THANK YOU GARRATT

As most of you have heard the weather here is well...frightful!!! Pun intended!! So yesterday My Wonderful Amazing Thougthful Husband decided to put the snow chains on the car so that I could get around town more safely in the snow. That turned out to be the best decision ever. Yesterday it snowed and snowed and snowed and it is continuing to snow today. Yesterday however I did have to drive and get Faith and get her dinner and then get her back to dayvare for the Christmas Program which I am sooo glad we decided to let her be involved in. SHE WAS SO CUTE!!! (yes I am a bias mother) This of course ment that I was driving around as it was snowing and I was having to drive in areas that were not yet, or had not been in while, plowed and the chains were a life and safety saving grace. I ama little panicky about driving in the snow and ice. SORRY!! Oh, well we made it with no issues and got home just in time before the wind got REALLY bad and we got more snow. This morning it was evident that Faith's cough was worse then it had been so I decided to kwwp her home. Garratt was ome today and only had a little studing to do, so I stayed home this morning since he was at work and then he is home with her this afternoon. This turned out to be a good decision because it would have been a royal pain to try an dget out of our parking lot today. As a result I WALKED to work...yes folks...ME in the snow and cold I walked my hinny to work. Then I will walk home after work...whoo hoo. I will feed my family and then Garratt will be off to his Final. He has one tonight and one first thing in the morning so I am going to keep Faith home again tomorrow to try and get her better before we go to California next week, So I again will stay home until daddy gets home and then I will go to work. yeah!! I will post pictures from her Christmas Program tonight!!

Christmas Program

So...tonight is the PCCC ( Daycare) and the PCS (Pullman Christian School) annual Christmas Program. They include all the kids and it is fun. Garratt and I had decided not to have Faith be in the program and instead I thought her and I might go and watch (weather permitting). Well, that all changed. This morning when we dropped Faith off at Daycare I found out that Faith got upset yesterday. WHY?? Let me tell you the story.
Yesterday everyone went to the "Family Center Chapel" (which is located in the same building as the Daycare and the School, just upstairs) to practice for the Christmas Program. Since I had marked on the Program sheet that I didn't think that Faith was ready to be involoved Faith sat next to Sherri and watched. Well once the kids started clapping and singing Faith wanted to join. She sat in her sopt and sang and clapped and wanted to joint the kids. So, this morning her teacher asked me if there was anyway that I would reconsider, when I asked her why she told me this story. I laughed. Faith loves music and loves singing this I know, I just thought that because she wasn't standing on her own and she wasn't walking yet that she might be a little difficult. Well I was wrong. They all wanted her to be involed so Garratt and I agreed that as long as she did good during the practice today that she could be involved. So when Daddy got home he plugged in the video camera, made sure I had a tape and made sure I had the digital camera with extra batteries. Garratt has to work tonight so he is going to miss it but I am going to video tape it and try to get one of my firends to take a few pictures with the digital camera so I can post them here. So, afterwork I have to de-snow and warm up my car, go pick up Sissy, run and grab something for dinner, get back to daycare and change Sissy into her clothes for the Christmas Program and get a good seat for the show (somewhere close to the stage just incase we have a melt down or something) and then enjoy. The program doesn't start until 7 pm and is suppose to be like 1hour or something so by the time we finish and get the car de-snowed and get loaded and warm up the car and drive home, Daddy will be home from work to help Mommy get sissy to bed (hopefully before 9pm). I will post about the Christmas Program and hopefully have pictures to go with it tomorrow night!

One Word Survey

I got this from Courtney's blog...Thanks Courtney!!!

TYPE ONLY 1 WORD. IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK ! ! !

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? goofy
3. Your hair? fuzzy
4. Your Mother? beautiful
   
5. Your father? different
6. Your favorite thing? FAITH
   
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? grape
9. Your dream/goal? kids
10. The room you're in? work
11. Your fear?widowed
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? content
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? wealthy
15. Muffins? yummy!
16. One of your wish items? skillet
17. Where you grew up? California
18. The last thing you did? lunch
19. What are you wearing? sweater
20. Your tv? works
21. Your pet? none
22. Your computer? functions
23. Your life? stressful
24. Your mood? calm
25. Missing someone? family
26. Your car? works
27. Something you're not wearing? jammies
28. Favorite store? MICHAELS
29. Your summer? flew
30. Your favorite color? taupe
31. When is the last time you laughed? morning
32. Last time you cried? Monday
33. Your sign? Libra
34. Three places I go over and over? Daycare, Work, Home
    
35. Three of my favorite foods? Mexican, Chinese, Junk
    
36. Three places I would rather be right now? Home, California, Disneyworld

Feel free to answer if you'd like. Just copy and paste into your own blog.

YES TO SNOW TIRES!!!!!!

As soon as we get back from California I am going to have a hard look at the budget and find the $500 to get snow tires. Why you ask? Well simple, I had a bad experience with the snow last night when I picked Faith up from Daycare. So I am mad at the snow and I am getting a pair of studded snow tires to seek safety and freedom from being overly parinoid. You see I picked Faith up from Daycare and was headed back up the little hill, really it's not that bad of a hill, to get out of the parking lot of daycare and I began to slide, backwards. I was very proud f my panicky self because I remaind relativly calm. I was able to get the car to stop, turn it around and go out the other way, the other way taked me down a little hill and around to where I can enter the church parking lot and go through there which sets me out on a main road, and I only cried for like a minute. Still that was enough for me to realize that we need safer tires for this weather. Son SNOW TIRES it is.

SNOW TIRES!?!?!?

With the beautiful snow came the realization that we cannot drive around much unless we get snow tres. I know what you are thinking...what about chains...well chains are great if I do not need to drive into Moscow. As many of you probably know...chains are not suppose to be driven over 30 mph and the speed limit driving into Moscow is 55 mph. So that doesn't work. For right now my tires seem to be doing ok but they scare me because they do not always grip well and I worry about something happening because of all the hills we live on. The only problem come where it always comes and that is the cost of snow tires. I am looking at aroung $400-$500 for a whole set...then comes the question...where do we store them??? WOW!!! I really do not know what to do here. Well, I guess we shall wait and see.

