Talking.

Mommy: "What does the elphant say, Ian?"
Ian: "Ppppppppppfgh."
Mommy: "What does the snake say, Ian?"
Ian: "Hssssssssssss."
Mommy: "What does the cow say?"
Ian: "Aha aha aha aha aha." (Like a dog panting. He does this for pretty much every animal.)

And there's a little insight into my daily life.

Good Times in Seattle.

My wonderful husband Aaron surprised me this Saturday with an AMAZING weekend in Seattle!

It all began at Cafe Ladro in Edmonds, eating a DELICIOUS Spinach and Feta Croissant, and yummy NF Almond Latte.

I am in love with Cafe Ladro. They make PERFECT lattes! (But I've been working on my coffee art so I have to say I'm a pretty big competitor). :)

Then we took off for Seattle. As some of you know, I am a very impatient person, so this was REALLY hard for me to not have ANY idea what we were doing!

We parked under Pacific Place Mall and headed inside. And of course, Aaron had to stall for about 10 minutes before actually telling me what we were doing. I grew up listening to the Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas cassette tape, so I was thrilled to find out we were seeing the movie! SO funny. And Jason Lee wasn't as annoying as he usually is.

I was STARVING by the time the movie was over so thankfully lunch was right in the mall! Aaron took me to one of my favorite cuisines EVER, SUSHI!!!! If you haven't been to Todai Sushi, I just have to let you know you're missing out.

It was todai for. Haha.

On our way to the hotel, I saw a HUGE sign for the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker, gave a sly grin to Aaron, and that's all it took to break open the secret. THE NUTRACKER! Woohoo! I had never seen the PNB Nutcracker. Only the Olympic Ballet Nutcracker, which I actually performed in once as a Buffoon. I'm so famous. :)

We went to this little bar for appetizers and drinks called "Moxie." It was great, except for the really slow delivery on the food. Sheesh. But I actually tried this Rhubarb Soda that was pretty good, and had some really yummy fries. (Once I told the waiter I would just go get Dick's fries, he suggested their own fries and I must admit, they just may be better than Dick's fries.)

After Moxie, it was off to the Nutcracker. We were on Tier 1, great view. Loved the Ballet, and was SO thankful for this fun date and opportunity to see one of my favorite shows EVER.

So anyway, great show, fun date, good times. We also went to McMenamins afterward and had spicy wings and some good nacho dip stuff.

Thank you Aaron!!!!!

OH I ALMOST FORGOT! Last but certainly not the least was a fun random meeting with my long lost sister, Becky. :) Aaron and I were eating complimentary breakfast downstairs in our hotel, when who should walk in, but Becky and Hans! I was so excited to see them!

Ok anyway, now I'm really done.

A New Blog!

Hey Everyone,

I have added a blog to my long list of things I now have to check and update online. I was about to actually quit blogging entirely, but then I felt like something good can come out of blogging.

I'm starting a Verse of the Day blog. If you go to this new blog and read my first post called, "Introduction," you can read why I'm doing it.

In short, I feel like blogging as a morning devotion and prayer can really be fulfilling for me, and a really good way to start the day. I also feel like God uses my words so often, I really should write them down.

Here's the link:
www.verseofthedayblaine.blogspot.com

And if you like it and want to share it, please feel free.

Back in 2003, members of my church were going through this book, "The Purpose Driven Life." I remember it affecting me so much. Even though I had committed my life to following Christ, it had never occurred to me that I should be asking God's Will in the world around me, instead of just His Will for my life. Finding our purpose in the big story, instead of being so self-centered.

I was actually learning all this just as I started to date Aaron, now my husband. It was a good time to learn this concept and have it really affect my life, because I think it transformed the way I viewed my wedding, marriage, my move to Blaine, and my perspective on my future.

I've always been driven to follow Christ and listen to where He's leading me. But it makes more sense to live with Him AS our purpose. That we're not just following Him, we're joining His Purpose.

Quiet Mornings and Google Quizzes

The rules are for each question type your answer into Google Image Search. Pick one image from the 1st page results.

1. Age at your next birthday

2. Place you'd like to travel to.

3. Favorite Place
Lake Serene on Highway 2.
4. Favorite Objects

Blankets and Beds.
5. Favorite Food

Greek Food!
6. Favorite Colors


7. Nickname

8. Place you were born

Snow!!!

Table M... Ian! Stop throwing food on the ground!

Call me oblivious ("Hi Oblivious, how are you?"), but I have no idea how to teach Ian table manners. He is definitely at the age where he shouldn't be smearing peanutbutter all over his tray and throwing grapes on the floor!

I've tried having him at the table without his tray, and with a normal plate with food on it... but of course, the inevitable tipping of the plate occurs and it all goes down his lap, the very place I was trying to prevent his food from going.

So I guess my questions are these:

1. IS 16 months the age babies SHOULDN'T be doing this?

2. How do I teach him how to use food properly when he still thinks "NO" is a game we like to play?

3. What DOESN'T work? (Because I must be doing that).

I'd honestly rather hear from real moms than from a book!

What is it about apple-picking...

And dirt roads...
And abandoned farmhouses...
And the kneading of bread...And unripe tomatoes...
That makes me want to be...

Make like a tree and bake some cookies for me.

So, I decided I am officially leaving MySpace. I am making this crazy attempt at de-onlining myself, and getting out more. I feel like I already get out a lot, but there is so much to do out there, from meeting people, to developing friendships, jumping in puddles with Ian, and following God's voice. I feel like what holds me back is my fascination with anything on a shiny screen.

