my happily ever after

One whole year!

2011-12-09T16:19:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday, Jeremiah!! So crazy how fast a year can go.
He is getting pretty good at walking...he can make it about 5 or 6 steps. He definitley prefers crawling right now...he just wants to get where he is going!
Today was his first day with no morning nap...he did great! It has taken him about 45 minutes to fall asleep for his nap in the mornings, and he didn't sleep all that well in the afternoon so I figured it was time for a change!
Also, he has two molars coming in (that I can tell so far). I can't believe he gets so many teeth in at once. The six at one time had to have been painful.

And today Olivia is half way to FOUR!! She is such an amazing girl. We are working a lot on reading. She knows quite a few sight words and is getting good at trying to sound out other words. She can also write her name pretty well...I'm super impressed.

We have some new hope in the helicopter training for Joel. The school that is in Spokane doesn't take financial aid, which makes the $55,000 price tag even more overwhelming. But he found out a few days ago they just recently teamed up with a college in Moses Lake for the program and that school takes financial aid! Now we just have to figure out how were are going to get him there for classes when it is two hours away. But this is a step in the right direction!

Nannying is going well. I'm really thankful for the job, I'm glad I'm home by 9 and can spend my days with Olivia and Jeremiah. I am belieiving for a child that I can take care of at home too.
I was so sad, hurt, and blindsided so I didn't really have time to think about how everything would change. I miss getting to make breakfast with Olivia; I actually just miss our whole morning routine. But, God is providing and we'll eventually figure something else out!

Random Things I want to remember

2011-11-21T22:23:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah took four steps by himself on Friday, Nov 18. He doesn't seem very interested in walking.

Olivia is becoming quite the gamer...she is always wanting to play Guess Who, Go Fish, Uno, or War. I LOVE getting to play with her.

Crawler

2011-07-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah is crawling. Kind of. He isn't up on his hands and knees...but he has a pretty impressive army craw going on. He either rolls to where he wants to be or squirms his way there on his tummy.
He is 7 1/2 months old... about the same age that Olivia started crawling! I can't believe how fast he is growing!
At his six month check up he was 17 lbs and I think like 26 inches. With how much he eats I was expecting him to be in like the 90th percentile for weight, but he was only in the 30th.

I wish I knew where our camera was so I could record him crawling and take pictures of him and Olivia playing together.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-21T23:21:00.000-07:00

Joel is an amazing dad. This year we got him a dry box from Cabelas for his ammo and stuff. Olivia did such a good just keeping it a secret all week.
Jeremiah started saying da da again just in time for Father's day. He started a few weeks ago, but then completely stopped for awhile. On Sunday it sounded a lot like he was saying "hey da da." So cute.

Teeth!

2011-06-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

On of his bottom front teeth broke through the gum a few days ago! He is taking teething GREAT!! He hasn't been fussy, he is still sleeping through the night and all of his naps. He is taking it like a man!! ha ha
I couldn't get a good picture of his tooth, but these are just too cute. I love that little guy.

Pin It!

2011-06-01T16:09:00.001-07:00

I just started using Pinterest and I absolutely LOVE it. My bookmark folders are neverending, and this site is pretty much a bookmarking site but with pictures and you can see what your friends are looking at, too!
I could seriously spend hours and hours looking at all the stuff on there.

Sisters

2011-05-30T22:17:00.000-07:00

I finally got to meet my half sister Rachel on Saturday. We went to Wild Sage Bistro in Spokane...it was amazing. Pricilla's sister and husband were there and so were Pricilla's step-daughters Brittany and Ashley.
I wish I was better at small talk and had more to say.
Rachel is graduating on Wednesday and they invited us to her graduation BBQ, so I think that will be nice to get to talk to all of them more. I was sitting at the end of the table so I didn't really get to talk to Brittany or Ash very much and just a little with Rachel. Although I think that was mainly because we were both a little nervous (or at least I was).

The Weekend...

2011-05-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

I'm mapping out my garage sales today...trying to see how many I can fit in before I have to be home to feed Jeremiah. I'm hoping to find some cutie stuff for Olivia's birthday, summer clothes for the kids (KIDS...still gets me), and maybe some stuff for the house or some crafty things.

ALSO...Joel and I are going to dinner tomorrow night with Pricilla and her family. I finally get to meet Rachel, my half sister and some others. So excited...we are going to the Wild Sage Bistro in downtown Spokane. Jeremiah and Olivia get to hang out with Grammy and Papa while we are gone.
That reminds me...
I've only had to leave Jeremiah one other time and I had pumped some milk for Joel to feed him. When Joel when to feed him Jeremiah just screamed and screamed and wouldn't eat anything. He would just stare at Joel and cry. So I told Joel (jokingly) to use my nursing cover and feed him with that. So Joel went and put on some of my lotion, scooped JJ up under the cover before he could see Joel...and he immediately started eating! I will definitely be leaving the cover for Grammy and Papa just in case!

FAIL!

2011-05-27T15:55:00.001-07:00

Okay, not completely failing, but I'm not doing so great at this whole keeping up with the blog thing. I so want to be able to keep track of our lives, but I can't seem to find the time to just sit down on a regular basis and write about it. Maybe I will just have to have a set time at least every week to sit down and type.

Jeremiah is going to be 6 months old and Olivia will be 3 years old in less than two weeks!!!
Crazy.

Also, I go back and forth about doing the nursing program or not doing the nursing program...on a daily basis...multiple times a day. I can't decide.

XBox: GONE

2011-05-20T20:49:00.001-07:00

It's gone. I never thought the day would come.
Joel decided while back that he was just spending too much time and could be doing many other productive things with his life. He finally could admit that it was like an addiction for him. Anytime he needed to get away from school, life, or anything he would just go play instead of hmmmm..maybe seeking Jesus? :)
We realized that he has had some sort of gaming system for almost TWENTY YEARS!! He got his first one when he broke his leg when he was four.

I know I have things that I escape with and we are just working on all that stuff together. Instead of watching TV or playing XBox in the evenings we sit and read the Bible together. I have more time to prepare for the next day and even work on some fun stuff too like sewing and jewelry stuff and other crafty things. Oh I miss being crafty. My bookmarks on the computer for all the things I want to make is getting out of control.
Now that I think of it...my mental bookmarks for all the things I want to do is getting out of control. My mind is contantly reeling with stuff all day long. Seriously, if I just had the money, I would have so many business out there. They might not be the most sucessful...but I would be loving it!!
Who wouldn't want to go to a commerical-type kitchen completely equipped for canning and can your own food!! And if I had a huge garden on site you could pick the food, bring it inside and start canning!

2011-05-06T23:53:00.000-07:00

During nap time, Olivia came into my room like this....

Easter

2011-05-06T23:33:00.000-07:00

Easter was great. The "Candy Hunt" at CDA Assembly was awesome, I'm so glad Marta told us about it. Three bouncy castles, free hot dogs, free carmel corn, CDA fire department, face paintings, and awesome weather!
Afterwards we went to grammy and papa's house to decorate and stuff eggs with Luke, Rachel, and Teresa.
On Easter Joel and Bryan hid a whole bunch of eggs at the camp for the kids. We did one section for Rachel and Olivia and another section for the older kids.
Then we had a potluck dinner with the Majors, Reeses, Janzens, and Batchelders. Definitely a great tradition to keep going.

Food!!!

2011-05-06T23:03:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah loves food!!!

I have to cut him off though...I don't know exactly how much he can eat but he doesn't ever seem to want to stop eating. He hasn't thrown up anything...but I feel like 1/2 avocado plus a little apple is more than plenty.

We got Jeremiah's booster today...its weird to look at our kitchen table and see two little booster seats...because we have TWO kids. Weird, but awesome.

2nd Round

2011-05-06T22:54:00.001-07:00

I'm losing my hair...again. It's gross, yes, but it is devastating. It happened after Olivia was born, and it's happening again now.
My hair is everywhere...in Jeremiah's diapers, on my clothes, on Joel's clothes, in our food, all over...every time I touch my hair at least 2 or three strands fall out. Little balding/thinning spots are returning on the sides of my head.
I went to Super Supplements and got a hair supplement thing so hopefully that will help. I took it last time but stopped after the first 30 day supply because I didn't notice any difference. I found out I'm supposed to give it 3 months to start showing it effects (or affects...I never know).

