today

well.  I DID it.  I sat down and finished our taxes and just sent them off to our CPA friend to see if he will double-check them for us.  And, I am excited, because unlike last year (fingers crossed that I did everything correctly) these were WAY easier, and we should be getting a nice chunk of money back.  It was really frustrating when I started, because I KNOW I did all of Jeremy's self-employment tax paperwork back in July after he was done working at the church, but none of the forms were saved anywhere on the computer.  So I had to re-do a lot of stuff, but it didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would.


Anyway, I decided that once I completed that, I would post about my day!


I don't work until 5 (and my boss just texted me and said I would probably be coming in later than that), so it has felt like I've pretty much had the day off.  Jeremy didn't have to go off to work until 9 today - he has thankfully been getting lots of extra hours at the church, because they are tearing down and putting in a big new deck.  So, I made us some lattes while he cooked up some bacon.  Then we had egg, avocado, and bacon sandwiches on english muffins.  OH so yummy.  I am obsessed with avocado since I bought some delicious ones for only .50 each!  I need to go back to that store and get some more now that I know how good they are.


After Jeremy left, I worked on party decorations for our gender reveal party on Sunday (Angela, did I tell you I am so happy you can come?? I told Amber, haha.  And Candice, you would of course had been invited if you didn't live so far away - lots of pictures will be shared, I'm sure)!  I am getting excited about it! I have found so many fun/cute teal/red decorations and my sister-in-law, Hanna, is making a some cute stuff too, and helping with food, etc.  Here is a sneak peek at the mess that is my dining room because of all the craftiness going on:

Yes, I spraypainted an old frame and a cupcake holder I got at Walmart for $6 to match the color scheme.  I am excited because these are the colors I am doing for Shea/baby's room too, so I didn't mind buying things I could use again for decor in there.


I also baked three loaves of lemon-coconut banana bread (my favorite recipe).  And they turned out better than any batch I have ever made!  I made so much because I brought home all the too-ripe-to-serve bananas from work.  I'm planning on giving some to my sister-in-law and then taking some into work.  The third loaf will be frozen for when we have company and we have half a loaf left to enjoy this week with our coffee.

After that was done baking, I did a 45 minute work out.  Felt SO good, I haven't worked out in about a week, because I've been so exhausted from work (and a little lazy).  My hair looks horrible, but here I am in my work out clothes - it is so nice that work out clothes are stretchy so I can wear them the whole time!  I'm sure a better/more official belly pic will come when Jeremy is home to take one, but it might not happen until tomorrow.

And, of course, my Sheabug!  He played so much today and is always so, so, happy - how can I get his cheerful and energetic attitude?  I tell you, this kid has always been a sweety, but in the past month, he has just turned into super-sweety!  Always smiles and hugs and laughter and love from this boy (and the occasional tantrum, or course!)  Oh yes, and he is in overalls which the back leg is covered in play-dough from this morning, and that is still his pajama shirt on underneath.  Its been a chill day.

I had bought some noodles for him to do stringing with - turned out fun, but hard, so it didn't last long.  I threw them into a bowl with some counting bears and measuring cups, and he had so much fun concentrating on this!  He divided them up by bears and noodles, tried to fit them all into the smaller containers, and eventually dumped them all over the table.  Good clean fun.  I put them in a ziploc bag for other times - I know this will get a lot of use and there are SO many different activities he can do with it.  Yep, homeschooling has begun ;)

Shea is still taking a nap right now, I think I am definitely going to get OFF the computer after working on taxes and staring at this screen so long and probably go do laundry and try and organize my files a little better - my organizational system has not been very uh, organized since we moved here.  Gotta get back on track for the next year!  

Oh yes, and this is just me being a nerd and feeling very smart.  I set up dual monitors today. Which isn't really very hard at all with the help of google, haha.  But it made doing taxes so much easier since I could keep track of the millions of forms we have to fill out, and copying numbers over was so much easier when I could look at both forms at the same time.  Love it, never going back.

