Back in the Blogosphere

For the last two months I completely dropped off the blogosphere.  Most post ideas went as fast as they came and the truth was, I was just VERY BUSY.

In early September my husband returned from Afganistan.  We kept very busy with eachother, with recreational activities (getting ready for recreational activities = one full week of sewing period clothing) and finally a big trip out west. 

It was wonderful and we drove a LOT.  But we saw Grandma's and Grandpa's (aka parents) and cousins and friends.  We climbed to the top of Multnomah Falls and went climbing at an indoor Rock Wall with my former boss.  Laser Tag for our friends birthday and a train ride to North Dakota for my Great Grandma's birthday.  All awesome.

At home one or the other of us has been sick since mid October.  I haven't felt like doing ANYTHING.  Still, as long as I recover this week, we'll be past it now.

At church I got called into Young Womens.  I am a Laurel Advisor (in other words I teach 16-18 year olds 3 Sundays a month).  I've only done one lesson, but I really enjoyed it!  I really like them!  Today's lesson was not by me, but was about Gratitude.  I am very grateful for young womens, my family, my health and my home.  And that is really just the beginning!

We celebrated my little girls birthday this weekend!  I can't believe that our baby is 3 years old!  She is amazing and fun.  She learns quickly, she is stubborn and she likes things just so.  She loves to play and she is creative.  She amazes us every single day!

At least she doesn't bite. Yet.

I was recently congratulating myself on being lucky enough not to have a child who takes off their diaper and smears poop all over the walls. I had to engage in this kind of thinking because I have a not-quite-three year old who has decided nap time is for the birds. Bedtime at all for that matter. I have found this a bit of a challenge to deal with. I am exhausted. Some days she does in fact still need a nap, but will never take one until at least 3pm, so more often then not we keep her up anyway and deal with the crankiness. Not always.


So - even though she's in the process of giving up her naps, I still lay her down at 1 or so for quiet time in her crib. I did this today, though I am pretty much past hope of her actually falling asleep at this point. Just over an hour later she is sounding a bit upset so I decide to let her out - as long as she calms down a bit, which she does.

As I approach the bedroom I smell poop - and it all makes sense! Because even back in the days when she TOOK naps, she would poop about half the time and not go back to sleep until I changed her diaper. Seriously.


It takes me a moment to take in what is in store for me today. Which is a naked kid, with a BIG turd on the the sheets and poop over her hands and legs. This was, however, no poop turned finger painting incident. As soon as she sees me she bursts into tears about how she has yucky on her and needs to wash her hands. And a lot of "Take it off. Take it off mom!!" Which continues until I finish hosing her off in the tub and washing her hands with soap in the sink.


I think was happened was this: she pooped her diaper and didn't want a dirty diaper. I didn't hear her telling me she needed a diaper change so she took it off. She then discovered that - ew! this is a little gross, what do I do with this?Get it off me. Then I walked in.

2 more things: I think she is really mentally ready for potty training now (or soon) and perhaps I should convert her bed to toddler like I've been thinking so she could really come and tell me or at least sit on the frog potty in her room. But these things freak me out a little. Good thing Bill is coming home soon!

Now what?

I have returned. Apparently, I brought some rain with me.
I forgot how incredibly hot it is here. And humid. Okay, so I didn't forget that it was humid, I just forgot what it felt like.

I came home to a pretty clean house (thank you Kathy). Now I am sitting here looking at the messes on the floor feeling slightly overwhelmed (on account of all the projects I'd like to do to this place) and lonely. I hadn't thought of it before, but the truth is I've spent most of the last 6 weeks with other people. I don't know what to do here in this house. And now the thunder.

So, what next?

I am going to miss you...

I am going to miss you:

Mountains and hills

Cool evenings

Fred Meyer

Bruttles

FRIENDS

Tillamook Cheese

Open Spaces

Lake Coeur D'Alene!

Family

See you next time...

10 years gone!

Last weekend I had my 10 year high school reunion. Wow! Even though I was totally out of my element at the BAR (that all of these pictures are from) - I had an amazing time catching up and joking around. The next day we were on Lake Coeur d'Alene for a boat cruise (which was okay) but had a great time at our smaller get together at Rochelles place (thanks for the boat ride and the food and everything Chelle!). Sunday I made a stop at the family event, mostly to let Miriam play. It was fun, I stayed up way too late, got up way too early (I am mother to a 2 year old) and am glad to now be back to my regular life!

Thanks for a great time U High!

Clarity

I've been traveling!

I've already written a post about the first bit of my journey. I'm just not certain I am ready to put it up yet.

This second stretch in my journey has brought me back to my Dad and Dede's home in Oregon. I may have mentioned in the past how much I love visiting here. The weather is mild (compared to that humid area I'm currently residing in), everything is green and there are hills and (REAL) mountains to view. I love the river we visited and the trail we hiked down (although Miriam wasn't up for going all the way to the little falls). I love Saturday market and the beautiful fresh food. I love little local shops and eateries. I love hanging out it Dede's yard. She's picked an awesome array of plants and I like sitting or walking around looking at the landscaping.

I find myself looking for a little more clarity while I am here. I wouldn't say that I have found it at all. In fact, I may have more turmoil in some ways. But I always find a desire to be less wasteful when I am here. Better to the earth, work harder in my garden, find the important things to do with my family.

Maybe it's because of all the new age and gardening books I am browsing.

Any secrets to finding clarity in your life?

Every moment counts

(I've been on my trip for 5 weeks now - but when I started this post it had been 3)

What to post, what to post? I've been on my trip for almost 3 weeks. It's been enjoyable, crazy, and sometimes a little sad.

My mother in law has (had?) bone cancer. Found almost 2 years ago. For the last year and one half she's been undergoing treatments. That is to say, mostly major surgery. Her tumors have been in the pelvis, which is a tricky place for bone cancer. They've removed three tumors, she's had cadaver bone, then medical cement, then nothing taking the place of a chunk of her pelvis. She's battled a chronic infection. This spring they tried out chemotherapy. One round in the chronic infection flamed up, chemo was stopped and a surgery was performed that removed the last tumor, infected tissue AND the medical cement in her hip area.

When we first arrived in the Tri-Cities for our vacation she was having some issues. The short of the long is that she was assigned hospice care. I'm not sure what I think about it. I keep wondering if it was really necessary (it's not like they came in and said - the cancer is everywhere! There is nothing we can do). BUT I know our family there needs help and her pain needs to be under control.

My father-in-law is, so far, a bit of a rock. Very peaceful about the whole ordeal.

Bill arrived for his week off just after Miriam and I. We dealt with the ER and hospital stay for his mom (which resulted in above mentioned care). We took family pictures and had an anniversary dinner (7 years!), went to an art show and took a long walk with Grandpa Bill. We send Bill back to the desert.

After that we took a trip to Oregon, where I enjoyed my Dad and his wife, the great outdoors of Oregon and the Saturday market. I brought raspberries back to the Tri-Cities and made a great cobbler (though I say so myself). And I found out before I left that my sister in law is expecting another baby! Surprise!

This first part of the trip was very jam packed. In case you have been wondering where I have been.