The thing that helped all my hair grow back was getting pregnant again... :)

4 Months!! Well...make that 4 1/2...

2011-04-20T23:42:00.000-07:00

He is getting so big. He weighs 14 1/2 lbs and is 26 inches long.
I finally dragged myself to go shopping for bigger clothes for him...already in the 6 month clothes! I have been putting it off until I realized he was wearing more "capris" than he was pants.
I think he is going to LOVE eating. Anytime I get a drink or eat anything while I am holding him, he starts grunting and lunging toward whatever I'm holding.
I gave him just three little bites of my banana today and he seemed to really like it. He opened his mouth right when I put the spoon up to it and swallowed it all.
He has rolled over twice now.
He isn't quite sitting up on his own yet, but he loves his Bumbo! Olivia was sitting up by herself by the time she was 4 months...I told Jeremiah he needs to pick it up a bit! Ha ha :)
Just like his big sister, he is an awesome sleeper.
Since he was born I would read my bible while I was nursing in the morning. For his first feeding in the morning, we are the only two awake so that's when read now...if I forget or don't start reading right away he will stop eating and just stare at me...like he is waiting for me to start talking. As soon as I am reading he goes right back to eating.
He has the cutest laugh. Tickling under the chin, on the tummy, and in the armpits seem to get the best giggle.

SUCCESS!!

2011-04-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

It has been about a week since Olivia has gone without pullups at night time. She has been potty trained since her 2nd birthday...but the nighttime stuff just wasn't working out.
The first three nights we changed sheets at least once during the night. Then there were two nights she didn't pee in bed at all! Then the last two nights she has peed somewhere around 3 or 4 in the morning. We have been getting her out of bed right before we go to bed to have to try go go potty one last time.
And then...finally...last night she made it through the night AND actually got out of bed around three to go to the bathroom. She still cried from the bathroom and I had to go help her, BUT I didn't have to change any sheets!!

Let's see how tonight goes...

Day One-ish

2011-04-07T16:52:00.001-07:00

We did our first day of "official" preschool today. All we did was an assesment thing to see where the girls are with stuff. We did letters, numbers, counting, patterns, colors, tracing, and cutting. I think that's it..maybe some other things too. My school supplies are coming tomorrow from Amazon so on Monday we are starting the actual "curriculum." Olivia and Rachel aren't really in the same place, so I'm probably going to end up two things every week.
I don't know if Rachel had fun...but Olivia definitely loved it. When we were done she asked me, "When do we get to do more school stuff, mama?" :)

"Mom, these shoes look sooo awesome!!"

2011-04-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

"New" shoes from her friend Rachel :)

The Reeses have arrived

2011-04-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago, Tim and Harriet moved to Post Falls with their three kids, Kathryn, Luke, and Rachel. I met them when Joel and I got married and have just fallen in love with their family. Harriet is now the cook at Ross Point and they live in the house at the camp so we get to see them all the time now!!
Their youngest, Rachel Rose, is Olivia's new friend. Everytime we go to the camp Olivia is asking me if we can go to Rachel's house. They play so well together. The first night they were in Post Falls we had dinner at John and Fay's house.
When Rachel walked in the door Olivia ran over to say hi...after kind of staring at each other not knowing what to say Olivia ran back over to me and said, "Look how beautiful Rachel looks in her pink shirt!!"
They quickly became comfortable with each other and spent most of their time taking turn bouncing on the horsie.
A few days ago we drove up to the camp and Rachel came running out into the parking lot yelling, "Olivia!!! Olivia!!!" SO CUTE!! Olivia got out of the car and told Rachel, "Oh I have missed you so much!" and they gave each other hugs.
I am so so thankful that Olivia has a good little friend to play with that is close by and who has awesome parents.

I am starting preschool homeschooling stuff with Olivia, and Tim and Harriet are so graciously letting Rachel come over and do school with us too!! It's kind of a weird time to start, but especially with their age I don't think it really matters. I figure it is better to start now than wait until the typical time to start school with having wasted several months of good learning time!!

Goodnight, Sweet Boy

2011-03-11T23:12:00.001-08:00

Popcorn

2011-03-11T23:06:00.001-08:00

I lOVE popcorn.
I normally just buy the movie theater butter microwave popcorn. Never again.
Not after making popcorn on the stovetop. It was AMAZING. And it was so easy! It took maybe just a little bit longer than the microwave stuff. And it was so much healthier.

2 Tbs coconut oil
1 Tbs butter
1/2 cup corn kernels

Heat. Shake. Giggle with excitement. Lightly Salt. Scarf down like its your last meal.

1/2 cuip of corn kernels for a big, overfilling bowl of yummy popcorn. Yes please.

Dream Realized

2011-03-10T23:01:00.000-08:00

I met my birthmom. On my birthday. I was born on Friday, March 4, 1988 at 6:00pm. We met at my house on March 4, 2011 at 6:00pm.

I don't remember when my parents told me I was adopted. I was probably really young, and it has always been something I've just known. I've always wanted to meet my birthmom. I was around 10 years old when I found my hospital baby bracelet, saw her name, looked her up in the phone book and called her. Since then, the desire to meet has been even stronger.
I found her on facebook sometime in college, and when I was pregnant I e-mailed her about family health history. We started e-mailing back and forth some more and started making plans to meet. As the weekend that we had planned to meet got closer and closer, I hadn't heard anything from her so I called her and heard nothing. Fast forward almost 2 years to January. It had been on my mind for a long time to try to reestablish communication. Fay frequently talked to me about it and it was so encouraging. I e-mailed her...apologizing for anything I might have done. She e-mailed me back a couple of weeks later and we made plans to meet.

She lives in Mexico part time, and in Spokane the other half.
Our time together was great. It was easy, not awkward, and was so amazing. It was kind of surreal...I didn't really know what to do or what to talk about...but it somehow happened.
I made chicken tortilla soup and put out some chips and salsa. Before she came over, I realized that she lives in MEXICO part of the time...why would she want Mexican food??? On top of that, I have some pretty high standards to compete with!
I kinda joked as I told her those things when I was serving up dinner. She laughed and told us that when her husband is living there by himself, he normally eats all the street food so by the time she gets there he is tired of Mexican food and wants some American cooking! So she only has maybe one "Mexican meal" every time she goes. And she did say that my chicken tortilla soup was just like they make it there.

She told me about her time being pregnant and after. All she wanted to do was talk to someone about it...anyone, but no one would listen. Her parents avoided the topic. They only recognized the fact that she was pregnant twice: once to beg her to let them raise me (which she declined based on how they raised her :) ), and then again when her mom drove her to the hospital when she was in labor. Andy even lived with them for awhile when she was pregnant, and her mom referred to him as "that boy." Apparently in that time is was very taboo to give a child up for adoption. When she was in the hospital she didn't even get to stay on the labor and delivery floor. She was sent to a regular surgical unit. No one talked to her, no one even touched her.
While pregnant, she and Andy had decided not to see me after I was born. But after I cam out they both changed their minds. They went to a room with me and counted all of my fingers and toes and just spent some time with me.
Since then, she was always wanted to talk about having given up a child for adoption. She said that she always used that as her ice breaker in those large group games people play.
There is a business in Post Falls that is run by some friends of hers. They had a son in the same grade, so they would always send her a photo copy of the yearbook page I was one. When it came time for graduation they wanted to surprise her with a ticket. They asked all of their customers that came through if they happened to have an extra ticket. She was at my graduation!! So crazy.

I am so excited to get to meet her family and for her to meet mine.
So surreal.

3 Months!!

2011-03-10T22:36:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah turned 3 months yesterday. So crazy. I think he is going to like dinosaurs or something. Whenever we growl or make any other noises like that he makes the biggest smile and even sometimes giggles! It is so different from Olivia...when she was that age she like singing and high voices. Jeremiah likes those....but he likes growls so much more!

Olivia is going skiing tomorrow with Papa. Just the two of them. We got her a harness with leashes and a handle. She wore it every second she could. Joel and I have been talking to her about things like wearing goggles and a helmet, riding the gondola, and wearing skis (kinda hard to explain). I'm kind of nervous. I know she will be fine and John will be awesome...I'm just nervous. He is picking her up at 8:30, and they are just going for a few hours. John read an article awhile ago about how to get your kids to love skiing...and it talks about taking it slow and not making them do anything they don't want to on the mountain. It even suggests the first time might be a "play in the snow" day. So however it goes, I hope she has fun.

Hiding Books

2011-03-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

I love to read to Olivia. And she loves to have books read to her.
But, she seem to get stuck on just a few books and only wants you to read those over and over and over again. She has TONS of books. So many to choose from...but she will go pick out her select three or four and only want to read those. And we have read them so much that if I "accidentaly" skip a page she quickly turn back the pages telling me that I forgot some pages. Some of her books she can actually go page by page and say the words on the page from memory. Yes, we have read them that much.
Any time I am feedng Jeremiah, "Mommy, can you read these books?"
Any time I am sitting on the couch, "Mommy, can you read this book?"
Any time I am trying to get some dinner or lunch ready, "Mommy, can you hold me and read this book?"
Any time doing something on the computer, "Mommy, can I sit on you and you read these books?"

These are her current four books that she insists on reading:

And these ones are still in hiding in our room...

health

2011-03-01T18:08:00.000-08:00

Olivia is sick. It is so sad...I hate it when she is sick. She has had a runny nose for about a week and yesterday it got worse. She is really congested and doesn't know how to clear her throat so her voice is sooo raspy. Even when she tries, she can't quite clear it up. And...she is definitely not a fan of saline drops followed by a nasal aspirator....that is until Daddy made it a game. He got her to blow out when the aspirator was sucking out. She tried to get out as much as possible. She told us that it just tickles when it comes out. On a side note....I HATE using that thing. SO GROSS.