Family Snow Time

It's beginning to look and feel like Christmas

Well, yesterday we got hit with our first Artic storm. The day started out like a normal winter day...very cold. THen it became windy and rainy, by about 2pm it was snowing, now it has snowed one other time since the "winter" season began but it was too warm for it to stick and it was melting off as it hit the ground, not this time. This time it stuck. It snowed for about 2 hours then it warmed up a bit and turned back into rain, which resulted in slush. By 5pm the rain had stopped for a little while. This ment we were able to go to the Drive Thru Nativity at our church, which was really cool and I will post a blog on that, go to the grocery store for 3 items, go by my frind Katie's to check in on her cat and pick up a rolling pin to borrow, Katie is in San Francisco for AGU ( American Geological Union) Fall Conference, then home. When we got home all of a sudden the wind and rain picked up again. When we went to bed it was rainy and windy but most of the snow had been melted by the rain and turned to mushy slop. This morning we woke to a LOT of snow. It continues to come down. We have already gotten about 3" of snow. We are suppose to continue to get snow through the weekend. It is not expected to start to die down until late Sunday and even then, it only get REALLY cold. By Wednesday we are suppose to be at -13 degrees. I'll admit that is a little cold. I guess I have gotten used to the weather becuase 25 degree weather doesn't even bother me anymore, but those single digets I think might get to me a bit...HA HA HA ! Here are some pictures from this morning. I will post more as the snow piles, and this afternoon when Garratt gets home we are gonig to bunddle Faith up and take her out to play in it and see how she does so I will post those later too!!



This is a bush outside of our back porch area.

This is our apartment. You can see the snow coming down as the pic was taken.

This is looking off our balcony. The haze area is where we can usually see part of Pullman. Not today!!

Here is Garratt sweeping the snow off our Balcony before it gets piled too high that we can't get out there to do it.

This is what the snow on the balcony looked like when we opened the door this morning. There was already almost 2" of snow. The green blob is our Outdoor Foreman Grill that we put a tarp around to protect it from the weather, I guess the snow got to heavy and knocked it down, so Garratt had to shake the tarp out, wipe off the grill and then we decided to lay it on it's side and wrap it up in the tarp that way, smart thinking I know!!!

CONGRATS CASSI

For those of you who read Faith's blog you probably already saw this ...for the rest of you. I mentioned a few weeks ago that Faith's daycare director was having a baby. Well, they found out yesterday that it is a GIRL!! YEAH!! It was really cute though, because they had a contest at daycare yesterday and all the kids, staff and parents got to dress up in blue and pink, and pick sides. At first everyone thought that it would be a PINK TEAM and BLUE TEAM...nope...it beacme TEAM CASSI (those who thought it was a girl) and TEAM DAN (all who thought it was a boy), for those who didn't catch on, Dan is Cassi's husband. Then today they were giving away little prizes to all those who guess right. It was very cute. Faith was all "PINKED" out because Mommy knew that it was a girl. (Mommy wore pink yesterday too!!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNICEF

Today is the UNICEP birthday, for those of you who do not know much about UNICEF I am pasting in a blurb from their website. Also here is the link for the website if you want more information or if you want to know how to support them.


ABOUT UNICEF

UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young.

We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We believe that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity.

We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.

We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children.

We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished, because it is wrong for a child to suffer or die from a preventable illness.

We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.

We involve everyone in creating protective environments for children. We are present to relieve suffering during emergencies, and wherever children are threatened, because no child should be exposed to violence, abuse or exploitation.

UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We work to assure equality for those who are discriminated against, girls and women in particular. We work for the Millennium Development Goals and for the progress promised in the United Nations Charter. We strive for peace and security. We work to hold everyone accountable to the promises made for children.

We are part of the Global Movement for Children – a broad coalition dedicated to improving the life of every child. Through this movement, and events such as the United Nations Special Session on Children, we encourage young people to speak out and participate in the decisions that affect their lives.

We work in 190 countries through country programmes and National Committees. We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

The small town that we live in is a little bit BORING...compared to Turlock at the Holidays. You see all the years we lived in Turlock, we went to the Tree lighting festivities on Friday after Thanksgiving and then we did the Christmas Parade Festivities the first weekend in December. We also had different other events at the Church, (i.e. the Choir Performance, the Childrens Musical, the Women's Christmas Dessert) and then there were other events (i.e. EMC Fesival of Trees the Garratt worked every year for the past 7-8 years). These are all things I miss. These were events that helped you get into the Christmas Mood...it helped you find that burried Christmas Spirit that you hide away all year until December and love to let out. We miss all of this. What we found here in Pullman is some fun decor and a Christmas Tree Lighting that was ok!! It was fun but not what we are use to. That's basically it. This little ceremony that lasts 30 minutes and then a bon fire at one of the resturants. Granted there were very beautiful decorations in the windows of all the shops, but still sort of a let down. The only other event that I am looking forward to is our church does a drive-thru nativity that is running next weeked and looks like a LOT of FUN!!! I will post about that next weekend. So here are some pictrures!!




ME & GARRATT!!!



Faith waiting for Santa (who she really doesn't like) and waiting for the lights!

The TREE!!! Well Sorta...you can use your imagination!

( I will try and get a pic during the day so you can see it better)

Faith loved the Tree and the lights.

The bon fire at the OLD POST OFFICE RESTURANT!!

Christmas Lists

Faith's Christmas list has been up on her blog for like amonth so I decided I better get my list and Garratt's lists up for everyone before the rush of shopping, budgeting and wrapping begins.


MEL'S List:

Jon & Kate Plus 8- Seasons 1, 2, & 3
Friends- Seasons 4, 5, 6, 8, & 10
Home Improvement- Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8
Family Friendly Board Games
A GOOD Rolling Pin---PLEASE!!!
5-qt. Kitchen Maid Stand Mixer-- HA HA HA Just Kidding
Large Skillet Pan with Lid---A decent one!!
Gift Cards: Michaels, WalMart, Fashion Bug, Payless or VISA!



GARRATT'S List:

Sport's Night on DVD
West Wing (ALL SEASON'S...prefers to start with S.1)
Burn Notice- Season 1
The Indian Jones 4 pack (WIDESCREEN)
Planet Earth Series on DVD (DISCOVERY CHANNEL.com)
The President's Series on DVD (History Channel.com)
The State's Series on DVD (History Channel.com)
Unique Goofy memorabillia!
Gift Cards: WalMart, Barnes & Nobles, ITunes, Famous Footwear & VISA!



Any questions on the lists please feel free to ask...either leave me a comment, email me, text me or call me!!!

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!!

Courtney had this post on her blog and I thought it was fun!! So, here are my answers to the questions.

Wrapping paper or gift bags? WRAPPING PAPER

Real tree or Artificial? REAL

When do you put up a tree? USUALLY THE WEEKEND AFTER THANKSGIVING

When do you take it down? EITHER WHEN IT DIES OR NEW YEARS DAY

Do you like eggnog? YES, BUT I HAVE TO BE IN THE MOOD FOR IT!

