True Story:

{postscripted}

2010-01-08T16:52:00.000-08:00

Hello dear blogging friends, I've jumped into a new adventure of blogging alongside business, please join me at: {postscripted}

Let me quietly announce that I am in the process of launching a jewelry Etsy shop & blog. I say quietly because everything is still very much under development and my designs will not likely be up for sale until Feb 1st, my goal date.

I don't yet know what this means for my True Story blog, but I'm excited for this new direction and the accountability that a blog connected to a business will hold for me writing wise- hopefully it will help me to remember to blog some of the million things that are constantly rolling around my mind waiting for me to write out!

I've been blogger quiet

2009-11-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

..but I have certainly been busy! Making this for dinner, {only I added garlic and cooked in a crock pot, I, like PW am a tweaker}and let me tell you it was amazing and we stretched it into 3 meals!

...and working hard at doing this {shhh! Matt doesn't know about this one. but hopefully he is feeling the effects!}p.s. want to join? there's still time!

...of which has been incredible in many ways, but especially in light that Matt is currently going through a difficult work related event and am already in the mode of watching my words, seeking to be extra encourager helpmate, and seeking to be more vigilant in my prayer & time with the Lord!

...so tie that in with a month of traveling nearly every weekend, life with two small children, both of which are now eating solid foods {!} a ton of correspondence that I had fallen behind in {caught up before this entry!} and trying to keep in some big secrets {no, sorry mom I'm not pregnant!} which is totally exhausting for me because I nearly burst with good news when I have it.

So let me just release a little of that pressure by saying that I am indeed overwhelmed with the job of starting my own business, and yes it's on the beloved Etsy, and no, I'm not ready to announce what it is quite yet. Hoping to be ready to open shop at the end of this month!

Have an (artichoke) heart

2009-10-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

Artichokes used to intimidate me- but we've recently made peace. I cant wait to try this recipe out, a new one freshly posted from Pioneer Woman. My stomach growled at the oil, garlic & onion alone. Which is pretty much a staple in this family- if we could make pancakes with those ingredients as a base, we might!

All my married ladies

2009-10-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

I've joined a 30-day encouragement challenge at Laughing Family, will you consider joining as well?

Welcome, Maxton

2009-10-07T13:43:00.000-07:00

Dearest Maxton Graham,

This is the story of the days of your birth and of your daddy and my first meeting of you. I first want to thank you for coming a week early. I'll always be grateful for an extra week with you! You have been nothing but considerate since the day of your birth.

My favorite place in Spokane is Manito park. I can't wait to take you there! On Friday, April 24th, my friend Patricia and I set out with your sister and Emma to the park, as we had so many times before. It was a special day because for the first time, the girls were old enough to play on the playground together. We marveled over the change just over a year had brought, and how this potentially could be the last time we took just two kids with us.

little did I know {only hope}

I made it home from the park minutes before your grandparents Jim and Kathy arrived. They had made the trip from Moses Lake to come take your daddy and I out to dinner. I suggested Chili's, half jokingly saying that a spicy jalapeno burger might be a good idea. I was hoping it might motivate your arrival! Sure enough, I was just polishing off my fries when your Poppi asked me if I was ok. I had silently been breathing through some contractions that my experienced birthing body told me were not just Braxton Hicks. I didn't want to jump the gun by announcing that I was in labor with you, and had been focusing on my relaxation techniques, but your Poppi's perceptive nature picked up on my apparent discomfort.

We decided to go ahead and make the trip to the hospital at 11:30 that night, since I didn't want to keep your Nana and Poppi if this wasn't actually the real thing- which seemed likely since I was convinced I was doomed to long and severely overdue labors and we were still a week from your due date. I figured it couldn't hurt to at least get checked and we prepared ourselves for the likely hood of being sent home with a pat on the back and without you.

I was checked and found to be at a 3, with consistent contractions. At about 1:00 am we began our familiar trek of a loop we'd previously designed 16 months ago with your sister Maiya: 2nd floor to 1st, to the cafeteria, to the gift shop, and up the stairs to the third. It felt so strange to be doing it again!

I was checked again at 3:00, and found that the contractions had lessened in their intensity. My midwife Kathy said I could decide to either keep walking, or go ahead and head home for the night to try and get some sleep. I think she could see the devastation on my face. The adrenaline that had me doing flights of stairs for the past two hours had worn thin from my already tiring day, and the thought of more walking was discouraging to say the least. As I laid on the bed contemplating my decisions, Kathy gave me a compassionate look and said, "your in-laws are already here with Maiya, and you've been having extreme sciatic pain. You could barely even lay on the table long enough to be examined yesterday. Do you want to have a baby today? We can make it happen. " I nodded as a breathed a relieved YES! "Ok, let's have a baby today Malerie. "

Let's have a baby today. No other words could have been as sweet to my ears. Kathy told me to go ahead and try to get some rest while I still could. Once she left your daddy and I kept grinning and repeating those words, "we're going to have a baby today!" We couldn't wait to meet you!

I woke up a few hours later around 5:00 and laid in bed, attempting to sleep but failing miserably. I was simply just too excited and my energy had been renewed. I mercifully felt as though those 2 hours had been 10, and I was ready to get walking again. I suspected that your daddy would not feel the same way, and I held out until 6:00 to wake him. I wanted him to be able to be wide awake to enjoy meeting you later that day!

Around 12:00 pm we found out that Grandma B, who originally had warned me not to go into labor on April 25th, since she had to work, was on her way after a gathering of co-workers lovingly arranged for all her photo shoots to be covered. Knowing that she would arrive around 6:00, and knowing that I wanted more than anything to see Maiya before she went down for the night at 7:00 {I couldn't bear to go another day without seeing her} I asked Kathy if we could make 6:00 our goal time for delivering you. I loved her response of a smile and "why not?"

And so, just as we had done 16 months previously with your sister, we walked, and walked, and walked some more. I bounced on the birthing ball while reading a "Real Simple" magazine, watched the "new version" of Pride & Prejudice, took a bath, listened to Matt's excited phone conservations to our family members about your progress, ate a few room service meals, walked more, enjoyed a few back/foot rubs from Matt, and made friends with the new rotations of nurses. I didn't feel like I was laboring- it felt like a vacation/date where I was doing all of my favorite things while enjoying the company of your wonderful daddy.

I received my epidural around 5:30 that evening. Other than the 4 {count them, 4} IV attempts in my arms due to my "stubborn veins", it was the hardest part of the labor for me. I was at a 7 but still in manageable pain at the time of my epi. Unlike the birth of Maiya, this time I was far more coherent and able to be upset at the thought of a giant needle being inserted into my back. It was a feat for me to get through, not because of the pain of the process, but of the mental power it took for me to keep a " relaxed C curved back," and jump as little as possible {which still ended up to be quite a lot}. I silently chanted your name in my head, certain that you'd look like a Maxton, and even more certain that I was going to meet you soon.

Pitocin up, waters broken, and my eyes panning between both the wonderful, painless contraction arches on the monitor, and the "old version" Pride & Prejudice, I was in Heaven-on-Earth. Your father and I spent quiet time giggling excitedly over the anticipation of meeting our you, asking God to prepare our hearts and bless us with a safe delivery, and whispering words of love for one another. It was the similar to the hour we shared before Maiya's birth- a pinnacle moment of our lives and a memory we will always treasure.

{happy woman with an epidural, minutes from Maxton}

I was checked and given the green light to push only minutes after your Grandma B arrived. The epi was perfect this time- I could feel the sensations as I pushed without pain and was able to watch the whole process in a mirror. In an unbelievable two pushes, you were fully crowning. The cord was wrapped around your neck and Kathy calmly asked me to stop pushing and gently unwrapped it. It wasn't until later that I realized- hey, that was scary! The cord was around your neck and he was blue! That's just how good our midwife is.

One more push {grand total 3 pushes} and suddenly I was pulling you onto my chest. You had your mouth wide open, but no sound was coming from your voice. Finally, you let out one small cry. Kathy and the nurses worked quickly to get you to breathe, suctioning out your mouth and rubbing you while you lay on my chest. In my elation I barely noticed their concern, and felt none of my own. Once again, it wasn't until later when your Grandma B expressed the concern she had felt as she sat outside the door and only heard one small cry and then silence that it dawned on me that it was a scary situation. My mom said it took a long time for them to play the chiming bells that announce that you had been born, whereas with Maiya it was nearly instantaneous with her cry. It still makes me tear up to imagine your delayed bells.

{fresh from the oven}

You were a Maxton Graham Brock, no doubt about it. At first glance, you looked just like your sister, but with your daddy's nose and a with a super long body {21.25 rather than 19 inches}. You nursed vigorously for a good 20 minutes before meeting your delighted Grandma's, Grandpa, and Uncle and Aunts. You even smiled a few times before even being three hours old. You have one dimple on your left cheek, and no one seems to be able to stop kissing it. So. cute.

{family of 4, with Kathy- deliverer of both our babies}

The Lord truly blessed us with a wonderful delivery and even more wonderful son.We couldn't have imagined or asked for a smoother transition into our life. Maiya adores you and is very attentive {and a bit too helpful at times} and loves to love on you.You have a very laid back personality, and just seem to go with the flow of our family schedule and life events. I am still amazed at the ease that you have slipped into our family and it feels as if we've always had two kids.

