Wednesday, April 30, 2014

pictures, mainly.

I finally uploaded all my pictures from my camera/phone onto the computer, so I thought I would post some.  So, this is mostly a picture dump.  Tonight I am taking my math final!  I finished the class 6 weeks early, so I am really happy I won't have to be going to class twice a week, and now my online stuff will seem like a breeze.  My plans for the day are as follows:

- feed children lunch outside.
- let kids run around outside while I tan and do my online course assignments
- put kids down for a rest, continue to tan and do homework
- go to school and take my math final
- play and have dinner outside with my family until late

And probably some housework thrown in there, but really, I just want to be outside!  Yesterday we played/worked outside for a few hours, and then after naptime, we all went down to the beach for a bit. I love how there are always kids there and so we don't even have to worry about Hailey and Shea, because they are just playing with other kids and we can relax and chat.  

So very much has been going on, but I will spare you the details and instead just give you some pictures.  I gotta get the kids their lunch and get on with the rest of my day.  Love you ladies and I am so excited to see you all next month!
from our walk to the beach the other day.  Hailey brought her baby  there and back.  She is a good little mommy.

Kids being kids the other day.

1. did some gluten free baking latley.  My bread has gotten amazing the more I have made it and tweaked the recipe.  I make it with teff flour now, and it is delicious!  2. Shea and I brought out and cleaned our patio furniture. 3. Jeremy made me a planter box (I am going to fill it with herbs) and I cleaned up the front porch a little. 4. our deck is still in pieces.  on the to-do-very-soon list.  4. my garden is full of things in the ground.  Can't wait to see the comparison between this and our summer garden!


From this morning, we had breakfast on the back porch, did some schoolwork, and Shea and Hailey cuddled up to watch a show while I did a little studying for my final tonight.

some images from the beach.  Shea is turning into a CRAZY climber too - like parkour.  Jumping off of everything and balancing from very high places.  Luckily, it doesn't freak me out for some reason.  Maybe it should?  I figure the more I let him test things the better he will learn his boundaries and physical limits and more likely have better judgement.  Who knows.  We'll see.

1. Chickens and big and happy!  We have three roosters for sure, and are waiting to see if one more is one.  2. my view when I wake up - I love seeing my children when I open my eyes.  3. Hailey's dress up style.

From our walk on Sunday at the boardwalk in Poulsbo.  Had so much fun outside!

Monday, April 28, 2014

Good Busy

Hello Friends!

I'm finally blogging! I do all sorts of stuff and even take pictures, but sometimes I find it takes awhile to actually sit down and type.  Thank you Becca for getting the ball rolling on getting us all together!  The time has creeped up on me and now it's almost two weeks until we get there!  I'm so excited for our trip.  Justin and I are going to be making a stop on our way to Seattle and visiting the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park for four days!  I can't wait to go camping and have it warm enough to wear shorts.  So many fun things to look forward to right now!

Life has been a good busy around here.  Easter was really fun and relaxing.  I was spoiled and got Monday off all to myself (Justin had to work), so I spent the whole day sewing.  I finally bought a serger with my birthday money!  I'd been wanting one for a long time, and was able to get enough for my birthday to finally buy one.  I love this thing!


My first project is a maternity swimsuit.  I've almost finished the top and I need to get started on the bottoms. It's amazing how easy it is so sew stretch with this machine.  I'll have to show you a picture once my suit is finished.  

I also took a picture of my lunch from Easter Monday.  It's one of my favorite lunches and disgusting to a lot of people (especially Justin). It's just spam, rice and seaweed.  My Korean friends in the Philippines introduced me to it, and I just find it so good!  It's the lunch I have whenever Justin's not around.


Last weekend was our first haul of baby stuff!  We went to a few garage sales and picked up a jolly jumper for $2! Our friends also gave us a basinet and some baby clothes.  It feels good to get started and see the baby stuff piling up.  Just over four months until our little one gets here! 

I'm at 22 weeks now.  It's funny sometimes I don't feel that big and then other times I feel huge.  Tonight was the first time Justin got to feel the baby move!  Justin had the biggest smile on his face, it was so sweet.  I'm so excited to see him with our little one.  


Adding to the busy-ness of the week is that I'm working with brand new curriculum that our school just developed.  There are four more weeks of lesson planning ahead, which isn't that bad.  It's nice to be doing something new, which makes work more interesting, but it's also a challenge at the same time.  