Olivia praying before bedtime is the cutest thing ever. Joel usually prays first, and then she say, "I'll pray in a little bit." Then she'll close her eyes like she's sleeping, open them back up and say, "Okay, now I will pray." She thanks Jesus for whatever fun thing she got to do that day, usually repeats whatever we prayed for (with her own interpretation), and then ends with, "and help all the pain go away. In Jesus' name, Amen." When we pray and we don't end our prayer that way, she is always sure to point out that "we forgot about the pain," or didn't say Jesus' name.
Joel and I are pretty sure that she says the pain thing every time because whenever she gets hurts we'll say a quick little prayer for whatever she hurt. It's cute...instead of asking for a kiss on her boo boo, she will ask us to pray for her.

I'm overwhelmed at the idea of homeschooling. I'm scared to have to teach my kids pretty much everything they need to know for life. I'm also excited that Joel and I will get to dedicate our lives to shaping their character and investing in their lives. Honestly, I'm hestitant to tell people because of what they will think of us. Until just recently, my view of homeschoolers were kids who had absolutley no social skills, dressed weirdly, and were just weird in general. I have been proven wrong time and time again, but I know that some people still view homeschooling as an outdated concept for weird and scared people. There is no way that what other people think of us is going to get in the way we raise our kids, but it's still in the back of my mind.
I registered for the conference put on by the Valley Homeschooling group. It looks like there are a lot of good workshops. I'm going to have to bring a lot of paper to take notes! Hopefully Jamie decides to go so maybe we can split up and go to different workshops and then share notes.

Also...totally random, but Joel spent the entire evening yesterday doing his Computer Science homework. Before, if he ever spent that much consecutive time on homework, he would be so annoyed and mad. But last night, he would come out of our room SO excited about the program he was writing and wanting me to try it.
I am SO excited that he is excited. It was so draining for me to listen to him be so depressed about his school stuff. At least three or four times a week he mentions how much he is loving computer science. Such a blessing! Now we are praying in quick schooling and the perfect job when he is done!

Projects

2011-02-23T15:14:00.001-08:00

I finally got around to making some more earrings last night. It didn't take long, but I got through two pairs (all while nursing Jeremiah)! Next thing is a necklace...

Saturday

2011-02-19T18:24:00.000-08:00

We went out to La Cabana this afternoon with Andy, Corin, and the boys...SO yummy!! I love their chicken fajitas!
And this morning after Jeremiah went down for his first morning nap...Joel played with Olivia and I got to take an hour and a half nap!! It felt so good. It has been awhile...when 10 o'clock rolled around I was wishing for 3 or 4 more hours.

After lunch Joel went to Casey's house...so it has been a nice relaxing afternoon at home with the kids (oh how I LOVE saying "kids").

Current happenings:

Baking potatoes to make a whole bunch of frozen hashbrowns. I got a 10lb bag of potatoes for $0.75 so...the logical thing to do is make a ton of frozen hashbrowns, right??

My precious girl is eating some dinner...it's leftover night since Daddy is gone. :)

And he's taking a nap...like always.

Nutramil!!!

2011-02-19T12:55:00.000-08:00

I want one of these sooo bad! Lets hope I can win this giveaway!!

I have tried bread made with fresh fglour and it is so amazing...and so much better for you!

pumkin spice is everything nice...

2011-02-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

In my attempt to increase the size of my cookbook, each week I make it a point to try at least one new recipe. This morning I made pumpkin spice waffles.

Oh my goodness they were SOOO good! I had two. And they aren't small waffles either. But...I'm breastfeeding so it all works out calorie-wise, right?
The recipe called for 4 Tbs of butter, so I tried out my coconut oil and did half butter half coconut oil. The recipe said to use melted butter, so after I melted the butter I put in the 2 tbs of coconut oil. It is solid at room temperature and melts at about 78 degress. So it melted in the butter, but then I added it to the milk/egg/pumpkin mixture and I soon had hard chunks of coconut oil in the bowl and sticking to the side and spoon. I put some warm water in the sink and put the bowl in that and that seemed to help a little bit. There was still chunks of the coconut oil floating on top, but everything on the sides melted back in.

So...I guess I won't be substituting coconut oil in where I need melted butter because it just goes to a solid too quickly!
The good news is that there wasn't any coconut flavor in the waffles! And I made my honey whole wheat bread last night and used half butter half coconut oil, and the bread turned out great just like it always does!! Now if only the coconut oil wasn't so expensive...

Yesterday was Valentines Day. It was my goal all day to have Olivia sit down and color Joel a heart or something. But that never happened. When I finally did get the chance to do it, Joel walked in! How sweet he is...flowers and card in hand. And we have been looking for a shelf to put over the computer so we went to Lowes to find a shelf.
I didn't really have anything planned for dinner, so I had started thawing some chili in the sink. Despite double bagging it, somehow the water got into the bag of chili. So...we stopped by Costco for their chicken alfredo dinner thing. I also figured it would be a good chance to get Joelie a new bluray player since he dropped his on Christmas and broke it. There was one there that was only $100 after $30 off! Sweet!!
So came home, had some dinner, made brownies, and got the kiddos off to bed. Great Valentines Day.

Can I just mention how much I LOVE to be able to say KIDS...plural...more than one...!
And can I also mention how great a sleeper Jeremiah is? 7-8 hours each night at 2 months!! And...when we put him in his crib all swaddled up, he hardly ever cries!! Sometimes we even get smile before he drifts off to sleep.

As for Olivia....oh how I wish I had a picture from Sunday. I was getting ready for church and she was sitting on the counter playing with my earrings and watching me get ready. I turned to talk to Joel for seriously A FEW SECONDS, and when I turned around she was holding my open mascara with it streaked all down her cheek. She had managed to get a little bit on her eye lashes. It was so hard not to laugh...and Joel actually had to tell her to stop and explain to her why because I was laughing too hard. I wanted to take a picture so bad...but I figured that would have totally encouraged her to do it again.

good food

2011-02-14T14:05:00.000-08:00

Getting pregnant with Olivia and especially making her baby food has totally changed my perspective on food. I have changed how I eat so much, and I am still changing. There is just so much I don't know and there is SO much junk out there!!
Reading about the whole Taco Bell meat thing is disgusting (http://www.milehimama.com/2011/01/26/is-taco-bell-meat-actually-beef/)... pretty sure Joel and I are totally cutting back (if not eliminating) fast food places like that. Caruso's all the way baby!

I have spent hours reading and researching online. My most recent addition to my kitchen is coconut oil.

I had always heard that coconut oil has a huge amount of saturated fat, so you shouldn't eat it. YES, it does have a huge amount of saturated fat, but they are medium length chains, not the long chains found in animal fats. So our bodies digest these totoally differently and coconut oil is hugely beneficial.

I'm kinda nervous to use it! Hopefully our food won't taste like coconut!

oh coffee...

2011-02-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

I broke out my coffee pot again this morning. I'm just waiting for it to finish its cleaning cycle. Opening up that bag of coffee beans was amazing...that smell is amazing. Hearing the grinder, smelling the grinds...oh how I love coffee. I SO wish I could work as a a barista! You know..with all that free time I have. I bought decaf coffee, and I'm kinda scared that I'm going to be disappointed. But...I have a lot of it so if I'm disappointed, I'm going to be disappointed for about 2 lbs worth of decaf. T-10 months until caffiene.

Jeremiah is doing great...8 weeks old yesterday. He is smiling now...although his grumpy face does seem to be this everday look!

Olivia had a shirt pocket full of marbles the other day, leaned over the toilet after pooping and one fell out. I of course called for Joel. I had no idea what to do with a marble in the bottom of a toilet that had poop in it!! He went and got one of my long handled slotted spoons and scooped it right out. My hero. Hopefully he threw away that marble and spoon...

Whenever I tell Olivia "no" for something she has asked for she says, "Please mom, haven't you ever been in love before?" Cute...until you've heard it a million times.

So much time has gone by...

2011-01-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

I don't know what happened! Everything went so fast!
Jeremiah John Batchelder was born December 9th, 2010. Everything was amazing...the whole experience was great. I will be writing up his birth story soon..hopefully really soon so I don't forget any details!
He was dedicted to the Lord on January 16th at our church, Victory Faith.
He is such an awesome baby. Lots of grunting, not much crying!

Olivia is adjusting pretty well. She doesn't play on her own very much anymore, and she definitely has her whiny moments. But things are getting better. I try so hard to pay extra attention to her when Jeremiah is sleeping, but it seems like her neediest moments are when I am feeding Jeremiah! Go figure!!