We'll love forever,
your Mama

{I found this tucked away in my "drafts" box...forgotten momentarily in the hubbub of daily living with two small children!}

Great experence. (With BaBys)

2009-05-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

I believe in the power of the American dream. This, however, is truly ambitious. Check out the pamphlet that we found taped to our door:

I've black bar'ed the numbers and address to protect the ~~children~~ innocent. The second page reads:

$5.00 an hour
Molly-12 years old, girl, and lovely entertainer
Cassie-10 years old, girl, and suddle listener
Darcy-10 years old, lady, and playful
Makila- 10 years old, young woman, quiet and careing
Connor-10 years old, guy, and very TOUGH

We all have great experence. (With BaBys)

{Their numbers are then all listed, and apparently 12 year old Molly has a cell number as well. Or her mother does}

Some of the things I love about this:
*the logo and hand drawn graphics. Gold star!
* that the kids knew that redundancy in a pamphlet is a big no no, and they utilized the words lady and young woman, rather than repeating the word girl.
*The fact that Connor is TOUGH. In all caps and underlined.
*Suddle listener. Enough said.
*The fact that most kids this age just have a lemonade stand. This is truly creative- they even have a business name.
* "experence" with "BaBys." Another enough said.
*The guts it took to not only tape it to our door, but Cassie actually came over from next door {I'm not sure who the other listed kids are} and asked Matt if he got it {he was mowing the lawn}. Then she proceeded to pitch her business! At 10 years old! She even reminded Matt that they have a good variety of sitters and that he can hire all or some to come over at once, depending on his preferences. She congratulated Matt on his new son {good client skills!} and encouraged him once again to call if ever needed. He didn't have the heart to tell her we don't hire 10 years old to watch our babies.

Later that day Cassie's dad was talking to Matt and he mentioned that we got Cassie's flyer. "What flyer?" he asked, his voice dripping with suspicion. "Oh, the babysitting business flyer." "Babysitting business!? She's only 10 years old!" "I figured you didn't know about it," Matt said. "No I certainly did not...I'll be talking to her. Sheesh! When I was their age..." and he trailed off about how kids are growing up too fast.

Don't they though? Matt and I had decided we'd marry and be missionaries to Africa at age 12. So why can't 12 & 10 year olds ~~have~~ try to have a babysitting business?

note taken.

2009-05-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Twice today {and within an hour} I came across this quote in two different ways- once it was e-mailed to me by my Grandma Jane, and then once here. I don't consider it a coincidence. It was one of those moments where I was struck by a feeling that God was saying, take note of this, my child.

I needed to be reminded of this today. I need to be reminded of this everyday.

He's here!

2009-04-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

Maxton Graham Brock arrived on April 25th at 6:25 pm, 8.4 lbs and 20 3/4 long.
You can see his hospital snapshots here!

I'm slowly piecing together a birth story blog...I hope to publish it soon. A new header is in the works too (one that has both our kids!), once I receive the disc of pictures that my ~~personal paparazzi~~ mom has mailed me. As our midwife Kathy put it when while we were listening to the sound of Max's heartbeat "you hear that Maiya? It's the sound of you being the center of the universe shattering."

*edit: Max measured today at 21 1/4, and with his long fingers and toes we think he might be a tall guy! Matt is coming to terms with this...

Sparrows and arrows

2009-04-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

In the midst of all my nesting craziness, I've really been seeking to keep perspective on not forgetting to love and enjoy each day in the present time. I do not want the preparations for our son to take precedence over the care and nurturing of my first baby, my sweet one and only baby girl.

I've been simultaneously working on teaching Maiya that mama can't always hold her, or let her take my hand to be lead somewhere, or read her a book. She's going to have to learn I can't stop nursing baby boy or changing his diaper to come play with her, and I've been starting to gently prepare her for this new reality.

However, when it is time to play, in the stretches of time during the day that I have free to be with her, I've been working on being as present as possible. Very enthusiastic about playing pretend, re-reading those same books a million times over, singing her favorite songs, and just plain sitting on the floor with her, fully engaged. These moments are so precious.

A particularly precious time for me lately has been rocking with Maiya in our new (cragislist kind of new) glider chair. She loves to sit in my lap, and wrap her self around my belly, head on my chest. I sing to her as we rock, and she rewards me with warm snuggles. Occasionally she'll lift her head up and request a certain song (usually either ABC's or the eensy weensy spider, she has signs she made up for both of them). After a nice long rock today, she made her first request (spider), and I had only gotten through it twice when she was suddenly and completely asleep. I reveled in the moment, and my mind wandered back to last night, when Matt and I were reading in bed.

Matt is reading "A Look at Life from a Deer Stand," by Steven Chapman, a gift from my parents. Last night he read me an excerpt, the lyrics from one of Steven's songs:

The Arrow and the Bow

Here is wisdom for the Moms and Dads
that time has proven true
the day your children learn to walk
they start to walk away from you

For at first you hold all of them
cradled safely in your arms
then one day their hand is all you'll hold
then soon it's just their hearts

And there'll even come the time
if you're love for them is true
you'll have to let their hearts go free
to let them love
someone else not only you

Can the sparrow ever learn to fly
if the nest is all it knows?
can the arrow ever reach it's mark
by remaining in the bow?
you have to let it go

Here is wisdom for the Mom and Dads
that time has proven true
the day your children learn to walk
they start to walk away from you

With Maiya wrapped in my arms, holding my finger as she slept, I wept. I kept hearing that same phrase in my head, and contemplating my daughter walking away from me. She is already so independent, something I both take joy in and sometimes am frustrated by. I prayed over her little sweet curly head that as she walks through life, when she reaches the point where she realizes that my love, her daddy's love, and every other form of human love in her life fails her, that she remembers that HIS never, ever does.

Psalm 37: 23-24 : The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

I'm asking God to use these precious years at home to prepare her to walk away- even though the selfish, fleshly part of me wishes otherwise, but asking that as she walks away, that HE continues to hold her hand. Because HE delights in her life even more than I do, knows her more intimately than I ever will, and loved her long before I ever dreamed of her. I can find the deepest peace and comfort in remembering this.

30 minutes

2009-03-31T10:48:00.000-07:00

In the span of 30 minutes this morning:

I got off the phone with Matt to notice Maiya was ready for her morning poopy diaper change. Stripping her down out of her footie jammies, I found it to not only be the biggest diaper she's had in months, but up her back, newborn baby style. As I was swiveling the diaper off, she beat my reflexes and grabbed a nice handful. I lunged for the wipes, only to find that there was only two left. Enough to wipe her fingers, and then I had to wrap her wriggly body in the receiving blanket she was laying on (essentially, a giant cloth diaper) and carry her to the kitchen were the last pack was sitting on the table (for meal time cleanups).

Back to the changing table, Maiya had to stand with her hands against the wall while I wiped her whole torso down. Once she was properly wiped down, I set her down while I gathered up the dirty linens. I hadn't even finished spraying the clothes down with Spray and Wash before she peed the largest puddle I've ever seen on her floor. I seriously didn't believe it was pee. She grabbed a nearby blanket and started mopping it up for me.

Now that she'd emptied all food from her system, I dunked her in a quick bath, where she decided to figure out how to open the shampoo bottles. The bottles are her favorite bath toy, and I had to take them all away before she started guzzling the soap. She wasn't happy about that to say the least, and my big preggy belly made things rather cumbersome as I tried to contain the situation (keep Maiya safe from hitting her head on the tub while she was pitching a fit).

Out of the bath, into clean clothes, time for a nap in her toddler bed. This is day 3 of trying it out- and she has nights down well, but hadn't yet gotten the naps down. Of course, because of our busy schedule the last few days, she has only forgone the morning nap and had her afternoon nap in the car. This morning she was strangely quiet- usually she's either fussing at the gate or I can hear her playing, but it had been 10 minutes and I still wasn't hearing anything. Did she really stay in her bed?

No, she was sleeping next to the baby gate, flat on her back with her head on the cold hardwood floor. Holding her blankie and bear. I guess she was worn out from all the festivities!

Love this.

2009-03-24T16:41:00.001-07:00

My little honeydew

2009-03-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

"Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month. "

...yes, this baby descended quite some time ago. It does indeed feel like I am walking around with a honeydew melon in between my legs. I remember feeling vaguely silly when reading to Maiya while in my womb- but now her brother is hearing lots of books while I'm reading to Maiya! So fun to think about. I think he might come out quoting "Good night Moon," and singing the songs from Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" CD that I can't quite get enough of.

What a lovely mess I am today.

2009-03-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

I feel like now, at 33 weeks, I've been suddenly hit by the pregnancy bus. For the first 32 weeks, things were fairly uneventful and other than bouts of tiredness and 2 months of cycling colds/flus in our home, things have been pretty easy. Then comes week 33. I've been feeling pretty blue and lackluster, fluctuating between frustration and sadness. Then picture, no don't picture- just lightly imagine and continue on to better thoughts, me standing at the kitchen sink, mid tonight's crock pot chili prep, loosing my breakfast and also all the water I've drank today. Lovely pregnancy incontinence.

All the while, Maiya is clinging to my legs and crying, very worried about her mama. In between heaves I try to comfort and assure her mama is ok, which is a total lie. She's probably wishing she could give me the talk about not peeing on the floor, as revenge for all the times she's heard it from me these past weeks.

And now I'm wondering, did I really just blog about vomit & incontinence? Good thing readers, I'm pretty sure you have at one point been pregnant, are currently, or are at least an empathetic woman and you can handle topics of such.

Imput, please.

2009-02-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Help! I'm feeling so overwhelmed by baby sling choices. I used the Baby Bjorn last time but once Maiya was a few months old it was really hard on my back and shoulders. I'd like one that can craddle and hopefully also do a side position once the baby is older- and comfortable. I'm going to need to be hands free and as comfortable as possible to keep up with a toddler and a newborn! Suggestions?

