Found.

I used to type out my journal entries a lot in college, mostly because I had a laptop and could sit in bed and type until I fell asleep. Sounds silly, but it really works... not only to maintain sanity, but also to make me fall asleep FAST!

I was reading through them just now, and found a rather amusing one.

"…so she sat down at her computer and began typing. She just sat there, for hours and hours, thoughts running through her head like really really sticky syrup. Yes, she had writer’s block. She needed a solution, and fast. But from where would she find this miracle solution? She didn’t know, so she grabbed her car keys in hope that her car would take her there. Little did she know, she had to be in the car for it to take her anywhere."

Ich bin sehr dankbar für...

I looked that up. I don't really speak German. It means "I am thankful for..."

- family, friends, food, shelter, clothing, health (those are all givens)

- my Grandma being out of the hospital

- having a sense of humor

- the election being over

- God's voice YELLING at me lately

- a sweet and understanding son (who let me lie down for 20 minutes today)

- quiet moments like this

- gorgeous-smelling candles

- AND... da da dada... 4 days off!!!

Meme from Christie

*First of all, I finally looked up the definition of the word "meme." It means "Any idea or behavior that can pass from one person to another by learning or imitation." I had always just assumed it meant something like that, but had to make sure before I used it. I've always been fine just not knowing the exact definitions of words, but I've made up my mind to start looking up EVERYTHING. Its one thing to know how to spell it (I am the champion), but quite another to know precisely what it means!

*The reason this is a meme from Christie is because as of late, she has begun to do "bullet posts" a.k.a. write her posts in very easy to understand lists. I've enjoyed reading her blog lately... she and I went to the same church for quite a long time and haven't seen each other in a while, so it has been so great to get a glimpse into her life through her blog. And she has the cutest little baby blump ever. :)

*Aaron is sick-ish so he's in bed, which is why I'm up blogging. (Funny, I just realized Christie is also married to an "Aaron.") And Ana goes down for bed at 9pm, but I squeeze a 10pm dream-feed in before I go to bed, and "Voila"... she sleeps till 8am! Actually, she'd sleep longer if I let her! (And yes, I know not all babies are like that... I try not to tell other moms how long I get to sleep at night).

*I really love my life. There are always small worries, fears, irritations, you name it. But lately I have been looking at the panoramic snapshot of my life and really, I'm living large. I have a roof over my head, food in the fridge AND pantry, a husband, two kids, and JUST enough money to pay bills and occasionally buy little extras like a bleach pen. :)

*Thanksgiving and Christmas. The over-indulgent holidays. I love seeing that more and more people are being frugal. For many, its simply because their money is tight. For others (like my kind-of-sister Abbey), its a Christian-based principle of really thinking about what we spend money on and whether we need it or not... even in GIVING gifts! (The other OBVIOUS Christian based principle is the fact that Christmas is about CHRIST, and not WALMART.) I know so many people this Christmas will spend WAY too much on gifts, food, decorations... but if at least 2 more people each year see through the consumerism into the true meaning of Christmas because I have said something, I feel I've done my part.

*That said, its WONDERFUL to give, and WONDERFUL to receive, don't get me wrong!... but where is your heart? That's what matters. Is it a heart of greed, or a heart of thankfulness?

*Speaking of greed, I think I figured it out. We'll see if my argument connects and makes sense. Lately I realized I am a chocolate and ice cream addict (actually, I didn't realize it lately... I realized it about 27 years ago). I can't stop. Some days, I have a bowl after lunch, AND a bowl after dinner. And if you sneak in a chocolate or two each day, those are a lot of fatty calories just waiting to make me obese later in life! So as a start, for the past week I have completely given up both... chocolate and ice cream are out of my diet. I have said its only until New Years Eve, but we'll see. I feel pretty good, like the desire isn't really there anymore. I slipped up ONCE at our little friend Maddie's birthday party with a mini chocolate cupcake, but that's IT! For me, that is amazing. So, connecting it with greed, I think I realized I am a greedy person. I like to say I don't want anything, but on the inside there are major things I want, so much that when the holiday has come and gone, I am utterly disappointed. SO, I am starting this greed problem by giving up ice cream and chocolate. I figure if I can give up such ultimate greedy temptations in my life, I can begin to battle the true problem. Maybe I'll stop wanting, and start wanting to give.