Joel and I both started school again. He started computer science at NIC and is LOVING it. He even WANTS to do his homework!! The only frustrating thing is that lately, he really doesn't have any time to do it. And what makes this especially frustrating is that with all of his other school work in the past, he had plenty of time do it, but spent his time elsewhere (cough, cough...xbox...cough).

My oringial plan for the nursing program was to apply for this fall. But my amazing friend Janessa is going to be starting in spring, and I would so so love to do the nursing program with her. I am hesitant because I would be having to put it off even farther, but honestly, I don't see myself getting a job right after being done anyway. If I do start in the spring with her, Jeremiah will be 3 and Olivia will be 5 1/2!! So crazy!! And at that point, we will be wanting to have another baby (hopefully) so that won't be a good time to start a job anyway. I just don't know...I will be doing lots of praying.

Routine

2010-11-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

I love routines, and I can't seem to get myself into one. I tried this morning, and I think I really like it. In the past, I have been reading the Bible right before bed, but lately I just crash into bed and fall asleep immediately. So this morning I got up, brushed my teeth, made the bed and read the Bible and just spent some time with the Lord. It was so refreshing and I have already noticed that my day is going a little bit better than normal!!!
It seems like my days "feel" better when I am able to get up before Olivia does and just get myself ready for the day. I don't know how that's going to work once little Jeremiah gets here, but until then, I will try!

Speaking of Jeremiah...I am so ready for him to be here!! I think. :)
Thanks to Andy and Corin, the crib is up. I ordered little monkey decals for the wall, his clothes are organized, toys ready, diapers ready.
I have four more weeks to go...but I'm hoping he will come early! Maybe a Thanksgiving baby??!? If he does come early it will probably make the last few weeks of the semester hard, but it will be so worth it. My back especially thinks so.

Olivia talks to Jeremiah pretty much everyday. It so cute. She tells him all the things she is going to teach him and how she is going to cuddle him.

love

2010-10-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

Olivia is the most amazing little girl ever. I don't know what I would do without her. Everyday she amazes me. Everyday I love her more and more and more.
When Joel does something for her, she will say, "Thanks dad, your an awesome man."

My body is so sore. I am huge...only getting bigger. I love, love, love feeling this little boy move. We are setting up his new crib this Friday!

I need to find actual substanance to put on this thing...or else I'm just going to have lots and lots of posts about how wonderful Olivia, Joel, and baby boy are. :)

Realization

2010-09-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

I quit my job. I worked for three weeks and finally figured out that I really can't work 2 overnight shifts in a row and then expect to transistion nicely into the week. I cried every weekend....about practically nothing. I was just so tired all the time. So Joel and I are just waiting to see how God is going to provide while he is in school. Maybe I can find a weekend barista job or something...or another baby to watch at home.
I just really hate not being home with my baby girl.

Olivia loves Cinderella. She will sit and watch the entire thing without moving.

Joel starts school tomorrow. I'm praying he can finish quickly...I'm sure he is too.

Starting

2010-09-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

I don't know where to start, but I don't want to keep not writing stuff down because I don't know where to start.
So many things happen with Olivia everyday and I don't want for forget stuff.
Like when she poops...first she prays, "Jesus, please help me poop." Then when she is done she thanks Jesus for helping her poop.

"I'm getting married!!"
She wears these shoes pretty much everyday whenever we are at home

Well...I'm 26 weeks, and watching Blake (5 months) makes me more and more excited and nervous. Baby shower is Oct 9. Can't wait to paint his room (hopefully).

HOMEOWNERS!!!!

2009-11-25T13:56:00.001-08:00

It's official. We are homeowners!!! It has been way crazy!! Our file was pulled for a random USDA loan audit so they had to move our closing to today at 9am...and we weren't even sure if it was going to happen then! Our bank lady called me at 8:40 and said it wasn't happening at nine...maybe by one. Then she called at 8:55 saying it was on and to hurry to the title company to close!!

Andy and Corin bought us our fridge last night, Joel and I ordered our couch today. And we are moving stuff in tonight!! I can't even believe this is happening! God has totally just moved everything along so quickly and proved that it is so right. The audit stuff made me so nervous, but getting the certification even after an audit just completely shuts down any worries I may have had.

The bank gave us a little housewarming present!

Last week with the In-laws

2009-11-23T12:49:00.000-08:00

I have to admit...I'm sad about that.

Final walk-through with the builder today. Closing and signing papers tomorrow. Keys Wednesday.

so much waiting

2009-11-16T20:43:00.001-08:00

I think they are going to finish the house sooner than expected!!! Joel and I go out there pretty much everyday to look at it...even if just through the windows. We looked tonight and were actually able to get in...and all they have left is about half of the molding stuff, and then carpet...that's it!!! And then cleaning, of course...LOTS of cleaning. OMG. I love this house. I cannot wait to move in!!!!!!!

I'm very excited for Thanksgiving this year. Amy and Zach are staying here instead of going to Yakima, and Andy's family is going to join us! There are going to be lots of people and it is going to be awesome!!

We went out to dinner with Andy and Corin and the boys last week, and at dinner they told us they wanted to buy us our fridge and new couch!! What a blessing! Joel and I were trying to figure out how we were going to swing that without just having to add it to the house loan...but now we are taken care of!

So Olivia speaks in phrases now. She's the best ever. She says "I wub you."
The one that gets me is, "Hold me please!" How can I not???
When she talks to Joel on the phone when he is driving home from work, she's always says, "I miss you, Daddy!!"

"they have accepted your offer"

2009-10-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

The house will be done November 27th!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even believe it!! I am so excited and terrified and scared and anxious and so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Praise the Lord!!!!!!!

waiting.....

2009-10-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

All the paperwork is in...pre-approved....looking at house tomorrow...have to put in offer probably next week...

HOUSE???

praying, praying, praying...

my b

2009-09-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

Olivia and I were at the store yesterday and she was helping me push the cart...we were going down the baking aisle and when we walked past the boxes of cake mix she picked up a box and said, "I need it!!!" She's pretty much the cutest.

my life = busy
free time = nonexistent
96 on my first A&P test = awesome
quitting my job = maybe
maybe = I really hope I get to

goals

2009-08-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

It's only been three days of school so far...and I am ABSOLUTELY loving it. This truly is my calling!!
I originally started this thinking that I would get my RN from NIC. Then I looked more into it and decided I wanted to get my BSN (Bachelors of Nursing), which I can do finishing the last two years at the Coeur d'Alene LCSC campus.
THEN, I have been looking more. And now I have decided that I really want to eventually pursue being a Nurse Practitioner. It's basically a Masters in nursing.
I plan to be start working as soon as I have my RN from NIC, and then work and go to school from then on. Gonzaga even has an MPN program that is all online (designed specifically for working RNs)!!!

It's going to take a long time...but I am so so so excited.

I still can't post pictures.

frustrated

2009-08-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

I can't post pictures. After it uploads it just has a paragraph of computer language random stuff. lame.

going on a roadtrip

2009-08-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is getting married tomorrow, so Marisha and I are driving to Portland. Rachel already flew out there (she's in the wedding)and the three of us are driving back after the wedding. Driving into the wee hours of the morning...just my kind of thing!
Joel is in Moscow this weekend...hanging with his guy friends.
Although the drive will be long, I am beyond excited to get to spend some "girl" time or "me' time or whatever. My responsibilities will be gone for the day. No disciplining, no planning for the next meal or snack, no toys to pick up.
But I'm going to miss it. Even being gone 8 hours at work is sad.

Oh yeah, Olivia is spending the day with Grammy and Papa.

Speaking of Olivia....seriously...smartest baby ever. There are just so many things that amaze me everyday.
Whenever she gets keys...she goes to a door and tries to put them in the keyholes.
If she gets a hold of a paper towel or something similar...she goes to the nearest table and starts wiping it off.
When you ask her how she is...she says "Good!"
When you ask her what color her eyes are...she says "Bluuu"
I was at a garage sale the other day and a lady accidentally kicked a few rock onto the sidewalk...so Olivia walked over and moved all of the rocks back over.
She not only imitates most everything...but she remembers and repeats them later at all the appropriate times! I wish I could remember them all!

i wish

2009-08-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

I just want to start. Start taking care of people and loving on people, as a nurse, of course.
Although I'm excited to start getting my nursing degree, I really just want to start.
$500 later..I have all my books for this semester. LAME.
And that's if I can borrow one book from somebody. If I can't...tack on another $165.

Sociology 101
Psychology 101
Anatomy and Physiology I and lab
Medical Terminology
OTC Herbal Medications
Fundamentals of Music

17 credits, everything online except for my A & P lab.
Soc, Psych, and music should be ridiculously easy, especially music.
My goal: to get an A in every class.
I really think that I can do it.
A & P is a lot of memorization and that is totally my thing. TOTALLY. I used to memorize stuff for fun when I was little.