I've learned

2009-02-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

Today's writing inspiration- this is just lovely, and true, and worth taking a moment to read.

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.
I've learned that no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.
I've learned that it takes years to build up trust
and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life
but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you'd better know something.

I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself
to the best others can do,
but to the best you can do.
I've learned that it's not what happens to people,
It's what they do about it.
I've learned that no matter how thin you slide it,
there are always two sides.
I've learned that you should always have loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you'll see them.
I've learned that you can keep going
long after you think you can't.

I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done
When it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that there are people who love you dearly,
but just don't know how to show it.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to
doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned that no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken,
the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual
ahead of their actions.
I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.
I've learned that no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves go farther in life.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours
by people who don't even know you.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.

I've learned that writing,
as well as talking,
can ease emotional pains.
I've learned that the people you care most about in life
are taken from you too soon.
I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice
and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.
I've learned to love
and be loved.
I've learned...

~Omer B. Washington

I've been crafting!

2009-02-12T15:35:00.000-08:00

Today's something

2009-02-10T16:19:00.000-08:00

I've always had the dream of becoming a published author. The dream of being published had to be shelved (only a little pun intended) while I made my way through the years of being both a college student and a newly married woman. I didn't exactly burn with desire to take a break from reading text books, to read for pleasure. Now that I've been out of school for nearly 2 years, I've picked up the habit of reading again. I just finished reading the "Twilight series," or should I say devouring them, because I read each 600ish page novel in the span of a two days each.

I had already renewed my spirit of reading this year, but the series evoked in me the desire to write again. That, and following Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, and wondering what I could do to contribute to getting out of debt. Matt has always encouraged my writing and believes in it more than I do myself, and he has been hounding me semi-jokingly about harnessing my God given talents and desires and writing a great (as in publishable) book, while simultaneously supplementing our single income budget.

It was also Matt who inspired my largest leisure writing project to date: a 50 page single-spaced version of our love story, that Matt asked me to write as a gift for him. The project ended up with a mind of it's own and it morphed into "how God prepared my heart to be married to Matthew," with an honest look at the journey my heart took, the mistakes I made along the way, and all the dirty laundry that comes with intricate boy-girl teenage relationships. It's nothing that could ever be publishable, because even if it was written as a fictional book with the names changed to protect the innocent, (or not so innocent) I could never truly write that age old "the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious and any similarity is coincidental and not intended by the author," phrase in the front of my book.

Since I admittedly know very little about publishing, I've been putting in a little research and developing a healthy sense of reality when it comes to the process- summarized basically as write for yourself and for your own enjoyment, because the possibility of getting published without an established platform is next to nil. And if you do by some chance get published, the chances of actually making a decent profit are even less. I've read so many sites that said, "don't quit your day job." Well, seeing as how I'm not going to quit being a mom and homemaker anytime soon, I don't feel too threatened by this pessimistic outlook. I'm sticking to the advice of writing for myself as a hobby for now, (free hobby at that!) and furthermore, seeking to write something everyday. I'm ok with that being scribbles on a notepad, a blog, a journal entry, or actually working on my current story, as long as it is something.

The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me.

2009-01-07T14:42:00.001-08:00

Maiya has had a case of the fussies today, compounded with a fourth top tooth that is trying to break through and a bad diaper rash. I decided to let Maiya watch TV today. Actually, as she stood at my legs and fussed while I was trying to google a rice recipe for tonight's enchiladas I said, "OK, kid- do you want to watch a movie?" She nodded enthusiastically.

Thank you PBS. The first 5 minutes were great, she loved the puppets of "Between the Lions," but "Reading Rainbow," didn't hold her attention long. Not that I blame her- the last thing I heard was something about "rust icicles," whatever those are. Perhaps she was inspired by the show, but she pulled my Bible off the couch and proceeded to rip out the first 10 pages in one fell swoop.

Interestingly enough, she ripped out all the pages that I had yet to fill out- the marriages, the family tree etc. and yet she left the births page, which has her name at the top and is awaiting her brother's. So now when I open my Bible, the first thing I see is Maiya Belle Brock, 12/30/07. I do find that a little humorous. She was generous enough to leave all the scriptures in tact, and I know that I have to be extra careful now that those would be the next to go.

Cupcakes, and other disasters.

2008-12-29T15:22:00.000-08:00

For all you who messaged/walled me about my facebook status, "wanting to cry into her failed cupcake batter..." Here is another true story:

Matt and I had spent Saturday afternoon making a last minute roadtrip to eburg (Ellensburg) to buy snow chains, after finding out that the chains we had purchased the year before were too small. The day was set for Maiya's first east side birthday party, and we had so much fun picking out the perfect plates, cups, cake mix, candles, sprinkles etc. for her first little party. I always appreciate that Matt gets giddy about those sorts of things too, and we spent a good portion of the trip reminicing about our first year with our precious girl.

As plans often do, especially when they involve large amounts of people, and in particular large amounts of people who also happen to be family members, my afternoon party plans were finally starting at 8:00 that evening as I was putting the special cupcakes Matt and I had made together in the oven. About 5 minutes into their 15 minute baking time Matt looked up from the home made whipped cream toping he was lovingly stirring by hand and said, "oh, here's the eggs Mal."

The eggs? As in the eggs that Matt had taken out of my hand and said, "here babe, I'll take care of those for you." Apparently, "taking care of" meant cracking into a dish and putting the dish on a far away counter never to be noticed by anyone other than the man who put them there. The batter that I thought looked suspiciously thick, but being that it was my first time baking cupcakes I had ignored with hopes that it was indeed what it was supposed to look like.

The eggs for the batter for the cupcakes for her first birthday party that was crumbling apart with each minute that ticked past 8:00, 2 hours past her normal bedtime. I was baking those cupcakes already knowing that allowing Maiya to have her first sugary food right before bedtime was not one of the wisest parenting choices I've ever made, and it was clear that spening another hour running to the store and re-baking was no longer an option. It didn't make it any easier that everyone who heard the news was standing about the kitchen chuckling, as I stood with my back to them, placing each cup of batter into the trash can and trying to hold back my tears and trying to remind myself how much I actually did love my husband, because in the moment I was finding it very hard to feel any of that love, let alone be in the same kitchen with the man and his chuckling.

I'm sorry to say that eggs and cupcake batter stood in the way of my love for him for a few minutes of our lives together. However, I'm not sure that he will be allowed back in the kitchen for round two of baking cupcakes for tomorrow's party.

In other disaster news, 15 minutes before we arrived at my family's home yesterday after a somewhat grueling 6.5 hours in the car with an impatient nearly-one-year-old, we recieved a call from our landlord that included news of the shed in our backyard caving in from the heavy snowfall, a gyserlike stream of water from a broken sprinkler head, and a basement being flooded. Further inspection of the flooding put my mind to ease to find out that the water was only half an inch and had been caught before it traveled into the room with all of our storage. Thankfully, our landlord is sweet enough that she has spent the day at our home mopping our basement and shoveling the reccent downpour of snow off our roof. Not that my family really would have let turn around to go home and do it ourselves...I'm pretty sure we would have been duck taped back to back while they played with Maiya for a few days before releasing us.

Snow capers

2008-12-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

Snow and I have conditionally become opponents. It all started on Wednesday, when Matt was rear ended by a guy who was speeding in the snow and didn't stop in time to avoid hitting Matt, who was completely stopped an intersection. When he had left the house that day I had one of those "gut feelings," of worry for him, and when my phone rang 5 minutes from him leaving for work my stomach lurched because I knew something must have happened.

This was the first car accident that one of us has been in since having Maiya, and it really shook both of us up. Even though it was minor in the sense that the car was the only thing injured, these things remind us of our of fragility. I've already felt a sometimes paralyzing sense of anxiety while driving since having my daughter when my mind ventures to thoughts like, "we are driving 70 mph parallel to one another...and just a few feet are separating us from a collision.." and other anxiety provoking thoughts. I've frequently had to pray in desperation that the Lord can calm my thoughts and I have to choose to put my trust in Him, that he has given me these precious gifts of children and they are first His, and then ours.

The evening of the day of the accident we were rapidly hit with over a foot of snow, which was left Matt unable to get to work the next day. Little did we know (Stranger than Fiction, anyone?) we wouldn't actually be able to leave the house for another four days to go anywhere. It took awhile to dawn on me that yes, we did have lot of food in the house since we had made a shopping trip Wednesday morning, but that unfortunately we had lots of "half complete" meals. I mean "half complete" in the sense that we had the fillers for curry and no curry, the sprouts and cilantro, but no Pad Thai noodles or sauce...etc. due to the fact that we choose our closest and more convenient grocery store to shop at, which is no longer convenient when they don't actually carry half of the things on your grocery list!

We've gotten creative for food the last few days, and also experienced what feels like war rations- making sure that we didn't cross the day's usage of milk and other staples. We've certainly eaten our fair share of cheese quesadillas these last 4 days.

Not that it's been all bad! It's been a fun escape from the daily grind, and I've loved all the quality daddy/hubby time. I have also been given the gift of sleeping in till 9 everyday, when Matt wakes me up with sweet baby kisses from Maiya, a little family snuggle time, and then an hour and a half of time we usually don't have alone with one another while Maiya takes her morning nap. Bliss!