Favorite gift received as a child? IDK

Hardest person to buy for? SISTERS

Easiest person to buy for? NIECES AND NEPHEWS (USUALLY)

Do you have a nativity scene? NO, I AM PLANNING ON GETTING ONE THIS YEAR

Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail Christmas cards.

Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A SANTA CLAUS CANDLE!1 (WORK GIFT EXCHANGE)

Favorite Christmas Movie? THE SANTA CLAUS TRILOGY!!

When do you start shopping for Christmas? I USUALLY START TO MAKE MY LIST AND DECIDE ON A BUDGET AND START LOOKING FOR GOOD DEALS IN THE SUMMER, BUT MOST OF IT HAPPENS ON BLACK FRIDAY!!!

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? YES!

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? COOKIES, COOKIES, COOKIES AND FUDGE!!

Lights on the tree? DUH

Favorite Christmas song? WHERE ARE YOU CHRISTMAS AND GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST

Travel at Christmas or stay home? IT DEPENDS ON THE YEAR IT CHANGES...THIS YEAR WE TRAVEL!!

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? YES I CAN AND I AM PROUD OF THAT!!

Angel on the tree top or a star? STAR

Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? THIS DEPENDS...IT ALSO CHANGES EACH YEAR!

Most annoying thing about this time of the year? PUSHY SALES PEOPLE!!

Favorite Ornament theme or color? SNOW AND SNOWFLAKES!

Favorite for Christmas dinner? HAM AND WHATEVER SIDE DISHES ARE MADE!!

What do you want for Christmas this year.? NOT ALOT JUST A FEW TV SHOWS ON DVD AND GIFT CARDS FOR CLOTHES AND SCRPABOOK STUFF!!!



*iF YOU LIKED THIS FEEL FREE TO COPY IT AND PASTE IT IN A POST ON YOUR OWN BLOG!!!

31 SHOPPING DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

HAPPY 233rd BIRTHDAY MARINE CORP!!!!

TODAY IS THE MARINE CORPS 233RD BIRTHDAY!!!!! YEAH!!!! SO IN HONOR OF THE MARINES I AM POSTING HERE A LITTLE TRIBUTE!!!















THE MARINE CORPS HYMN!

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev'ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job--
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corpsa>
Which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded




MARINE CORPS QUOTES!!!

"Once a Marine, always a Marine!"
(MSgt Paul Woyshner, a 40-year Marine, is credited with originating this expression during a taproom argument with a discharged Marine.)

"I can never again see a UNITED STATES MARINE without experiencing a feeling of reverence."
GEN. JOHNSON, U.S. ARMY


"Do not attack the First Marine Division. Leave the yellowlegs alone. Strike the American Army"
~ Orders given to Communist troops in the Korean War; shortly afterward, the Marines were ordered to not wear their khaki leggings to keep the enemy from immediately fleeing

"To observe a Marine is inspirational, to be a Marine is exceptional."
~ Unknown

Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985


You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they are.
Father Kevin Keaney
1st Marine Division Chaplain
Korean War


I am convinced that there is no smarter, handier, or more adaptable body of troops in the world.
Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Winston Churchhill





HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINE CORPS!!!! SEMPER FI!!!!!



(SORRY THERE ARE NO PICS OF FAITH IN MARINE ATTIRE, SHE DOESN'T HAVE ANY!!! I CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY!!!)

FALL AROUND WSU

Holiday Memory

So my sister in law at curvatude.blogspot.com is having another countdown to the holidays giveaway. This time it is in conjunction with bloggygiveaways.com and their Givieawy Carvinval.

The giveaway theme is FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS!!!

My favorite holiday traditons were always...baking day!! I love the smell of cookies and other holiday treats baking and the aroma filling the house. I love to be in the kitchen making a large mess that results in many YUMMY treats to share with friends and family. I am very excited that it is that time of year again.

I am alos looking forward to the MANY MANY MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES that we will make with Faith. She is going to be so fun this year.


So if you are intrestd in winning some fun prizes. This contest ends today and all the info is on Allies blog. http://curvatude.blogspot.com/2008/10/giveaway-8-weeks-till-christmas.html

It's all Set

We are coming to California for Christmas. We have set the plans in motion and I have already put in for the time off. We will be down for a week. We are drving down this time (its a little cheaper for the holidays). We haven't decieded exactly when we will leave. We are leaning towards leaving on Christmas Day in the afternoon. That would get us into Turlock REALLY REALLY FREAKING EARLY on the 26th. SO I am taking requests for time spent with us while we are there. If you want us to stop by and visit while we are down just let me know either leave me a comment on here or email me @ mjeffery06@yahoo.com. We are looking forward to coming down but are also anticipating a very busy schedule so I am going to have to plan everything out on a schedule. SO liek I said email me or leave a comment and let me know if you would like us to visit you while we are in Cali and what you have in mind...lunch, dinner, dessert, or just a visit...whatever it is we would be happy to do it.

Lots of Love and we miss everyone!!!!

Being Sick SUCKS

On Sunday I woke up feeling horrible. At first I thought I was just having a "down" day because of a lot of stuff happening around here and that I would get over it. Then it continued to get worse. It is now day 4 and I dont feel any better. I feel CRAPPY!!! Down RIght Horrible!!! I am quessy and until today I could barly keep anything down...yuck. I am all achy and BLAH!!! I just want it to go away.

The whole situation around here is currently more than I feel like I can handle at times. I know that God has a plan for us but I really need some sort of direction. I need some sort of sign as to what direction We are suppose to go in next!!!

Take Two

Ok, I went back and looked at the giveaway quetion again and she really wanted to know what "your" favorite decoration piece is...well currently I do not have one, but I have a set that I would love to have. It is the new Precious Moments Nativity Set.



I would like the matching Cattle to go with it too...






That would be fun to have on top of the entertainment center...or even on the hutch. Oh well...not happening anytime soon. The nativity set is $230.00, and each of the additional animals are $32.50...so that is $327.50. Whoo..hoo I can do math. It is still cute though!!

So there...that is piece that I would love to have eventually.

Christmas Decorations

My sister in law, Allie, over at curvatude.blogspot.com is hosting a weekly givaway. I never got to her one last week but I am getting to it this week, mainly because it is something I love. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. Basically she wants to know what people use for dcecoration, how they decorate, etc. for Christmas. WHOO HOO CHRISTMAS!! Yes, I know it isn't even Halloween yet, but as Allie pointed out in her blog...9 weeks until Christams...that is not a lot of time. So, decorations...hmmmmm. I decorate with los of snowmen, snowflakes, blight crystal blues, whites and silvers. I like the red and green traditional look for a dinning room so I am going to try that this year since I have my own dining area. So there you have it folks...lots of snow and light wintery colors.