The longer I'm at my job, the more thankful I am that I'm not going be a professional engineer. I really like my job...but I would die inside if I had to do that all my life. Especially if I was a geotechnical engineer. Seriously...a lot of attention is paid to whether a core sample is Sandy silt or silty sand. ITS DIRT

success!!

2009-07-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Today...Olivia pooped in her little toilet!! Granted she did have on her diaper, but she gets it!!!!
She is far from being p0tty trained, but at least she gets the concept! I am so excited!

Daycare is going well...I miss her like crazy though, and all I want to do is leave work early so I can go get her.

I start school again in less than a month...weird. I'm pretty excited for the classes I'm taking...most of them. I could really pass on the psych and sociology. I'm most excited for when I can actually start doing what God has put me here to do!
Last weekend Amy and I picked cucumbers at Carvers farm and raspberries at my parents house and made LOTS of dill pickles and jam!! We got almost 20 pounds of cucumbers for just $10!!! And all the raspberries were free! We made strawberry jam a few weeks ago, and we've already gone through 4 jars (not just Joel and I...Nathan, Rachel, and John, too!). It is SOOO good. Next summer I am planting a garden with all our favorite stuff!! Can't get better than home grown fresh!

alternative

2009-07-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

So for Olivia's food, I'll admit, I am very picky. I try to find alternatives to the normal snacks that are out there. Today I've discovered one of my favorites! They are a homemade cheezit (kind of). They aren't crunchy...or really orange...but they are SOOO good and SOOO cheesy!!! I have to hide them because everyone is eating them (myself included).
Thanks Weelicious

Cheese Wafers (Makes 3-4 dozen depending on the size of your cookie cutters)

1/2 Lb Sharp Cheddar Cheese
5 Tbsp Butter
1 Cup Flour plus additional for sprinkling

1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and combine (dough may be a bit crumbly, but it will stick together).
2. Remove all the dough to a piece of parchment or waxed paper and shape into a thick flat circle. Cover with waxed paper and refrigerate for one hour or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
4. Open waxed paper and roll out dough on it into a 1/4 inch-thick piece.
5. Take small cookie cutters and cut out into shapes (you could also take an empty plastic medicine bottle to make circle shaped crackers. Just make sure you clean out the bottle thoroughly first.).
6. Place on a cookie sheet (preferably lined with a silpat or parchment paper) and bake for 12-15 minutes. Let cool on sheet for 2 minutes before removing.

feel better..

2009-07-20T18:06:00.000-07:00

Olivia is sick. She had a fever of 103, sweating...then chills. So sad.
Today was her first day of daycare...again. I'm working three days a week now, and Joel is working full time. The possibility of moving out is coming closer. I would love to have my own house. Olivia could have her own room...it would all be wonderful.
We also need to buy another car.
The way we are now...we can afford both...however, Joel's job is done in November and although there is a full time job opening up in the Fall at the camp, he isn't sure if he wants to work there. So we have to wait to do anything until we know he has a full time job after this one.

I'm probably not as patient as I should be.

My Husband...

2009-07-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

is the best EVER. It has been the most amazing two years of my life.

I have a job!!!

2009-06-19T15:36:00.001-07:00

I start on Monday! And I only have to go into the office like every once in awhile and the rest of the time I work from home!! How awesome and perfect is that?!?!!?
I'm doing office type work for an engineering firm in Spokane, Budinger Associates. The dad of the family Rachel babysits for is one of the main people there...and Rachel suggested that they hire me! YAY!!! God is AWESOME in all the ways He works!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you...

2009-06-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

my favorite thing...

2009-06-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Olivia will go find a book, carry it to me yelling her version of the work book, "Baaao" and then she will sit in my lap. Then we will read the book for about 30 seconds and she will move on. About 2 minutes later: repeat.

two days...

2009-06-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

Olivia is going to be one year old in two days! Crazy!

She is doing the cutest things lately. She will going into my closet and pick up a shoe, bring it over to me, and pick up my foot and try to put the shoe on my foot. And then when I've got the shoe on..she'll go back for some more shoes.
She is just understanding so much lately! Whenever we see the dandelions that are all seeds, she will start blowing. If you ask her if she can smell something she'll start sucking air in an out of her nose. lol She is so cute.

Joel has a job!!! This week he was w0rking as a facilitator with a veterinary group at the camp...and on Monday he starts with a landscaping company. It's temporary...but it's something.

The vet people all know Olivia because she was born at the same time they were at the camp last year...so everyone ( a lot of people!!) sang Happy Birthday to her yesterday. She was overwhelmed to say the least, but when they were done singing she just was all smiley and waving at everyone. And she got a pretty sweet Cougs sweatshirt!

As for me....I'm just homemaking it up. And working on my tan, of course. I'm probably going to be canning next week...and later in June is strawberry season so Amy and I are going to make lots of jam!!
Now that Joel has a job I'm hoping to be able to start doing jewelry...I have the tools I just need to be able to buy the beads!!!!

yum!

2009-05-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

I made bread today..and I'm making more right now because Joel and I ate almost all of it. It's that good. I've decided that instead of buying bread...I will just make all of our bread. And it is definitely a trade up!!

time doesn't just fly....it jets...or something else really fast.

2009-05-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

I've really got to get myself together! This is the only way that I'm going to remember all the little things with Olivia, and I can't get myself to update ever!

Okay.

Meeting my birthfather was amazing. They were so welcoming. When we drove up the whole family was sitting on their porch waiting.
He decorated his house with purple streamers and had balloons in the living room. Their dining room table was covered in gifts for us. The whole family was amazing.
Its so crazy to see how we look alike. I had known before that his parents had died when he was in high school..but what I didn't know is that his mom's name was Kathleen! And...my adoptive parents didn't know...and they were the ones who named me! Andy was saying that I look and act a lot like her.
He also was saying that had they not died, there was no way that I would have been adopted. They loved kids and would have been more than willing to help Andy out.
Andy has a huge family, and they all have talked for so long about Andy finally getting to be able to meet me. Isn't that crazy?!!?!

His youngest son, Eric, was so funny! He gave me like 5 hugs while I was there and at dinner he kept telling me, "Kathleen, I have a present for you in my room...but I have to go find it first."
So cute.
I'm meeting Andy's brother this Saturday!!

OLIVIA! She will be one year old in less than two weeks!!
We are going to have a birthday party for her on the 13th. I'm so excited!
She is just growing so fast. She can say door, and ma ma, hat, hot, clock (gock is what is sounds like), down...and probably more I don't understand!
She says please in sign language for just about everything.

Oh, and she's doing it to Joel in the picture, but she will go around to just about everything and "cuddle." She will rest her head and pat it. It is so cute!

45 Minutes

2009-05-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

Joel and I leave in 45 minutes to go meet Andy, my birthdad.
I'm nervous/excited/ready/scared.

Olivia's update

2009-05-06T00:56:00.000-07:00

She is walking everywhere. Crawling is not an option. Everyday she gets better and better. It took half a day to figure out how to turn around while walking. She's tried running...but that didn't end well for her. Her second top tooth is coming in. She is trying to talk so much! She can understand most of what we are saying, and she is really good at all of her sign language.
However...in this stage of growing...she is becoming frustrated with not being able to convey to us exactly what she is thinking and being able to go where she wants to go. And with this frustration comes SASS. She is very stubborn, strong-willed, and expressive. It's been a struggle for Joel and I to figure out a balance with discipline and learning and...everything.

When Joel was 4 he broke his leg, and while he was in the hospital he got this big gorilla and he named Matilda.
Olivia LOVES Matilda. She cuddles it and kisses it...so cute.

My update

2009-05-06T00:39:00.000-07:00

Oh My Gosh.
So my entire life I have thought about meeting my birthparents, mainly my birthmom because I knew her name.
When I was little I found my baby bracelet that you wear in the hospital, and it had her name on it..so I looked it up in the phone book, found her name...and called her. Not the wisest.
A few years ago I found her on myspace, e-mailed her once or twice, but nothing really came of it.
I e-mailed her when I was pregnant to find out some family medical history.
A few days after Joel and I moved up here I was at a bible study and God just really laid it on my heart to e-mail her to see if she wanted to meet me. A month later..still no response.
THEN...Sunday came along. She e-mailed me back!!!! OMG
She said that it had taken her so long to e-mail me back because she was so fearful of not being able to explain why she put me up for adoption..and of me hating her. But she wants to meet me! I am so beyond excited.

BUT WAIT.......tonight I was just sitting there watching American Idol...and my phone beeps its notification for facebook. So I checked it and I had a message from some guy. I read it...and it's my birthfather!!!!!! I had not even imagined that finding my birthfather was possible. He has actually been searching me!!! He created a facebook and a myspace for the sole purpose of finding me. He posted an entry on a family/geneology finding site a few weeks ago...and my birthmom had responded to that and filled him in on what was happening with me.

It's so funny...my birthdad works in Spokane in the Engineering Dept and actually minored in Physics. And my birthmom is actually a nurse. Both are married and have kids...Both live in the Spokane area.