Now that our roads were plowed this morning and Matt was able (with chains) to finally successfully get out of our neighborhood to go get some groceries, you'd think I could go back to liking snow. But alas, only moments after smiling and somewhat admiring it's beauty today, I checked the pass conditions to see that they are not only bad, they are closed. The passes that we need to be able to see my whole "westside family," or should I say that they need to see their precious grand daughter/great grand daughter /niece to celebrate both her 1st Christmas and 1st birthday.

Although I feel like a bit of a Scrooge and Grinch all wrapped into one while saying this, " but since we have places to go, don't let it snow, don't let it snow, don't let it snow!"

Daily planning

2008-12-02T18:26:00.000-08:00

What will 2009 hold for me and my family? A few things I am fairly certain: many visits to my midwives and our pediatrician. A spring baby of currently unknown gender. Learning how to be a family of four. Our 4th wedding anniversary. My 24th birthday. The 4th (and final) Brock siblings' wedding.
4 seems to be a reoccurring number for the year.

I've been hunting for a 2009 daily planner and I found one at Barnes and Nobel tonight. Correction, Matt found it. Remember, it is his sole duty to find the perfect version of whatever I happen to be shopping for, and he did it once again. And yes, it really does have two spot saver strings, which among many other qualities, I love.

Bliss

2008-12-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

Last night we made a late night dish of Pad Thai, and ate by candlelight while Maiya quietly looked at books in the living room. We had just started our dinner when Matt said, "hey, let's watch Pride and Prejudice. "

Let's just review here: Pad Thai. Maiya playing instead of clinging to our legs, begging for our food which we can't give her because it's spicy. Candlelight. Hubby induced P&P viewing.

Bliss.

Now debuting...

2008-11-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Fuss. fuss. crankies. I was trying to get a picture of Maiya's funny bed head this morning but she was less than cooperative. I had been suspecting for a few days now, and sure enough...

blessed are the sore gummed,
for theirs are the pearly whites.

Maiya's cutting a top tooth! I've been singing the "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth," song to her lately, and though I realize it's original meaning was to replace the teeth lost, it totally works.

Texting to daddy

2008-11-18T11:15:00.001-08:00

Maiya and I made a deal today: she'd practice standing if I allowed her to play with mama's cell phone. Given that she ruined my other one by chewing on it, it's a rare treat indeed. Little did I know, she was busy texting her daddy. When I took the phone from her I was shocked to see a text addressed to Matt, with the words "check your e-mail." I'm not even kidding.

*Yes, that is a bit of applesauce splattered on the cupboard. I've been meaning to clean it, really. Now I really will.

My little orange

2008-11-06T14:39:00.000-08:00

My baby is the size of a navel orange this week. I think I am feeling an occasional kick already...soon baby m will be playing soccer non-stop like Maiya was! I can't believe I'm already in the 2nd trimester!

Belle 'n Bee

2008-11-02T08:49:00.000-08:00

Desperate housewife

2008-10-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when you are desperate to have a moment to shave your legs before your doctor's appointment and it's keeping your 10 month old happy, it's safe, and it's in sight...

Preggy brain

2008-10-29T17:36:00.000-07:00

I decided to surprise Matt today with the wonderful smell of warm baked bread as he came in the door from work. Two and a half hours into a three and a half cycle, I realized that all I had was very warm flour. I had forgotten to add the required water to transform it from flour to dough...also, I found the missing remote awhile back inside my purse.

Excerpt of eloquence

2008-10-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

This year I sent out e-mails out to a few friends who live long distances and whom I have not yet been able to see their current homes, for advice on their homes' color palates so I could better taylor their Christmas presents. I received a variety of responses to my request, but this one is an excerpt of my favorite. It comes from all the way from Kim in Oh-hi-oh.

"...The living room right now has a black futon, three mirrors (from IKEA of course), a wonderful black framed wedding picture, a fall scene of pinecones, burnt orange colored flowers, a small pumpkin, fall leaves and acorns that we have collected with our evening walks... a valance covers the top of our window that is tea stained ivory lace and a subtle sage ribon. On our futon sits a beige pillow which was a wonderful clearance rack find at Bed Bath and Beyond... a definite favorite of mine..."

I don't think it's possible for that woman to write a letter (or e-mail) without making it sound like an eloquent poem. One of the many things I love about her.

Moods and foods

2008-10-28T13:32:00.000-07:00

You know how myspace and facebook has that "current mood" status update? I think there should also be a "currently eating." At least for me and all the other preggy women out there.

Currently eating: warmed up left over roast on top of sprinkled with garlic powder toast.

Speaking of moods, I've been hit by the moodiness truck and I'm all over the place these days. Yesterday I battled feelings of irritability, particularly once Matt came home. He wasn't doing anything wrong, but everything annoyed me. Being the wise man that he is, he didn't ask what the heck was wrong with me, he just complimented and thanked me for the dinner excessively. It almost annoyed me, but I knew what he was doing so I appreciated it. He's a good man.

Then today, everything is right in the world. And this sandwich could not be better.

My favorite people

2008-10-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Even though most of my readers are also on my facebook photos, I thought this picture was deserving of a blog all of it's own. Because it's just. so. darn. cute.

Kiss kiss

2008-10-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

Maiya has now begun giving us the gift of kisses! She'll dole them out if you ask for one, given that she's in the mood to do so. She's starting to understand how much it thrills us to receive them! Now she uses kisses as requests:

-please, can I have my nuk back?
-I want the phone! will a kiss work?
-I want up! I'll kiss your legs.

Tonight was one of the sweetest kisses though, as I rescued her poor little self from unsuccessfully trying to climb over her bus toy. She turned into me, hugged me, then grabbed my cheeks with both hands, and planted a huge open mouth kiss on my lips with a flourish that could only mean THANK YOU! You saved me mama :)

Familiar face

2008-10-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

Hello little one. Haven't I seen you before?

(Maiya's new sib versus her first ultrasound picture)

2008-10-10T18:03:00.000-07:00

I'm drinking my:

Reading my:

(which I've waited months for on the library hold list), and enjoying a quiet house while Daddy and Maiya are on a date to buy hunting string at Wal-mart. What hunting string is, I'm not sure, but does it even matter!?

Wanted: a good book

2008-10-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

I'd love to curl up with tea, a fluffy blanket, and a good book.
I'm out of the loop. What are you reading now, or what do you suggest?

Peace

2008-10-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

Time with the Lord.
Tea in my favorite pink damask cup.
A happy, napping baby.

This is what peace looks like for me today.

Tylenol...some for Maiya, some for Mama

2008-10-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

Maiya has her first ear infection and she is just miserable. It is one of the worst feelings in the world when everything you try fails to make her better, or even ok. She has refused to sleep all day (she's skipped about three hours of naps) and is the biggest ball of cranky that I've ever seen. She fights me on every normal part of our daily routine including nursing, meals, diaper changes, and now the three doses of amoxicillin. Combined with a headache that I've had for going on 5 days now, and a night that Matt works until 9:00, we two are a mess. I've cried several times today, and Maiya has stopped crying a few minutes of today.

It sure makes me appreciate the gem of a baby she usually is, with perfect nights of sleep, napping shedule, and bubbly personality. I can't wait to get my baby back!

On the magical number and sparks

2008-09-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

I still have yet to find the magical number of hours of sleep that will prevent me from feeling tired and having stinging eyes all day long. Maybe there isn't a number, maybe it's just called pregnancy.

In other news, I have an inspiration for what I'd like to make for Christmas presents this year. I've been jotting down notes all day as ideas pop into my head for the different people in my life's gift. This is just the sort of creative spark that I had blogged about a few months ago. I'm excited to get started! Fall is here and Winter will soon be following...

Smart cookie

2008-09-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

Maiya is becoming quite the little communicator :

"Are you hungry?"
-smiles or fusses, spits out her nuk, signs milk

"Do you want to eat?"
-smiles, signs milk on her mouth

"Can you snuggle mama?"
-lays her head on my chest

"Can you clap your hands?"
-claps enthusiastically

"Hi Maiya!"
-waves her hand

"No no!"
- Smiles mischievously and crawls away quickly, or just waves!

"I'm going to get you!"
-squeals and tries to get away

"Where is Sookie/Kilo/Mama/Dada? "
-looks around until she spots them and smiles!

"Hi Maiya!"
-waves her hand

"Do you want up?"
-raises her hands

Guard baby

2008-09-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

Last night as I was loading the last of the dishes into the dishwasher, Matt made some sort of offhand smart alec remark. I playfully started swatting his backside with the spatula that was in my hand, which made him hop around the kitchen yelping "oww" in pretend pain. All of a sudden, Maiya's little lip quivered, and then she burst into tears and was very upset about the whole thing! It took quite a lot of hugging and soothing to let her know that daddy was not hurt and everything was ok.

Later that evening we were discussing the situation with laughter and wondering if it was a fluke or if she really was upset about me hitting Matt. She was sitting on his lap on the couch, and I leaned over and softly hit his leg. As soon as Matt said "ow," Maiya's lip quivered and we quickly distracted her with a cup of water before she got too upset (her favorite thing).

We just couldn't stop laughing over the whole thing! Matt is calling her his little "guard baby," who protects him from her mama!

Parking bandit

2008-09-14T21:09:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had my first dire, must have or cannot go on living sort of craving for...a Chili's jalapeno big mouth burger. Although I had yet to discover this burger with my last pregnancy, I had upped the heat factor in all of my cooking, because I just couldn't make things hot enough. So, needless to say, Matt wasn't surprised and he sweetly turned into Chili's for a unplanned Saturday night dinner last night.

