HOMEOWNERS!!!!

It's official. We are homeowners!!! It has been way crazy!! Our file was pulled for a random USDA loan audit so they had to move our closing to today at 9am...and we weren't even sure if it was going to happen then! Our bank lady called me at 8:40 and said it wasn't happening at nine...maybe by one. Then she called at 8:55 saying it was on and to hurry to the title company to close!!

Andy and Corin bought us our fridge last night, Joel and I ordered our couch today. And we are moving stuff in tonight!! I can't even believe this is happening! God has totally just moved everything along so quickly and proved that it is so right. The audit stuff made me so nervous, but getting the certification even after an audit just completely shuts down any worries I may have had.


The bank gave us a little housewarming present!

Last week with the In-laws

I have to admit...I'm sad about that.

Final walk-through with the builder today. Closing and signing papers tomorrow. Keys Wednesday.

so much waiting

I think they are going to finish the house sooner than expected!!! Joel and I go out there pretty much everyday to look at it...even if just through the windows. We looked tonight and were actually able to get in...and all they have left is about half of the molding stuff, and then carpet...that's it!!! And then cleaning, of course...LOTS of cleaning. OMG. I love this house. I cannot wait to move in!!!!!!!

I'm very excited for Thanksgiving this year. Amy and Zach are staying here instead of going to Yakima, and Andy's family is going to join us! There are going to be lots of people and it is going to be awesome!!

We went out to dinner with Andy and Corin and the boys last week, and at dinner they told us they wanted to buy us our fridge and new couch!! What a blessing! Joel and I were trying to figure out how we were going to swing that without just having to add it to the house loan...but now we are taken care of!

So Olivia speaks in phrases now. She's the best ever. She says "I wub you."
The one that gets me is, "Hold me please!" How can I not???
When she talks to Joel on the phone when he is driving home from work, she's always says, "I miss you, Daddy!!"

"they have accepted your offer"

The house will be done November 27th!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even believe it!! I am so excited and terrified and scared and anxious and so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Praise the Lord!!!!!!!

waiting.....

All the paperwork is in...pre-approved....looking at house tomorrow...have to put in offer probably next week...

HOUSE???

praying, praying, praying...

my b

Olivia and I were at the store yesterday and she was helping me push the cart...we were going down the baking aisle and when we walked past the boxes of cake mix she picked up a box and said, "I need it!!!" She's pretty much the cutest.

my life = busy
free time = nonexistent
96 on my first A&P test = awesome
quitting my job = maybe
maybe = I really hope I get to

goals

It's only been three days of school so far...and I am ABSOLUTELY loving it. This truly is my calling!!
I originally started this thinking that I would get my RN from NIC. Then I looked more into it and decided I wanted to get my BSN (Bachelors of Nursing), which I can do finishing the last two years at the Coeur d'Alene LCSC campus.
THEN, I have been looking more. And now I have decided that I really want to eventually pursue being a Nurse Practitioner. It's basically a Masters in nursing.
I plan to be start working as soon as I have my RN from NIC, and then work and go to school from then on. Gonzaga even has an MPN program that is all online (designed specifically for working RNs)!!!

It's going to take a long time...but I am so so so excited.


I still can't post pictures.

frustrated

I can't post pictures. After it uploads it just has a paragraph of computer language random stuff. lame.

going on a roadtrip

A friend of mine is getting married tomorrow, so Marisha and I are driving to Portland. Rachel already flew out there (she's in the wedding)and the three of us are driving back after the wedding. Driving into the wee hours of the morning...just my kind of thing!
Joel is in Moscow this weekend...hanging with his guy friends.
Although the drive will be long, I am beyond excited to get to spend some "girl" time or "me' time or whatever. My responsibilities will be gone for the day. No disciplining, no planning for the next meal or snack, no toys to pick up.
But I'm going to miss it. Even being gone 8 hours at work is sad.


Oh yeah, Olivia is spending the day with Grammy and Papa.