I'm currently setting up a time with my birthmom to meet...and hopefully I will get to meet my birthdad soon too!

God has just been working in my heart on patience and trust. I just today got done reading part of my bible study on Abraham's promises in Genesis 12-15 and the study in Romans 4.
Joel and I have totally stepped out in faith moving up here, living with in-laws, trusting in Him to find jobs. I stepped out in faith (totally freaked out) and asked my birthmom if she wanted to meet me....and God is fulfilling his promises! I am so done trying to complete God's plan on my own. He is so good!!!

Where has all the time gone??

2009-04-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

Olivia is pretty much walking. She can stand up all by herself and walk...for like 7 steps and then she falls.

So I am looking for a job again. The little boy I was going to babysit has been sick for awhile, so she has been having her pastor's daughter watch him because she doesn't have any kids to be around and get sick. She didn't want for me to watch Keith and then get Olivia sick. So...now this teenager expects this babysitting thing to be her job. So I was talking to Keith's mom and she said that she would split the days, and I could have him for 2 days a week.
I thought about it for awhile and then just called her back and told her that she could just give the job to the girl because I need to be able to have more of an income. I'm really disappointed...why would she really give the job of taking care of her four month old to some 16 year old girl over ME who actually already has a baby...has experience...even daycare experience.
There must be some reason that God is saving me from the situation...and I'm thankful for His protection...but still sad. It seemed like the perfect job.

So now I'm just looking. Praying that I will find something.

Getting into the RN program and NIC next fall is looking more and more like an actual possibility. I just need to do really well in Anatomy and Physiology and the other random classes I take.
The only lame thing is that before I can even apply for the RN program I have to get my CNA certification. I so so so don't want to have to do that. And its $550. LAME.

So I have all the tools I need to start beading....I just need to learn how to do it...get beads....and get going!!! I'm so excited.

job!

2009-04-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

I start my job tomorrow! It's totally a God send and I am so so excited!
I was with Fay and Joel and we just decided randomly to stop by the Healing Rooms in Post Falls to say hi. The doctor there has a daughter with a little boy...and right before they got there they were praying that they could find someone to babysit for her so she could work! In comes us!!!
SO....I am babysitting from 8 to 1 at our house!!! It's the perfect job! I get to be with Olivia all day and I'm getting paid! The little boy is four months old and he is sooo cute.

Joel is still looking for jobs/direction. Stressful for me. lol

We miss Moscow Real Life so much.

Olivia took some steps by herself!!!!!!!! She'll be walking so soon. CRAZY!! And she's a year old in less than two months!

one week in

2009-04-11T19:56:00.001-07:00

Post Falls/CDA/Spokane is probably one of the best city combinations ever.
We are all settled in and Olivia is just loving having lots of room and always having Grammy and grandpa close by!
I really haven't done much. To be able to actually get stuff done, I'm definitely going to have to employ my to do lists....and actually carry through.

This whole experience is definitely going to be challenging though. Joel and I are both looking for jobs...and we have until about the end of May.

I'm doing a bible study on Tuesday mornings with Fay, should be good!

Above all else...God is Good!!!

Olivia's Last Day of Daycare

2009-04-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

It was so sweet!
Her teachers all hugged her goodbye and there was this one little girl who said, "Olivia, love you. bye bye." And then she reached out her hand to touch Olivia and Olivia like hugged her!! I was soooo cute.
We definitely will visit when we come back to Moscow!

10 Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds

2009-04-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

Retouch furniture scuffs

Coffee’s dark hues match perfectly to brown or black furniture that’s been nicked or scuffed. Simply let used coffee grounds re-brew and then steep for a few hours or overnight. Strain it and you’ll be left with a chemical-free stain that you can apply with a cotton swab.

Deodorize your closet or refrigerator

Pack a small amount of dry coffee grounds into a sock and hang it from your curtain rod or leave wet grounds to dry in the refrigerator in a small dish. It will naturally deodorize either space and save money on air fresheners. Add a small dab of vanilla to give it a sweet scent.

Scour pots and pans

Use the grounds to scrub out greasy pans or stuck-on food. The grounds rinse away and you’re left with sparkling dishware.

Kick start a compost pile

Coffee grounds are the bread and butter of composting. With nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, they’ll add a boost to any compost pile.

Scrub away the stink

Keep a small amount of used grounds near your sink and use them to scrub away food smells like onion or garlic that stay on hands after cooking. The coffee will neutralize the odors on your skin much like perfume stores offer fresh coffee beans to help recharge your sense of smell.

Keep Spot from scratching

Create an organic flea dip for your pet by rubbing the grounds into his or her coat during their next bath. Rinse them away once you’re finished and you’ll have a happy, itch-free friend.

Keep your skin soft

Allow coffee grounds to cool after they’ve brewed, then mix with an egg white and use it as an exfoliating mud mask. Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor and it’s been shown to tighten and firm skin’s appearance. Skin care companies even use it in pricey creams to help fight cellulite. You can do it at home for free!

Make ants beat a retreat

Sprinkle a ring of coffee grounds around the base of your favorite plants to help fight off ants and other pests like plant-munching worms.

Keep your fireplace sparkling

Sprinkle wet grounds onto your fireplace’s ashes next time you clean. They’ll keep you from being overtaken by a plume of dusty ash as your scoop them up.

Pep up your plants

The nutrients in coffee grounds will act as a natural fertilizer. Just apply cold brewed coffee or used grounds to acid-loving plants like azaleas and watch them bloom.

Article courtesy of The Coffee Couple -

when can I start?

2009-04-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

I want to make jewelry. Seriously. This is my new hobby. I just have to figure out a way to fund it. Getting started is the worst part. But I so so so want to.

boxes everywhere

2009-04-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

Our living room and kitchen has been overtaken by boxes!! All we have left to pack is the kitchen!
I really like this moving thing. I'm like "detoxing" my house.

I told my parents that we were moving on Tuesday. I called my dad first and all he said was, "Do you want to talk to your mom?"
And then my mom proceeded to make up a whole bunch of junk to try to convince me to not move. Basically she really doesn't care whether or not we are happy or where God wants us to be...its whether or not I'm upholding the image she expects me to have.
It's so frustrating to have lived with my parents for 18 years and the only relationship I've ever had with them is working. We didn't do anything outside of working. Neither really cared about what was happening in my life...except when it interrupted my ability to work or her "reputation."
So when I was talking to her I told her that I wasn't calling her to get her approval or her opinion...I was just doing the polite thing and letting her know. Then she kept on talking about how Joel and I will go absolutely no where in our lives if we don't stay in Moscow to finish our degrees.

Olivia is seriously the cutest little girl EVER.
She's trying to talk and mimic what we are saying. So far she can match up the number of syllables of what we are saying but not the sounds...at all. lol Like this morning, I was saying applesauce....so she would say "a-da-da."
Bottle is "ba-bo"

I want SUMMER

It's Official...

2009-03-27T10:47:00.001-07:00

So Joel and I have spent a lot of time praying and talking with family, and here is our decision:
We are moving to Post Falls!

We are withdrawing from the University this semester--we leave April 4th.

I am enrolling in the Nursing Program in CDA in the fall.
Joel will be working full time.

God is moving in our lives and it is so exciting.

Olivia's Latest

2009-03-26T21:16:00.000-07:00

She calls me ba ba...pretty close to ma ma!
She is starting to stand by herself...only for seconds.
She eats SO MUCH!
She crawls fast.
Laughs a lot
waves (and knows what she's doing)

Olivia's Dedication

2009-03-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Great day.

major changes

2009-03-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Big things are happening. Huge.
Lots of prayer.
Must decide by April 3.

sweet girl

2009-03-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

So Olivia has another tooth coming in, and today has not been a good day for her. She's had a fever all day and hasn't been her normal self..including pooping like 4 times. This afternoon for like two hours she was just sprawled out on me an didn't move. It was nice to cuddle...but sad.
I just checked her temp and it was like 103. Teething sucks.

spring

2009-03-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

I am so so so glad it is spring break.

Olivia is nine months old.

Last week, I honestly debated dropping out of school.

I really could care less right now if I get a college degree.
The only reason I'm staying is that we can't afford for me not to be in school.

Even after watching 11 seasons...I still like America's Next Top Model.
And I still like Survivor.

I got a pressure canner for my birthday from my parents.
I really want to can stuff...but I have no idea where to start.

Olivia can say DaDa and Uh Oh!!

AND...she understands "no!" She even shakes her head!! It so sooo cute. I'll try to get video.
She also smacks her lips. So cute.

also...

2009-02-26T20:03:00.000-08:00

Our washer is broken.
It won't spin or do the cycles correctly.
The motor still runs like its trying to spin...but it just doesn't do anything.
It stopped at the end of the washing cycle...full of water.
I somehow got it to drain, but the clothes hadn't been rinsed.
We are going to PF this weekend...it looks like we are going to be bringing a lot of dirty clothes with us.