Of course, the mall was packed. We waited for a good parking spot for over 15 minutes, my stomach growling all while I hung on, envisioning those jalapenos. Finally, a car was backing out right in front of us. I nearly cried with joy. I'm not even kidding. Then, nearly swiping us in the process, a woman in a SUV came from behind us, cutting us off, and stole that parking spot! The parking spot that was now between me and that jalapeno burger.

My pregnancy hormones, mixed with extreme hunger kicked in. First I chocked back tears. Then a rung the life out of my seat belt. I became that fabled crazy pregnant woman. I fantasized about getting out, marching over to her, and letting her know that she just got in the way between a pregnant woman and her food. I thought about leaving a note on her car that reminded her that bad things come back around to those who commit them. I contemplated car vandalism. In the end, I decided I'd just try and remember something nice that a random stranger has done to me recently to negate the horrible, rude, parking spot stealing bandit.

Nothing came to mind.

However, later that evening a neighbor who we hadn't met yet came over and introduced himself last night as we were spending time in the front yard with Maiya. He handed us a bag filled with yummy home grown produce and told us that he and his wife would love to get to know us and if we ever need anything, to let them know. And he ment it.

A little kindness goes a long way, and it cheered me emensly.

Date to try on pants together

2008-09-12T10:18:00.001-07:00

Want to see a free movie? Take a minute to try on a pair of jeans at American Eagle, and wha-la, you will receive a free voucher for a movie of your choice.

Matt and I have already seen 2 free movies at the theater this week, and are going to see a third tonight. I don't know how expensive movies are where you live, but here it is over $19 for the two of us, thus the reason we never, ever go.

Thanks AE for providing us with some great dates this week!

Snuggle bug

2008-09-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Maiya is going through a super snugly phase, and I just love it. It's almost like back to the newborn days where she snuggles her little head right under my chin, only now she is doing it with great affection. Each time she wakes up, be it morning or after a nap, she needs a good 10 minute snuggle on her mama before she is ready to go down on the floor with her toys. If you try to set her down before then, crying ensues until she gets back to her snuggle spot. She often needs little mid-day snuggles too. I love how she lays on my chest and stares at me adoringly. I love how she flops her head down with such enthusiasm. I love that she is willing to snuggle others- but not nearly for as much time as her mama!

Four season family

2008-08-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

In case you hadn't heard...

Baby Brock #2 is expected to arrive spring 2009! We will have a 4 season family: Matt is fall, Maiya is winter, I'm summer, and now spring!

As dwight would put it,

2008-08-14T16:25:00.001-07:00

Question.

The back of my frozen bag of Safeway chicken breasts says, "This product was prepared from inspected and passed meat and/or poultry. "

Does this make any sense to you?

Shopping, the new sport for men

2008-07-31T19:06:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how differently you view life once you are a mom. I was in Macy's last night, hoping to find a jewelery piece to complement the dress I am wearing for my brother-in-law's wedding this Saturday, when I realized the bonus of purchasing a set of bangle bracelets: a quiet toy that will hopefully allow me to entertain Maiya long enough to survive the wedding ceremony. I gave it a test run today, and sure enough, she happily spun them around my wrist for quite a long time.

Actually, Matt found the bracelets. It's a funny thrill for him to be shopping with me, and find the thing I'm looking for. He treats it like a competitive sport, one that he wins if he can wow me with what he finds, and if it beats out what I've found. He grins and usually says something to the effect of, "see how well I know you? Man, I'm the best husband ever." And he is.

Truth

2008-07-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

He gives beauty from ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

When sorrow seems to surround you
When suffering hangs heavy oer your head
Know that tomorrow brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said
...

When what you've done keeps you from moving on
When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart
Know that forgiveness brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

I once was lost but God has found me
Though I was bound Ive been set free
Ive been made righteous in His sight
A display of His splendor all can see

He gives beauty from ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

Amen, Crystal Lewis

Making banana pancakes...almost

2008-07-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

It's time to go buy some baby proofing supplies because our little girl is mobile! Maiya and Kilo are doing a little dance today. It's the find a comfortable spot on the floor for Kilo, and the grab the kitty dance for Maiya. So far Maiya has caught him twice in completely opposite ends of the living room. She just started crawling this week and it is amazing how quick she is! The cats are looking at me like, "what!? she can chase us now?"

Other notables:

She is drinking from a regular cup now really well. She gets pretty upset when I don't let her have sips of things I'm drinking that she can't have, like milk or iced tea.

When she gets upset, she either screams or says in a mournful voice "maa-maa-maa-ma-ma." I have to admit, both are pretty cute. We are trying hard not to laugh or reinforce that screeching, but it's hard not to, and you can't exactly tell a 6 month old "no screaming!"

She has started to have stranger anxiety, and she is rather clingy. She is happy to charm and smile at everyone, so as long as they don't try to hold her. She needs little mama snuggle breaks in between play time now.

She loves it when I sing the L-O-V-E song. You know the one where L is for the way you look at me...instant happiness. Also the ABC's while I sign, she is just delighted with that.

She says "num, num, num" when we feed her baby food. So far she has liked everything but apricots. Way to not be picky like her mama!

We have found a trick for getting some packing done during Maiya's wakeful hours- give her a mashed banana and let her play with it! She scoots it into a pile at the edge and then leans her head down to try and eat it off her tray.

She is such a joy and is growing up altogether too quickly!

Home sweet new home

2008-07-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

The Lord is always faithful. With great anxiety this month we gave our 30 day notice of vacating from potentially the worst rental agency in Spokane. The anxiety was because we were stepping out in faith that the Lord would provide the right home for us within this month, so that we could be released from this lease without penalty.

Yesterday we found out that we were chosen out of the masses who applied for a wonderful little home that we have absolutely fallen in love with. On top of it all, it will be our first time renting from a decent (more than decent, wonderful) person instead of an agency. He knew our needs, this house not only meets them, but surpasses them.

Our doors will be open in August. Come stop by and see us!

Good stuff

2008-06-26T21:26:00.000-07:00

Two things I am excited about:

1) I have a non-parenting for pleasure book to read! It's called "Darcy's Story," and it is Pride and Prejudice from his perspective. I've made myself wait until my tomorrow, since it's my birthday present to myself.

2) We just got Maiya a twin bed for FREE! Thank you Craigslist. It is so cute, I just don't like the color (light wood). It looks similar to this Pottery Barn version, minus the 4 posts. I just might even paint it green like this one!

Itch

2008-06-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

Lately I've had this itch. It's a desire to do invent/craft/write something great, even if it is just something simple. I want to have designs, or schemes, and to be writing down ideas on napkins at lunch like I used to.

I feel silly for feeling this way. To have the idea of wanting to have an idea. I do think that I need to find some sort of creative outlet though- something to do just for myself. Scrap booking is out- at this point in my life it stresses me out, which is not a good thing when you need a relaxing outlet. Any suggestions? What do you do?

links

2008-05-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why the family photos links weren't working, but I think I fixed the bug. The top is the most reccent, and yes I do take a million billion photos of Maiya. If she were yours, I think you would too.

Breaking habit

2008-05-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

In light of her new 5 month milestone, we decided to move the crib upstairs to our bedroom and try out a night with Maiya in her own bed! She was totally good with it- it was me that was having the hard time. Matt- not so much. He just kept commenting how how amazingly big our bed was, and how he wouldn't have to be on the edge while Maiya and me hogged the bed anymore. Yes, that's us, the bed hoggers.

Maiya made it until 4 am for a nursing, where she stayed because mama didn't want to get up. Still, that's 5 hours and she probably would have been fine to go back in the crib if I wasn't so darn lazy.

I never thought I'd be one of those people who did the family bed thing. You'd think that I'd start to learn that every time I judge those people, I become one of them. So, at the risk of doing it again, I think that it is lovely to have a newborn baby co-sleep in bed, but I imagine not so lovely with a toddler. Time to break her- I mean me- of the habit now!

Personality

2008-05-20T14:06:00.001-07:00

The psych major in delights in this description of Matt and I, via online facebookMyers-Briggs personality test:

Matt: Extroverted. Sensing. Feeling. Judging. "The Helper"

"ESFJs are helpful people who place a high value on harmony. Paying close attention to people's needs and wants, they work well with others to complete tasks in a timely and accurate way. ESFJs follow through on their commitments. They like closure and prefer structured, organized situations in which warmth and compassion are shown. They contribute to others by anticipating their day-to-day concerns and handling them with warmth and efficiency. ESFJs are at their best in organizing people to get a job done."

Me: Introverted. Intuitive. Feeling. Judging. "The Sage"

"INFJs are future oriented, and direct their insight and inspiration toward the understanding of themselves and thereby human nature. They have deeply felt compassion, and they desire harmony with others. They also like the written word (and rely on it more than the spoken word) since it is usually better structured and more coherent with a ready-made framework. INFJs tend to be devoted to what they believe in and seek work where their needs, values, and ideals can be deeply engaged. They move on the wave of their inspirations and are determined to see that their values are worked out in their lives."

These are so accurate. Matt's is particularly funny because it is exactly what he does in his job every day!

Chopped

2008-05-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

I finally took the plunge and cut off my long locks. This isn't the best picture but that is what happens when your 4 month old daughter has already spent an hour and a half waiting for you in a salon and is very anxious to get on with life!

2nd Sunday of May

2008-05-12T22:01:00.001-07:00

An overview of my first mother's day:

Maiya gave me the gift of sleeping through my entire "getting ready for church time" (unheard of). My hair was actually all the way curled!