Tomorrow is my ultrasound at 10am!  It came quick!  I'm still voting girl!  We'll see...;)

Port Townsend and a mini vacation!

I waited too long to try and get someone to cover my shift on Monday (I started like a week in advance) so everyone who wants to pick up shifts had already picked up shifts from someone. I put myself on the cut list (which means I could either not have to go in, get put on standby to come in after 4 hours, have to work the first 4 hours of work then get cut, or they need me so I work the whole 8 hours). I ended up getting put on standby and got no call by 5:45pm so Paul and I headed to Port Townsend for our two night stay!!

We got to our room a bit before 8, took everything up three flights of stairs (the building was from the 1800's so it had no elevator). We then made a quick trip to Safeway for some dinner. Dinner of a sub sandwich and Bagel Bites and sweethearts. Health food? RIiiight, this was our vacation. I had brought some popcorn from home too so we made that.

We went to bed by 11 (I wouldn't have even been off of work by this time) and I got the most awesome night of sleep. We had a king size bed, so I did wake up a few times wondering where Paul was...and he was just two feet to my right...haha. We woke up at 6:30 to watch the sunrise and then woke up at around 8:30am for the day. It was super sunny, gorgeous, and almost 60 degrees!

We had a gorgeous view of the bay from our room, which was awesome. We had an even better view from this cute little coffee place across the street. This place seriously had the best coffee and breakfast roll up ever, and I wouldn't just say that. The roll up had ham and eggs inside and the outside was made of sweet wheat something. Oh man how I need that recipe. I had a caramel latte and it was heaven. Pure yummy.

After breakfast Paul and I walked all around Port Townsend and looked in all the cute shops (which don't open till 10:30 or 11). I had my polar fleece on and got warm, it was so awesome. There are so many cute shops and old buildings, I kept making Paul stop so we could take more pictures.

We had recieved a subway giftcard for Christmas from one of my Aunt's so we stopped and had a nice free lunch! The view was amazing, not your average Subway.

We went to a little park, Chezamocha Park, and they had the most beautiful baby flowers. I can't wait for spring!!

More walking around town. I realized I am hardly ever in pictures because I am always the one taking the pictures, so on this mini vacay I kept saying "Paul take a picture of me here, and here, and here..." haha.

We seriously lucked out with the weather. I could have stayed outside ALL day long.

More walking, more awesome old buildings, more holding hands. :)

Our room (bed not made) with the sun streaming in. I love sunshine, big windows, and the king size bed. I took an hour nap in the afternoon!

After I woke up from my nap I ate some caramel apple, and let me tell you it was good.

For dinner we went to an Asian place by the hotel, it was not too great. I think Paul and I are spoiled with all the awesome Asian food over here and should have never tried to go to one in all all white person town. Not a good idea.

After dinner we went for some homemade ice cream, I got gingersnap and Paul got Oreo ice cream. I love all the yummy food and eating out that vacation gives!

And last but not least we went to Hudsons Cafe for breakfast. We both got scrambles and yumm, best food I have had at a "greasy spoon" kind of restaurant. Mine had bacon, mushrooms, eggs, cheese, bell peppers, and probably more that I don't understand!

We left the restaurant at 11 and got home at a little before 1pm. We had some very happy kitties waiting for us. :)

And that was our vacation. On tuesday I got a call from working asking me to pick up shifts on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, I picked up Saturday so I am working all my hours this week but still got a three day vacation. Best deal ever even though I procrastinated.

I am loving life.

love the sun!

My last few days have FLOWN by!  The weather has been amazing and we have been drinking it up!  Friday I took Shea to a local Gymnastics place called Zero Gravity.  They have open Gym three times a week, so we went with my mom's group to try it out.  OH MY did he LOVE it.  This kid is so athletic - I have no idea where he gets it (definitely NOT from me).  He was going crazy on the huge trampoline, and balancing on the balance beams.  He is definitely going in gymnastics next year when he is old enough.

