Sadie's First Trip!

When we found out Brian would be getting the week between Christmas and New Years off, we decided it would be a great time to take the trip up to Alaska to visit Brian's family. I haven't ever been up there since we started dating, and he hasn't been in several years. We made arrangements with Brian's parents...and our tickets were booked. Gulp. A three and a half hour plane ride with a two month old. I was anxious about it!

 But of course, Sadie was a champion. She didn't make a peep the whole way up. She slept for about half the flight and then looked around, grinned at the flight attendants, and ate a bit. Big relief!

We stayed at Brian's aunt and uncle's house, and had the whole basement to ourselves...which was really nice. I was nervous about staying with other people with a newborn...not knowing how she would handle the new environment....and especially how she would sleep.

I don't remember the order of events of the days...but we met up with Brian's sister and three nieces at the mall- did some wandering and visiting. Then had a fantastic steak, crab, salmon dinner back at the house. We had brunch in a small little bar known for their eggs benedict, then back to the house to watch football. Christie, Aaron, and the girls came over to hang with us, while the 'adults' went out

to a nice restaurant. We went out to a park for some sledding- Sadie was bundled up, but didn't really like the cold much, so we mostly hung out in the chalet, watching everyone else sled. We went over to a cousin's for a big holiday get together...they had fresh caught king crab that was SO BIG. The pieces of meat that were on my plate were like the size of a steak. I have never eaten crab that was so little work! We had another meal out at a pizza and beer place that was pretty fun. Lots of running around- and again, Sadie did awesome. I think the hardest part was for me, and figuring out when/where to nurse her and/or pump.

Sadly, it never snowed while we were there. There was a little snow on the ground, but it was actually colder in Seattle some of the time than it was up there. I guess that just means we will have to go another time!

A little joke we had going the whole trip- I informed them that I don't believe in real moose. I think they are just an animal of cartoons. And everyone tried to convince me that they are real...they had seen them IN THEIR BACKYARD (a likely story...I'm sure people see Bigfoot in their backyard all the time). So everyone was on constant look out for a moose. Unfortunately (or expectantly), we never saw one. But when we were at the airport on our way home, this fellow was hanging out. I love Sadie checking out the moose and then her expression!

 I'm so glad we were able to go this year...it's a trip I have been hoping we would be able to do for quite a while. Also such a relief that Sadie was a stellar traveler (I know, I know...this is the best time to take a baby on a trip because they aren't mobile yet...but still)....

Christmas!

Christmas came too fast this year. I know everyone felt like that a little bit, because Thanksgiving was so late this year...but I felt like I almost totally missed it. I never got a peppermint mocha (apparently peppermint isn't good while nursing). I hardly even listened to Christmas music. We didn't do any decorating until the 23rd when we finally got a Christmas tree- which I do love, and we plan to keep up for another week. We don't have stockings, because I am feeling picky about what kind of stocking to get Sadie (since it will be with her forever!)...every one that I see at other houses that I really like are homemade...and I don't have that kind of crafting skill. BUT, seeing as I have a whole year until we need them, maybe I will figure out how to make one. I did look on Etsy, but the ones I liked were too expensive. We were terrible about Christmas presents/shopping this year. I figure we have an excuse this one year with a brand new baby, so I don't feel so bad (but still a little). 

Brian had to work Christmas Eve, but was able to leave work a bit early. Sadie and I picked him up at work and we headed down to my Grandma Karen's to spend a few hours with my dad's side of the family. There are soooo many people there now- so many kiddos! When I was little, there were a lot of kids...and then we had a few years where numbers went down and there weren't really any kids around. Christmas is a little dull without kids. And then suddenly my cousins and siblings started having kids, and the house is back full of laughs...chaos, but the best kind. We only had time to visit for a bit- we couldn't stay for presents or dinner. Then we packed up and headed to Brian's Grandma's, where Tami had prepared a delicious dinner. Brian's sister Julie was in town for Christmas, so it was fun to visit with her. 

When I was a kid, we always spent Christmas Eve night at my Grandma Cary's house. And then when she moved, I always stayed the night at my mom's house. That is what Brian and I have done the past couple of years. But we decided, now that we have a kid, that we want to wake up in our own house on Christmas morning. So we started that tradition this year. I have to admit, I was a little sad waking up, knowing that Santa hadn't actually come to the house (he always came to my mom's house). We prepped breakfast and had my mom and Ron over. We ate, visited, opened stockings and presents. I hope one day we have the kind of house that we can host a big Christmas. My mom and Ron had a few places they had to be that day, so they headed out, and we drove up to Brian's parents to celebrate with some more grandparents. More visiting, lots more food....and then Gregg and Tami were on their way to the airport to head up to Alaska...where we would join a couple days later. 

I'm sad that Christmas went by so quickly this year...it really is a magical time. I can't wait for the Christmases to come with Sadie...ahhh, so much to look forward to!

We have a BABY!

Oh my goodness, we have a baby and she is already over TWO MONTHS old...what!

Little Sadie was born almost two weeks early and we were NOT ready for an early baby! I had just finished work, and had big plans for getting our house/baby stuff organized. And then very early Sunday morning, contractions started, and 22 hours later, we had a kid.

Sadie was born late Sunday night- at 11:50pm...the midwife asked if we had a birthday preference since we were getting so close to midnight. We liked the sound of 10/12/14. She was a tiny little bean, at 6 lbs, 6 ounces and 18.5 inches long.

We stayed in the hospital for two nights, and then they sent us home with our new little human. That's a weird thing...putting this little girl into a big ol carseat, and then driving home. I went in to the house first and said hello to the cats, gave them some pets. Then Brian brought Sadie in and set her carseat down on the floor so the cats could check her out. Millie's tail puffed out immediately...she knew something was up. They both sniffed around her a bit, and then went on with their lives.

 We spent the first two weeks living on the couch. It was exhausting, and I really don't remember much of it, other than I was sleeping 2-4 hours in a 24 hour period. Eesh. We had a few friends bring meals over for us, my mom brought some frozen food from Costco, and we had pagliacci a few times. The food thing was amazing...it was the last thing on my mind, but so so necessary. Thank you, thank you, thank you for thinking of us!!

At this point, Sadie is an easy baby. She doesn't cry very often, and can always be consoled with some bounces on the exercise ball. She has become a pretty great night time sleeper- she usually gives us a stretch of 4-5 hours, wakes up to eat, goes back to sleep immediately (no rocking or anything needed) for another 2-3 hours. So while it isn't my pre-baby 8-10 hours of sleep a night, it is definitely enough to keep me feeling pretty good. She had one night at about three and a half weeks that she slept 7 hours straight. I woke up feeling better than I had my entire life. Seriously. A good sleeper was something I prayed and prayed about. Happy baby? Eh, how about a good sleeper. :)

 She is pretty smiley after she wakes up from her naps. Everything changed once she started smiling...she was suddenly interacting with us...which is so so awesome. Her first smile came while I was singing Disney songs to her- Bare Necessities to be exact. Brian plays his guitar and sings to her pretty much every night. Some days she could care less, and then sometimes she is totally engaged and adds her own 'singing'- so cute.

The cats have been awesome. They haven't done anything to show they are upset or jealous toward her- no peeing, no scratching...Millie sometimes walks over her in bed, like she doesn't exist, but that's all. Frank is very patient...he will sit next to me and let her touch him. She had bare feet the other day and was using him to keep them warm, kicking and squirming...he just sat there, occasionally giving me a 'really?' look.