Matt woke up early to go buy and prepare my most favorite and unhealthy breakfast:
scrambled eggs with cheese, hash browns, and a blueberry muffin. yum!

He also gave my mother-in-law and I matching bouquets of beautiful purple tulips. So gorgeous!

After church Matt gave me a wonderful sappy card that I will keep forever and then gave me a long back rub until I fell asleep with Maiya nuzzled next to me.

All of this on top of the gift of an herb garden- I have always wanted one! He picked my 4 favorite herbs that I use all the time: basil, parsley, cilantro, rosemary.

My mother-in-law and sister in law took me shopping to pick out a shirt (new clothes, another favorite of mine!)

Needless to say, I need to start brainstorming for father's day because I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to come to par with the way Matt blessed me this year!

Musings

2008-05-06T22:56:00.000-07:00

Unexpected parts of motherhood and ways my life has changed:

I didn't know that the labor experience would be so beautiful and amazing. I had no idea it would be one of my most cherished and intimate memories. I didn't know meeting Maiya would be the best moment of our life.

I didn't expect time to fly by so quickly. I love to go back and look at "old" videos and pictures from the previous month (or when she was a newborn, 4 whole months ago!) She changes so much every day!

Something I didn't realize but appreciate now is that God gives us babies with training wheels in a sense. Every month grows more challenging but each month you learn more about who they are and how to meet their needs. He eases us into it, in His mercy and grace. When we've got the first month down, He gives us the next one.

I never used to look at the clock so much! I'm always aware of the time now, because I need to know when I need to nurse next and when to expect Maiya to need a nap. Life is scheduled around her nursing and napping times- which means that occasionally I eat re-heated dinners.

I think Matt and I have to make more of an intentional effort to be intimate and loving with one another. It is easy to get caught up in Maiya and not give each other as much attention as we need. We are still growing in that area, but we are getting more balanced. It helps that she is much more self entertaining now! It allows us a little more room to focus on loving each other. At the same time, we feel many times over more close to each other now that we are parents! It's so amazing.

Going out is much more complicated now. I've got to make sure I have everything I need with me- which is considerably more than when I used to grab my purse and lipgloss and head out the door. When we are out I have to think about where to change Maiya, where I can nurse..it's just more complicated!

I find myself talking to God more frequently and more intimately. I also appreciate and more fully grasp his role as a father, and my role as a child so much more now that I am a mother. I feel a new sense of security and trust in Him. I am more grateful. I am constantly thanking him for all the little things and the little moments rather than just the "thanks for today."

Grows like a pretty weed

2008-05-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

4 month Maiya:

Sitting up like such a big girl!
Hanging out in her play chair
Reading books (or hitting the book while we read to her)
Rolling balls across the room
Eating rice cereal in her high chair
Going on walks and staying awake the whole time because she can't miss out on anything
Grabbing anything and everything. She's super fast and last night she grabbed some curry right out of Matt's dish!
So good at taking naps! And continues to sleep 8 hours at night, nurses, then back for 2 more.
Babbles and blows bubbles
Loves to watch TV way too much (cranes her head away from her toys to watch!)
Grabs her toes at any chance she gets
Loves to pat daddy's beard, and grab kitty fur. Such a texture girl
Gets so excited to see Matt come home from work! Beams and giggles!
Continues to show us her independent and strong willed nature.

This is such a fun stage of life, and we are enjoying every minute of our 4 monther! I've added links to our albums on the right side of my blog so you can share our joy.

I finally understand the old "this hurts me even more than it hurts you."

2008-05-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

It finally happened.

I've been dreading the day that Maiya had her first accident and got hurt.

I had always feared that Matt would be angry the first time Maiya was hurt. Coming from the man that told me she couldn't wear a hat as a newborn because it had "a seam." But he was amazing. I held Maiya and he held me while his women cried. He told us it was ok, and everything was going to be alright. Maiya was done crying in a few moments, I was a wreck for an hour.

I've whispered my daily prayer even more frequently in the last 24 hours, "Lord, thank you for this gift. She's your child before she is mine. Thank you for entrusting me with this precious life. I love her so much. "

KB + MU= BFF

2008-04-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

Ever miss someone so terribly that you actually feel a physical aching inside of you? Last weekend I was given the gift of a few moments with my oldest and most dear of friends, Miss Brown soon to be Mrs. Davis. In the chapel of our jr. high years of passing notes and whispering about boys, taking class pictures, and receiving student of the month rewards, we had a wedding shower- and I had a very special introduction to make. It was overwhelmingly surreal to be back, and at such a different place in our lives. Bizarre, really.

...I think Washington and Ohio should move next door to one another. Just a day trip away. It just makes sense to me.

Because I love you

2008-03-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

I'm making you a pot roast since I know it's your favorite comfort food. I know you've had a lot on your plate lately, you are doing the best you can. I can't wait to see the look on your face when you walk through the door and smell your dinner!

Love,
Your wifey

Seriously...

2008-03-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

What kind of person thinks that it is ok to use my luxurious cream colored bath towel that is hanging on the towel bar to mop up a muddy mess on the bathroom floor? That would be the plumber. Last week he dumped gross clumpy drain goop down my bathtub (from one clogged drain to another?) and left the bathtub tiles and basin full of muddy residue. Nasty.

However, this time my husband caught the plumber in the act with my towel and not only did he tell him that wasn't ok, but he spray-and-washed it and promptly put it in the wash, all while Maiya and I were still upstairs sleeping. Plus he reminded him to not dump anything into our bath tub. He's my hero.

Seriously though, we have been without a functioning bathroom sink for 2 months now. And today, after the 3rd time out, the plumber says that the bathroom wall will need to be "removed." I know that won't be happening any time soon, especially considering the fact that it has taken 2 months just to get that diagnosis.

Can't. wait. to. move.

NAK

2008-02-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

(Nursing At Keyboard)

I'm sitting in the office, staring at my computer screen, wondering how I am supposed to catch up on my month hiatus from my blog. My snugabug is all tucked into her soft pink blanket, cradled in my left arm (yes, these days I do type with one hand), taking one of her many afternoon naps.

Suddenly, her eyes fly open as my mouse accidentally scrolls over one of those talking advertisements. I look at her and say in my "parenteese"voice, "what was that?" She replies with a sleepy smile, nuk falling out of her mouth, then a little pink lipped pout because, well, the nuk fell out of her mouth. Nuk back in, eyes close, happy girl.

A few moments later, she spits her nuk out onto the floor and begins to flail her arms, hitting my chest as she does when she's hungry and wants me to know. Lately she continues in her flailing while nursing until I hold her hand, apparently milk is not enough. But, there is nothing more sweet than holding her soft little fingers, hearing her breathy gulps, and seeing those bright blue eyes staring at me lovingly until they finally close with sleepy milk dreams.

Welcome, beautiful child

2008-01-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

Maiya Belle Brock was born on Dec 30th, 7:44 pm, after over 36 hours of labor. She was 8 lbs 11oz, 19 1/2 inches long, and perfect in every way. We are so in love with her.

His beloved

2007-12-08T12:43:00.000-08:00

In the midst of my discomfort, emotionality, and feelings of impatience, I am finding joy and beauty through meditating on these words. My father-in-law prayed this entire Psalm to me during the second month I was dating Matt to send me off to Germany...and now here I am 6 years later, finding a different and renewed comfort in the words:

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Psalms 139: 13-16

...to know that our Creator knows my daughter so intimately... that He has a plan and a purpose for her...that He knows her future spouse and her love story...her pains and struggles...her triumphs and gifts...He has already formed within her small body future generations- my grandchildren! Truly, she was His beloved before I was even aware of her existence! It is with awe and humility that I petition for her safe travel into this world and for the wisdom and strength that only He can give.

Just a friendly reminder...

2007-11-25T23:05:00.000-08:00

I seriously have preggy brain. My cup cupboard seems to take the most hits- I've tried to put several things away in it, such as milk...ice cream...the list goes on. But perhaps one of the most humorous was this weekend, when my brother Andrew made a cup cupboard discovery. He reached up and pulled down a mug, only to pull a whole cup of water down upon himself. "Is this some kind of practical joke?" he asked. No, it was just me and my preggy brain- apparently I had poured myself a glass of water, and then put it back away in the cupboard.

I now have a friendly little smiley face sticky note on the cupboard, written by my sister Lacey. It reads, "Mal, cups only!!!"

Ready, set, wait for the go

2007-11-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

We've finally hit 36 weeks! In light of being exactly a month away yesterday we accomplished some major things. The car seat is installed in our car, (it still looks so strange to me to see it) my hospital bag is completely packed, the nursery is ready, and we are pre-registered at the hospital so that we won't have to even think about paperwork when we arrive. We've also practiced the drive and found the exact place to park and walk into the building (reserved parking for expecting parents). Today I am going to be printing out and mailing the maps and directions to the hospital to our parents and washing all of little m's clothes with the special baby clothes soap.

Last night while shopping at Target for the last random things on my hospital list (e.g. bendy straws, giant pads) we passed one of those kiosks where you can sample a series of Cd's. I still wasn't happy with my selection of music to bring to labor with, so I stopped to listen. I literally pushed every sample, but it was mostly cheesy-flute-zen-breathy-humming, until I pushed the "quiet christmas." Tears instantly stung my eyes and a giant lump was in my throat. Matt said, "ooh, that's nice," turned and looked at me, put his arm around me, and said, "Mal, you've got tears in your eyes." That moved the tears from my eyes to my cheeks. Something about the acoustic guitar, cello, and classical piano softly playing "what child is this," completely overtook me with emotion. I couldn't even speak. "I think this is the one,"Matt quietly said as he found the Cd on the shelf and placed it in the cart. I could only nod.