Speaking of Olivia....seriously...smartest baby ever. There are just so many things that amaze me everyday.
Whenever she gets keys...she goes to a door and tries to put them in the keyholes.
If she gets a hold of a paper towel or something similar...she goes to the nearest table and starts wiping it off.
When you ask her how she is...she says "Good!"
When you ask her what color her eyes are...she says "Bluuu"
I was at a garage sale the other day and a lady accidentally kicked a few rock onto the sidewalk...so Olivia walked over and moved all of the rocks back over.
She not only imitates most everything...but she remembers and repeats them later at all the appropriate times! I wish I could remember them all!

i wish

I just want to start. Start taking care of people and loving on people, as a nurse, of course.
Although I'm excited to start getting my nursing degree, I really just want to start.
$500 later..I have all my books for this semester. LAME.
And that's if I can borrow one book from somebody. If I can't...tack on another $165.

Sociology 101
Psychology 101
Anatomy and Physiology I and lab
Medical Terminology
OTC Herbal Medications
Fundamentals of Music

17 credits, everything online except for my A & P lab.
Soc, Psych, and music should be ridiculously easy, especially music.
My goal: to get an A in every class.
I really think that I can do it.
A & P is a lot of memorization and that is totally my thing. TOTALLY. I used to memorize stuff for fun when I was little.

The longer I'm at my job, the more thankful I am that I'm not going be a professional engineer. I really like my job...but I would die inside if I had to do that all my life. Especially if I was a geotechnical engineer. Seriously...a lot of attention is paid to whether a core sample is Sandy silt or silty sand. ITS DIRT

success!!

Today...Olivia pooped in her little toilet!! Granted she did have on her diaper, but she gets it!!!!
She is far from being p0tty trained, but at least she gets the concept! I am so excited!

Daycare is going well...I miss her like crazy though, and all I want to do is leave work early so I can go get her.

I start school again in less than a month...weird. I'm pretty excited for the classes I'm taking...most of them. I could really pass on the psych and sociology. I'm most excited for when I can actually start doing what God has put me here to do!
Last weekend Amy and I picked cucumbers at Carvers farm and raspberries at my parents house and made LOTS of dill pickles and jam!! We got almost 20 pounds of cucumbers for just $10!!! And all the raspberries were free! We made strawberry jam a few weeks ago, and we've already gone through 4 jars (not just Joel and I...Nathan, Rachel, and John, too!). It is SOOO good. Next summer I am planting a garden with all our favorite stuff!! Can't get better than home grown fresh!

alternative

So for Olivia's food, I'll admit, I am very picky. I try to find alternatives to the normal snacks that are out there. Today I've discovered one of my favorites! They are a homemade cheezit (kind of). They aren't crunchy...or really orange...but they are SOOO good and SOOO cheesy!!! I have to hide them because everyone is eating them (myself included).
Thanks Weelicious

Cheese Wafers (Makes 3-4 dozen depending on the size of your cookie cutters)

1/2 Lb Sharp Cheddar Cheese
5 Tbsp Butter
1 Cup Flour plus additional for sprinkling

1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and combine (dough may be a bit crumbly, but it will stick together).
2. Remove all the dough to a piece of parchment or waxed paper and shape into a thick flat circle. Cover with waxed paper and refrigerate for one hour or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
4. Open waxed paper and roll out dough on it into a 1/4 inch-thick piece.
5. Take small cookie cutters and cut out into shapes (you could also take an empty plastic medicine bottle to make circle shaped crackers. Just make sure you clean out the bottle thoroughly first.).
6. Place on a cookie sheet (preferably lined with a silpat or parchment paper) and bake for 12-15 minutes. Let cool on sheet for 2 minutes before removing.

feel better..

Olivia is sick. She had a fever of 103, sweating...then chills. So sad.
Today was her first day of daycare...again. I'm working three days a week now, and Joel is working full time. The possibility of moving out is coming closer. I would love to have my own house. Olivia could have her own room...it would all be wonderful.
We also need to buy another car.
The way we are now...we can afford both...however, Joel's job is done in November and although there is a full time job opening up in the Fall at the camp, he isn't sure if he wants to work there. So we have to wait to do anything until we know he has a full time job after this one.

I'm probably not as patient as I should be.

My Husband...

is the best EVER. It has been the most amazing two years of my life.

I have a job!!!