AWWW...

FYI

Just in case you were wondering...IT IS FREAKIN' COLD IN PULLMAN!!!! Currently it is 47 degrees but it feels like 39 degrees bcause of the wind (according to the Weather Channel.com website). HOLY COW THAT'S COLD...and before anyone says that this is only the begining or that we knew what we were getting into...I KNOW!! But this California Girl has to get used to this weather, you know? I am not instantly ok with this weather, I will eventually (with a new warm jacket and some time) get used to the weather, but for now...it is COLD!!!! Just thought I would share that with you.

More Baby Updates

Update on baby RJ. I mentioned about a week ago for all to be praying for our frineds Trent and Sherri and their new bundle of joy Reed "RJ" Jeffrey and his complications. Well here is the latest update, we got to meet RJ yesterday at church and he is doing great. He has a pin sized hole in his heart that is very common with down syndrom babies that they expect to heal completly in 6 months. The respitory problems that he was having have cleared up. When He was sent to Spokane for care with Trent and Sherri to follow they were told he would be there from 1-2 weeks at least, he improved so well so quickly he was released before day 5...woo hoo. He is absolutly adorable and I will post a picture as soon as I get one I promise.

Then yesterday we also found out that Faiths' Day Care director is Pregnant!!!!! YEAH CASSI. Her and her husband Dan are expecting the arrival of the newest (of many) Baby Fitzgerald on May 4th...YEAH!!! (Cassi will be such a great Mom....she is so great with all the kids at PCCC and Faith adores her...it is cute!!! )

So there you have it...lots of Praises!!!!

The Battle with the Alarm Clock

There are just some mornings that you know you don't want to start and that you really wish you could turn back the clock and sleep more, this was one of those mornings for me. I was lying in bed fighting with the alarm clock, I could tell that it was going to be a cold and overcast day based on the lack of light in my bedroom. I was tring to reason with myself as to why it was good to stay in bed, then my daughter called from her bedroom...daaaddddyyyyyy...oh that's right I have to get her ready too...Garratt is at work. Some mornings I can fight the alarm clock and lay there an extra 10 mins because Garratt is home and he helps me with Faith, but 2 mornings a week the girls are on their own because Garratt works the early shift. This is one of those morning. So I climb out of bed and go into Faith's romm and she pops up and smiles with a bright and cheerful..."HIII" I get her up and she gives me a hug as we walk to the changing table to get ready. Once she is dressed, we head to the bathroom to do her hair (which has gotten way more curly in the last wekk....)and then she goes and plays, back and forth all over the upstairs while I get ready. I usually try to shower before she wakes up but this morning I had to shower while she played where I could hear her. Then I threw myself together, and we headed downstairs. I gave her a few cherrios and made her lunch. We headed out the door for daycare and work only 5 mins late...WHOOO HOOOO!!! I got to work and had a hard time finding a parking spot so by the time I got up to my office is was almost 10 after, (usually I am in my office by at least 5 til.) Then I saw the stack of stuff on my desk that was not there when I left last night. Sigh...and the day begins. I guess I could consider that job security since latly things have been so up in the air with the economy the way it is. SO now I am taking a quick break after I have prioritized my tasks and looked at what my day holds, just to vent how my day started...because I currenty wish I could climb back in bed and skip over this day...why?? Because tomorrow holds...a day off...not just for me but for Garratt, He has no classes tomorrow. YEAH!!! So I took the day off and we are going to spend the day together. Although we are going to spend most of the day going around the house and figuring out what needs to be done and then figuring out what we need to do each job and then deciding what we are going to try to accomplish that day and then prioritize the rest. Then we will go get the supplies we need and grab some lunch and then back to the house to putz. All in all a rather dull day but to be able to spend the whole day with my Hubby is a great thing. We don't get a lot of time together (escpecially without Faith, she will stll go to daycare). So here is to getting through this day and to a great day tomorrow!!!!!

The Great ASHAKENING

Yes folks that is spelled correct. Yesturday our Senior Pastor talked about the current issues in America. He said that he felt that God was shaking the World up in order to rid us of the dirt. The one analogy that he used that really helped me put it into perspective was, when you take the rug that sits under your kitchen sink and you go outside and you shake it out, what happens, a cloud of dust comes out of it...we continue to shake the rug until we get no more dust and dirt coming from the rug right, well God does the same hing with the world, he just gives it a little shake and removes what ever dirt and debreee there is. Pastor Phil also talked about how if we are an object that is grounded so firmly in the rock that we cannot be shaken then we will remain, every time that GOD shakes out the weak shakable items. This morning I was thinking about this and I got a song in my head that I ironically couldn't shake...but it went well with what was being said yesturday...so here it is...


Natalie Grant~~ I Will Not Be Moved

I have been a wayward child,
I have acted out,
I have questioned sovereignty,
and had my share of doubts,

And though sometimes,
my prayers feel like their bouncing off the sky,
the hand that holds won't let me go,
and is the reason why

I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart,
many times before,
My life has been a broken glass,
and I have kept the score,
of all my shattered dreams,
and though it seemed,
that I was far too gone,
my brokenness helped me to see,
it's grace I'm standing on.

I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

And chaos in my life,
has been a badge I've worn,
and though I have been torn,
I will not be moved

I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But i will not be moved

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

If you want to hear the actual song you can copy the following link into your browser. ENJOY!!

http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/NatalieGrant/I-Will-Not-Be-Moved--157758576

Ohhh...it's sooo sad!!

Have you ever enjoyed a

*Taffy Cookies
*Mothers Iced Oatmeal
*Mothers Chocolate Chip Cookie
*Oatmeal
*Circus Animal Cookies
*Coconut Cocadas
*Cookie Parade
*Mothers Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
*Holiday Gingerbread Man
*Butter Cookies
*Stiped Shortbread
*Coconut Fudge Creme
*Peanut Butter Gauchos
*Sugar-free Lemon Creme
*Iced Lemonade
*Iced Raisin
*Chocolate Chip Angel
*Macaroons
*Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
*Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Then I hpe that you enjoyed it recently becaue Mother's Cookies is no more...I cannot bare to tell the story so I have copied it into the blog from another source...it is so sad...


Mother's cookie company closes amid bankruptcy

Posted Oct. 10, 2008
7:12 AM

Oakland, Calif. (AP) -- Mother's Cookies has closed its doors for good.

