Friends are the Family you choose in life.

SPOILER ALERT: this blog is not (yet) about Alaska, but about the first week spent with my extended family in Efland, North Carolina.

 

 

Anyone who knows me, knows what an extraordinarily strong and loving relationship I have with my father and my mother, Mark and Charlotte van Ballegooijen.

But I am a Jacobs too. 

On Sunday June 22nd, after a very comfortable flight I reunited with Lessie and Keith Jacobs after some 2,5 years: the last time we traveled together, was October/November 2011, when we covered the Southern part of the State of Utah, also known as the "The Grand Circle". 

After they picked me up from the airport, we immediately drove to Keegan (their son)'s house to meet his new born son K.J. (Keith Jacobs II)
I could not get out of the car fast enough to run into the arms of my "Brother from another Mother". Keegan I love you man, and I am so proud who you've become over the past 7 years. 

My Brother from Another Mother: Willie Keegan Jacobs

"Welcome home" needs a new definition. Lessie and Keith set up my own bedroom and bathroom like a 5-star hotel! We sat on their sun porch talking that first night. Their refrigerator stocked with my favorite drinks and snacks: International Delight Hazelnut coffee creamer, Arizona Sweet tea, Bagels with Lox (Salmon) and cream cheeze, candy corn, you name it: every single one of my favorites Lessie could think of was in that house. 

 
Tosha, Keegan's girlfriend, came over Monday evening after her workday for a quick meeting. Tosha is K.J.'s mom.  Let me tell you, if I were to live closer Tosha would definitely be one of my best friends. Tosha, I've only known you for a few days now, but I already got mad love for you girl.  You are a kindred spirit. Big kisses.

Tosha and I having Margharita's in Chapel Hill after a shopping spree.

 

Keegan, Tosha and little K.J. (Keith Jacobs II)

On Monday June 23rd it was Lessie and Keith's 39th Wedding anniversary and my mom's birthday. Congratulations to all three of you and I wish you many more years to come in perfect health, happiness and prosperity. 


That morning Lessie and I visited Tiffany and Landon: they are extended family of the Jacobses too. I held Landon in my arms in November 2008 when he was just one month old. Little did we know at the time that Landon was born deaf and has had three surgeries on his head in this life sofar. He needs stem cell replacement, but he is still awaiting a donor for that.

Big hugs from my friend Landon

Tiffany, Lessie and Landon in Tiffany's garden

Landon loves to pose for pictures

Landon took this selfie!

Needless to say, it is impossible for little Landon to remember me, but as soon as he saw me he came walking up to me with his arms wide open and gave me the biggest hug you can ever imagine. My cup runneth over.... It took mere minutes to connect with him. Sign language is really all about taking the time to try and understand what the little man wants to let you know.

We went out for lunch at my favorite restaurant Cracker Barrel and took Lessie's convertible: Landon loves riding with the top down. He raised his little hands in the air like he was riding a rollercoaster and expected me to do the same (while going 65 mph on the high way!). At the restaurant, before we even got our lunch, the waitress came up to our table to tell us that a family of strangers had paid for our bill: a Random Act of Kindness. :)

Later that day, Keegan, Tosha, Lessie, K.J. and I went shopping. We got some baby-items for K.J. like this baby pouch.

Little K.J. went shopping with us. I lasted approximately one hour with his heated little body against mine LOL

Check out K.J.'s shades :) He smiles all the time :)

 On Tuesday June 24th, Lessie and I spent all of the morning on the sun porch talking like we used to years ago. Later that day we met up with JadaKaye, Glenda and her daughter Danielle for lunch at restaurant Red Robins. It had been some 5 years since I've seen them and so it was great catching up again. Unfortunately I neglected to take a picture of our rendez vous. 

In the evening we celebrated Lessie and Keith's 39th Wedding Anniversary, with an All-You-Can-Eat crablegs dinner. Here I was boasting about how we were going to be there ALL NIGHT eating this restaurant into bankrupcy (the crab legs were THAT good)... but after one hour we were already full! LOL! Talking about putting a foot (or leg) in your mouth ;-)

Keith took me for a ride on his Harley Davidson on Wednesday.  The back roads of North Carolina resemble the landscapes of the South of France. Absolutely breathtaking.

JadaKaye came over Wednesday evening for a sleep over. We had such a great time! I love you girl. 

Surprise picture of Keith looking all cool :)

Lessie showing off her Delft-blue apron

Midnight high carb-snack: pizza, maccaroni and cheese and a green salad to make it somewhat healthy LOL :)

On Thursday I went shopping in an Outlet centre with Tosha, her mom Rebecca and little K.J. (Mom, got you the perfume you wanted for your birthday!!) 

We gave K.J. his first slice of lemon at the Olive Garden restaurant. I will add a link to the hilarious video soon. (~still tappin' my foot until you send it to me, Rebecca!!~) LMAO

Friday morning at 4 a.m. Tosha took us to the airport for our flight to Seattle where we are now. Seattle is where the Alaska trip officially begins, so I will dedicate a new blog to that soon. 

Thanx again for following my blog. I hope you like this introduction of the Jacobs family. I will report back from the Statendam - Holland America Line cruise in Vancouver soon! 

Here are some additional pictures of my Jacobs family:

Little K.J.

Love this little man!

Cameron and his baby brother K.J.

Lessie and Keith's dog Dixie and K.C. (Kitty Cat)