I start on Monday! And I only have to go into the office like every once in awhile and the rest of the time I work from home!! How awesome and perfect is that?!?!!?
I'm doing office type work for an engineering firm in Spokane, Budinger Associates. The dad of the family Rachel babysits for is one of the main people there...and Rachel suggested that they hire me! YAY!!! God is AWESOME in all the ways He works!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you...

my favorite thing...

Olivia will go find a book, carry it to me yelling her version of the work book, "Baaao" and then she will sit in my lap. Then we will read the book for about 30 seconds and she will move on. About 2 minutes later: repeat.

two days...

Olivia is going to be one year old in two days! Crazy!

She is doing the cutest things lately. She will going into my closet and pick up a shoe, bring it over to me, and pick up my foot and try to put the shoe on my foot. And then when I've got the shoe on..she'll go back for some more shoes.
She is just understanding so much lately! Whenever we see the dandelions that are all seeds, she will start blowing. If you ask her if she can smell something she'll start sucking air in an out of her nose. lol She is so cute.

Joel has a job!!! This week he was w0rking as a facilitator with a veterinary group at the camp...and on Monday he starts with a landscaping company. It's temporary...but it's something.

The vet people all know Olivia because she was born at the same time they were at the camp last year...so everyone ( a lot of people!!) sang Happy Birthday to her yesterday. She was overwhelmed to say the least, but when they were done singing she just was all smiley and waving at everyone. And she got a pretty sweet Cougs sweatshirt!

As for me....I'm just homemaking it up. And working on my tan, of course. I'm probably going to be canning next week...and later in June is strawberry season so Amy and I are going to make lots of jam!!
Now that Joel has a job I'm hoping to be able to start doing jewelry...I have the tools I just need to be able to buy the beads!!!!

yum!

I made bread today..and I'm making more right now because Joel and I ate almost all of it. It's that good. I've decided that instead of buying bread...I will just make all of our bread. And it is definitely a trade up!!

time doesn't just fly....it jets...or something else really fast.

I've really got to get myself together! This is the only way that I'm going to remember all the little things with Olivia, and I can't get myself to update ever!

Okay.

Meeting my birthfather was amazing. They were so welcoming. When we drove up the whole family was sitting on their porch waiting.
He decorated his house with purple streamers and had balloons in the living room. Their dining room table was covered in gifts for us. The whole family was amazing.
Its so crazy to see how we look alike. I had known before that his parents had died when he was in high school..but what I didn't know is that his mom's name was Kathleen! And...my adoptive parents didn't know...and they were the ones who named me! Andy was saying that I look and act a lot like her.
He also was saying that had they not died, there was no way that I would have been adopted. They loved kids and would have been more than willing to help Andy out.
Andy has a huge family, and they all have talked for so long about Andy finally getting to be able to meet me. Isn't that crazy?!!?!

His youngest son, Eric, was so funny! He gave me like 5 hugs while I was there and at dinner he kept telling me, "Kathleen, I have a present for you in my room...but I have to go find it first."
So cute.
I'm meeting Andy's brother this Saturday!!






OLIVIA! She will be one year old in less than two weeks!!
We are going to have a birthday party for her on the 13th. I'm so excited!
She is just growing so fast. She can say door, and ma ma, hat, hot, clock (gock is what is sounds like), down...and probably more I don't understand!
She says please in sign language for just about everything.

Oh, and she's doing it to Joel in the picture, but she will go around to just about everything and "cuddle." She will rest her head and pat it. It is so cute!

45 Minutes

Joel and I leave in 45 minutes to go meet Andy, my birthdad.
I'm nervous/excited/ready/scared.

Olivia's update

She is walking everywhere. Crawling is not an option. Everyday she gets better and better. It took half a day to figure out how to turn around while walking. She's tried running...but that didn't end well for her. Her second top tooth is coming in. She is trying to talk so much! She can understand most of what we are saying, and she is really good at all of her sign language.
However...in this stage of growing...she is becoming frustrated with not being able to convey to us exactly what she is thinking and being able to go where she wants to go. And with this frustration comes SASS. She is very stubborn, strong-willed, and expressive. It's been a struggle for Joel and I to figure out a balance with discipline and learning and...everything.


