Rude Awakenings.

The past three days, Ian has woken up at 6:30am, 6:45am, and this morning, 6:20am. His bedtime has stayed the same and our days have stayed the same. He's 2 years and 5 months old. For the past 2 years of his life, he's slept from 8pm to 8am.

This morning, I tried my mom's advice and told him "Its still nightime, go back to bed." I helped him back into bed... and waited. He got up again, so I put him back in bed again. I did this 5 times!

So, blog readers who have kids or at least a vast knowledge of kids and their make-up... any ideas?

Bein' Real.

And no, that's not next to Camino Real.

Transparency and honesty have been on my mind quite a bit lately. It is so necessary, to foster good friendships and relationships, to be somewhat open with who you are... but without disclosing every detail of your inner monologue. (That should be left for your husband, who will sit there smiling and nodding while he thinks of the upcoming superbowl).

So, in relation to blogging, I have been battling this a bit. Some people choose to just put up artsy stuff, music, political info and opinions, and some people on the flip side almost treat their blog as their online diary. I'd say both are fine... it just comes down to how much public exposure you can handle.

So in finding a balance between both, here is a list of my thoughts, all real, but in a nutshell and without detail so as to not bore you or disclose TMI.

- Someone needs to teach classes on how to be a nurturing, educating parent... two things that haven't always completely come naturally to me. I'm the younger and youngest sibling, and due to the 5 year diff in age, could also be classified as the only child.

- I wish I had time to exercise. I miss it, incredibly.

- I want to bash our TV in and never replace it, but other times I want to hug it.

- Would I regret weaning Ana at a mere 6 months, just because I need to work more and help make money? (By the way, feedback on this and any other of my thoughts is GREAT)

- I love The Office. I might as well be a character on the show. I'd be a mix between Pam Beasley and Kelly Kapur.

- I was reading an article in a magazine last night about training your brain against habits. Not just bad habits... just any habits you're trying to quit or cut back on. For me, obviously, its my computer use. I will be doing small things to get myself off this thing, but still maintain the level of communication I have with the online world. It will just be more condensed and purposeful. Which is why I wrote this potpourri of sorts. (BTW I'd like to say this one smells like citrus and spice)

- Fried Eggs, Fresh Wheat Toast on Homemade Bread, Trader Joe's Blackberry Tea. Yum. Bye!

A Moment of Sanity.

Ian figured out how to turn the TV on this morning, and has been a zombie for the past half hour. So sue me, I need my moment of sanity. :)

What? A new president? Where have I been!?

Just kidding. Its posted, tacked, advertised everywhere... how could anyone miss it.

I am looking forward to a "new era."

BUT... I have to say, now that we have a new beginning with a new president and NO clean slate, its about time we all did OUR part to make this world a better place.

Are you with me?

There are so many things I know I can do better in my life, including:

- turning lights off when I'm not using them
- less driving, more walking
- shorter showers
- no gossiping
- drive with less rage
- exercise
- eat better
- help my family eat better
- be nice to people who bug me
- and so much more

I feel like its a second New Years.

Those are my thoughts this morning, in my uncaffeinated, somewhat groggy state. :)

Odelia.

I just found this the other day on our computer... its a darling video of our niece Odelia, dancing at the age of 2 1/2. SO CUTE!

Ian Douglas.

I have to show off a little bit. Ian is now 2 years and 4 months old. While his language skills are at par on the "Typical Boy Scale," his intelligence far surpasses it! I really wonder how it feels to understand so many things and be able to express so many things without the full ability to speak!

He just recently got a Little People Noah's Ark Set, and has been doing the cutest things with it. First, he started having the lions talk to each other, and ask each other for applesauce "Bappo-dush." He has continued on to name the characters. He'll line them up and point to them, saying "Mommy Daddy Nana Bapa choo choo... hee hee."

And now this:Brings new life to the flood, eh?

Ian has also been aware of what a "circle" is since he was about 16 months old. And he's never stopped saying it any differently from when he started: "Geeko." I keep trying to correct him, but he insists its geeko.

Everywhere we walk, he points them out. When Ana is doing her tummy time, Ian says "Geeko Nana, Geeko," so she will roll over! And just recently, we discovered something pretty amazing. Ian can draw a perfect circle. Its not perfect in shape obviously, but he somehow manages to meet the two ends of the line at PRECISELY the same point. Without any problem! At first we thought it was a fluke, especially Grandma and Grandpa Tuski who were shocked and amazed at Ian's mad skills!

And finally, Ana, Ian and Ty:
Ty is the bear in Ian's arm. Ty goes everywhere with Ian, especially bed. Ty can do lots of things. He can drive a dump truck and jump really high. When we ask Ian where Ty is, he says "Ty nigh-night," implying Ty is napping! But Ty's favorite thing to do is wave to Daddy (with Ian's help) when Ian and Ty go nigh-night.

Sidenote: SO glad Ian has a comfort bear. That means we can end this whole binky addiction once-and-for-all!

Last thing: I love doing the "1-2-3" technique for discipline. Actually for us, its just "1....." and Ian does whatever I need him to! Yay!

So that's about it! Ian has finally turned a corner so many things, and its getting "easier." Now that he is at least understanding more.

Blankets.

On Sunday, I drove to Seattle to see my Grandparents, and visit some friends. As I traveled south, I just had a weird feeling. First off, my engine was smoking as I stopped in Conway to get coffee. But there was more to my feelings of uncertainty, and I just couldn't figure out what it was. I at least called Aaron, who reassured me that if all fluid levels in my car were fine, then I would be ok continuing on my trip.

So I headed south, and had a great time visiting everyone!

I was stopped for dinner at the Lockwoods as the snow began to pour. I didn't really think it looked that bad until I was out driving in it. Visibility was terrible. The flakes were large, and coming down very heavily. In addition, the slush on the roads affected tire traction, and the stupid drivers on the road affected the safety of my car and small baby in the backseat.

I continued north, and witnessed some of the worst driving conditions I've actually driven in. If I wasn't careful to drive in the same tire ruts everyone else had, I could just hit slush and completely lose control. On top of that, going at a high speed with heavy snow made me completely dizzy.

As I hit the foothills south of Bellingham, I began to see multiple cars pulled over on the side of the road, and a few collisions. I pressed on, doing my best job to drive well.

Then a song came on the radio. Not my favorite tune in the world, but the words of the song really hit me.

"All things bright and beautiful You are
All things wise and wonderful You are
In my darkest night, You brighten up the skies
A song will rise

I will sing a song of hope
Sing along
God of heaven come down
Heaven come down
Just to know that You are near is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down

All things new
I can start again
Creator, God
Calling me Your friend
Sing praise, my soul
To the Maker of the skies
A song will rise

I will sing a song of hope
Sing along
God of heaven come down
Heaven come down
Just to know You and be loved is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down

I listened to the words as the snow blanketed everything around me. It covered my car, the trees, the wrecked cars, the road, the hills and houses in the distance.

And I thought to myself, "God covers us like this snow." He covers everything, good and bad.

Just as the snow falls, blanketing everything around us, so does God in our wrecked world. Just as the snow brightens up the sky, so does God in our hearts. Just as the snow settles on the earth, God settles on all creation, making Himself known. He makes things new, and gives things hope that had no hope.

It was a great moment in the midst of such chaos around me!