I sometimes really wonder what God is up to. Why must so much hard stuff have to be thrown at us at a time in our life that we are already dealing with so much stuff?

As more and more stuff goes wrong, it becomes more and more clear how abundantly God blessed us with Olivia's temperament. She's the best baby that we could have ever asked for and God has just made everything (as far as OLIVIA'S mood and schedule is concerned) so easy.

my new favorite

2009-02-26T17:50:00.000-08:00

I have found my ultimate snack.

Diced Avocado
A couple of dashes of lemon juice
Mix
Put avocado on cheezits
YUM!

one day down

2009-02-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

This week is going to suck. I have a test on Wednesday, two tests on Friday, and lab report due on Friday. Every amount of free time will be spent studying...or playing with Olivia.
I had an econ test last week, got it back today...and I got an A! I was slightly worried because I did not study...not eve a little bit.
Getting an A might not have been the best thing because now I definitely will not study for the next tests...

I just hav to get through this week.

early birthday

2009-02-20T20:21:00.000-08:00

I am now the excited owner of this:

AND an amazing purse from Macy's.

Joel's brother Zach is working at H&R block for the tax season and he did our taxes. We are so blessed with the refund!! (yay child tax credit!!)

joel the pilot

2009-02-18T22:21:00.000-08:00

Joelie has finally (re)discovered something that he would actually like to do!!! He wants to be a helicopter pilot!!! I'm so excited, and even better....he is sooo excited! He's going to finish up at UI and get his BS in Physics and then it's off to flight school. Thankfully it only takes on average 9 months. The only thing that will present a challenge is the $90,000 it takes to get through. But...we will find a way because it is so worth it!

love

2009-02-15T22:33:00.000-08:00

learning how to eat...
daddy...I want to play!!

Valentine's Day 2009

2009-02-14T21:04:00.000-08:00

John and Fay come to visit
Joel and I go out to lunch...movie is at 2:50 but we have two hours to kill
Bowling!!
Driving around Pullman looking at houses
Starbucks
Deciding we are too tired to sit through a movie
Go through a car wash!!!! (first time...so fun!!!)
Go out to dinner with John and Fay
Say goodbye
Come home and cuddle on the couch with Olivia
Olivia crawling all over Joel and I and laughing
Bath time for Olivia!
Bedtime.

I love my family. I love Joel...so much.

currently sad

2009-02-12T22:33:00.000-08:00

my past tells me to not get attached. no matter how I care, I will get hurt. My mind is just saying give it up now.
I hate this feeling that makes me want to give up. I think that trying will be worth it...but that's what I told myself last time.
Just the little things set off my "worrying." I'm not good enough.
But I want to be.

...

2009-02-11T15:57:00.000-08:00

I find it hard lately to go to class. I could much rather be at home. It's not that I don't like my classes (except econ), I would just prefer studying at home. Or cooking or reading or whatever. I'm falling slightly behind in Partials...but not to worry...I'm studying tonight.

John and Fay are coming down on Saturday to visit...and best of all they are going to babysit Olivia so Joel and I can go out on a date!!!!

Kate and I went to Costco again. OMG I love that place. However...I can't seem to not spend under $200. At least it lasts forever.

So Kate and I watch American Idol obsessively. I can't believe that I haven't realized how amazing that show is. I already have a favorite. I don't know what his name is, but he can sing really well. And there is this other girl that I really like but she doesn't have the best voice...but her clothes and hair and everything I love.
Speaking of hair and clothes...America's Next Top Model starts March 4th (i think)!!!! I can pretty much predict the entire "plot" but I can't not watch it!!

can't wait for June..

2009-02-04T16:08:00.000-08:00

I gave Olivia some Graduates Puffs two days ago. She didn't really get the whole eating thing. She could pick them up in her fists, but then couldn't figure out how to get them in her mouth. Yesterday, she pretty much got it! And today...well...she's pretty much a pro.

Joel and I are going on a three night spa vacation for our two year anniversary. We've decided that especially since we have Olivia, it is really important for us to be able to have some time to ourselves. So that's just what we are doing!! I'm so excited.

she's a crawler...

2009-02-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

Rachel, Zach and Amy came down yesterday. Joel has been struggling with school lately, so we spent some time praying and we had dinner and played lots of rock band!! Josh and Naomi came over later...we pretty much had the best band ever. Joel is quite good at the bass. lol
It was lots of fun but I was soooo tired after. I finally got to bed around one....and then up again at 7:00 with Olivia.

Apparently the super bowl was today. Fay loves the steelers and I'm pretty sure they are playing...so Go Steelers?

Olivia is getting dedicated at the beginning of March. I don't know the date yet, but I'm excited.

I am getting worn down by my two jobs of mom/wife and school. Both of which feel like full time plus infinity. I love them both. But I'm tired. I need Spring Break to come, or at least another three day weekend, so we can pack up and go to Post Falls. Then for a day or two John and Fay will take care of me. Then I can rejuvenate.

We had been talking of spending the summer in Post Falls so we could both work at the camp and not have to pay for anything. But we've been talking, and we don't want to leave the church, our friends, our home for that long. And I really just want to be able to be with Olivia whenever. So Joel is going to work somewhere...probably roofing again...and I'm going to take Olivia on grand adventures all over Moscow/Pullman the entire summer. I'm so excited.

I'm going to have a one year old in like four months!!

pardon me?

2009-01-27T21:06:00.000-08:00

So we got our insurance statement today. They did not cover a single penny of the appendectomy. WHAT??? Tomorrow I'm going to have to call and fight. But knowing this insurance company, I have pretty much no hope. Apparently they have a stringent policy on what really is a "medical emergency" because they would prefer that you use the Student Health Clinic. Are you even kidding me?
I'm searching for a new, better health insurance company. Any suggestions?
We already took Olivia off because they don't cover ROUTINE wellness checks.
I'm near tears. My stomach is hurting I'm so mad.
Okay, now I'm crying.
I should have just left the appendix in.
$0 down, $12,000 to go.

things to remember

2009-01-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

-two days ago Joel and I went into Olivia's room to get her up and she was STANDING up in her crib. whoa. we moved the crib level down that same day.
-later that day, she pulled herself up on the couch!!
-she's learning how to clap

-dang...there is more, but I can't remember.

woot

2009-01-20T20:01:00.000-08:00

Olivia crawled yesterday!!!!!! Not very far, but she put one hand out, and then moved on knee, put the other hand out and then moved the other knee...and then she fell. It was amazing.

So Joel and I rearranged the kitchen tonight. I just have to go get a few plants and it will be done. More counter space...more storage...and really like it. Ashley...I think you would be a little proud of me! lol

I'm so tired. Olivia teething +nighttime = not much sleeping for Joel or me.

it's 7:30...

2009-01-18T19:35:00.000-08:00

and Olivia is sleeping, the kitchen is clean, dishes are put away, and I'm ready to relax.

Olivia fed herself for the first time today! She was so content to just sit there and munch away!!

AND...she peed in her toilet!!!! After I change her diaper, I just sit her on her potty for like 30 seconds so she can kinda start figuring what that's all about (early, I know, but a friend from Ohio did the same thing and had her girl potty trained when she was like 1 1/2. Weird..but totally worth the try).

So lately we been having trouble with the power cord on the laptop. It just wouldn't charge unless we like moved the cord around or pushed on it. So I took it into VGH to figure out what was wrong. It turned out to be the cord, thankfully. Replacing the port would have been a lot more expensive.
We've had to replace the hard drive....and now the power cord. The guy at VGH said that the next thing that goes wrong probably means getting a new computer. Awesome.

goal accomplished

2009-01-17T20:06:00.001-08:00

At the beginning of January, we took out Olivia's last nap...from 6:30 to 8:00. Our hope was to be able to put her to bed around seven or 7:30 for the night. And now...three days in a row..we have done just that.
It is so nice to be able to have "our time" in the evenings. It doesn't even have to be spent together the entire time...but it's amazing to have all that time before we go to bed.

I'm making macaroons tonight!!!

And I have homework.

Olivia is napping

2009-01-16T14:03:00.000-08:00

Back to school. My classes this semester are good. I already dropped one; reactor kinetics and design. It turns out that the class the teacher taught last semester matters to this class. My adviser told me that one isn't necessary for the other, so did the course description. False.
The teacher through in some Chinese or whatever language the speaks...yelled a lot...and generally scared me.
So I'll go back when I've had the class that he teaches before.
Econ is overwhelmingly boring.
I feel like I'm really going to like Partial Diff Eqtns....Joel is in the class with me so it makes it even better!!

I went to Costco on Wednesday night with Kate. OMG I love that place. I got so much stuff for so cheap. My freezer is full, fridge is full, pantry is full, Olivia has tons of diapers and lots of wipes...and I can't wait to go back.

Appendectomies are expensive. 12,000 pre-insurance...not including doctor's charges. Awesome.