When Joel was 4 he broke his leg, and while he was in the hospital he got this big gorilla and he named Matilda.
Olivia LOVES Matilda. She cuddles it and kisses it...so cute.

My update

Oh My Gosh.
So my entire life I have thought about meeting my birthparents, mainly my birthmom because I knew her name.
When I was little I found my baby bracelet that you wear in the hospital, and it had her name on it..so I looked it up in the phone book, found her name...and called her. Not the wisest.
A few years ago I found her on myspace, e-mailed her once or twice, but nothing really came of it.
I e-mailed her when I was pregnant to find out some family medical history.
A few days after Joel and I moved up here I was at a bible study and God just really laid it on my heart to e-mail her to see if she wanted to meet me. A month later..still no response.
THEN...Sunday came along. She e-mailed me back!!!! OMG
She said that it had taken her so long to e-mail me back because she was so fearful of not being able to explain why she put me up for adoption..and of me hating her. But she wants to meet me! I am so beyond excited.

BUT WAIT.......tonight I was just sitting there watching American Idol...and my phone beeps its notification for facebook. So I checked it and I had a message from some guy. I read it...and it's my birthfather!!!!!! I had not even imagined that finding my birthfather was possible. He has actually been searching me!!! He created a facebook and a myspace for the sole purpose of finding me. He posted an entry on a family/geneology finding site a few weeks ago...and my birthmom had responded to that and filled him in on what was happening with me.

It's so funny...my birthdad works in Spokane in the Engineering Dept and actually minored in Physics. And my birthmom is actually a nurse. Both are married and have kids...Both live in the Spokane area.

I'm currently setting up a time with my birthmom to meet...and hopefully I will get to meet my birthdad soon too!



God has just been working in my heart on patience and trust. I just today got done reading part of my bible study on Abraham's promises in Genesis 12-15 and the study in Romans 4.
Joel and I have totally stepped out in faith moving up here, living with in-laws, trusting in Him to find jobs. I stepped out in faith (totally freaked out) and asked my birthmom if she wanted to meet me....and God is fulfilling his promises! I am so done trying to complete God's plan on my own. He is so good!!!

Where has all the time gone??

Olivia is pretty much walking. She can stand up all by herself and walk...for like 7 steps and then she falls.

So I am looking for a job again. The little boy I was going to babysit has been sick for awhile, so she has been having her pastor's daughter watch him because she doesn't have any kids to be around and get sick. She didn't want for me to watch Keith and then get Olivia sick. So...now this teenager expects this babysitting thing to be her job. So I was talking to Keith's mom and she said that she would split the days, and I could have him for 2 days a week.
I thought about it for awhile and then just called her back and told her that she could just give the job to the girl because I need to be able to have more of an income. I'm really disappointed...why would she really give the job of taking care of her four month old to some 16 year old girl over ME who actually already has a baby...has experience...even daycare experience.
There must be some reason that God is saving me from the situation...and I'm thankful for His protection...but still sad. It seemed like the perfect job.

So now I'm just looking. Praying that I will find something.

Getting into the RN program and NIC next fall is looking more and more like an actual possibility. I just need to do really well in Anatomy and Physiology and the other random classes I take.
The only lame thing is that before I can even apply for the RN program I have to get my CNA certification. I so so so don't want to have to do that. And its $550. LAME.



So I have all the tools I need to start beading....I just need to learn how to do it...get beads....and get going!!! I'm so excited.

job!

I start my job tomorrow! It's totally a God send and I am so so excited!
I was with Fay and Joel and we just decided randomly to stop by the Healing Rooms in Post Falls to say hi. The doctor there has a daughter with a little boy...and right before they got there they were praying that they could find someone to babysit for her so she could work! In comes us!!!
SO....I am babysitting from 8 to 1 at our house!!! It's the perfect job! I get to be with Olivia all day and I'm getting paid! The little boy is four months old and he is sooo cute.

Joel is still looking for jobs/direction. Stressful for me. lol

We miss Moscow Real Life so much.