We left her with Brian's parents once so we could see a movie. And my mom is coming to babysit one day this week so we can see the Hobbit. It's weird going out without her- I don't feel upset, but I constantly feel like I'm forgetting something. It's really, really nice to have grandparents nearby that love her so much and are willing to take care of her occasionally so Brian and I can go out. It's definitely a bigger ordeal to go out with her, but we have taken her to a few parties (holiday times!), and we have taken her to Young Life club...she does great.

I know it is cliche and everything...but good grief, I didn't know how much you can love something. When I was pregnant, I commented to someone that I was anxious about having her in the winter, because it would be cold and rainy and we would be stuck in the house, and I was afraid of feeling isolated....and this woman told me I would be too busy staring at her to even notice. I kind of rolled my eyes at that. But it is absolutely true. I am so thrilled to sit at home and talk to her all day.

Summer Catch Up

I'm so far behind in blogging...we had a pretty busy end of the summer! A brief run through of the fun August to-dos.

At the beginning of August, we went to the Arcade Fire show at the Gorge. I was NERVOUS about the show. At the time, I was having awful back and rib pain pretty constantly...the only thing that helped was lying on my back. So the idea of sitting in a car for three hours, and then being at the concert for who knows how many hours, without the opportunity to relieve my back. BUT, I was totally fine! It was like baby knew I needed an evening off. We did have seats, which was helpful- I could alternate sitting and standing. The show was great- they asked people to dress up either in formal attire or costume...so there were some fun costumes out there...Brian spent a good chunk of time before the show started walking around and taking pictures of people. I didn't like the opener at all (other than he was funny)...it was so loud. Luckily Brian asked the people that worked there and found some ear plugs for me. Arcade Fire was a blast...they have so much energy...there were lights, confetti, a blow up doll band....They are such a fun live band.

A little later in the month, we drove down to Portland for an overnight. We saw David Gray at Edgefield on the Saturday. I love David Gray. He is one of my very favs. I have seen him a few times and it is always magical. A couple months back, Brian and I went to Easy Street for breakfast one morning, and I decided to listen to the new album at the listening station there...the first song came on and as soon as his voice started, I burst into tears. Like almost hysterical sobbing. Just standing there in the middle of Easy Street, for no reason at all. I was curious how the show would go. Well, sadly, the show just wasn't as magical as I was hoping for. It was still good...but, he was wearing JEANS. What the heck David- you wear suits! 

Then on Sunday we went to the Sounders/Timbers soccer match. Brian had been wanting to go to a match in Portland and the timing worked out great with the David Gray show. our friends Josh and Laura also came down for the game, so we met up for brunch and then headed to the game together. Wowzer, what an experience. We had to get there two hours ahead of time, they had a specific area of the field roped off for us (so there would be no interaction between sounders and timbers fans), and then we had to stay in our seats after the match until the rest of the stadium was cleared out. We won, and it was awesome.

Not in Summer, but along the activities lines, I was able to go to the Ryan Adams show at the Paramount with Catie, Amanda, and Leslie...I had wanted to go to the show (obviously), but didn't buy tickets and had pretty much resigned myself to not going because I knew I would be pretty far along and probably uncomfortable. Then Catie let me know they had an extra ticket, and I was so pumped! I was a little uncomfortable, but nothing I couldn't handle for Ryan.

I was lucky enough to have three baby showers planned for us, so spent all weekends in September enjoying the company of friends and family, and preparing for the arrival of the little one. Good thing we didn't wait any longer for those showers, because she made her appearance a tad bit early!

Summer!

Woo, Summer is definitely here. I don't deal well with extreme heat (despite the fact that I spent several weeks every summer for eight years working at Disney World in long sleeves and long pants as a Thunder Mountain Miner)...I am feeling pretty joyful about the 65 degrees and sprinkles today. I even had a few moments last week where I was really looking forward to Fall...I could smell the pumpkin and apples.

I finished my Statistics class and did as well as I had hoped...woohoo. Statistics was my last pre req before applications are due...SO exciting. I have started studying for the GRE test, although I'm not being very diligent about sticking to my study plans/goals. It's actually what I am supposed to be doing right now...I even left the house in order to be more productive. I need deadlines and due dates. Whatever...I am still rejoicing the completion of pre-reqs.

Our house has been pretty much soccer non-stop for the last while (with some baseball thrown in there obviously)...this is the first time I have followed the World Cup, and REALLY followed it, at that. It was pretty exciting watching the US do so well...I even got to watch the last game's overtime with the little girls I nanny for. They don't watch tv, so it was a PRETTY BIG DEAL. The four year old was so excited and giggly...she couldn't believe how many different colored shoes they were wearing! The next day when I was putting her down for her nap, she whispered 'will you stay and watch another soccer game here with us?' I told her there wasn't a soccer game that day, and she came right back with 'maybe there is a baseball game we could watch?'. Sad the World Cup is over, but okay with having a break from THAT much soccer.

We had a fun 4th of July...we went to my Uncle's house down in DEEP Olympia (it's soooo far)...he always has a big all-weekend party...this is the first time we have been there for the actual 4th- we usually make it at some point during the weekend, but since the holiday fell on a Friday this year, it worked. There are always lots of people, yard games, tons of food- including fresh crab that they just go pull out of the crab pots hanging out in the Sound that is their backyard, and tons of fireworks. This year the new addition was a giant slip and slide...the little kids had a great time, and a few brave adults gave it a try...Brian being one, of
course. I'm always afraid of the fireworks that people just light off themselves in the yard...which is what we had a ton of...luckily nothing caught on fire and nobody lost a limb.

On Friday, when I pulled into the neighborhood where I babysit, I saw a bunch of Lost Cat posters. There were like five in a very small area...some details provided- it was a 17 yr old cat that needed medication and had been missing for several day, never having been outside before. It bummed me out. The kiddo and I

went to the park for awhile, and when we walked back, the signs had all been updated- the cat was home! It made my day! And then I noticed the owner had created a blog and a facebook page for the lost cat (Rowdie). I asked the mom about it when she got home, and my goodness...this owner had put a TON of effort into finding this cat! She had a search team together out looking for the cat each day, including a search dog. She was going around the neighborhood knocking on doors and asking people to search their home because he is really friendly and would have just wandered into a house, she went around the neighborhood with a recording of Rowdie meowing, hoping to attract him, etc...I mean, she LOVES this cat. Thank goodness he was found!

OUR cats are doing well...I was worried about them during the heat...Frank threw up a few times and Millie threw up once. We put lots of extra water around the house, and a couple of wet towels on the ground...Millie avoided the wet towels like a plague, walking as FAR around them as she could. But Frank plopped himself down a couple of times...that poor guy has a lot of fur! Frank has been more snuggly than usual...here he is hanging out with his little sibling-to-be.

And speaking of his little sibling-to-be...I'm doing pretty well. Feeling quite large. Even though I know I have SOOOO much bigger to get...ugh. I have this awful pain in the middle of my back, that used to only happen at the end of the day, but for the last week has been pretty constant from the time I wake up until I go to bed...lying on my back with my feet on the couch is pretty much the only thing that gives me relief. A few yoga poses too. On Friday, I had relief for almost the whole day...I thought maybe something had shifted and I would be a-okay again, but it was back on Saturday. My midwife said it is probably a rib that has shifted a bit, maybe pressing on a nerve, maybe inflamed. I'm hoping it doesn't last for the next 14 weeks. Because while we are now in the third trimester, and 'almost there'...14 weeks is a really freaking long time still!