I love cooking. I want to cook huge meals every night, but then I realize that Joel and I can't eat that much at once and get tired of leftovers pretty much after one day. When we were up in Post Falls I got to cook for like 6-10 people...when I could walk around...and it was amazing.

Oh, the homework is calling.

lucky seven

2009-01-11T18:17:00.000-08:00

Just a few days ago...Olivia turned 7 months old!! And today...we saw a tooth coming out!! So crazy!

I am so glad to be back in Moscow. The surgeon said that I'm allowed to lift up to 40 pounds, so Joel came early to pick me up!
My bandages are gone, incisions barely visible, and I'm feeling good!

Costco this week. And lots of unpacking.

absence...

2009-01-04T19:28:00.000-08:00

Joel left for Moscow today. I don't get to see him for like a week and a half. I have to stay in PF to get help with Olivia until school starts and Joel has to work this week.
He left like 5 hours ago and I miss him so much already.
I really hate this whole surgery recovery thing. I just want to be done with it all.
But I'm off the drugs though and doing well. I went shopping yesterday with Amy and Rachel.
I have my stack of Christmas cards to go out. I'll mail them tomorrow, only a couple of weeks late. I guess I have a good excuse though.

John and Fay have been getting Olivia up for her first feeding and playing her until her first nap at 9:30 and I have just been sleeping in. It has been so incredibly nice. Seriously.
Oh yeah, I'm done breastfeeding. I'm kinda sad, but kinda really relieved. It was just that with the surgeries and all the drugs I couldn't feed her, but then I wasn't always able to pump to keep the supply up. So Joel and I decided to just do formula for the last 5 months of her first year. Dr. Ruby said that she gets the most important stuff from breast milk in the first 6 months...so I think we did pretty good.

I need to sleep.
Anne of Green Gables = awesome.

christmas 2008

2009-01-04T18:53:00.001-08:00

Fay getting her Steelers jersey.

John and his harley gear.
rachel and Olivia looking through the candy!!

Amy and lots of new clothes!

Zach in his new suit.

My digital piano!!!!

Joel getting his hot new leather jacket.

She was very overwhelmed with cameras and people looking at her and things all around her. She kinda just looked around and stared a lot. But we had fun!!

a review of my year

2008-12-31T13:30:00.000-08:00

Had an ultrasounds to find out I was having a baby girl.
Bought maternity pants.
Felt my baby kick me a lot.
Survived a huge snowstorm.
Ate guacamole and like it. (One time..thanks Ashley!!)
Turned 20.
Painted Olivia's room.
Bought a new car.
Had a baby shower.
Cried a lot because my hips hurt.
Cried a lot because.
Had a beautiful baby girl.
Realized over and over again that my husband is amazing.
Was a matron of honor!!!! in my bf's wedding. :) love
Started my third year of college.
Met some amazing new friends.
Lost some amazing friends.
Learned that I don't have to do it all.
Rearranged our living room.
Bought a new couch and new TV.
Became closer and closer to my husband.
Went to a Batchelder family reunion.
Got my wisdom teeth removed.
Got appendicitis and had an appendectomy.
Gave Joelie and itouch and a hot leather coat for Christmas.
Got a keyboard.
Spent the last days of the year in a recliner trying to recover from surgery.

overwhelming

2008-12-30T13:09:00.000-08:00

Two surgeries in less than one week.
My appendix came out on Sunday at around midnight.
I hurt.

"is she your first child?"

2008-12-27T22:19:00.001-08:00

On Friday I was out shopping with Rachel and Joel was home with Olivia. On our way home I got a call from Joel saying that when he was putting a shirt on her, her arm got stuck in the sleeve, and when he move
d it, it made a really loud popping noise and that he and his dad were on the way to the hospital for an x-ray. He told me that John (Joel's dad) had splinted her arm and that she wasn't crying, just calm. At that point...I kinda was more worried about Joel than I was Olivia. I was pretty sure she was okay because I've heard little pops from her before. I knew that Joel would just be sick with guilt and would be so worried about her.
So we get to KMC and they are checking her in at the emergency room. I look in the car seat and she is just eating her milk from bottle...and she even smiled at me.
We finally got called back and the nurses there took all of her vitals and took of her splint. She immediately started grabbing for things and moving her arm around. That's when the nurse was like, "is she your first child?" I laughed. So they told us to go back to the waiting room to wait to see the doctor, but after sitting there for ten minutes we decided we would just go home and watch her, because she appeared to be just fine.
She's fine. Joel's fine. Fun story.

I think that I have over exerted myself lately. I went shopping the day after I got my wisdom teeth taken out, and again the day after that. Then it was Christmas and Rachel and I went sledding for like 3 or 4 hours. And then the day after Christmas, Rachel and I went shopping again.. Last night...for like 3 hours I couldn't sleep for like 3 hours until Joel gave me a pill that put me to sleep in like 15 minutes. So I think that I'm going to have to slow down. I want my mouth to stop hurting.

Olivia has changed her noises. Last month she would try to talk with her mouth closed and just make the mmmmmm noise. Now she opens her mouth really wide to "talk" and then puts her hands in her mouth and make little rhythmic noises. It is kind of hard to explain...I'll get a video. She also buzzes her lips together. That's cute.

It's bedtime.
I love my keyboard

all the hype

2008-12-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

So it's two days after my wisdom teeth came out, and I'm just fine. One of the teeth had roots around the nerve, so that side is throbbing a bit...but other than that...I've been out shopping, playing rock band, cooking, and doing normal stuff.
The day of the surgery I slept pretty much all day, and I don't recall much about being in the doctor's office. They had me take two valium before I got there so I was pretty gone.
Joel took really good care of me during the day and changed the ice on my face every twenty minutes just like they said so I barely have any swelling.
I think maybe because I went through such a traumatic childbirth..this is pretty much not even a bleep on my pain radar. haha
Being in PF is wonderful.
I am so glad we get to spend so much time with the family.
I bought Joel's itouch. I am so excited to give it to him!! He pretty much already knows he's getting it...so...we were at Macys and found this amazing leather jacket that was like $400 and it was on sale...and with all the coupons and everything...I got it for $100!!! I'm so excited!

Olivia's first Christmas!!! YAY!!!

Well I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!

go girl

2008-12-17T21:48:00.000-08:00

She gained 4 ounces in a week! YAY!!

studying sucks
I want to be done.
Chemical Engineering is hard.
but I love it.
but...i don't want to study anymore.

Joel bought Rock Band. He's pretty much the cutest ever.
I want to go buy Joel's christmas present!! I am so excited.

I have so much stuff to do before sunday it's scary.

Monday means drugs and lots of sleep.
can't wait.

They know my heart's desire....

2008-12-13T18:32:00.000-08:00

ListPro. I just downloaded ListPro software. I am so excited. When I get a phone that does smart things I can send lists to my phone. I can have the List software on my phone.
I am so excited.

pray for my baby

2008-12-12T23:13:00.000-08:00

So Olivia had a doctors appointment on Thursday...and she hasn't gained any weight in four months. They wanted to test her thyroid, so they had to draw blood....from her little arms! They had to poke her three times to get enough blood because it just wasn't coming out. And then after that she had to get poked three more times for shots.
Wasn't such a fun day for Olivia. or Joel or me.
So we are just adding in two more feedings during the day, so she eats pretty much all the time.
And we have to go to the doctor weekly to have her weighed.
The weird thing is that she is growing taller. She grew like an inch and a half in the past two months...but just didn't gain any weight.
And she's developmentally ahead. She can sit up really well, and has been for two months, according to Dr. Ruby she "talks" and babbles closer to what a seven or eight month old would be doing, and and is really active and aware. So that's good.
She eats so much though!!
She has milk seven times a day, and three of those times she has some veggie or fruit puree and rice cereal with it.

Joel bought me flowers today. He had to go to the store while I was making dinner because I needed something and he came back with flowers!! Love love love.

My wisdom teeth are coming out on Dec 22nd. I'm kinda bummed because I really wanted to do it after Christmas, but the 22nd was the only day they had open the entire break. Oh, and the place I'm going to is all about not feeling the pain. Lol. They gave me three Valium pills to take, 1 the night before (to get a "good" nights sleep) and 2 the morning of. During the surgery I have IV stuff to knock me out, and afterwards I get stuff to keep me numb for awhile.
I doubt I will be able to take all of the stuff though..because Olivia still needs to eat and I don't have enough stored up to just be drugged up for that long. But I was on hydros and demerol when I was in the hospital and they still had me feed her.
I guess I'll have to ask someone about that one.

Pictures from bath time!!!

isn't she the CUTEST EVER???!?!!

only one more day of classes!

2008-12-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

Joel and I went to the Alehouse tonight for dinner, and when the waitress brought out our food, she put my plate down (Olivia was sitting in my lap) and Olivia full out buried her hand all in the little bowl of salsa and sour cream. She just dug right in and when she pulled her hand out she just held it out in front of her and just looked at. And then I quickly proceeded to wipe it all off. It was so cute.