Our church has been doing a discipleship series for the month of April centered on the Healing of the Heart.  I'm going to be sharing a bit of my testimony at our last session (this Wednesday).  It's about how God has worked in my life focusing on being content and some of the struggles I've gone through since moving to Canada.  I know that God wants me to share, but I randomly get pangs of nervousness as I think about.  It'll be great once it's done that's for sure!  If you ladies could pray for me that would be awesome.  

I feel so blessed that I get to meet with all of you soon.  I can't wait! 



Thursday, April 17, 2014

I'm crying

But for the most beautiful of reasons...I received a hand made card in the mail today from my dear cousin Candice.  The letter she wrote inside was so beautiful and godly and gave me such a good perspective, on God looking at me and smiling instead of crying.  It was a card she wrote in December to respond to the MS thing.  SO beautiful!

Candice and Justin are coming up next month!  They'll be staying with us.  We'll definitely have to get some time together!

Candice, you are the BEST!  I love you, cousin/sister/bestie!

Edit:  (Just realized I said "beautiful" three times...)

Life is busy and boring all at once.

A good boring though.  I love spending every day with my little dude. This week has been a little harder and I was trying to figure out why. Well it's because the last few days the weather has been dreary rain, and add that on top of the fact that the last two times Paul was off (last Saturday and the tuesday before that) I barely saw him! Saturday I picked up my first shift from work and it went amazing for me.  Easy patients, easy shift. Eli was a bit of a pill for Paul (short naps, refusing bottle for an hour while hungry) but then everything went better for them after the first few hours. Then on Tuesday I had already made plans with a friend before knowing Paul was off so I was gone all afternoon with Eli.  So essentially it has been over two weeks since I have hung out with my husband more than just a few hours here or there in the evening after Eli goes to bed, I miss him! 

Enough with my sob story (not really but what else do you call it! Missing my hubby story?), and onto pictures, happy happy pictures. 

I took Eli to Costco, Petco, and Safeway a few weeks ago, can't believe it has been that long since I blogged.  I try not to do errands very often since we are trying not to spend as much money with me not working very much.  It's crazy how when I think I need to go grocery shopping I actually still have a ton of food left in the house, I just have to be more creative than my normal "go to" meals.  It has been fun!  I have also been doing bountiful basket the last two weeks and gotten amazing fruits and vegetables. I wouldn't be able to go weeks without grocery shopping if it wasn't for that. 


Eli absolutely loves sitting up.  I would let him do it more often but it usually makes him spit up, so our new routine is to do it after morning bath while still naked so the diaper doesnt push into his belly and also he hasn't usually eaten in 4ish hours so his belly is more empty! It's probably his favorite part of the day :). 


Eleanor has been insane lately. Seriously every time I nurse Eli she wants on my lap or to stare at me from the side table where I have the ipad playing netflix.  Then she circles me in the chair till I pet her and she will finally give up and sleep on what was supposed to be Eli's changing pad, but it's made of memory foam stuff, and she claimed it as her bed, so it stays under the crib.  This kitty loves "her baby". 

A few weekends ago my friend Lexie was finally able to make it down to meet Eli.  Lexie is one of those friends that no matter how long the gap since we have seen each other (usually a year) it is so easy to pick up where we left off, though I will admit, having a kid makes things seem a little different. Anyway, I am so proud of her, she is the one that pushed me to take extra chemistry and stuff in high school and this spring she will be graduating with her MD and going on to do residency in Boston for 3 years. Then finally after what will be 11 years of school/residency she will be working on her own as an internal medicine dr. So crazy!

Also Becca and Amber, we kinda failed in the picture department when we all hung out!  The only picture I have is of Shea and Eli playing and then a quick snapshot of each of you girls but lets just say you probably don't want them posted, whoops! Well Amber told me not to post hers and Becca, the picture doesn't do you justice of how adorable you always look!


I got Eli this little aviator hat when it went on sale on amazon. $3.25 shipped right to my door, how could I not?!  Also Eli learned how to grip my arm while I have him on my hip a few weeks ago. How is my baby getting so big so fast! 


I always lay a washcloth across Eli's belly so he doesn't get cold in the bath...well the days of that working are gone. He now grabs it and sucks on it, which is nasty because it has to still have soap residue still in it from washing him, but he doesnt seem to mind! 

Eli was super snuggly one night before bed. I wanted him to nurse more so I handed him off to Paul to snuggle for a bit since I didn't care if he woke up. He actually slept there for 15 minutes before waking up! Rough day I guess, I can't actually remember haha. 

Also, how ridiculous is my sons hair getting? Oh man I love my little rattail boy. 