Alright...time to study. Study, Eryn, study! 

A Day Off

Frank loves snuggles

I have today off of work. My Friday family had their new baby this week! So exciting. It's really amazing having a regular workday off...like, I get overwhelmed by everything I want to do, and usually end up doing a lot of nothing except snuggling with the cats (well, with Frank...Millie only snuggles at night)...and Frank fully takes advantage of having me home. My favorite thing about having a workday off is dropping Brian off at work, getting a Starbucks drink and breakfast sandwich, and then watching Kelly and Michael and The View. It's actually something I have been looking forward to about staying home after I have the baby. Having the actual baby to take care of is still a little abstract to me, but watching Kelly and Michael and The View...that I can picture and look forward to!

I don't want to talk about pregnancy a lot...but it does kind of rule my life. I'm 19 weeks along, and in this amazing second trimester bliss. That sounds dramatic, and I think it is so great because it was so awful at the beginning. I don't feel sick at all, I don't have the crazy exhaustion (I am still going to bed early-ish). I am still sleeping well. I'm just starting to kind of show...like that phase where you would never mention pregnancy to someone because you definitely can't tell. I only have one pair of my regular pants that are comfortable at all....but I still don't fit in maternity clothes...it's a fun little phase...getting dressed in the morning isn't my favorite. I'm not overly emotional, although I did have an awful sobbing fit a couple of weeks ago...I was listening to the radio and they told a seriously AWFUL story about something that happened to a cat. Like, so so horrible. If I wasn't pregnant, I would have cried and been really upset...but because I am, I SOBBED...uncontrollably. I had to pull over. And I continued getting unbelievably upset throughout the day, and throughout the following weekend. I still have moments (this was two weeks ago), and I have to force it out of my head. And really all animal stories, happy or sad...I really try to focus on the happy ones, make me cry. Just animal stories though, not people stories. This video was the latest cryfest for me. Ha.

I've been feeling the baby move since 13 weeks...which is super early. They say you don't feel it, especially your first pregnancy, until 18-22 weeks...but I definitely felt it early. And now it is super regular...all throughout the day. And last night I SAW it, and Brian could feel it. SO.WEIRD. It's really early for that...I've read that doesn't happen until like 26 weeks...so I'm afraid it is a giant Twilight vampire baby. 

nails are brighter in real life

I painted my fingernails last night- I never paint my fingernails because they always chip so quickly and look awful...plus, I have hangnails and don't take care of my nails at all. But I decided to paint them anyway, and I am so distracted by them while I type. They are a bright orange-ish peach-ish and I love it.

We have been letting the cats go outside for about half an hour a day when we get home from work. We sit outside and keep an eye on them...make sure they don't leave the yard. They LOVE it. They seriously sit at the door and meow for an hour after we bring them in. Yesterday Millie would not come back inside...she waits until I get close to her and then bounds across the savannah (she hops like a little antelope, it's adorable) to the other end of the yard, and then when I get close to her, she bounds back the other way. It took me ten minutes to get her in yesterday.

Okay...The View is almost over. I need to get ready for the rest of my day!

a busy update

Ahhh, things are so busy. Which is usually a great thing...though it is a little tough these days as I want to sleep all the time!

Spring quarter started for school...I'm taking my last required pre-req (I may still take another class this summer that some programs require)...it is statistics, and so far it has been a TON of homework. It is an online class, so there are a ton of assignments, and lots of quizzes. Math has always been a pretty easy class for me, but I feel like statistics is a lot less math than a regular math class, so hopefully the online thing won't be a problem and I'll be able to keep up just by reading the book and doing the homework.

Still working long days...8:30-6...and with traffic, I usually don't get home until 6:30 or later. I'm looking forward to going back to my normal schedule in a couple of months!

Baseball season started...so we have been to a few games so far...we have a couple more lined up in the next week...I love going to M's games, but the 10:30pm evenings are tough!

Kickball season started, which I have been pumped for...but our games are so late at night! Our first week started with a double header, and I was embarrassingly sore for the few days after...like had to lift my legs with my hands to get in and out of the car. But it is fun and I am thrilled to be back out on the field. 

And then, of course, that little thing that we are having a baby. Hence the wanting to sleep all the time. I am just out of the first trimester, so have a little more energy than the previous two months, but still needing about ten hours of sleep a night. We are both super excited to be parents, but also don't love all the extra attention that comes along with this kind of big news! I have a tendency to overthink everything and stress out...so we are keeping things pretty low key, and trying to just take everything one week at a time.

Fortunately, my first trimester wasn't totally awful...I was unbelievably exhausted and had nausea from about 3pm on every day (all day on the weekends), but never actually got sick...just felt gross. And when you are feeling gross that much, knowing that it will last for at least six weeks seems like FOREVER. I was thinking 'why in the world does anyone have more than one kid if they feel like this for so long?!'...but things have definitely gotten better. I'm still not feeling awesome, and I can smell everything any where near me (garlic fries at the stadium- ummm, yeah.). Brian has been awesome...keeping the house running while I just eat and sleep... he feeds the cats (I can't handle the smell of the food), and cleans their litterboxes, does dishes, cooks, vacuums, laundry, etc...pretty much everything. 

I had the first ultrasound, which was waaaay cooler than I expected. I have always seen other people's ultrasound pictures and feel like it doesn't really look like a baby...they will point to something and say 'look, that's the foot' and I think 'okay, if you say so'....but it actually looked like a baby to me...I saw all the fingers, and different organs, and it rolled over...very cool.

I started building a baby registry, because we have lots of family pumped about buying things for this little thing...and oh my goodness, it's a little overwhelming. There is so much STUFF out there for babies! And about 100 different options for each bit of stuff. I mean, I had to close my computer and take a break when I started looking through all the different options for bottles. And then you hear from people that their baby went through several different types before they found one that worked for them. How do you build a registry or get your home prepared if you don't even know what your baby will actually use? Plus, we have zero extra space at our house...I definitely think we are going to go the less is more route and see how that goes.

Okay...I have at least two hours of homework to do tonight, and I really just want to take a nap!

Little Miss Millie Turns One!

Little Millie bean has turned one, though she is still as tiny and petite as a six-month kitten. The vet told us she will probably always look like a kitten, which is both adorable, and hilarious next to Frank.

She and Frank couldn't be more different. When we picked her up at the shelter, she was so happy to ride around on my shoulder. When we brought her home, she was crazy loving...like she was overwhelmed with there being TWO people that would pet her and that she could snuggle up with, constantly moving back and forth between the two of us. She is much more cat-like now. She minds her business, has her favorite spots, eats her food when it is served, and only occasionally sits with me. She hates being picked up, and squirms until she is able to jump away. I get glimpses of her kitten self at night time though. She is always right up next to my face, gives me multiple head butts as she curls up into her comfortable spot.

Her purrs are SO loud. She very rarely meows, but will growl if Frank gets too close to something she is

playing with. One morning she was crouched down on the kitchen floor, and Frank was a good ten feet away, and she was glaring at him and growling, protecting a piece of bacon she had found.

She is an amazing hunter (at least she would be if she got to go outside)...she is very patient waiting for the right time to spring on her kitty toy prey, and she rarely misses...often flying impressively through the air. I can only imagine all of the 'gifts' she would bring back to us if she was allowed outside.