We are on the weekly checkup schedule with my midwife now, and Wednesday is our last birthing class. Now that we have everything prepared I feel like I can just sit back and wait for little m to decide it is time to make her entrance. My heart is ready and my bags are packed.

Anticipation

2007-11-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

Today I am celebrating the first day of November, and the last month before we meet our baby girl! Not only am I excited to meet her, but I am excited to get my body back, in the sense that life has become rather uncomfortable these days. Sleeping is getting very difficult (practice for her arrival?), my skin is always itching from being stretched so much, and she likes to kick me in the ribs and push on my bladder, often at the same time! I feel like she has outgrown her warm little water home and we would both like her to make her way into the world now. I really can't remember what it is like to be able to see past my stomach, although I think I am going to miss the little lap desk/food tray it provides me. I'd also like to be able to wear my wedding ring again, as well as the variety of my normal clothes. I'd like to be able to paint my toenails and shave my legs without the enormous amount of energy and strain that it currently takes. But most of all, I just want to meet this sweet baby and kiss her soft skin. I want to see her face and her personality and her spirit. Forgive me as I pout with my lip out and say that I'm tired of waiting.

Get it while you still can!

2007-10-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

Lately I've noticed that my cats are becoming more demanding in their needs for attention. I literally cannot sit down without at least one of them jumping into my lap, where they will stay for hours. I spend a lot of time at the desk, and so to sit in my lap (and sharing my lap with little m who is making my belly protrude so much now) is quite a feat in itself. They squirm and really work hard at finding a comfortable spot, which I am surprised they can even manage to do. I wonder if they somehow sense the impending day that they won't be the only babies in our lives...and that our laps are soon to be occupied with little m, so they are getting in all the love while they still can.

Preperations

2007-10-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Agenda for today: type out a birth plan. I had no idea that one does such a thing until just recently when my midwife asked to see mine. Luckily we covered it last night in our Bradley birth class. It feels like a combination of a resume, a client treatment sheet, and a will. I had no idea that I had so many choices and options- it is both liberating and overwhelming! Our instructor also suggested that we bring gift baskets of munchies for the different shifts of nurses that will be attending to us, which I love the idea of.

Little m's nursery is really starting to come along now. It is a beautiful pale yellow that the sunshine just loves to linger in. My Nana stayed with us this weekend and treated us to wonderful home cooked meals and old home videos that I had never seen before. They ranged from me at age 2, dancing around to music wearing sunglasses that were as big as my head, to me at age 9, tending to the needs of my siblings and cousins. I didn't know that I was such a little mom! Nana also took me out for a day of shopping for the nursery, including picking out the fabric for her quilt and curtains and a few other odds and ends that we needed for her room. Sookie has been enjoying what she thinks is a room makeover for her- she spends many hours now sleeping on the changing table or gazing out the windows.

Our house is in perfect deep cleaned shape and I plan on keeping it this way until December! I do not want to go into labor and then have to start cleaning for company- and I know myself enough to know that I would!

Christmas dreams

2007-10-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I'm prepping the nursery for a new coat of paint: soft cream yellow. Now that I've got the crib bedding from Pottery Barn I can tell that the yellow I had previously picked out it perfect! If you were at my home today you'd find me with the music blaring, in Matt's pj pants and t-shirt, on my hands and knees, scrubbing the wood floor and walls. I'd be quite a sight to see!

With new carpet and new linoleum this place is really starting to look cozy and clean. I'm really looking forward to December when we have all our family over in our warm cottage, to visit our sweet little baby girl. I can picture the soft Christmas music in the background and the snow outside our windows...candles burning and fresh cookies in the oven (the dough made ahead of time and in the freezer!) and the sounds of laughter and joy as our family gathers together and delights in her sweet pink cheeks and tiny fingers.

I've been contemplating how every December we celebrate the birth of our Savior, a tender little child who was still in such a vulnerable form, a perfect sweet little child. How amazing it will be to celebrate two births this Christmas, the promise and hope that both bring to us in such different ways.

Oh dear. I can't think a clever title today.

2007-09-28T11:54:00.001-07:00

Even though we walked and we celebrated, it still hasn't felt like we are really college graduates yet. Not until this morning, as I opened Matt's degree and placed it with mine. Now it feels real, and I could not be more happy or proud of Matt in his job that is exactly the answer to that annoying question that throughout the years people have asked us: "psychology huh? Whatcha gonna do with that?" Today he's at an all day conference learning about working with members who are bi-polar and depressed, with 40 other people who have traveled from many states to attend. He is truly succeeding and being praised for his work, but even more importantly he loves his job.

Just the other day I told him, "Matty, do you know that you, at age 22, have been blessed with something that some people may never attain? You have a job that you love." I think that's amazing. And I can't help but feel like the world is finally recognizing for themselves just how important and wonderful I've always seen this man to be.

On another topic, little m is dancing around to the music right now: "Girl put your records on! Tell me your favorite song. You go ahead let your hair down. Saphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams. " The moment could not be any sweeter.

Today's mission:

2007-09-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

Brainstorming relaxation techniques and making a list of what my hospital bag needs to have in it! Also, beginning a CD burning of a compilation of relaxing music.

I LOVE our birthing class. Its a group of 5 couples including us, around our same age, and who have been married around the same length of time. It's in a warm and comfortable living room with a godly instructor. After just one meeting I'm starting to feel like, ok, I can do this thing called giving birth!

Matt's going to be the best coach ever.

I want this as a T-shirt!

2007-09-25T21:35:00.001-07:00

Getting closer

2007-09-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

Last night we watched National Geographic's "In the Womb." The pregnancy books and online calendars simply don't compare to seeing actual footage of a real baby's development. Although we were glued to the footage, we kept saying, "ok, but show us 26 weeks!" Once the film hit 26 weeks it seemed to say, "ok, so now the baby has a chance to survive outside of the womb, she just keeps getting bigger from week 26 onward." The film quickly ended after week 26! It's hitting me that we are really in our last stretch here!

Last night I dreamt that all of my family, including extended family, was waiting to see little m in Manito Park, which is my favorite place in Spokane. Everyone was laying in the gardens on picnic blankets, patiently waiting to see her. As I reached the crest of the hill I was shocked to see them all, and I was about to say, "hey, we still have a few months!" but all of a sudden there she was, swaddled in a soft cream blanket in my arms.

...now that's the kind of labor I'd like to have!

A song for little m

2007-09-03T23:28:00.000-07:00

Good morning little m
I want you to know
that I love you little m
and I'll watch you grow

Up to be who you will be
I'll watch you patiently
but how I just can't wait to see
I love you little m

Hey there little m
I want you to know
your mama and your daddy oh
they love you so

It doesn't matter what you do
they'll always be there loving you
when you're up or when you're blue
they love you little m

Sweet dreams my little m
I want you to know
that Jesus watches over you
you'll never be alone

He loves you more than words can say
he's got a plan for everyday
he wants you to walk in his way
he loves you little m

We're all watching patiently
to see who you grow up to be
but how we all can't wait to see
we love you little m

we love you little m
we love you little...

You are my sunshine
my little sunshine
you make me happy
when skies are gray
you'll never know dear
how much I love you
please don't take my sunshine away

~Auntie Lacey

Lemonade flats

2007-09-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have now reached the swollen part of pregnancy. I cannot get my wedding ring off my finger- I tried the other night with a bottle of dish soap, but all I ended up doing was making myself cry and turning my finger purple.

I hadn't noticed the swelling in my feet since I've been wearing nothing but flip flops for months, but on a cooler day last week I went to slip into my most comfortable fall leather loafers. Much to my distress, I felt like Cinderella's evil stepsister, trying to jam my fat foot into a delicate slipper.

I was feeling rather bummed about this swollen aspect until it suddenly occurred to me yesterday that I can finally wear ballerina flats now! My pre-preggy feet were always too slender for any pair I tried on (and I've tried on many). Sure enough, there's a perfect black pair at Macy's, that fits perfectly on my fat feet. I think it is so fitting that they are called "keepsake."When life hands you lemons...

Sage advice

2007-08-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

My weekly e-mail from baby center contained this suggestion for week 24:

This Week's Activity:

Tackle your home improvement projects. Sit down with your partner and take stock of the things you'd like to fix around the house before your little one arrives. Then give your partner the list. Letting him handle these projects is a great way to prepare for the baby. You're doing enough!

...I light of my posts and my recent daily house work obsessions, I find this quite humorous.

Nesting

2007-08-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

Two weekends ago, Matt and I painted our ugly black and blue office a nice Restoration Hardware muted lavender. It feels like an entirely different room- for one it feels calming (we removed all the glued magazine cut outs of car pictures) and for two it feels clean. It's amazing what 2 cans of discounted 12.00 paint will do!

Suddenly I want to paint everything. I mean every wall in this house! I want that clean feeling to bring this baby home to. I want a fresh start with this house, leaving behind us the neglect which the past years have brought it.

This house still needs so much work to be done. Many things are out of our hands, we continue to pester our landlords to complete the millions of things which were promised us (such as removal of the dog urine carpets in our kitchen) and it feels rather helpless sometimes. Now the realization of how close the baby is to coming has kicked in and my nesting instinct has gone into overdrive. I'm not just preparing a nursery for little m, I'm preparing an entire house!