Olivia took some steps by herself!!!!!!!! She'll be walking so soon. CRAZY!! And she's a year old in less than two months!

one week in

Post Falls/CDA/Spokane is probably one of the best city combinations ever.
We are all settled in and Olivia is just loving having lots of room and always having Grammy and grandpa close by!
I really haven't done much. To be able to actually get stuff done, I'm definitely going to have to employ my to do lists....and actually carry through.

This whole experience is definitely going to be challenging though. Joel and I are both looking for jobs...and we have until about the end of May.

I'm doing a bible study on Tuesday mornings with Fay, should be good!



Above all else...God is Good!!!

Olivia's Last Day of Daycare

It was so sweet!
Her teachers all hugged her goodbye and there was this one little girl who said, "Olivia, love you. bye bye." And then she reached out her hand to touch Olivia and Olivia like hugged her!! I was soooo cute.
We definitely will visit when we come back to Moscow!

10 Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds

Retouch furniture scuffs

Coffee’s dark hues match perfectly to brown or black furniture that’s been nicked or scuffed. Simply let used coffee grounds re-brew and then steep for a few hours or overnight. Strain it and you’ll be left with a chemical-free stain that you can apply with a cotton swab.

Deodorize your closet or refrigerator

Pack a small amount of dry coffee grounds into a sock and hang it from your curtain rod or leave wet grounds to dry in the refrigerator in a small dish. It will naturally deodorize either space and save money on air fresheners. Add a small dab of vanilla to give it a sweet scent.

Scour pots and pans

Use the grounds to scrub out greasy pans or stuck-on food. The grounds rinse away and you’re left with sparkling dishware.

Kick start a compost pile

Coffee grounds are the bread and butter of composting. With nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, they’ll add a boost to any compost pile.

Scrub away the stink

Keep a small amount of used grounds near your sink and use them to scrub away food smells like onion or garlic that stay on hands after cooking. The coffee will neutralize the odors on your skin much like perfume stores offer fresh coffee beans to help recharge your sense of smell.

Keep Spot from scratching

Create an organic flea dip for your pet by rubbing the grounds into his or her coat during their next bath. Rinse them away once you’re finished and you’ll have a happy, itch-free friend.

Keep your skin soft

Allow coffee grounds to cool after they’ve brewed, then mix with an egg white and use it as an exfoliating mud mask. Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor and it’s been shown to tighten and firm skin’s appearance. Skin care companies even use it in pricey creams to help fight cellulite. You can do it at home for free!

Make ants beat a retreat

Sprinkle a ring of coffee grounds around the base of your favorite plants to help fight off ants and other pests like plant-munching worms.

Keep your fireplace sparkling

Sprinkle wet grounds onto your fireplace’s ashes next time you clean. They’ll keep you from being overtaken by a plume of dusty ash as your scoop them up.

Pep up your plants

The nutrients in coffee grounds will act as a natural fertilizer. Just apply cold brewed coffee or used grounds to acid-loving plants like azaleas and watch them bloom.

Article courtesy of The Coffee Couple -

when can I start?

I want to make jewelry. Seriously. This is my new hobby. I just have to figure out a way to fund it. Getting started is the worst part. But I so so so want to.

boxes everywhere

Our living room and kitchen has been overtaken by boxes!! All we have left to pack is the kitchen!
I really like this moving thing. I'm like "detoxing" my house.


I told my parents that we were moving on Tuesday. I called my dad first and all he said was, "Do you want to talk to your mom?"
And then my mom proceeded to make up a whole bunch of junk to try to convince me to not move. Basically she really doesn't care whether or not we are happy or where God wants us to be...its whether or not I'm upholding the image she expects me to have.
It's so frustrating to have lived with my parents for 18 years and the only relationship I've ever had with them is working. We didn't do anything outside of working. Neither really cared about what was happening in my life...except when it interrupted my ability to work or her "reputation."
So when I was talking to her I told her that I wasn't calling her to get her approval or her opinion...I was just doing the polite thing and letting her know. Then she kept on talking about how Joel and I will go absolutely no where in our lives if we don't stay in Moscow to finish our degrees.