My parents came for a visit two weekends ago. My dad had Eli doing all sorts of exercises. Leaning on the cooler to stand up, standing on the car outside target after church, snuggling, wiggling, playing with new toys! After my parents left I am pretty sure Eli thought I was boring, he also didn't want to lay alone and play while I was cooking like he used to. Someone got spoiled from all the attention! 

That was also my first weekend getting a bountiful basket, my dad and I went to pick it up and my mom stayed home with Eli. I couldn't have gotten a better basket, nothing intimidating, all foods I normally use.  I don't usually, actually ever, buy two heads of cauliflower, I was at a loss until my mom told me about cauliflower soup, how did I never know about this!? I love this recipe and actually made it twice, once with each head even though Paul didn't like it that much.  I substituted cinnamon for nutmeg and he doesnt like foods to taste like "french toast" as he calls it every time I use cinnamon! 


My little helper boy. We visited daddy, hung out outside, and did laundry. Busy day. 


All of Eli's buddies. Eli looked ginormous next to a 4 day old and even a 10 week old!  Then my college friend Kristin stopped by and he looked like a drugged baby, it was almost bedtime and he was exhausted! 


I tried to have Eli in his bumbo on the counter while I prepped food one day but he kept spitting up, so into the bouncer he went.  Oh, and speaking of prepping food I have been spending so much time in the kitchen lately between making meals out of fresh fruits and vegetables and making my own bread, yes I am finally making bread, I have only been talking about it for maybe a year haha. 

Paul and I talked about wanting to get our kid a strider bike before we even knew the gender while Eli was inside of me cooking. We were going to wait till his first birthday but I saw that zulily had them for 40% off and I had to jump on it! 


Eli wearing Paul's childhood hat, I can't wait till it actually fits! Also this boy loooves to stand. He does it till his legs collapse of exhaustion, then he wants me to hold him while he bounces and squats. 


Bread! It turned out yummy, still not as good as my mommy's bread but I will get it down soon enough. She has probably made this recipe 25+ times so I have some catching up to do! Also colored carrots. I wish I knew where I could buy these, I love them!  I got them in my bountiful basket.  Becca I noticed you had them in that amazing salad you made us, where are you able to buy them? 

Candice, Eli fits into the outfit you sent and it is adorable! I can't believe how big the 6 month clothes looked when people gave them to us and now they fit...the legs are still a little long which I am thankful for, I don't want him growing out of 6 month stuff too quickly! 


Ok that's all ladies. I have some more things to get done before my dudester wakes up from his nap. Also my mother in law is coming over in half an hour to babysit and possibly watch Eli while I clean so he can get used to her more and hopefully not scream bloody murder like he has done the last two times she babysat and I went swimming.  They always start out good with a happy 30-40 minutes and then he wants mama and he wants mama RIGHT NOW. 

Sunday, April 13, 2014

past two weeks

The last two weeks have been FULL!  But good!

Between school, being with the kids, taking care of the house, ministry commitments and social gatherings, I haven't had much time for anything else.

I have been up late at night and early in the morning doing homework and online courses so that I don't have to do anything during the day while the kids are up.  I wouldn't need to put as much time into it, but I am trying to get ahead in math (I am 2 weeks ahead right now).  The way the class is structured, I have to go to class two evenings a week and the rest is online.  BUT, if I finish all the lessons and assignments early, I can just come in and do the final exam and be done.  I am hoping to do this, because Jeremy's work has been picking up a lot lately (which is great), and so it has been a little hard to coordinate the kids with his schedule.  Next quarter they will be in the daycare at the school, but we have to juggle a little right now.  

Anyway, since I have been not doing stuff during the day, we have still been able to go to play dates and I have been walking to the beach almost every day this past week with them to play before lunch.

I hosted an impromptu ladies night last weekend, because one of my friend's needed a serious mommy-break.  We ended up having a wonderful night and got to know each other much more.  I am now planning on hosting a mom's night IN once a month with wine, chocolate, and we're going to include some sort of free art/painting to do (relaxing, fun, and optional being the goal).



from the beach today

sunny days has meant studying/tanning in the backyard


Our garden has been in full bloom - flowers everywhere!  I love it.  I don't know how all these tulips and daffodills came up, since I didn't plant any of them and there weren't nearly this many last year, but I love it.  Yesterday I went a workshop in Seattle with the Mustard Seed Association for a "Spirtuality and Gardening" workshop.  It was kind of a random thing we found and Jeremy told me to go, so I did!  It was a refreshing time that I got a lot out of and I am ready to get out and finally plant some things in my garden.  The kids have been out watering and playing with the chickens the last few days.  Hailey loves to "work" in the garden.