Dreaming

2007-08-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

I love to dream. Today we shopped around at Home Depot and Costco and strolled through dream kitchens and bathrooms. We picked out everything for our future dream home, from light fixtures, to counter tops, to shutters. Of course, by the time we get to that place, those things won't be in stock (our taste might change too) but it is still fun to dream big and be filled with the excitement of ideas and plans.

At every turn there were sweet chubby faces today, so as we dreamt about home fixtures we also squeezed each others hands in excitement of the last few months before we meet our little m.

Smarty pants

2007-08-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

My online preggy calendar sites this coming Friday as the day that little m might begin sucking her thumb...ha. She's been doing that for at least 3 weeks! See how smart she is already!

She is so active now! She is constantly kicking and moving around, I think I can feel her doing somersaults.

Wonder in the making

2007-08-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Although I have been feeling little m for a few weeks now, I'm still surprised daily at how strong her kicking is becoming. Last night I was awoken for the first time by her karate chops, and I don't think it is going to be the last.

One of my favorite parts of the day is the mornings when we can lay in bed together and feel her move. Matt is so thrilled to be able to finally feel what I've been talking about for weeks! Last night Matt said he awoke from a nightmare and found comfort from reaching over and feeling her kick inside me, while I was asleep.

These lyrics run through my head all day:

Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by Gods hand
And perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what Hes been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living breathing priceless work of art and

Just look at you
Youre a wonder in the making
Oh and Gods not through no
In fact hes just getting started and
I can see the fingerprints of God

Won't you please?

2007-08-16T15:16:00.001-07:00

Can someone please figure out a way to instantly ship me a lunch from Christiano's in Marysville? Oh man, I need that italian salad and pizza...or salad and chicken fettuccine...and green tea...

Torture.

Little m's first photo shoot

2007-08-06T14:24:00.001-07:00

I know what I'm getting for Christmas!

2007-08-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

We are having a girl!!! Yesterday, for a breathtaking half an hour we were able to watch her for the first time. I've never experienced anything more beautiful or wondrous. Little M was sucking her thumb the entire time! The nurse kept remarking, oh my gosh she is SO cute! This only made us proud parents even more proud. The nurse measured everything from her humerus bone, to her brain, to her heart beat, and she said that everything is perfect- except that she is about 6 days younger than they expected...she explained that this could potentially move our due date from December 18th to Christmas Eve!

Through my entire 20 weeks of being pregnant thus far, in every dream that I had about little M (which was pretty much every night) she was a little girl. For the past 20 weeks I had hoped and hoped that she was a little girl, I longed as I looked at ribbons and dresses...and the Lord has truly blessed us!

So far we have the names Mikenna and Miya chosen, but we aren't going to decide for sure until we see her sweet little face. We're halfway through, only 20 more weeks till we meet her (unless she decides to come early!)

We have tons of beautiful pictures of her, but our scanner has decided not to work, of all things. So I have sent the pictures home with my father-in-law, and he is going to scan them in for me. Hopefully I'll be able to post those soon!

Scaredy Cat

2007-07-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today Matt terrified Kilo. Apparently, Kilo is used to seeing Matt is T's and shorts, so when he woke up from his spot on the bed and spotted Matt's back turned to him, dressed in dress slacks and a dress shirt, he was scared and he hid under the bed. Matt had to coax him out with his voice and Kilo slinked out, sniffing to insure it really was Matt, then once the recognition set in he meowed and licked Matt's toes as he always does when he wants breakfast. We've been in college the whole time we've owned Kilo, and apparently it's going to take time for him to adjust to Matt wearing an adult wardrobe.

In the meanwhile Sookie watched lazily from her post on the bed. I guess she's seen us dress up a few times before.

My belly leads the way

2007-07-13T00:14:00.000-07:00

I'm either starving or badly needing to pee at any given moment these days. Or both at once.

Giving thanks

2007-06-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

While driving home from my client's house I was thinking about blessings. It began by thinking upon all the ways that I feel blessed by God in my life, and how He intimately knows my needs and my heart's desires. There has never been a time in my life where my needs have not been met by Him, even in times that I thought, ok, this is it, there's no where to turn here! I've always loved Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."Through my teen years I learned a very important aspect of that verse- that if you delight in Him, and He is your desire, then your desires will always be meet because He is eternal, and unchanging, and His love in unconditional.

My thoughts led to ways that people have blessed me in intimate ways. I was flooded with memories of blessings, and I searched for some sort of thread that joined them all. What I realized was that when I felt the most blessed it was because someone really paid close attention to me or to aspects of my life, and they chose to bless me in a specific way. I wish I could find a way to say that more eloquently. Often times, I've been blown away by the blessing simply by the sheer insightfullness of the gesture- that someone picked up on something in my life I had not noticed myself.

...
I'm feeling really thankful today.

Harmony of hearts

2007-06-13T13:40:00.001-07:00

FINALLY, I can post about the baby! I love that the world knows now, no more hiding!

We had our third checkup yesterday, and with great joy listened to the harmony of our heartbeats. Tears streamed down my face and joy surged through my heart. I'm feeling rather inpatient, I want to meet my child and take him/her home.

Debbie's take on graduation

2007-06-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

the day of my official graduation with a bachelor's of arts degree in psychology. how it is that i am a member of the college of the sciences, yet i am awarded an arts degree is beyond me. they didn't teach me that why that is.

i had the pleasure of sitting next to a couple of my best friends, malerie and matthew brock. we have spent the last two academic years together: studying late nights at d&m, frantically shuffling note cards around before a test, spending hours upon hours writing research papers, and of course - watching lost for our one hour a week of relaxation and ice cream. although it is such a nice relief to be free from all the chaos of schoolwork, (until fall.... not quite done yet) I am most certainly going to miss the good times we all had joking around about our classes and our professors. so needless to say, but i will say it anyway, it was very appropriate that the three of us get our degrees next to each other.

(there will be pictures later.)

we did laugh when they mentioned that student who have individual studies majors "work with their faculty advisor" in order to get their degree... because malerie has had waaayyy too many problems trying to get her individual studies degree finalized. we laughed pretty hard about that one. oh, how nice to be done with all the crap with the registrar! seriously, i'm sure they are very glad for that.

also, dr. eubanks decided to accost us after we walked down the ramp, giving us hugs and telling us congratulations, and knocking mal's cap off even. we're sort of baffled as to why he did this - we only had one class with him... and it was over a year ago! it was odd.

i am glad that the rain decided to hold off for just a little bit. i do feel bad for people that were in the second ceremony because i bet they got wet (anna! hope you didn't get too soppy!) and also for my besty laura because she graduated from the UW today, and got completely drenched. how unfortunate.

all in all, it was a pretty great day. the family all got together tonight for a dinner at the valley cafe and it was really nice. everyone is so proud of me and it is so nice to have such a supporting group of people in my life.

if you're interested... here's a scanned image of the article i was featured in (second half of the front page... woo!)

p.s.

2007-06-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

Who decided to make the honors tassel a hideous shade of red? A red that clashes with the maroon gowns? Not mention, our plain tassel, a subdued mix of red and black looks better. What are the reinforcing- mediocre grades? Or do we wear both tassels?

Moleskin

2007-06-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

There is something so delightful about penciling in a brand new moleskin daily planner-birthdays, work schedules, friends and family trips...In other news, I'm a college graduate! But my planner doesn't start until June 25th, so I couldn't write that down.

In my inbox this morning

2007-05-31T18:48:00.000-07:00

The Central Washington University Ellensburg campus science building is closed today, Thursday, May 31 due to a telephone bomb threat. The building will be open and classes will be back in session tomorrow, Friday, June 1. All other areas on the Ellensburg campus are open today.

...Sometimes, this world makes me feel sad. The only fear that college students should have to face in regards to classes is making good grades, not bomb threats. After spending an entire quarter of reading the New York Times, including days of extensive coverage of the Virgina Tech shootings, I still felt pretty safe in this little college town, but I don't anymore.

This is

2007-05-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

the blog where I will not complain about end of the quarter group projects.

Sometimes 10 minutes takes 8 hours

2007-05-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

For our ASL final, we had to make a 5 minute movie about ourselves. Between our 10 minutes, they took us over 8 hours to make. On top of that, Kilo decided to jump into the frame, and stay for the first minute, debuting his little white hinney. Then, later on Sookie jumped up onto the arm of my chair and sat like a gargoyle, staring into the screen. I barely kept my composure, but luckily our professor won't hear my muffled giggles.

We are done, but now way behind schedule. Once again I reiterate, AHHHHH!

How I feel this week:

2007-05-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

AHHHHHH!

Happy graduation, love mom and dad

2007-05-26T22:01:00.001-07:00

It's on it's way, and boy I can't wait!

Just a little motivation to keep pressing on...

Q & no A

2007-05-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

I keep asking myself this question: How am I supposed to get this all done before graduation?

I don't have the answer, so I blog instead.

CWU

2007-05-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

is so frustrating. We got our graduation packet today and mine said ROW B. Where's my husband sitting? ROW C.

Sorry dad...

2007-05-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

...but my husband grills the best steak ever. I never thought anyone could top you.

The kitties are sitting at the sliding door, smelling the smoke that is drifting through the screen. It's been one of their favorite past times lately.

Matt's looking forward to graduation so that he can finally get a real size BBQ, it will be a gift from his parents. I don't know how his steak will get any better, but he thinks it will!

Good thing you're not here right now Lace, because I don't think you'd be able to keep to your month long vegetarian commitment!

I miss my family so much. I can't wait to see them!