She tolerates Frank. They play together, but it often ends with her yowling and hiding from him. But she instigates the playing often, so I don't think she is actually afraid of him...and occasionally he ends up with a scratch when she puts him in his place.

She is the cutest little thing and we love her to bits.

Frank Turns One!

Today is Frank's birthday! 

We told him to live it up today- we promised not to spray him with water when he is naughty. He has decided he wants to play with his best friend Millie, nap, eat some food, and nap some more. I think that sounds like a winner of a day.

We have had him for nine months now, and he is such a different cat than the kitten we brought home! Remember how he hid in the wall immediately upon getting home? Or stayed behind the couch in the extra room for days? This cat loooooves us. He follows me around the house everywhere I go, even if I just run upstairs to grab something- he goes up and down the stairs with me. He sits in the bathroom sink while I get ready in the morning. When I sit on the couch watching tv, he flops down next to me. At night he sleeps on my feet. He isn't overly affectionate- doesn't generally sit ON me, but right next to me.

He talks a TON. Sometimes I imagine he is a human that was turned into a cat by a witch...he always seems to answer when we talk to him- particularly when I ask him about being a human turned into a cat. He greets us at the door when we get home. He doesn't really have 'off-limits' petting spots (like cats are known
for)...he lets us play with his paws (no problem with his nails being clipped), rub his belly, check his teeth. He spends much of his awake time grooming himself, or grooming Millie, or sprawled in front of the heater. I was really nervous about how he would do when we were gone in Italy, because he had such anxiety issues. Christie and Aaron stayed at our house and Frank hadn't had much experience with kids...but he ended up befriending baby Scarlett and played with her. He likes to help with chores around the house. And he is a big Seattle sports fan (his middle name is Marshawn).

He isn't a perfect cat by any means...he is a bit of a bully with Millie. He doesn't like when she gets attention,

and he plays too rough with her (he weighs more than twice as much as her). He scratches on our bedroom door at about 7am every morning- the door isn't closed, and he can come and go as he pleases- he just wants one of us to go downstairs with him. He has discovered that he gets a lot of attention when he scratches the tall speaker next to the tv...he will look right at us, and slowly reeeeach his paw up. He also likes to jump up on the tv stand, and sit right in front of the tv while we watch something. He sheds. He had plenty of medical issues early on (we haven't been to the vet in several months, knock on wood).

I bought him a cat leash so we could take him outside...he hated it. As soon as we got outside, he freaked out, managed to squeeze out of the harness, and tried to jump through the window back inside.Since then, we have let him explore the front porch...he really doesn't try to go further out, but he loves being outside.

 We love him and are so glad he is part of our little family!

2014! Goals!

Yawn...we got back from our two week magical Italy vacation/honeymoon yesterday afternoon. I like to pretend that I'm immune to jet lag, but at the moment, I just don't think that's true. I went to bed last night at 7pm, and woke up feeling great at 6:30am...I figured I had beat the jet lag! But...I'm currently contemplating if the effort to make dinner is worth it, or if a bowl of cereal will be just fine. And wondering if I can possibly make it until 8:30 this evening before climbing into bed.

I have lots of trip blogging to do...and I will! But first thing- the GOALS for 2014. I don't like resolutions, but I LOVE goals! Brian and I had a good 9 hour flight yesterday to think about and talk about some goals for the coming year (we didn't spend 9 hours doing that...maybe 20 minutes)...here goes...

Health goals:
- vegetables, vegetables, vegetables...a large portion on every plate! This hasn't been a big enough priority in our meal plans! I want to make a weekly meal plan and grocery shop in an organized way.
- eat dinner at home 5x/week. We eat at restaurants and fast food way too often.
- get up early enough to have breakfast at home every day. I require breakfast, so if I don't make something at home, I end up getting a croissant or muffin or something else incredibly unhealthy at a coffee shop.
- get a gym membership and exercise at least 4x/week. In an effort to save money, I gave up my gym membership a long while back. This is fine during the spring and summer, but I am not motivated enough to exercise in the cold rain. I need to get back into a regular routine. Brian and I joined a soccer team (which I am truly terrified about- I have never played soccer), which will be fantastic exercise one day a week...but we need to keep it up throughout the week.

School goals:
- study for and take the GRE test. I have never studied for any of the big basic tests we take in our life (I'm sure my SAT score would have been much higher if I had)...I want to be prepared for this test before taking it!
- apply to nursing schools. I need to take my GRE, and finish one (maybe two, depending on the school) pre-reqs and then I can start applying. Nervous and excited!

Financial goals:
- savings, savings, savings! I have added some extra hours in my work week- picked up a couple of hours a day with a new family...I want ALL of this extra money to go to savings.

Volunteer goals:
I gave up my Boys & Girls Club coaching this year- since we moved to West Seattle, that Ballard location is too far...I am sad about that loss. I was hoping to find some other opportunity...
So I'm volunteering once a month in the nursery at our church, AND
Brian and I are leading (with a few other people!) a middle school Young Life group here in West Seattle. I'm SO excited for this! I loved Young Life in high school, and my leaders were a huge part of that, and were a huge part in my relationship with Christ (it was really the start of my understanding the personal relationship aspect in my faith)...I'm nervous and excited to be a part of that for these kids! Plus, Young Life is just super fun...summer camp!

Okay...those are the big ones. I make goals on a pretty regular basis...monthly, weekly, sometimes daily if I need it...so there will be more...but I'm hoping these will last the whole year.

Wishing you an awesome 2014!! According to the Feng Shui guy that gave me some predictions a few years ago (when I was at Tommy Bahama), this year is going to be a great one...I think he said a 95 out of 100. So, looking forward to that. 

Paris and Italy fun to come...

Update!

Oh my goodness, I haven't blogged in such a long time.

So here is a big ol catch up of life the last several weeks.

I've been sick. Ugh. I don't get sick very often, so I'm kind of a wimp about it. I was feeling pretty proud of myself because everyone around me was sick- Brian, the kids I watch, the parents of the kids I watch, etc...and I was holding strong and healthy. Then I got it (just a cold, but oh, the runny nose is annoying), and I drank my tea and loads of water, and got healthy in a short four days...everyone else had it for two weeks. And then I got my flu shot, and it came back...and I've had it for another four days and it doesn't feel like it is getting better. boo.

Holidays- I have felt a little lame regarding the holidays this year. It's been a combination of being busy, being lazy, and having kittens that get into everything...but we haven't done any decorating or much in the way of celebrating. I had pretty much the lamest Halloween costume...the 3 yr old I watch had been asking me for WEEKS what I was going to be for Halloween (although more important to her was what Frank and Millie were going to be...she asked multiple times a day), so I felt a little pressure to wear SOMETHING on

Halloween day. I cut out some orange construction paper triangles, glued them onto a headband...drew some whiskers on my face and told Olive I was Millie for Halloween (Millie isn't orange)....she loved it. I did spend about thirty minutes cutting up brown paper bags and taping some construction paper on them to make a monster door, hoping to encourage trick-or-treaters to come to our door. We had two. I'm excited for Thanksgiving...I have been craving mashed potatoes in a big way (I almost broke down and went to the KFC by our house the other day...and KFC is like the lowest on my list of fast food-maybe tied with Taco Bell). But I haven't done any of the seasonal food partaking...I mean, I was into pumpkin in a big way in October...but I really puttered out after that. I think I need to make a pie or something. And Christmas...I'm so sad we aren't getting a Christmas tree this year. We won't be here ON Christmas, and with the kittens...it just doesn't seem like the best idea this year. Brian did suggest getting a large wreath to decorate, so maybe we'll go for that. We might put some lights up around the house (but the cats LOVE chewing on cords...I just imagine that scene in Christmas Vacation when the cat goes under the chair with the cord...)...