Its Connecticut-based parent company filed for bankruptcy protection this week. Workers at its baking and distribution plants in Ohio and Canada were informed that operations would cease immediately.

Mother's operated in Oakland for 92 years, but left the city in 2006 after it came under new ownership. Since then, cookies bearing the Mother's brand were baked by Archway & Mother's Cake and Cookie Co. of Battle Creek, Mich.

Its parent company -- the private equity firm Catterton Partners of Greenwich -- says rising fuel and ingredient prices contributed to the bankruptcy.


Do you see...the horror...now my children will never experience the joy of a frosted animal circus cookie. :(

Prayers for RJ!!!!

Today I found out that our small group leaders Trent and Sherri had their baby on Friday morning, around 5:00 am, this should be good news right, well it is and it isn't. You see Reed Jeffrey (RJ) was the 4th child for Trent and Sherri, and her was the first boy, his sisters, Abby, Annie and Alyssa were so excited for the arrival of RJ. Sherri delivered 2 weeks early and RJ was immediatly diagnosied with Down Syndrom and some other complications, he was medi-flighted to Spokane and Trent and Sherri were in a car drivnig the 1-1/2 to Spokane just 5 hours after Sherri delieved. As of this point that is all I know, we are praying for the whole family. So, please be praying with us. The arrival of a new baby is suppose to be such great news but when you find out that there is something wrong withyour child you immediatly get scared and it is hard to deal with. I know that Trent and Sherri have put all their Faith is the Lord, they are strong Christians and I know that they believe in their hearts that RJ is in Gods hands and he knows why this little boy is going through all this. ANyways, if you could just say a little prayer for them.

It's Here

Yes folks that's right...it is officially fall (autumn for all you PC people) in Washington. The air is cool...the wind blows...it drops to the 30's and below at night...with frost on the windows and it rains at will!!! The leaves have begun to change color and fall off the trees. OHHH the beauty. I offically have to wear long sleeves and socks around the house and hot chocolate and tea sound soooooo good. It is the time of year to make chilli, soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and curl up on the couch in a fuzzy blanket. YEAH FALL!!! This is one of my favorite times of the year. Plus, it is in the forcast that we might get snow showers starting this weekend. (as early as Friday.) WOOO HOOO!!! I will post pictures of the changing scenery on campus soon!!

The Quote that Changed My Thinking...

TOday while at church our Senior Pastor Phil Vance made a statement that really made sense to me. Phil said..."We are going to worship the Lord now, and we are going to be excited and have fun...do you know why?...because the Lord is not dull and boring...the Lord is exciting and fun." Isn't it true. There is a stereotipical image that is placed in the minds of people. That image is that God is boring and he doesn't allow any form of fun in life and he is against everything and full of rules. Yes, God does have rules...yes he does have limits for His people, but he is by no means...BORING!!! He is anything but...well at least that is my opinion. Everyone needs to form their own opinion. What's your opinion of God? Do you think He is boring?

The Last Year?!?!

I apologize in advance this is going to be a long post!! :) :) :)

Wow, ok so first HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! It's really weird for me to look back at the last year it has been such a roller coaster of events. This time last year I had a 1 month old little girl that we were having a few tummy issues with, I was still on maternity leave and just loving being a Mommy. I has also started to help Garratt make final decisions in regards to which schools we were applying to. With scholorship deadlines, visit weekends, and application deadlines right around the corner we had to be right on the ball. My nephew Collin had just been born, my niece Layla was almost here and my niece Addison would be born tomorrow. Adien(my other nephew) had already turned 1 and Nevaeh (my other niece) was about to turn 1. How Fun!! So many cousins and all so close.

In October Garratt and I visited 2 schools. UC Davis and USC Pamona (sorry if that is misspelled). We eliminated Pamona, it just wasn't for us and that was obvious. UC Davis was still a possibility at this point.

In November Garratt decided that the Lord was really leading us out of California. We really didn't know where to but we knew that all Cali schools had to be eliminated. So back to the list we went. We eliminated the 2 school left from Cali and we were left with 3 schools to apply to...University of Missouri in Columbia, MO...University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...and Washington State University in Pullman, WA. We decided to take it one application at a time.

December brought a lot of fun times, the babies (Collin, Layla, and Faith's) First's in the Christmas traditions. This included the Turlock Tree Lighting (actually in November), CHristmas Tree Lane, the Christmas Parade, Santa and Family Christmas time!!!

January brought the beginning of Garratt's final semester at MJC and the first application deadline, WSU. Garratt completed that and we were on our way.

February brought the fun of Garratt's birthday. We got our Family (whoever could go) to go play in the snow in Yosemite. That was great fun.

March was fairly slow.

April was exciting. Garratt recieved his acceptance letter for WSU.THe other applications were not due until May and July. At the end of April Garratt and I made the first trip 16 hours to Pullman, WA. It was Transfer Weekend and it was a lot of fun. The whole weekend was based around "Transfer Students." While here I was able to talk to some people and get some questions answered in regards to our particular situation, since we fall under the "NON-TRADITIONAL" Student category. After seeing the campus, talking to people and then getting to walk around by ourselves and see things we really just instantly fell in love with it. When we left Pullman, I told Garratt that I really felt like this was the place for us. We both agreed, but we also knew that if it was going to happen that is was going to be a GOD thing. When we got home we were shocked, although we shouldn't have been, at how quickly God began to work all the details into place so perfectly. A week later we were in full moving mode.

May brought a world wind of events. We moved our move date to the end of May (from the original beginning of July) Garratt worked his last day at Emanuel Medical Center on May 2, after working there for just over 11 years. We went to Tahoe for our anniversary. We worked out the financial situation for the move and school. Then I went into full stress out mode, I had just about 2 weeks to pack up everything, set up all the arangements for the move, and plan our Good-Bye party. As stressful as it all was it was fun at times too. We left Turlock on May 19 and arrived in Pullman on the 20th. My Mom, Garratt's Mom, My Sister (in-law) Manndi, My Niece Nevaeh and My Sister Steph all helped us move. We really could not have done it without them. Then on May 24th they left and headed home and left us by ourselves. For the first time ever in either of our lives we were completly by ourselves with no family and no friends near by. Where we ready? Well...that was to be determined.

The begining of June brought a road trip back to California. We drove down to be with my Brother for his birthday. It was really great. 3 days after getting home Faith and I drove Garratt to Spokane so he could catch a plane back to California. We did not realize at the time we reserved our moving van just how much stuff we had, so Garratt was going back to make a second trip with the rest of our stuff. At the end of June Garratt took off again to meet my parents in Reno and pick up my Sister Jenn. Jenn was coming up to spend a little time with us, I was really excited.