Olivia is seriously the cutest little girl EVER.
She's trying to talk and mimic what we are saying. So far she can match up the number of syllables of what we are saying but not the sounds...at all. lol Like this morning, I was saying applesauce....so she would say "a-da-da."
Bottle is "ba-bo"



I want SUMMER

It's Official...

So Joel and I have spent a lot of time praying and talking with family, and here is our decision:
We are moving to Post Falls!

We are withdrawing from the University this semester--we leave April 4th.

I am enrolling in the Nursing Program in CDA in the fall.
Joel will be working full time.

God is moving in our lives and it is so exciting.

Olivia's Latest

She calls me ba ba...pretty close to ma ma!
She is starting to stand by herself...only for seconds.
She eats SO MUCH!
She crawls fast.
Laughs a lot
waves (and knows what she's doing)

Olivia's Dedication

Great day.

major changes

Big things are happening. Huge.
Lots of prayer.
Must decide by April 3.

sweet girl

So Olivia has another tooth coming in, and today has not been a good day for her. She's had a fever all day and hasn't been her normal self..including pooping like 4 times. This afternoon for like two hours she was just sprawled out on me an didn't move. It was nice to cuddle...but sad.
I just checked her temp and it was like 103. Teething sucks.

spring

I am so so so glad it is spring break.

Olivia is nine months old.

Last week, I honestly debated dropping out of school.

I really could care less right now if I get a college degree.
The only reason I'm staying is that we can't afford for me not to be in school.

Even after watching 11 seasons...I still like America's Next Top Model.
And I still like Survivor.


I got a pressure canner for my birthday from my parents.
I really want to can stuff...but I have no idea where to start.


Olivia can say DaDa and Uh Oh!!

AND...she understands "no!" She even shakes her head!! It so sooo cute. I'll try to get video.
She also smacks her lips. So cute.

also...

Our washer is broken.
It won't spin or do the cycles correctly.
The motor still runs like its trying to spin...but it just doesn't do anything.
It stopped at the end of the washing cycle...full of water.
I somehow got it to drain, but the clothes hadn't been rinsed.
We are going to PF this weekend...it looks like we are going to be bringing a lot of dirty clothes with us.


I sometimes really wonder what God is up to. Why must so much hard stuff have to be thrown at us at a time in our life that we are already dealing with so much stuff?

As more and more stuff goes wrong, it becomes more and more clear how abundantly God blessed us with Olivia's temperament. She's the best baby that we could have ever asked for and God has just made everything (as far as OLIVIA'S mood and schedule is concerned) so easy.

my new favorite

I have found my ultimate snack.

Diced Avocado
A couple of dashes of lemon juice
Mix
Put avocado on cheezits
YUM!

one day down

This week is going to suck. I have a test on Wednesday, two tests on Friday, and lab report due on Friday. Every amount of free time will be spent studying...or playing with Olivia.
I had an econ test last week, got it back today...and I got an A! I was slightly worried because I did not study...not eve a little bit.
Getting an A might not have been the best thing because now I definitely will not study for the next tests...

I just hav to get through this week.

early birthday

I am now the excited owner of this:

AND an amazing purse from Macy's.


Joel's brother Zach is working at H&R block for the tax season and he did our taxes. We are so blessed with the refund!! (yay child tax credit!!)

joel the pilot

Joelie has finally (re)discovered something that he would actually like to do!!! He wants to be a helicopter pilot!!! I'm so excited, and even better....he is sooo excited! He's going to finish up at UI and get his BS in Physics and then it's off to flight school. Thankfully it only takes on average 9 months. The only thing that will present a challenge is the $90,000 it takes to get through. But...we will find a way because it is so worth it!

love

learning how to eat...
daddy...I want to play!!

Valentine's Day 2009

John and Fay come to visit
Joel and I go out to lunch...movie is at 2:50 but we have two hours to kill
Bowling!!
Driving around Pullman looking at houses
Starbucks
Deciding we are too tired to sit through a movie
Go through a car wash!!!! (first time...so fun!!!)
Go out to dinner with John and Fay
Say goodbye
Come home and cuddle on the couch with Olivia
Olivia crawling all over Joel and I and laughing
Bath time for Olivia!
Bedtime.