Movies- We saw Ender's Game a couple weeks ago, and I was SO disappointed. I loved the book- I didn't read it when I was a kid, and so it was all new and fresh for me prior to the movie. And I just felt like they did a crappy job with it...maybe I was biased because I had read the book so recently, but Brian didn't really like it either. They just missed so much of the point of the book...Ender is the smallest kid and gets picked on and very slowly gains the respect of the other kids...the movie goes through none of the process of him gaining respect- it was almost just easy for him. AND, he was bigger than the mean kid that he gets in a fight with. And the character Bean is so great, and he is barely a character in the movie. Oh well, the book is great.
We also managed to catch a viewing of The Last Unicorn at the Cinerama.I remembered loving it when I was a kid, but also that it made me really sad...but I really didn't remember the storyline at all. Just bits and pieces in my brain. The Cinerama had the author of the book (sadly, I didn't know it was a book) there signing autographs, and giving away raffle items, and answering questions...and I didn't realize that The Last Unicorn was one of those nerdy obsessions (I say nerdy obsession in a positive way...I love when people are really into something). Anyway...I don't know that I would have loved it having seen it as an adult for the first time, but I did love watching it. And I remembered the parts that made my little kid heart sad...there is one scene where she (the unicorn) is captured and kept in a cage for a circus-type show, and as a kid I felt like this was the worst thing that could ever happen...it seemed like a huge part of the movie to me, and watching it now...it is like a five minute scene.
Last night we went and saw the newest Hunger Games movie- Catching Fire. It was SO good!! Ahhh, it is very rare (if ever!) to feel like a movie is as good as the book...and I was so entertained and satisfied with this movie.

Books- Besides joyfully reading about bacteria genetics in my microbiology book, I just finished the Divergent series. I read all three of them in a couple of weeks.I was a bit shocked by the ending, but other than that, I loved the series. Usually when there is a love story involved, the great, strong girl character does some annoying and stupid stuff, but I felt like that was pretty minimal. The first movie comes out in March- there was a preview before Catching Fire...I don't think it will be awesome, but hopefully entertaining. I do like that Kate Winslet is in it...I feel like she gives any movie more cred.

Sports- well, the Sounders season ended earlier than hoped...but really, with the way they had been playing toward the end of the season, it wasn't totally unexpected. It's just a little bit harder when the Timbers are the ones to knock us out though. The President of the Mariners has announced his retirement, which Brian is beyond thrilled about. As previously mentioned, Brian has such a love/hate relationship with the team...he is hoping this change higher up will make a difference on the field. We'll see. And the Seahawks. Woot! Brian just put a picture of Russell Wilson on my phone and the 3 yr old I watch was looking through my pictures and saw that one and asked me 'is that Brian?'...he feels pretty good about that. Typically, football isn't my favorite sport to watch...though we do a lot of it...Brian and I started dating around Thanksgiving, so the beginning of our relationship basically consisted of watching football. But the Seahawks...they are SO fun to watch...good grief, they are really good. Like sometimes Angels in the Outfield really good. How does Russell get some of those throws off, and how does Golden Tate make those catches? My dad has always been the biggest Seahawks fan I know...through all of those bad years...it's an exciting year.

Another blog soon...
Happy Thanksgiving!!

October 11

Well, I have the day off today- my one Friday a month. And today Millie is getting spayed. I dropped her off at the vet early this morning and am picking her up this afternoon. I know that spaying is a very routine surgery, but it is still surgery...she is still going under, and there can be all kinds of side effects. Plus, she is still so little. The vet waited as long as possible (she could be going into heat any time now) because she is so small. Frank was already fixed when we got him, so we never had to worry about that- though the neuter is much simpler than the spay anyway. I'm a little nervous.

Last Friday we saw Gravity- the space movie with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney that just came out. It has had such amazing reviews- I hate going into a movie with super high expectations. Earlier that day I listened to a review on the radio that just went on and on and on about how great the movie is. I think the thing that saved me from the high expectations is that I really didn't know what to expect- I didn't understand what the story was...the preview doesn't show much. Here is the thing- the movie is amazing, but I didn't like it. I wasn't expecting that. It was SO stressful to watch! When I was a kid I always wanted to go to space camp...I didn't necessarily want to be an astronaut, but I REALLY wanted to go to space camp...space is SO fascinating...this movie made me uncomfortable and claustrophobic....I felt pretty much completely immersed in it, and I have NO interest in being an astronaut..ish, such small spaces. I definitely recommend seeing it- but see it in a great theater. We saw it at the Cinerama, which was perfect. Also- it is in 3D, and I don't like 3D, but there wasn't ever a moment that I thought about it being in 3D.

I had my first week of lab...it was better than I anticipated. I like my lab partner. The class is 4.5 hours long, and it actually went by pretty quickly.We also got assigned a group project- four people in a group- we have to give a presentation NEXT week (so soon!) on botulism. We also have our first test on Monday...which means it is an online test, because there isn't actually class on Monday. I'm a little worried about the online test because that means it is open book, which means it will be HARD. We'll see.

Our Italy trip is quickly approaching...we have basically decided on the itinerary. We fly in to Milan, and will fly immediately to Paris for four days. We already got our flight to Paris, and found the place we will stay in Paris. I managed to find a pretty reasonably priced place in the Latin Quarter...I'm not expecting anything fancy, but it is a great location, which is what I wanted for Paris. Then we fly back to Milan, hopefully to catch a soccer game (there is a huge match that day, we are just trying to figure out the details in getting the tickets...they don't sell them far in advance like they do here). Then we will train to Rome for a few days. Up to Florence, with a day trip to Sienna, and then on to Venice. I found a place for us to stay in Florence and Rome, but am still looking in Venice. We were really hoping to be able to get some stuff paid for ahead of time, so we wouldn't need to pay a huge chunk over that time, but most of the places we stay only take a deposit for the room and require payment upon arrival. I suppose that is nice if we decide to change our plan for some reason, but doesn't help with the pre-pay plan. Next, we need to research some food places!

Ohhh, I just got the call from the vet- Millie is out of surgery and starting to wake up. Phew.

Here is Frank's latest...Brian was changing the light in the kitchen...Frank offered to hold the ladder for him...such a helpful kitten.

Healthcare, Microbiology, and Yahtzee

I know, I know...everyone is tired of hearing about the government shutdown and the Affordable Care Act. But can I just say that Brian and I should do a commercial for the Affordable Care Act... Brian works for a small company that doesn't offer health insurance. I work less than full time because I am in school part time, and so am not offered health insurance. Brian is allowed to be on his parents health insurance for a couple more years because of the Affordable Care Act. I have been without health insurance since January, when I left my job to start the long process of nursing school. I'm pretty healthy, so I haven't been that worried about getting sick (though I am constantly in search of skin cancer on this pale, pale palette), but every time I get in a car, I think about a car accident...when I play kickball, I worry about making a weird turn on a base and breaking a bone. I am ecstatic about the Affordable Care Act. That's my piece. (Also, if you have any questions about it, I have done quite a bit of research and would be happy to try to answer)...

That said, I DID finally sign up for Washington state health insurance- that will last me until the Affordable Care Act goes into affect in January...so I do have a very basic health plan now. Which is a huge relief.