July 8th Garratt, Faith, My Sister Jenn and I headed to Spokane. We spent the night there and caught a plane on the 9th to head to California. This time for 2 weeks...YEAH!! This was also Faith's first time on a Plane and she did great!! I was so proud of her, We didn't have any problems with the plane. We had a great time too. SHe was a little anxious towards the end but other than that she did great. While in Cali we tried to do A LOT. We spent time with both families, spent time with some friends (love you Jennie, Dave and Timmy), made a trip to Yosemite(of course), threw Faith a birthday party and attended Garratt's Dad's Wedding. All of which was a lot of fun. Just like so many things the fun eventually had to end and we headed back to WA on the 22nd of July. On the 28th we started Faith in day care, for the first time, at Pullman Christian Childcare Center. This place is so great.

On August 4th I went for an interview at WSU and got the job. I started the next day!! WHOOO HOOO!!! Finally, please note that I began looking in May as soon as we decided that we were definatly moving. 3 months....UGGGG!! On the 22nd we celebrated Faith's 1st Birthday, had the Unoversity Convocation, and the University All Campus Picnic. On the 25th Garratt began the first semester at WSU.

This month so far has been fun. The 4th was a Welcome Picnic for our Apartment Complex. The 7th we started attending church at Living Faith Fellowship, which we love!! The 12th was my Department Fall Picnic out at our Associate Directors house in Palouse. The 14th was the first meeting of the Small Group that we have connected with. It is a small group and they are all fun families with children. We meet everyother week right after the church service. We have a potluck followed by children going into a play room and Adult Bible Study time. It is really great. I have connected with the wife, Sherri. SHe has been so great and her and I have really hit it off. This week we have a book fair at PCCC and a potluck on Thursday at PCCC. That should be fun. Then Faith moves into the Toddler room on Monday!!!

Wow...what a year right. We have had some downs in there too...mostly financially and little bit emotionally too but that is to be expected with all that has happened. All in all I have to say that this has been a great year. I am so blessed to have such a support group of friends and family that I can always count on. I am also so happy that God has done so much in our lives. I can honestly say that God has placed us here for a reason and I cannot wait to see what he has planned for us. I am thankful for what he has already done for us and I thank him for how much Garratt and I have grown closer to eachother. Well...this year has ended(at least sorta) and a new one is beginning and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead.

Woo hoo and What the heck...

Today started out as a perfectly normal day. I got up showered, got Faith up and ready, made Faith's Lunch and headed out the door. I dropped Faith off at daycare and headed to work. I got to work and everything seemef fairly normal. That was until about 10 am when my boss recieved an email from the Dean of our department. This email was a forwarded message from the PROVOST of the University. It was informing us that the Provost was taking PERSONAL LEAVE effective immediatly. Now you may be thinking that this is fairly normal right? Well, in most cases taking personal leave is fairly normal but when you have only been on assignment as the PROVOST for 1 1/2 months it seems a little weird. About 30 mins later we got an email that the President of the University was on campus, he was not due to be here until tomorrow which is FERDINAN's (the campus owed and run creamery. MMMM) 60th Birthday...(on my birthday how cool...HA HA :) :)... Any who...turns out he was here to talk the Dean of Veterinary Medicine into taking over as Acting Provost while the current provost is gone. There is no anticipated time of return for our provost. The Deans office called my boss around 11 and told her that it seemed really fisshy and that there was talk that he went on leave because he was forced by "higher" powers. We all have our speculations both good and bad, but they are strictly speculation, WE KNOW NOTHING!! So that was the WHAT THE HECK news only because for the last month things have just been VERY VERY VERY weird around campus.

Now the WOO HOO...this is UNOFFICIAL NEWS...BUT...


What you really want to know?? OK OK

The person that I have been filling in for put in her OFFICIAL resignation, effective TODAY!!! Now as far as my department, my boss, my director adn the Deans office are concerned the job is mine, but we still have to go through all the technicalities. Since we are in a hiring freeze We have to get approval from the "Provost" office to open the position for hiring. (WSU doesn't allow Direct Hiring into a position from a Temp position) Once we have the approval they will post the position on the Employmetn sight. I must at that point submitt an official application for the position. Then my boss has to do an official search. She then can inputr me based on the grounds that I am currently in the position and have already been trained. Once that is done I finish paper work and I am official, which means...BENEFITS, SICK LEAVE, and ANNUAL LEAVE. This process could take anywhere from 2 weeks- 1 month it all depends on how quickly the "provost" office responds and how quickly they get things posted...etc. I will let everyone know when it is official. I am very excited, This job has been so greaat for me and my boss is great and they have done a lot to help us. I am so thankful to GOD that he placed me in this position.

So, there you have it a fully balanced day. A little of the "WHAT THE HECK??" and a little "WOOHOO"

DOUBT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

What is doubt?
–verb (used with object) 1. to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.
2. to distrust.
3. Archaic. to fear; be apprehensive about.
–verb (used without object) 4. to be uncertain about something; be undecided in opinion or belief.
–noun 5. a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something.
6. distrust.
7. a state of affairs such as to occasion uncertainty.
8. Obsolete. fear; dread.

That is the dictionary version of doubt?

Matthew 14:31 (Whole Chapter)
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Matthew 21:21 (Whole Chapter)
Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen

This is what the bible says about doubt.

After reading the definition and 2 verses that I really like, I sit here and ponder why it is that I EVER DOUBT GOD'S Pover? Why do I ever doubt that he is going to take care of us? Everytime I even start to doubt HE does the one thing that HE should never have to do...HE PROVES HIMSELF YET AGAIN. As a human I find myself so easily falling into the same old routines of stressing out over the things that I cannot control, worring about the things that I cannot fix and doubting the ONE who can do it ALL!! Why is that? Why is it that nomatter how many times I read Matthew 14:31 I still DOUBT the POWER that MY GOD has? Why is that even though ever time ANY ONE IN MY FAMILY (which includes my friends, bcause all of my friends are my family too!!) IS IN NEED OR TROUBLE THAT GOD IS THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM YET THE SECOND THAT TROUBLE OR HEARTACHE HITS WE ALL FREAK OUT BEFORE WE TRUST. Don't misunderstand me, I know that a majority of my FAMILY, does eventually trust that GOD will take care of it all, but that initial momment of impact we forget to TRUSTR and we forget NOT TO DOUBT and that GOD has it all under control adn he is going to make sure that everything is ok? I guess there is only one answer to all of this...HUMAN NATURE, it's our own STUPID HUMAN SELF. Darn myself!!!!

