived – four years ago today. Two weeks early he made up for the tardiness of his older sister.

A certainly charming little boy, Maddux Robert. Green eyes and fair skin (what else would you expect), dubbed Polar Bear, our littlest babe joined the Willoughby clan to make our family of 4 complete.

Two young kids fill up our days, occupy our hearts, and pilfer all our money. So I watch my littlest baby enter his little boy years with a different outlook. I cherish the memories of each of their births, I reminisce about their early years, I marvel at their individual qualities, and I look forward to the delights each new phase will reveal.

I pass along my baby belongings with only the slightest bit of hesitation. I coddle my toddler like a newborn knowing he will be my last baby. And I delight in all that I have been blessed with!

All as I watch my youngest babe turn 4 and toddle around on his birthday desperately trying to keep up with his older sister.

Weekend of Birthday Parties and Fun in the Sun!!!

This last weekend was a blast. We were so busy, but enjoyed each moment.



Maddux’s 4th birthday pasty was celebrated on Saturday. We had to keep reminding Paityn that this was not her day and it was for Maddux. She thinks every day is about her!!!





Paul’s parents Danny and Judy were able to make the long drive from California up for Maddux’s birthday. His Godparents Linda and Tony were also able to drive up and help in the celebration. Maddux was so very happy to see them all. He was also happy to have his friends come over and share in his special day.

Sunday we were able to all go bowling before paityn's softball practice. This was Maddux's first expierience bowling and he did great, he beat his sister both games!!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Maddux made a very special card for Paul and I. The heart is made up of his very own hands that my dad traced and then cut out. They were placed on the front of the card to make a "heart".


The inside was written all by himself. You can see in the photo how very proud he is!!!!

Valentine's Day
Is a wonderful way
To make "I love you"
Easy to say.

NEVER BREAK THE CHAIN!!!

Human Chain from NikeSportswear on Vimeo.

A new Nike TV spot reminds us that our athletes are one of our greatest sources of inspiration, compelling us to try harder, reject defeat and push on to victory.

Nike athletes Lance Armstrong, Oscar Pistorius, Maria Sharapova, Sergio Aguero, Deron Williams, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Mike Spinner and LaDainian Tomlinson.

“Everybody gets knocked down, how quick are you going to get up?”

Capri Sun & TerraCycle Team Up!!!

Paityn and her close friend Madison Hergert are in the beginning stages of starting up a new program at school. Together they designed this poster and presented it to their school priciple. He was very impressed with their passion and wants to start this at Antonia Crater Elementary School.




Every year BILLIONS of drink pouches end up in dumpsters and landfills across America. TerraCycle, Capri Sun and Honest Kids are working together to put an end to this awful loss of resources. As an eco-friendly innovator, TerraCycle converts the used drink pouches into unique fashion bags, tote bags, pencil cases, and other items for kids and adults! TerraCycle is proud to team up with the largest producer of drink pouches in the country, Capri Sun, and a young organic entry into the market, Honest Kids, to help address this problem! Together with your help we CAN make a difference!!!

The TerraCycle Drink Pouch Brigade™ program allows almost any school, non–profit organization or individual to save drink pouches from taking up space in landfills. TerraCycle will donate $.02 for each drink pouch we receive. which will go to the school or charity of your choice.

Recycling Day for Paityn!!!

Paityn had such great success with the first recycling weekend she completed that we decided to go for another one.

January 23 & 24th was the first weekend that Paityn went out and collected cans and bottles to recycle. All the money she received went towards her softball tournament fees. She received so much money that we didn’t have to take anything out of our pockets!!!

Paityn and I went out nightly and dropped off notes on neighbors doorsteps. The notes simply stated that she would be coming around picking up any recyclable cans and bottles. They would just need to be placed in bags and set on their doorsteps, we would drive around and pick them up. Paul and I both thought that we would be lucky to get 1 load worth. After the weekend was complete we ended up with about 8 loads and over $225.00.



There are still fees that we have to come up with, so we decided that the Monday after Super bowl would be a good opportunity to have another “recycling day”. Again Paityn and I went out door-to-door dropping off simple notes. This time they mentioned that we would be coming around on Monday instead of the weekend. People just had to bag up their water bottles, beer bottles, and cans and set them on their doorstep after their parties.

Celebrating Dad's 60th Birthday!!!

Sunday February 7th was dad’s 60th birthday and we were all able to spend the entire day with him….



Mom and dad were up helping Paul and I with Maddux and Paityn and decided to stay for the weekend. Saturday we decided to have dinner at our home to celebrate dad’s 60th birthday since Sunday was Super Bowl.

Michael, Amy, and the girls also came over for dinner to celebrate dad’s birthday. This was the first time in many years that dad was able to spend his birthday with both of his kids and all of the grandkids.



This was very special for all of us!!!

Boston & New York in 3 Days!!!!

In my role at Nike I am lucky enough to be able to travel around the US. This is good and bad!!!!

Traveling is good because I have the opportunity to meet people face–to-face that I have email and phone conversations with on a daily basis. Plus the extra added bonus of visiting new cities and beautiful NIKE showrooms filled with the latest and greatest product. I have the opportunity to view styles that will be hitting your local stores about 6 months in advanced!!!

Traveling is bad because I can’t take my family with me. Usually these trips are so fast, jammed packed with work, and during the middle of the week, that makes it pretty impossible to enjoy a family trip.

This trip I was able to visit the Boston showroom and then also the New York showroom.

We flew out of Portland Airport at 7:00 AM, meaning I had to leave my house in Newberg about 4:30 AM (and I’m not a very good morning person)….. The best thing about this flight was that I had an entire row of seats to myself. I was able to lie down and sleep for about 3 hours of a 4 ½ hour flight. We landed in Boston about 3:30PM East Coast time.





The following day was a very busy and long day. Not adjusting to East Coast time yet, I stayed up until midnight Sunday night. We were in the Boston showroom at 8:00 AM the following day, worked all day and then caught a train to Penn Station New York.

When we arrived in New York (about 8:00 PM) we walked outside the train station and felt an incredible energy.



The next two days were very busy with work, but we were able to complete what we set out to accomplish. The trip was very successful and enjoyable at the same time!!!!