Fall quarter started last week, though I haven't actually had class yet- this Saturday is my first lab. I'm taking Microbiology, and I'm not really looking forward to it much. Remember how I complained about all the microscope lab work in Anatomy- not enough dissections? So this will be ALL microscope work. Gives me a headache. I have heard good things about the class though- that it is interesting. Hope so.

A couple of months ago, Brian and I were hanging out at Costco...wandering the aisles, eating samples...you know- really living life. There was a group there with samples hoping to get into Costco- they were called Fishpeople. And I loved every sample I tried (they had a few different varieties), and ended up buying a sample pack from them. I haven't seen them in Costco yet, but you can find them in Whole Foods, PCC, and QFC. It is a 7oz pouch of a seafood entree- they have Coconut Yellow Curry Tuna, Thai Coconut Lemongrass Tuna, Salmon in Chardonnay Dill Cream Sauce, and Smoked Salmon and Oyster Chowder. They are super yummy- and you literally just put the pouch in boiling water for 3 minutes and pour it over some rice. AND- you can go to their website, type in the batch number on your bag, and it tells you where every ingredient in it comes from...like, which fisherman on which boat caught the fish, which farm the onions and garlic comes from, etc...I hope they get into Costco, because they are a little pricey (not super pricey for what you get, but still...) Anyway- I recommend giving it a try. www.fishpeopleseafood.com

Brian has been playing his guitar more recently...the cats were a little scared at first, but now they love it and hang out with him. Frank requested lessons, so here they are. And then Frank was kind of jealous
that we were playing Yahtzee and leaving him out, so we taught him how to play that too. He really likes hanging out with us. Millie watches everything from atop the toasty warm cable box- her favorite spot.

You are the light of the world...

'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'
Matthew 5:14-16

In church last week, we heard about being the light of Christ in this world. I feel like I need to read this passage every morning when I wake up. I should probably have a cheat sheet written on my arm, to remind me throughout the day. Every choice I make, every word I say, every reaction I have- is a reflection of Christ. I feel like there has been so much darkness recently. Not especially in MY little world, but people around me that I love- have been going through some tough stuff. Cancer. Ugh, I can't stand it. Kids with cancer. No. Suicide. No. Our country is so divided- just stop. War- innocent people dying, scared. And on and on. Really, the thing that has helped me deal with all the hurt people are dealing with, is knowing that it is my responsibility to be a light- the light- in this dark world. I'm trying.

Brian and I love having people over...love entertaining and especially making food and feeding friends. But we have been pretty lame in that department since getting married. First it was the moving thing...boxes everywhere, organizing- the house was in no order to have guests. And then we got the kittens, and that certainly caused some chaos in our little home. And school made it tough. Finally, we have had the chance to have a few people over...in the last week and a half we watched a movie with friends at the house, had friends over for football, invited NEW friends over (exciting- new friends!), and had a friend over for some Fall tv. We really need to get a regular movie night going again. I hope we can keep it up.It makes me happy!

These two are little lights too. Snuggling on a Sonics blanket together.

Three days of Dave

Ohhh, I love all the first-day-of-school pictures up on Facebook! I actually think those pictures- the excitement and anticipation of a brand new year- put me in the mood for Fall. The thunder and rain helps too (while I'm not looking forward to a constant grey drizzle- I do LOVE a good rainstorm). Starting September 2nd, I have switched to the tastes of the upcoming season. I enjoyed a pumpkin spice latte, an apple spice donut (!), I have had Starbucks' new chocolate chai latte (it wasn't too sweet- I was surprised)...I am okay with the season change, I think.

Another thing that helped me make the transition was a throwback Labor Day weekend. We spent three days at the Gorge enjoying DMB...with a little VIP treatment. One of my friends does some work on the tour and was able to get us awesome tickets to the shows- and passes into a lounge with free snacks and

beverages. Brian hadn't ever been to the Gorge- what a treat to show him!, and had never seen Dave before. We left later than we had hoped on Friday afternoon, so got to there just as the band was going on. As we walked through the parking lot into the venue, there were multiple couples fighting, crying, break ups happening...I told Brian- this is the drama of Dave weekend- breakups, makeups, hookups...all over the course of one evening. And sure enough, once we were inside, and the music was playing- people making out all over the place. I'm sure the glass of wine I had without any food had something to do with it, but once we got there, were hanging out with Jessica and Luke, listening/watching the show, being able to share all that with Brian- I was so overwhelmed with happiness. (and we also met Colin Farrell...so pretty!)

I really needed a good throwback weekend, because a big piece of myself officially ended on Friday. KMTT The Mountain changed formats...it is now HOT 103.7. The Mountain had been going downhill for a long time- it wasn't even on my dial anymore...but I still had a little bit of hope that somehow it would turn around...someone would come in and bring back the magic. And now it is over. The news was a little bit devastating to me. I started at the station my junior year of college- because they played Howie Day and I was embarrassingly obsessed with Howie Day. I had no idea I would meet my best friends there, I would find such a mentor, the COOL stuff I would get to be a part of (Mexico with listeners and Carbon Leaf, driving various amazing musicians around, running meet & greets and music lounges- Patty Griffin,
Damien Rice, Matt Nathanson, Flight of the Conchords, Jack Johnson, G.Love, John Butler Trio, Brett Dennen, RYAN ADAMS, David Gray, Amos Lee, Ben Lee, and of course, Howie Day, etc etc etc...I could go on and on). I went to concerts twice a week, I made more lanyards than you might think possible....sigh, I could go on and on. I loved that station. It was my home for a good six years. In that, it also taught me about the importance of work boundaries. All over. But, I was able to celebrate with three days of Dave! :)

In kitten news...Frank seems to be doing better! The prescription food seems to be what he needed to calm his tummy. We have started transitioning back to regular food...and I was talked into doing some wet food. Gross...that was my one thing when we got the kittens 'I will NOT do wet food'...it's so gross. But, as I was researching food to give them, I just kept reading how important it is for them to have the wet food...apparently domestic cats come from desert cats- so they lack a thirst mechanism- they depend on getting water from their food sources...without wet food, cats are generally always dehydrated. Besides being gross, canned food is also expensive- so we are doing a mixture of both. The first time I gave them the canned food, it was like they didn't know life could be SO GOOD. I have never seen Millie sit in front of her food for so long. They love it. Millie went through a growth spurt last week- she is still svelte, but she got way longer...and when we got home from the weekend- her little meow deepened! It seems she has hit puberty. Ha.

Okay...I have a list of things to get done today (the family I nanny for is on vacation- I have picked up some hours with another family, but have some extra time off...it has been nice!)...must get on with my day!

Summer is leeeaaaving....

Bah, the sun is setting so much earlier...the wading pools are closing down...some trees are actually starting to turn yellows and reds...I'M NOT READY FOR SUMMER TO END. Usually I am pumped for Fall...I'm ready to bring the sweaters out, start planning crock pot meals, pumpkin spice everything, and hello-apple spice donuts at Mighty-O (I'm not bitter that they messed up my wedding donut order and DIDN'T make the apple spice donuts I especially requested). But no...I'm not there yet. This summer has been beautiful and I have spent more time outside than any past summer I can remember (nannying...parks every day)...but there are so many things I still want to do. Like camping...we never went camping this summer. And hiking- not a single hike happened! And the West Seattle pool with salt water- never went there. Alki- hardly spent any time at the best beach we have in our city and is a few minutes away. I actually don't think I even put a swim suit on once this summer. Etc. Etc. Etc. Please September...take your time transitioning into Fall.