*You can see I am not pointing fingers. Just wanted to make that clear. :)

Our Trip.

Last weekend, two major things happened. my Grandma came down with double-lung pneumonia and a heart issue at the same time, leading to a heart surgery to SUCCESSFULLY repair her mitral valve. The same weekend, we were scheduled to head to the coast for a relaxing weekend at Aunt Diane's beach house. Somehow, we accomplished both seeing my Grandma, AND going on vacation. My Grandma had gone into heart surgery in Seattle the day we left, so we were actually able to stop in at the hospital just in time to hear the news on how the surgery went, say hi to my Grandpa, Mom, Janet, and Linda, then head on our way to the coast. I think if the surgery hadn't gone well, we probably wouldn't have continued on. But we did, and we kept her in our prayers the whole time. It kept hitting me that this could be very serious, and every time I thought of that I prayed. Now she is doing better by the day, and dealing with the healing process.

The beach house is out on the beautiful Cranberry Coast in Grayland, WA. SOOO beautiful this time of year! I wanted to share a few pics for you all. I think they really capture the essence of our trip... the relaxation, peaceful atmosphere we were able to enjoy for four days without interruption! (Except to hear news about my Grandma, which was a welcome interruption)

This is the 1/4 mile path to the ocean from the beach house. I just want to write a poem about it. Oh wait, I did. I'll post it once I finalize it.

Yes, I am in my bare feet. And yes, the water was FREEZING!

Here I am, pretending not to be frozen, and with Ian, who was still looking at me instead of saying cheese.

Daddy, Ian, Sand, Ocean.

I want to be a baby again.

I love the landscape!

Ian and his belly.Sweet Ana Clare.

So that was it. I am so happy our usually-lame camera cooperated!

Back From the Coast.

This is just a sneak peak of our trip to Aunt Diane's Cabin in Grayland, WA.
We stayed THREE nights and slept in EVERY morning!

Pray for my Grandma.

My Grandma is having open-heart surgery today... prep begins at noon. Please pray for the doctor and my Grandma during the surgery, and for her quick healing and recovery.

Here are a few pics of her...

Grandma Alice is the one in the grey jacket. This is from my high school graduation party! These are all my GParents... Bill and Alice on the left, and Ann and Phil on the right. They're awesome.

And this is four generations! I love old pictures. That's Great-Grandma Eula Caler on the left, my Mom and I in the middle, and Grandma Alice on the right. Crazy, huh? And crazy resemblance between Ana and I, huh?!

7am.

Since November 2nd, the day we also know as "Fall Back," I have been in a morning battle with my children (in addition to the rest of the day). I was trying with all my might to readjust their systems to the new 8am waketime.

Not happening. As much as I've tried to keep them up later, they just keep waking up at 6:45 or 7am!! Arg!

This is a battle I cannot win. Therefore, I give in. Ian.... Ana... you can wake up at 7am. AND go to BED at 7pm!! Mua ha ha.

Oh and the picture above... I want to live down a road like that. If not, I'll settle for a beach in Maui.

Moo.

I recently checked this movie out at the library for Ian:Big mistake... big mistake. All I hear, all day, every day, is "MORE MOO! MORE MOO!!"

Election Day.

Actually, I'm sick of the election. I voted, what's done is done. My vote won't count since I voted NEITHER democrat or republican. :)

Instead, here are a few of my favorite things (beside warm woolen mittens).

New Balance Running Shoes:

Shiatsu Massage Pad w/ Quad Roller.

The Office. All of it.

ANY and ALL Yankee Candle Company Candles.
I take that back ANY except pine or leaf scented. :)

Cute Rain Boots. Bright, child-like designs a must.

Trick or Treat!

Mouse (Odi) and Dragon (Maddie)

Cooperation.Mouse, Amanda, and Steve Irwin.Trick or Cheep!