The Birthday Question?

I am posting this blog only because I have been asked at least 4 times...WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY??? That is usually a very difficult question for me becaue I never know what I really want. This year it is easier. I know what I want. Gift Cards for Michaels is great, gift cards for Wal Mart are good and Money for work clothes would be great also. Those are the things that I really want. Anything of course would be greatly appriciated so don't think that my list is strict, it's not! Just remember...as much as I love Target, the closest one for me is in Spokane (1 1/2 hours away) and to use Target gift cards means ordering stuff online because we don't go to Spokane very often. Well, there you have it. My birthday list...and I am proud of myself it is out here in the open a week before my birthday...YEAH ME!


SIDE NOTE: I DO NOT EXPECT ANYTHING FROM ANYONE...(EXCEPT MAYBE MY HUSBAND :) :)

Mommy Moments

I can tell you from FACT that I LOVE MOMMY MOMENTS. You know those moments when you absolutly love being a Mom. When your child is sweet and loveable. Well, I had a Mommy moment last night. After Garratt got home from work at 9:00, he had some studing to do and he decided that it would be better for him to walk up to the Library, because then he wouldn't be distracted or easily tell himself he can go to bed. So off to the library he went. I headed to bed and just as I got comfortable and started to drift off I heard my daughter start to cry. I went in and picked her up and checked to make sure she was ok. She smiled at me and I knew that she was AWAKE! Not exactly what I had in mind for the night but ok...so down stairs we went. I got her some toys and a sippy cu with milk, and she played and played and played for about an hour then she grabbed her sippy cup and attempted to climb into Mommy's lap, so I picked her up and she laid in my arms drinking her sippy cup watching TV and talking and talking and talking. Finally just before 12 she began to get the glassed over look in her eyes that tells me she is ready to go back to bed so Mommy picks her up from her spot next to me on the couch, turned off the lights put her 1/2 full sippy cup in the fridge and headed back to bed. Faith was out withn seconds of me putting her in bed and I was not far behind. Having Faith at the stage where she just likes to sit with you and talk to you and do whatever you are doing is fun. I love when she looks at me and says.."Mommy...." and then proceeds to fill me in on all the details (most of which I never understand, but I listen anyways. :) :) There is nothing more special to me then these little moments in my daughters life.

BEING SICK BITES

I am not a person who handles being sick. I don't mind colds they are ok because I can still function and work and take care of Faith. WHat I don't like is what I have today...the nauseous, feel like I am going to throw up, head hurts, and achy body. THE FEELING THAT YUOU HAVE BEEN HIT BY A MAC TRUCK. That is what I DO NOT like. But inevitably that is what I have. I calle din Sick to work today and Garratt stayed home from class to take care of me and Faith (we decided to keep her home so that I didn't have to worry about going out to pick her up later.) Garratt is still planning on going to his research class (12-1) because he has a huge assignment due and then he is planning on going to work tonight (4-8ish) so hioefully Faith and I will be ok. We will make it work...cause we are good like that, sick or not. Iam done on the computer I am going back to the couch to lay down and watch TV and probably take a nap.

WHY NOT???

As most of you remember about a month aga I was faced with the decision of picking between two different jobs. I decided to stay at WSU for various reasons. Well, last night I got a phone call from the job that I turned down. They had sired the alternate girl and she did not work out at all. They fired her yesturday. They apparently decided that I was the one they wanted (again) and called to see if I am available. By now most of you have had the answer NO go through your head...well I didnt instead my head went straight into...ok GOD what is this? I told the girl that I was a temp currently (which I am) and that I would have to talk to my husband and my boss and find out where this situation stands. All night I worried about weather or not this was a God thing not. I know that I Love my job at WSU, I also know that the pay is right at the bottom end of where I need it, I know that the hours are great for being able to take care of my daughter and work around Garratts schedule, and I know that there is no idea as too what is going to happen with my position, and I know that if I were made permanent that I would be very happy staying here as long as I needed to. I also know that the other job pays a lot less (which aparently is now NEGOTIABLE), I know the hours are not as flexible and that I would barly if at all make it to pick up my daughter on time from daycare 3-4 nights a week, I know that it is furthur away (in Moscow), I know that it would be permanent and that unless it just did not work out that I would probably stay there. So, what do I do. Well, first I told Garratt about it then I asked God what to do...then I went to work this morning and told my boss what was going on. Once I did that she decided to do a little digging to find out what was going on...turns out that the paperwork for the person I am filling in for is due back by the 16th of September. This will tell us what her situation is. So by the end of next week we should have a better idea of what is going on. Also, if she doesn't get her paperwork turned in by Tuesday then that is considered uncooperative and would result in termination which then opens the job for ME! Either way I should have a clearer idea of what is going to become of this poition by the end of next week, possibly sooner depending on how quickly HRS gets back to my boss. So, for now I will wait. If the other people call again I will tell them that I will know by the end of next week if they can wait, because I feel I have an obligation to my department and my boss to stay at least until the other girl returns, If she returns, and I will tell the other company that if they cannot wait that I understand but I cannot leave my current job just yet. That is the only thing that seems to work and I know that my not be the most diplomatic approach but its my approach at this point. What else can I do?