With Summer quarter being done, I have finally found some time to read. I just finished the third book in the Ender's Game series. I have zipped through all three of those books- I don't know how I hadn't ever read Ender's Game before...I just started my new book club book yesterday and am already almost halfway done- Where'd You Go Bernadette. It is based in Seattle, and while I think it might be a little over the top with the Seattle references...it is pretty funny and spot on with some of the jokes.

Brian and I spent some time last night working on our Honeymoon itinerary. I think we are going to do four days in Paris, and then Rome, Venice, and probably a smaller(ish) city in Tuscany...maybe we will go to Florence, but I am hoping to decide on one of the smaller ones. We sent in our request for midnight mass at the Vatican with the Pope. Hopefully that will work out...it sounds like we should be able to get in since there are only two of us. Trying to figure out what we want to do for accommodations...hotel? hostel? airbnb? It is that balance between wanting to stay in a somewhat decent place, but also- we will be out exploring most of the time...how much do we really want to spend? It didn't even occur to me today, but of course we will go to Disneyland Paris! We have been craving a Disney trip for quite a while, and checking flights...ultimately deciding each time that we can't do Disney before Italy...but now we will get both!

Oh my goodness, the twins are growing up so fast! They are 7 months old now, and Lily is already starting

to crawl (not the actual crawl, but the push and scoot). They don't look like infants anymore...they are actual babies. Sitting up and playing.

To further the point from my first paragraph...this morning (afternoon, really), Brian and I went over to Alki, grabbed a drink from Starbucks and walked for about an hour up Alki, and along Beach Dr. We went down onto the rocky beach and slid our way along the seaweed. Admired the homes, read about the sea animal sightings. We made our way back to the main strip of Alki, and had lunch at Cactus- YUM. Why haven't we been doing this all summer?

Tomorrow night is the HUGE Sounders vs Portland match, with Clint Dempsey's home debut. The match is sold out...neeeervous!!

That's all- have a fantastic week! (And Labor Day weekend!)

One year

Yesterday afternoon, about an hour before I was leaving to pick him up from work, Brian sent me a text that said 'before you leave, will you: feed the cats, leave a light on for the cats, dress nicely."

I picked him up and he drove us up north, we caught the Whidbey Island ferry, and went to dinner at the restaurant we ate at a year ago when he proposed! What a guy.

It was so crazy to reflect on the past year...so much happened! We both left our jobs and started new ones. We planned a wedding. And got married. We moved into a house. We have kittens. I have completed a full year of school. My goodness.

I love that we get to celebrate on Whidbey Island every year!

A Friday Five

I have the day off today, Friday...and while I have a huge list of To-Dos for the day, I figured I would take a second to write an actual Friday Five.

1. Summer quarter is OVER. My goodness, this class was tough! I don't know if it was the teacher, if it was the fact that the quarter was 3 weeks shorter than a normal quarter, if the material was especially difficult...probably a nice mix of all three...but this class really took up much more time and effort than any of the other classes I have taken. I really have no idea where I am as far as my grade goes because 100 points were completed in the last week (out of 400 for the whole quarter), and 2 out of the 3 homework assignments hadn't been graded yet. We'll see...whatever the grade ends up being, I certainly learned! Next quarter is microbiology and hopefully an online math class (I still have to take the placement test, and I'm so annoyed by that- it's a 100 level math class- why do I have to take a placement test?- that I've been putting it off.)...and then I will start applying to programs in November.

2. Speaking of school- I just made my final student loan payment today. The last $117. I didn't have a HUGE loan to payoff in the first place, thankfully...I hear about the amounts that kids are leaving school with and it just about gives me a panic attack. How does college cost that much?! I have always been a HUGE advocate for college- you'll never regret having an education...but sometimes I'm not so sure anymore. Maybe you would regret $60,000 of debt. Anyway...mine is paid off...just in time to start accumulating some more. Woo.

3. Brian and I got a new bed this week. We never set up the bed frame I had when we moved into the new house- Brian didn't like the bed, and figured if we set it up then we would never get a new one. So we have been sleeping on a mattress on the floor. I have been trying to put off buying a new bed, but Brian hasn't been sleeping very well, and feeling sore every day...so it was time. We found a good deal for a latex mattress on Amazon- hundreds of 5-star reviews. And we went to Ikea and picked out a new bed frame. I know it is a well known thing...but for the love, putting Ikea furniture together couldn't be a bigger pain. After several hours over two evenings, we finally completed the project last night. And then discovered that none of our sheets fit the new bed. Bah (that is something on my to-do list today).

4. My mom turned 50 this summer (I know, she is so young)...and she was out of town on her birthday in

June...so the huge birthday kind of went unacknowledged. Then about a month ago, one of my mom's awesome friends emailed me and said she wanted to have a surprise party for my mom. Each summer they do a progressive dinner with a few couples, and it would be a perfect way to get everybody in one place without my mom being suspicious at all. Katie's house was the final stop on the progressive dinner agenda, so she had dessert, and themed the stop Disney (obviously)...so the guests arrived while they were having dinner at another house
(all the stops were houses on the lake, so they drove from place to place by boat- and did I mention that each course of the meal is themed- including costumes?)...it was awesome. My mom was totally surprised- cried and everything- in her awesome construction costume. And here is the cake that one of her friends made- amazing! The whole thing was so great!

5. The kittens go in for their last round of shots tomorrow. Frank still has diarrhea- it has been about a month now. They are currently teething. Did you know that happens to kittens? They are losing their baby teeth and their grown up teeth are coming in. Last night Millie had a loose tooth hanging out the side of her mouth, and this morning, it was gone. Frank has a big tooth coming in right next to his baby tooth- we can see the crazy

size difference (big tooth is about twice as big as the baby tooth). Apparently their gums are sore just like a teething baby...and is why they are chewing on things more. They love our new bed, and hung out in the bedroom with us the whole time we were building it. They are enjoying playing on the old mattress- it is their new favorite obstacle course. Millie nearly escaped this week...when I got home from work and opened the front door, she was RIGHT there, and snuck out onto the porch. She didn't run, so I was able to grab her easily, but yikes! I'm not going to do it, because I know it is silly, but I want to get them leashes so I can take them outside...I know they want to go out!

That's all for this week. Have a super weekend...I'm off to get stuff DONE!

Class, kickball, and diarrhea

Yup...that is pretty much been all that has been happening in my life this last month. Class is mine, kickball is mine and Brian's, and the diarrhea is Frank the cat.

Class is pretty crazy. We have had 5 weeks straight that included tests. A Monday, Monday, Monday, Wednesday, and next week is a test on Monday and the final on Wednesday. An 8 week quarter to get 11 weeks worth of information into. I constantly feel like I am playing catch up. She starts the lecture on the the next set of chapters before we have taken the test on the previous set of chapters, and then asks if there are any questions. NO, no questions yet because I am still wrapping my brain around the last set of chapters. I usually feel like I am at mediocre understanding by test day. BUT, I still feel like I have learned SO much more than I did last quarter. I do like this professor quite a bit...she is very fair. And thank goodness, she does lots of partial credit on tests. One week left to go. Lecture and lab is over. Just an exam and the final. Study, study, study.

And right in the middle of the crazy school load is the period of time in kickball where we have playoffs for summer season, and have already started fall season. For example, on Tuesday- the night before my final- we have a summer playoff game...if we win that, we play the championship game immediately following. Then we head over to Greenlake for a 9:30pm fall season game. I'll probably have to keep my notes in the dugout.