I love my family. I love Joel...so much.

currently sad

my past tells me to not get attached. no matter how I care, I will get hurt. My mind is just saying give it up now.
I hate this feeling that makes me want to give up. I think that trying will be worth it...but that's what I told myself last time.
Just the little things set off my "worrying." I'm not good enough.
But I want to be.

...

I find it hard lately to go to class. I could much rather be at home. It's not that I don't like my classes (except econ), I would just prefer studying at home. Or cooking or reading or whatever. I'm falling slightly behind in Partials...but not to worry...I'm studying tonight.


John and Fay are coming down on Saturday to visit...and best of all they are going to babysit Olivia so Joel and I can go out on a date!!!!


Kate and I went to Costco again. OMG I love that place. However...I can't seem to not spend under $200. At least it lasts forever.

So Kate and I watch American Idol obsessively. I can't believe that I haven't realized how amazing that show is. I already have a favorite. I don't know what his name is, but he can sing really well. And there is this other girl that I really like but she doesn't have the best voice...but her clothes and hair and everything I love.
Speaking of hair and clothes...America's Next Top Model starts March 4th (i think)!!!! I can pretty much predict the entire "plot" but I can't not watch it!!

can't wait for June..

I gave Olivia some Graduates Puffs two days ago. She didn't really get the whole eating thing. She could pick them up in her fists, but then couldn't figure out how to get them in her mouth. Yesterday, she pretty much got it! And today...well...she's pretty much a pro.




Joel and I are going on a three night spa vacation for our two year anniversary. We've decided that especially since we have Olivia, it is really important for us to be able to have some time to ourselves. So that's just what we are doing!! I'm so excited.

she's a crawler...

Rachel, Zach and Amy came down yesterday. Joel has been struggling with school lately, so we spent some time praying and we had dinner and played lots of rock band!! Josh and Naomi came over later...we pretty much had the best band ever. Joel is quite good at the bass. lol
It was lots of fun but I was soooo tired after. I finally got to bed around one....and then up again at 7:00 with Olivia.

Apparently the super bowl was today. Fay loves the steelers and I'm pretty sure they are playing...so Go Steelers?

Olivia is getting dedicated at the beginning of March. I don't know the date yet, but I'm excited.

I am getting worn down by my two jobs of mom/wife and school. Both of which feel like full time plus infinity. I love them both. But I'm tired. I need Spring Break to come, or at least another three day weekend, so we can pack up and go to Post Falls. Then for a day or two John and Fay will take care of me. Then I can rejuvenate.

We had been talking of spending the summer in Post Falls so we could both work at the camp and not have to pay for anything. But we've been talking, and we don't want to leave the church, our friends, our home for that long. And I really just want to be able to be with Olivia whenever. So Joel is going to work somewhere...probably roofing again...and I'm going to take Olivia on grand adventures all over Moscow/Pullman the entire summer. I'm so excited.


I'm going to have a one year old in like four months!!

pardon me?

So we got our insurance statement today. They did not cover a single penny of the appendectomy. WHAT??? Tomorrow I'm going to have to call and fight. But knowing this insurance company, I have pretty much no hope. Apparently they have a stringent policy on what really is a "medical emergency" because they would prefer that you use the Student Health Clinic. Are you even kidding me?
I'm searching for a new, better health insurance company. Any suggestions?
We already took Olivia off because they don't cover ROUTINE wellness checks.
I'm near tears. My stomach is hurting I'm so mad.
Okay, now I'm crying.
I should have just left the appendix in.
$0 down, $12,000 to go.

things to remember

-two days ago Joel and I went into Olivia's room to get her up and she was STANDING up in her crib. whoa. we moved the crib level down that same day.
-later that day, she pulled herself up on the couch!!
-she's learning how to clap





-dang...there is more, but I can't remember.

woot

Olivia crawled yesterday!!!!!! Not very far, but she put one hand out, and then moved on knee, put the other hand out and then moved the other knee...and then she fell. It was amazing.

So Joel and I rearranged the kitchen tonight. I just have to go get a few plants and it will be done. More counter space...more storage...and really like it. Ashley...I think you would be a little proud of me! lol

I'm so tired. Olivia teething +nighttime = not much sleeping for Joel or me.

it's 7:30...

and Olivia is sleeping, the kitchen is clean, dishes are put away, and I'm ready to relax.