One Hurdle...Church

So, Garratt and I all too easily fell into the "WE'LL GO NEXT WEEK" mode. We said we would go to church. I would lookinto diferent churches then we would let minor little things stop us from going. It started with Mel won't go by herself...yes Miss Indenpendent refusses to do much without her husband by her side. Then it was well, we need to get things done so that everything is unpacked before we go to CALI. Then we got back from CA and it was wel we need to recoup. Then it was what I would consider a somewhat ligit to a point excuse and that was Faith got sick and wasn't getting over it and I thought that it was because she was at daycare 5 days a week and I didn't want to put her in a Nursery with other kids and more germs plus her germs and blah blah everyone knows how that excuse goes. Then it happened there was nothing stopping us. Faith was still not completly better but she was ok enough to go into a nursery. So, yesturday we went. We visited the church that has caught our attention most of the time that we have been here. Living Faith Fellowship. This church is structually big but congregationally fairly small from what we can tell. But WE fell in love with it almost instantly. The people were very friendly and open. They greeted us multiple times and helped us find things. We also happened to visit on the day of SMALL GROUP RALLY SUNDAY. Basically it is there way of introducing all the Small groups that are available for the year. It was great. We found out that yes they have a Sunday School hour, but that is not were they put their focus. They are all about getting connected with a Small Group. So, after looking around and having met one of the Young Married Small Group leaders earlier in the morning we signed up to try his and his wifes Small Group. We are very excited. They meet every other week right after church. They do ao potluck at their house and everyone eats (kids are welcome)for about an hour then the kids go play in the playroom or if they are smaller they can play right there in the room with the adults, and they do an hour + long bible study. We are very excited to see what it is like. It starts next week so I will be sure to fill you in. As for the service itself...WOW!!! I don't think I have been so overwhelmed by worship like I was at this service. They are very open...they have the kids in with the parents during worship time. The kids are allowed to dance around, people all over were dancing and singing no one was shy because they couldn't sing. It was great. They did some modern music and a little old hymns stuff. It was done very well. Garratt and I both walked away wwith a great feeling about the worship. Then there was the sermon. WOW!!! I cannot remember the last sermon that I really enjoyed throughout the whole thing. This Senior Pastor is very interactive with the congregation. He knows when he can be loud and passionate and he also knows when to tone down and be serious. None of his jokes were forced or scripted they just came out along the way. Garratt and I both felt like we walked away with something from the sermon and that has not happened in a long time. We are going to stay at LFF for awhile and see how it goes. We both just really felt comfortable and very acceppted by everyone and Faith had a great time singing and dancing with us during the worship time and then playing and having a snack in the nursery during the sermon time. Plus, the nursery staff was very sweet and I just felt completly comfortable leaving her up there. The church structure is very different. I will try to explain hopefully it makes sense. Most churches you walk into the hallways are open and go off into different directions and the Sanctuary is closed off with a "LOBBY" area out in front. Not at LFF. LFF has an OPEN sanctuary. You walk into the building to an information desk lobby area, then you walk into the main lobby which is completly open and connected to the sanctuary. Everything else is behind hallways off of the sanctuary. It is really kinda cool. It sounds like it would be distracting behind you to have an open lobby but it wasn't at all. It was wonderful. So that was the WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS SOONER experience and now we have a church and we are eally happy about it. We cannot wait to get fully connected and start making friends. I am really missing having friends!!!!! I NEED SOMEONE OTHER THAN GARRATT TO HANG OUT WITH! (No offense my love!!) Well, if you have any questions in regards to our new church just leave a comment and I will answer any questions yoou have!!! Talk to all soon!!!

HMMM>>>PONDER

One of the professors in the department that I work for at WSU sent me an e-mail regarding yet another change for a seminar I am tring to get set-up for later in the semester, he included a 1-liner at the beginning of the e-mail that said it all...


NOTHING IS AS CONSISTENT AS CHANGE!!!



I will leave it at that becaue I really think that says it all!!

Yakama Picnic

On Thursday our Apartment complex had a welcome picnic. It was kinda fun. We got to see people from the OTHER side of the complex. Also, they had the Pullman Firedepartment there for the kids. The kids got to climb around push some buttons and ask the firefighters ALL the questions they wanted. We left kinda early bcause we were just sitting there and Faith was a little grump she had refused to nap at daycare that day. All in all though it was pretty fun. Enjoy the pictures. By the way the gold plated cougar that is in one of the pictures is actually imprinted on the Pullman Firedepartment Trucks.

One car down one to go

We went last week and got the plates changed for the Buick. YEAH...one car is officially registered in WA. Next is the Dodge. We will get that one done next week. It is so weird. THey actually handed us our plated right there at the Department of Licensing, no waiting. SO Garratt finally had a chance to put them on the car the other night...wooo hooo!! Notice the cool...COUGARS plate cover on the back plates!!!

HELP... I am surrounded with no where to go!!

School offically started on Monday, all the students are moved in, Mommy's and Daddy's have all gone home. and teachers have handed out the first round of homework assignments. How come on a campus of approx. 18,000 people I can't get a good set of neightbors to save my life? They let their kids run amuck all over, they are up at all hours of the night, banging on the wall, parking their toys in front of our door, looking into our house and our cars, standing behind us while we are trying to put Faith in or take Faith out of the car. As if that doesn't drive me crazy enough...they all talk to eachother and glare at me. What did I do? I have always been nice, said hi to them and smile at them, even when I don't feel like it. So, why is it that we are the minority and looked down at? Why can't I make friends? I am hoping that this will change once we get plugged into a church (yes we are still working on that). So far my boss and professors at work, Faith's daycare teachers, Faith's daycare director, the check out people at the store and Garratt are the only people I get to talk to. I am so over it. I am starting to feel a lot of depression starting to surface and I am getting very HOME SICK. Oh, well I will get over it. Any who...hopefully next week when we go to the Yakima Apartment BBQ social I will find some sort of connection to someone in the complex somewhere. Well, until next time...

P.S. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON!!!!!! (that's my brother-in-law...today is his birthday!!!)

Birthday Girl

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY GIRL!!
Mommy cannot believe that you are 1 years old already!!

Yes, I know that my daughters Birthday was yesturday I just didn't get a chance to post on my blog yesterday. I barly got her post on her blog up. SO yes this is being posted a day late but who really cares??

The First Night of the Lentil Festival

For those of you that don't know, Pullman is the Lentil Capital of the World. So, this whole Lentil Festival thing is a big deal. So, we decided to go out last night and check out the downtown street fair that is the kick off of the festival. It was very cool. There was a kids area that had a bounce house, giant inflated slide and some other inflated play thing, there were clowns and of course the WSU Athletcis group with BUTCH!! This is when we found out that faith is not a fan of Butch like we thought, She SCREAMED!!! It was interesting. She is not very fond of dogs either. Faith's daycare is also hosting a lentil bean play area in the Kids Zone so Faith got to see her director Miss Cassi who she absolutly adores. There were a lot of food booths, live music, a beer garden, and different vendors. Then there was highlight of the night, a 200lb vat of Lentil Chili. Sadly we didn't get to taste it because by the time we got back around to it, all the chili was GONE!! Yes people 1 1/2 hours into the event and 200 lbs of chili was gone!!! It was funny!!

200 lbs of LENTIL CHILI

All Campus Picnic

The All Campus picnic is a free picnic for all Faculty, Staff, Students and Parents. The picnic is held at Mooberry Field, which is the Track field. It is suprisingly very well done. Yes, when you are feeding 5000+ people, there will be some waiting but that wasn't bad at all. They kept everything moving very well and there was plenty of food for everyone. There were no incidences either, at least none I saw. There was live music and there were booths all around the track for different groups/clubs on Campus, Athletics, and even some other local companies. Faith had fun people watching and dancing with the music it was super cute.