We also had sort of a crazy chicken thing going on this week.  I went out one day to check in on the chickens, and one of them had its neck stuck under its belly and was acting really strange, like it couldn't get unstuck and was just walking backwards and unbalanced.  I seperated it from the flock, and it eventually started acting normal again. After researching it, I really don't know whats wrong, but I'm pretty sure its having seizures, since it still gets them (although, it hasn't been so bad and it seems fine most of the time).  It could be due to a brain injury, genetics, or a nutrition deficiency...who knows!  I think its a rooster though, so I'm not really worrying about it.  It seems OK and I don't think it is anything that can spread to the rest of the flock, so maybe it will live, and maybe it won't.


Besides class, a few play dates, and having people over (after I was gone all day yesterday, I got home at 5:30 and we had a family over for dinner at 6:30!  I had everything prepped though, so we threw together some dinner and had an awesome relaxed night), I have had a lot of appointments.  FINALLY went in for an eye exam and got new glasses, plus I have had dentist appointments and an orthodontist counsel (I might be getting braces, but I am going to get a second opinion this week from my dentist before we decide).

Anyway, I am enjoying school, even though it is keeping me extra busy and I am not getting as much sleep these days.  The house seems to never be as clean as I want it to be anymore, but I figure something's gotta give!  Jeremy has been great though, and I am feeling more like we are falling into a new rhythm.

I am SO looking forward to summer, too!

Anyway, Hailey just woke up from her nap and it is too beautiful out to be inside any longer.

Love to all!

Friday, April 11, 2014

Crazy week almost over

Revised schedule, getting shorter all the time!!!  Not that you guys need to know it, but it feels good to have it all typed out.  And it feels really good to be busy!  The last three days have taken a toll on my legs, but tomorrow is CPR/first aid training so today I am pretty much not moving, so I can handle the physical part of the training like getting on the floor to resuscitate a dummy.

I had to get a physical yesterday for licensing, and (TMI?  Nah) I didn't have to get a pelvic OR have blood drawn.  SCORE!


4/12 - CPR/First Aid training
4/13 - Physical therapy, TB test
4/17 - Physical therapy, TB test check
-Sometime next week: - "Field Experience" as part of training
4/21 - Cats to vet, physical therapy
4/22 - CORE training
4/23 - CORE training
4/24 - Physical therapy (will probably cancel this appointment because I'll be tired from training)
4/28 - Physical therapy


As far as other "To-Dos": 

1. We have the bunk beds set up and all the bedding, but I need to wash the bedding and make the beds.

2. I ordered a fire ladder which should be here next week.

3. We have locks for the cupboards with alcohol and medications, and Joe needs to install them.

4. I have my "medication log"almost ready to go, just need to triple hole punch the sheets and put them in a binder...but the stuff is upstairs and it's not worth a whole trip upstairs!  (Every medication administered to child, even a vitamin, has to be logged with the time the med was given.)

5. We do need to find a dresser for the bedroom.

Just to be clear, finishing these things won't license us, but it will complete our portion of what to do.  After that, it's up to our licensor and the state to do their part.  Our licensor is awesome though - she said she could expedite our application because we are so motivated!

But some things take time, like getting my doctors to send in medical reports, and getting the results from the fingerprinting we did yesterday.  But we will have jumped through every hoop!!!!  I just can't believe this is happening so fast. 

To be honest, it would be convenient if we didn't get kids till after July, because we're going to Spain for two weeks.  We couldn't take any kids with us because 1) we'd technically be fostering them before the adoption process goes through, 2) you can't take foster kids out of the country (you can't even take them out of state without a lot of red tape), and 3) there wouldn't be time to get them passports.  So it would be like, "Welcome to your new family, now go and stay with someone else for two weeks."  And they'd ahve to stay with another licensed foster family so it would be "respite care" and we'd be sending them to stay with people we don't even know.

Anyway, clearly I am having trouble stopping myself from rambling, so I'll end this now!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Crazy April (Crapril?)

This month is going to be nuts!

Today meeting/interview with licensor
3 PT
5 Heather's shower (with her church)
7 PT
8,9,22, and 23, 6 hours each day of training
10 physical, fingerprinting
12 CPR/First Aid
14 PT
17 PT
21st Jasmine goes to vet for shots, also PT for me
24 PT
(sometime near end of month, final visit with licensor)
TB test somewhere in there

Not to mention we are church hopping, and I have small group and discipleship group every week!

There are a few more little things to be done around the house.  But by the end of April, we should be done with all of our responsibilities for licensing, and it'll be up to the state to process our paperwork!  This is so exciting, you guys!