Olivia fed herself for the first time today! She was so content to just sit there and munch away!!





AND...she peed in her toilet!!!! After I change her diaper, I just sit her on her potty for like 30 seconds so she can kinda start figuring what that's all about (early, I know, but a friend from Ohio did the same thing and had her girl potty trained when she was like 1 1/2. Weird..but totally worth the try).



So lately we been having trouble with the power cord on the laptop. It just wouldn't charge unless we like moved the cord around or pushed on it. So I took it into VGH to figure out what was wrong. It turned out to be the cord, thankfully. Replacing the port would have been a lot more expensive.
We've had to replace the hard drive....and now the power cord. The guy at VGH said that the next thing that goes wrong probably means getting a new computer. Awesome.

goal accomplished

At the beginning of January, we took out Olivia's last nap...from 6:30 to 8:00. Our hope was to be able to put her to bed around seven or 7:30 for the night. And now...three days in a row..we have done just that.
It is so nice to be able to have "our time" in the evenings. It doesn't even have to be spent together the entire time...but it's amazing to have all that time before we go to bed.

I'm making macaroons tonight!!!

And I have homework.

Olivia is napping

Back to school. My classes this semester are good. I already dropped one; reactor kinetics and design. It turns out that the class the teacher taught last semester matters to this class. My adviser told me that one isn't necessary for the other, so did the course description. False.
The teacher through in some Chinese or whatever language the speaks...yelled a lot...and generally scared me.
So I'll go back when I've had the class that he teaches before.
Econ is overwhelmingly boring.
I feel like I'm really going to like Partial Diff Eqtns....Joel is in the class with me so it makes it even better!!


I went to Costco on Wednesday night with Kate. OMG I love that place. I got so much stuff for so cheap. My freezer is full, fridge is full, pantry is full, Olivia has tons of diapers and lots of wipes...and I can't wait to go back.


Appendectomies are expensive. 12,000 pre-insurance...not including doctor's charges. Awesome.


I love cooking. I want to cook huge meals every night, but then I realize that Joel and I can't eat that much at once and get tired of leftovers pretty much after one day. When we were up in Post Falls I got to cook for like 6-10 people...when I could walk around...and it was amazing.

Oh, the homework is calling.

lucky seven

Just a few days ago...Olivia turned 7 months old!! And today...we saw a tooth coming out!! So crazy!

I am so glad to be back in Moscow. The surgeon said that I'm allowed to lift up to 40 pounds, so Joel came early to pick me up!
My bandages are gone, incisions barely visible, and I'm feeling good!

Costco this week. And lots of unpacking.

absence...

Joel left for Moscow today. I don't get to see him for like a week and a half. I have to stay in PF to get help with Olivia until school starts and Joel has to work this week.
He left like 5 hours ago and I miss him so much already.
I really hate this whole surgery recovery thing. I just want to be done with it all.
But I'm off the drugs though and doing well. I went shopping yesterday with Amy and Rachel.
I have my stack of Christmas cards to go out. I'll mail them tomorrow, only a couple of weeks late. I guess I have a good excuse though.

John and Fay have been getting Olivia up for her first feeding and playing her until her first nap at 9:30 and I have just been sleeping in. It has been so incredibly nice. Seriously.
Oh yeah, I'm done breastfeeding. I'm kinda sad, but kinda really relieved. It was just that with the surgeries and all the drugs I couldn't feed her, but then I wasn't always able to pump to keep the supply up. So Joel and I decided to just do formula for the last 5 months of her first year. Dr. Ruby said that she gets the most important stuff from breast milk in the first 6 months...so I think we did pretty good.

I need to sleep.
Anne of Green Gables = awesome.

christmas 2008

Fay getting her Steelers jersey.

John and his harley gear.
rachel and Olivia looking through the candy!!



Amy and lots of new clothes!

Zach in his new suit.



My digital piano!!!!

Joel getting his hot new leather jacket.


She was very overwhelmed with cameras and people looking at her and things all around her. She kinda just looked around and stared a lot. But we had fun!!