After that we went and met Jeremy for lunch and went to a nearby park.  It was so fun and warm out, I couldn't believe I didn't even need a coat!  We all had so much fun just playing outside (I feel like it has been forever since I just ran around outside) and Jeremy and I threw a baseball around while Shea went crazy on the playground.

I worked that evening, and then Saturday  morning Shea and I headed out for a day full of errands.  We went to several stores, I got a new maternity shirt at Ross for only $3.50 (and its so cute, I might wear it after I'm pregnant if its not too baggy).  We met up with my friend, Susan, for lunch at a nearby cafe then walked over to the waterfront park and let Shea play while we talked for another hour or so.  SO NICE.  Shea made it home just in time to crash and then I cleaned out the car and tried to decide what to do with the rest of the day.  Jeremy came home tired from his men's group work party (they went around the community doing yard work/odd jobs for people for free), so we both just wanted to do nothing.  Then my boss texted me and asked me if I could come into work ASAP.  I wasn't doing anything, so of course I was willing to pick up the hours.  IT WAS INSANE.

The place was a total mess - ice cream everywhere, the lobby a mess, the girls who had been there all day looked like they were going to collapse.  So I came in with fresh energy and ran around for 3 hours straight trying to serve customers and clean that place up.  I ended up working until 10:15, and today my boss is having me come in 2 hours early.  I'm a little scared because only two of us are scheduled to work...haha the weather gets nice and everyone is buying ice cream - literally lines down out the door for 4 hours straight.  Nuts!  At least we get good tips.  And we all have a lot of fun together - I love the girls I work with.

Anyway, this morning Jeremy made an amazing breakfast for us -  scrambled eggs, hash browns and sauteed vegetables.  I made some coffee in our french press with a free sample we got from starbucks (so glad - I didn't realize we were out of coffee when I was out shopping yesterday).  And we had some fresh strawberries.

Shea is watching a show right now (but he was playing in "his box" all morning long - have I posted a picture of that yet?  its been his main time occupation for the last week and a half), and we leave for church in about half n hour.

This is the only picture I have today, because I didn't have my camera on me much.  I wanted to show Angela how dorky my pose is by the statues though.  haha.  This was in January 2008 - my hair is really short too.

  

It's been a wonderful week.

This week started out wonderful. Pastor Tommy is preaching through Revelation and he is doing an amazing job. I could have listened for another hour and it would have been awesome.

On Sunday evening Paul got off work at 5pm and we all (my mom, Paul, and I) drove up to Seattle to take my little bro out to dinner for his 19th birthday. We went to a small Italian restaurant

Paul and I got our rings re-rodiumed (more white gold put on) this last week as well as got them cleaned. We have lifetime warranties on the rings so can get this done whenever we want. I must start doing to more often because my ring looks brand new!

This is my view at work, well part of my view. The rest I probably wouldn't be allowed to take pictures of. I answer that phone about a million times a day.

Yesterday Gabe and I went shopping. It was a fun girls day out. We started with lunch at Panera, then Gap, Nordstroms (where Gabe got danskos and I am jealous!), Romy, and many other places, it was awesome. Oh we went to a scrub store and I got new pants and one new top. :) OH and I FINALLY have a pair of jeans that fit. :) Then before after all of our shopping we stopped by Krispy Kreme. Fabulous!

Last night was wonderful. I rushed back to my house because Steve and Kathy were coming over for dinner at 5:30. I got home at like 5:20, started preheating the oven, mixing up pizza dough in the mixer, defrosting ham, cutting up olives and lettuce, slicing a cucumber, and by 6 dinner was on the table. I forgot to take pictures! Then after dinner Kathy and I made pumpkin scones while the boys put up a new garage door opener. :) I added about 1/2 a cup more flour (maybe even more) and just made a simple glaze of powdered sugar, some pumpkin spice mix and some milk. So so so good.

After Steve and Kathy left Paul and I went straight to bed (at 9pm), turned on the fire, and watched Broken English while the kitties snuggled in front of the fire. Pure Bliss.