Then there is Frank- the biggest kitten I have ever seen in my life, despite three weeks of diarrhea. The cat just keeps on eating. He has had an antibiotic, which didn't do anything. We were given parasite medicine, even though all of his tests have come back negative for parasites. And currently we have him on a probiotic...hoping that maybe he just needs some good bacteria back in his system. Though he threw up a couple of times earlier this week. I have been worried off and on...but considering he literally just FLEW through the air in front of my face- about three feet off the ground- in pursuit of Millie...I think he is probably doing okay.

I don't know how cats age compared to people...but I think Frank might be going through either a 3 yr old or a 13 yr old stage...he is testing us on EVERYTHING. We carry a spray bottle of water with us around the house...he climbs on the table and just looks at us. Stays up there as we grab the spray bottle, watches, watches...and just as we get close enough for the spray, he jumps down. Little monster. Meanwhile, little Millie has just been a champ. She is still tiny- getting longer (I think she looks like a mongoose...I would have called her Riki Tiki Tavi if I had noticed when we first got her)...and so, so sweet. She is so well behaved (and is currently curled up on my stomach, purring as I type- probably for protection from Frank)...

And in other non-cat, non-school, non-kickball news...man, haven't we had an amazing summer?! What a fantastic summer to be a nanny...sorry to brag. Any time those kids start pressing my patience (which happens a lot- they are 3 and 1), I think about how I get to spend my day at the zoo or the park...looking into the newest spray park, which kid band is playing at which library or park...it could be so much worse!

The Mariners continue to disappoint (still managing to make it to a game here and there), the Sounders just signed Clint Dempsey...a HUGE deal. Brian just wrote a blog regarding these two loves of his and how different the organizations are run...pretty interesting- http://bterreson.wordpress.com

Brian and I are making an attempt to get healthier...thus far food is the only aspect we have made an effort with, but we are discussing options for working out. Because we are so busy, we find ourselves eating at restaurants a lot- which usually isn't particularly healthy, not to mention expensive. I don't want to get too ambitious right away, so right now we are just making an effort with our dinners to fill as much of our plate with vegetables, make healthy protein choices, and keep the carbs to a minimum.We have done pretty well this week. We'll see how next week goes.

Busy weekend ahead...I'm getting my hair cut today- finally...my last haircut was in March. I have book club this afternoon- which I haven't been able to go to in probably 6 months. Babysitting tonight. Tomorrow one of my college roommates is in town and is coming over to visit (SO excited!), Mariners game in the evening. And, of course, lots of studying in there.

Aaaand some pics...

Frank the part-dog

Greetings upon arriving home

Nap time for everyone

Play time

Another Week!

Brian was away at camp all last week. I had intentions of making plans with friends and happy hours and Greenlake walks...until I realized that between school and kickball, I only had one available evening...and the poor kittens needed some attention. This is the first year that he has gone away for the week that I felt like the week went by pretty quickly. I thought I would be a little nervous about being at the house by myself, but the kitties kept me company. It all went a-okay. Brian had fun at camp- great group of kids, weather couldn't have been better...I know he probably would have liked to stay a little longer. BUT, it is awesome to have him home. I know Frank missed playing with the laser pointer with him!

Speaking of Frank...ugh, kitty is sick. Really unsure about taking him to the vet. Without getting graphic, he clearly has an upset stomach. Also, his 'third eyelid' has been out on both eyes. I hadn't ever heard of this or seen it before- I noticed he had a white film covering half of both eyes- freaked me out!, so looked it up. Basically, it is an extra layer of protection to the cats eyes, but can also make an appearance when they are sick or stressed out. He has had the stomach issue and eyelid thing now for almost a week, but everything else seems fine. He runs around and plays with Millie, he continues eating and drinking fine...he has been a little more snuggly (usually he sprawls out next to us, but he has been curling up more). I have called the vet, made multiple appointments, but then keep cancelling them. I keep thinking I am overreacting...you can't take them to the vet every time something comes up...if he was an outdoor cat and didn't use a litter box, I wouldn't even know anything is wrong. The vet doesn't seem overly concerned...as long as he isn't getting dehydrated. But I keep having moments of panic. Millie keeps checking on him- they bump noses. I just made a trip to the grocery store to get him some rice and chicken...something mellow for his stomach. I'm sure we will end up taking him in early this week. Hopefully it isn't any big thing...Maybe he was just stressed about Brian being gone all week.

I spent half of my last blog post complaining about school and being certain I was going to fail my exam on Monday...and I ended up getting the best test grade I've had so far. Go figure. I keep having these moments (or days) of doubt about whether I am doing the right thing, back in school, nursing. Could it possibly just be fear? In church today they talked about God continuing to challenge us with that THING- our personal crux...how we can't just stop, you have to push through it. My crux has been- for quite some time- when things get difficult, I assume it is because I'm doing the wrong thing. If it isn't working, then I should probably do something else...I am a big believer in getting yourself out of a bad situation...the whole 'definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result'...don't sit still if you are unhappy, DO something, make a change. BUT, I also think that is sometimes a copout for me. Sometimes you have to push through. I feel pretty confident that God has pushed me to where I am...He wants me in school. He has put me in the right situation to be able to make this happen. And I knew from the beginning that this wasn't going to be something I could just do on my own. Of course I have to trust that God will help me out. He has to- I can't do this myself. I was feeling pretty defeated by school last week...and then got just the bump I needed to remind me that I am right where I should be. Who knows if I will get into nursing school in the first round of applications. If I don't, then that gives Brian and I a little more time to live a newly married, normal life before the craziness of full time school and worrying about tuition with a part time work schedule, etc. And I will apply again. If I do get in, then I will be able to get this whole thing moving a little sooner. Faith, Faith, Faith. It'll be fine. Just keep going. I'm glad I am currently feeling that way, because I have another test tomorrow, and another the following Monday...three Mondays in a row. Gulp.

Brian left camp early on Friday, and I went and picked him up at the ferry- because we had the opportunity to see Paul McCartney at Safeco on Friday night!! Brian's parents got tickets for us, and the four of us went- it was SO AMAZING. I mean, that guy...what a rock star. Not only is he who he is, hello Beatles...but he is 71 years old and played for THREE HOURS! The last hour he played with the three living members of Nirvana! I mean, they were doing the rockier/harder Beatles stuff, and he was yelling and sounded incredible...after already playing for two hours. It was so impressive. And what an entertainer- telling jokes, fist pumping, thumb up giving. We both felt so grateful that we had the opportunity to see him...definitely a once in a lifetime kind of thing!

And as if Friday could get any better after the show...but Jimmy Fallon had Jesse & the Rippers on his show! Whaaaa?! Yes, as in Uncle Jesse's band on Full House. And after they played a four song medley, including their #1 in Japan hit song "Forever", Becky- Uncle Jesse's wife, came out and gave him a kiss. It was so great.

We were up late, and got up bright and early to make it back up to camp for breakfast on Saturday. We spent the morning there, and then headed over to Langley for the Useless Bay coffee stop. And then into the long ferry line back home. I wish we could have stayed in Langley all day...the sun had just burned through the clouds about 30 minutes before we left. BUT, you never know how long that ferry line is going to be and I had to babysit Saturday night.

Alright, I am off to study for my test.

But look- they are snuggling with each other (and me)...