I'm keeping my blog, and I'm still on Facebook because I have reconnected with so many people. But MySpace is just getting boring!

Q & A

I got this quiz randomly off a friend's friend's blog...

WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GOOD AT? Lyrics. I'm kind of like Drew Barrymore in "Music and Lyrics."

IF YOU COULD CHANGE PLACES WITH ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, FOR ONE DAY, WHO WOULD IT BE? Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland (country music band)... she just has this voice that rocks. I'd love to have a voice like that. OR, I'd like to be her backup singer.

WOULD YOU RATHER BE A LITTLE SMARTER OR A LITTLE SEXIER? Well, if I said I'd rather be sexier that would be shallow. :) So I'll say I'd rather be smarter. (But I mean sexier).

THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE WAS.. to encourage my husband to buy our coffeeshop! Its been an adventure and I know we'll look back and be glad we took the chance.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOTHER RIGHT ABOUT? Way too much.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Being well-rounded. Yes, I focused on soccer intensely, but I am capable of so much more. I'm glad that once soccer ended, there was more of ME to discover and improve! I have so much that makes me happy!

SOMETHING ON MY MIND LATELY: As always, excessive lifestyles. Do we need a huge Thanksgiving dinner or gifts at Christmas? Can we transform those holidays back into what they were MEANT to be??? I have $100 from tips, and from Craigslist... and I want CLOTHES but should I use it on that? SHOULD, NEED, WANT, GIVE, SERVE, COULD HAVE... those are the concepts on my mind lately.

Scene: Monday night, almost asleep and in bed, lying next to my husband Aaron who should be asleep two hours ago. We have been contemplating the idea of changing the name of our cafe to either a) something more modern, or b) something that fits us or the area in which we live.

"Haha hehe ha hmm..." I giggled.

"What." said Aaron.

"We should call our cafe CAFE BIBLE. Hehe... or maybe SALVATION CAFE." I said. "We could be like 'Hey! Come get a latte and wash your sins away!' "

"Yeah, and we could sell Testa-mints," responded Aaron.

A minute later...

"Haha! Testa-mints!"

2 Minutes later...

"Hey, would you like to circum-size that?" I laughed.

Shockingly, Aaron gets my joke. "So, are you asking if I want the smaller meal?"

"Yep."

"Nice."

5 Minutes later, after much silence and snoring from the other side of the bed...

"Hehe ha ha ha HA! Hmm..... he he he he he he."

"Honey, go to bed." snored Aaron.

" I can't!"

"Are you still thinking about the mints."

"Hehe he ha ha ha ha."

"Go to bed."

And really, that was the end of it.

Its 1:53... and no, I don't mean in the early afternoon. I am up on my blog at 1:53 in the not-supposed-to-be-conscious morning.

I got up 3 TIMES for Ian, which NEVER happens. I haven't really slept yet. He always sleeps well, never whines during the night, and suddenly he's up and wants to play... then whine, then run, then lay down, then get up, then climb on things, then whine. You get the point.

1:55 am. Ian is 15 months old. Probably teething. I was fine with the first 8 teeth (so was Ian). But this time around its a WHOLE different ball-game.

Any suggestions beside Tylenol? (Which I already gave him, only half of a 2-year-old's dose)

I'm not tired yet. Craigslist here I come!

Cheerio.

I'm putting a door on our pantry.

Scene: Monday morning, hanging out with a friend at her apartment, my cell phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Yes, this is Nurse Whoever from Dr. Confidential's office, how are you today?"

"I'm fine, thanks." I reply.

"Well, this is just a call to remind you of your 8 1/2 week appointment tomorrow at 10am."

... long awkward pause...

"Umm, well, I had a miscarriage about a month ago, and came in to see the doctor. I guess I assumed this appointment would have been cancelled."

"OH DEAR I AM SO SORRY ABOUT THAT. Yes, you're right, that really should have been taken care of."

"Oh its ok really," I say, chuckling to lighten up the conversation.

"OH I'M SO SORRY. Well you take care honey."

"Thanks, you too."

Yep, real conversation. I headed home after that.

It was followed up by a hug from Aaron and a good amount of tears, then a few hours later, a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Aaron. Then followed up by the oddest couple of days I've ever had, including Ian trying to convince me he needed chocolate truffles for breakfast (or, just eating them). The End.

Sew Inventive.

Props to my Mom, who sewed Ian's Happy the Dwarf Hat and label, Lucy's Dopey hat and label, AND Odi's Snow White Dress! Comments all over the map were "I thought they bought those at the Disney Store!"

Sew, props to Cindy "I am a Genius at all things Children" Leffel.

She also taught me the tune to "Three Little Kittens", which apparently no one else in Blaine knows. Haha.

Ghoul Times in Blaine.

Polyester Man and Happy the Dwarf.

Aaron and I. We were still bored at this point, then chaos broke loose and everyone and their uncle showed up. I don't know what I was, which is how it usually turns out for me on Halloween.
Order Here.
Eat this.
Ian and his Tele-Evangelist Used Car Salesman Grandfather.

Piece of Cake.

If any of y'all have recipes, or ideas, for our cafe, (REALLY! ANYTHING!) we'd love to hear it. We are at the point where we need to expand, but need to figure out which direction to take. Grilled sandwiches? Pastries? Shots of Tequila?