Yesterday Gabe and I also went to Tacoma Boys. I got a ton of fresh fruit and vegetables for an awesome price. We had a giant grapefruit, kiwi, pumpkin scone (and Paul had the Krispy Kreme I got him), and a chai tea latte for breakfast. Oh heaven.

After breakfast Paul and I laid in the sunshine in the living room and watched the kitties play. Eric was being adorable under the kitchen table and Eleanor was being crazy and watching him.

Then Paul and I went swimming. Paul told me to pack warm clothes because we were going somewhere afterward but wouldn't tell me where. He didn't want to cooperate for my pictures on our mystery drive.

We wound up in Renton and were going to find a subway to eat at since we have a giftcard, but there weren't any close so we went to a Pho restaurant and it was amazing! We got bubble tea afterward for dessert. So yum.

Then we went to Lake Washington and walked all around the trail. It was 59 degrees out, the sun was shining, and it was so so so beautiful! My husband has the best ideas!

I saw this sign and could help but squeal inside a little, how sweet is that! Oh and I have a picture of me posing in front of this same statue forever ago, and so I made Paul take one today. :)

I love pictures, my new phone apps, and making collages. I have had the most wonderful day with my love and plan on the second half being just as wonderful. We are currently laying on the couch with the show White Collar playing.

And that my friends is my day. I have loved reading all your updates!!

Playing Catch-Up

Hi Ladies!

I just had a great time catching up and commenting on all your past posts.  They are really fun to read.
I don't know where the time has gone-this past week has just felt busy.  I think school work is catching up to me again.  I've found it hard to feel motivated this semester.  I feel very separated from school life (obviously its a 2 hour drive there!) so when at home I don't feel like a student.  Reality is starting to hit me though.  I have three assignments due next week!  This means I actually have to do homework this weekend.

Some exciting news-well semi-exciting.  I applied for an ESL teaching job here in Simcoe (I was shocked there even was a job in this small isolated town)!  There was one advertised for six hours a week teaching 3-4 students.  It requires TESOL certification (which I'm working towards) but I figured it wouldn't hurt to apply anyways.  Yesterday they left a message saying they want to me answer some pre-interview screening questions!  I know its the super early stage, but I'm just excited that they actually called.  Even though I'm not quite qualified and don't have the teaching experience I feel at peace-I've done my part and God will do the rest.  I'll keep you informed if anything progresses.

Here are some photos of a project I did the other day.  As soon as I started, I remembered to grab my camera just for you guys!

I bought this canvas picture at a thrift store for $4...its not that I didn't like it, it was ok.  But I felt like it was very generic and I wanted something more unique.

I decided to cover it with some remnant canvas fabric I had bought.  

(it matches my green theme in the kitchen) 

The longest part of this project was hunting around for the staple gun and scissors.

Ta-Da!  I'm really happy with how it turned out.  This now hangs over our dining room table.

I napped.

Yes.  Shea took a nap.  I took a nap.  Now I'm sitting with a cup of tea, in sweats and NO braw (why did I spell that like that??  I thought about erasing the "w" but that is how I said it in my head) about to go play a round of carcassone with Jeremy.  And I'm baking cookies. 


And because of Amber's comment on my last post, here is my weekly pic (fully dressed this time, haha)!

And this is the one I had to share - Shea is picking up on belly modeling, as you can see.  

We also spent the morning at the KiDiMu (Kids Museum on Bainbridge) with my mom's group.

Very serious shopping going on here (this is with another boy from our church/mom's group)

Alright!  I'm off to continue enjoying my relaxing day before I go to work at 5 tonight.

I vacuumed.

Just had to brag.  I just vacuumed the whole house.  Hard floors and everything.  It felt like it took all morning but I think it actually just took an hour.  I used my Kirby and figured out how to use it better by actually reading the instructions.

Leaving now for lunch with my mom, which is hard because Wiggle just put her front paws on my arm and is looking up at me adoringly and purring.  She hates it when I get up just when she's made herself comfortable!