Happy Easter.

Some dates don't have to be marked on a calendar for you to know they are coming. Some you just feel coming. Yesterday was one of those days. Yesterday was 10 years without my littlest sister.

She would be 26 going on 27. She would be a nice person. She'd live near a beach. She would be a cool aunt. She'd still be fast. Other than that I don't know what she would have become by now. She might have gone to culinary school. She probably would have gone to college on a running scholarship. But to me she'll always be sixteen, the last to leave the nest.

Luckily, the memories haven't grown dimmer. I just realize that, while close, the age gap and self-involvement was enough for me not to have had as many memories as one might like. Some of you have memories I don't have, because you were classmates or friends or had a different familial relationship.

The memories I wish I didn't have lie in a box. It's round and has clouds on it. Inside are newspaper articles, an audio tape of the memorial service, a few pictures, a couple letters Ben wrote to her while on his mission, stickers, artwork, a cd, her chapstick. I don't look through it often. Maybe two times in the decade that has passed.

Time doesn't really heal all wounds, it just changes your perspective of the pain. While sad to lose a sister, I think now how exponentially harder it must be to lose a child. This perspective doesn't feel like healing to me. Losing someone close is also a devestating reminder of our own mortality, and thus I live life a little more guarded, if not fearful of sudden tragedy. This might be normal as one matures and grows more aware of the bitterness in the world - but for me will always be tied to a day ten years ago.

When is 60 degrees beach weather?

When you were expecting April to be spring like and when you woke up April 1st to snow. And April 2nd, 3rd and 4th to rain, wind and even a smattering of hail. And when your patience with the weather in the Northwest has just started to grow thin.

That makes sunny and 60 glorious. Flipflops, t-shirts and a few hours outside resulted in the pinkness of sunburn (as opposed to the pinkness of cold and wet skin) and warm feelings all around. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon between Conference sessions than enjoying God's green earth - along with many other sun-starved humans. The kids even put their feet in the water (It's not that warm - I'm not sure if it ever get's that warm). Avery and I enjoyed it so much that we went back for sunset and low tide and were rewarded with the sight of two seals frolicking in the Sound. I now see the wisdom in the incredible length of the summer day here offset by stubby days of winter dreariness. In other words, wake me up when summer comes.

Avery convinced someone to let her walk their poodle.

Chocolate Sheet Cake.

"You're not going to make that from scratch are you?" Those are the loving words I was greeted with after announcing that I was going to make a cake. A cake I had been thinking about for two days. A cake I ran four miles for, just so I would not feel the least bit of guilt when I indulged. A cake I had to buy a new pan for because the other is in storage*

(I apologize in advance to any Catholic, Lutheran or other friends honoring Lent** by giving up chocolate. Or if you are on a chocolate-free diet. You may just want to skip to a post that won't stir any passions - may I suggest "Choosing Paint")

I defiantly continued to pull out the flour and cocoa from the cupboard. I was going to make it from scratch - despite my dismal baking record. It's only dismal from Ben's perspective anyhow. I have quite liked the things I make. But I can see why, maybe he wouldn't like my desserts. First of all, I don't bake often so maybe he's mad at me about that. When I do bake, I just can't bring myself to take the time to measure exactly. But I've found that if you say "close enough" when you pour the baking soda into the palm of your hand and toss it in that things generally work out fine.*** The most egregious of my baking sins however, is my need to add things to the recipe. Generally to increase the nutrition. Things like ground flax seeds and wheat germ tend to find their way into the bowl, even when I promise myself I will follow the recipe exactly. I just can't help it. And I should probably just stick to making granola bars.

But I'm glad I made the cake. And judging from the seconds and thirds that Ben had (darn him and his never expanding waistline) he was pretty grateful himself. So without further ado here is the recipe I stole from The Pioneer Woman. It won't be the last.

Pioneer Woman Chocolate Sheet Cake

Combine in a mixing bowl:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a saucepan, melt:
2 sticks butter
Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa.

Stir together.

Add 1 cup boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat.
Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

In measuring cup, pour 1/2 cup buttermilk.

Add:
2 beaten eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture.

Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.
While cake is baking, make icing:
Chop 1/2 cup pecans finely.

Melt 1 3/4 sticks butter in a saucepan.
Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat.

Add:
6 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb minus 1/2 cup powdered sugar (whatever that comes out to...?)

Stir together.
Add pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.
---

So I did use white 100% whole wheat flour (Trader Joes has a good one) and I thought it tasted a little wheatie at first but after it cooled it was unnoticeable. The cake isn't the point in this recipe anyway, it's the frosting. And since it was so healthy the four of us ate the whole thing in under 24 hours.



* My first choice was to make this cake- http://ugapo.blogspot.com/2009/03/molten-chocolate-cake-recipeheaven-on.html, but my ramekins are in storage and I figured an extra jelly roll pan will be more useful. But when I unpack I will be making this.

**I just learned how long the Lenten period is - I don't know why I always thought it was just one or two weeks. But 40 days (now I get the symbolism)plus x number of Sundays (46 days total this year) of going without whatever - that is quite a sacrifice - which I do realize is the point.

***Check before you use this method. The crook of my palm is a perfect teaspoon, yours may not be. ;)

March Recap

Choosing Paint.

A quick word to the paint companies:

"Garlic Clove" vs. "Cookie Crumb"? "Mayonnaise" vs. "Cream Pie"? The list could go on.

Why would you even put these names next to each other on a paint swatch? You think I am not swayed by the names you give your paint? I love garlic, but the thought of that being the color of my walls? Just thinking about it makes my house smell.

Name influence case in point - the colors I chose the first go round for my house: "Beach Glass", "Seashell", "Idyllic Isle", "Babbling Brook"... The only one that worked out in real life was "Idyllic Isle" and the jury is still out on the tastefulness of this choice. But you can see what images I am swayed by.

And another thing - the configuration of the paint chips. I admit, I am a sucker for Ralph Lauren and their perfect squares and silvery font - not to mention enchanting names - perfection! But Martha Stewart - for all the things she does right - paint swatches is not one of them. The problem being that each main color has complimentary color suggestions on the swatch. A feature, while helpful to some, I find utterly distracting.


With drywall up in the new house it quickly became time to make some decisions. So about $100 in samples and three days of checking said samples in differing light later - we have the winners.

Inspired by nature (like these rocks behind our house)...

Our main body color, can be found in the great room (kitchen/dining/living), entry, halls and utility room....drum roll please... "Overcast" by Benjamin Moore. As quoted by a designer in House Beautiful - "I think of this as celadon or blanc de Chine. It's the color of water in a bathtub, of the pale early morning sky. When you look at it on a chip it's not very exciting, but once it's up on the walls it reflects itself and becomes richer."

It's the color of masking tape.

Next up, master bedroom and kids bath. Afternoon Shade by FreshAire. The color can be seen on a wall here.

Master Bath: "Sneak Peek". Looks like a slightly greener version of Afternoon Shade.

Guest Bedroom/Office: "Beguile" by Valspar. Ben picked this one to which I replied "what color is that?" with a disgusted look on my face. Descriptor - bluish greenish gray. But guess what? I love it. It's one of my favorite colors we chose.

Lastly, the kids bedrooms. "Idyllic Isle" by Pittsburgh Paint and "Reflection" by Devine Paint. The kids bedroom are mirror images connected in the middle by a double pocket door. Which for now will be sleeping side (bunk beds) (Reflection) and playroom side (Idyllic Isle). Eventually this could end up being separate living spaces for them but for now we like the idea of one giant room.

Adios Mustacho.

The contest is over. The classification of Ben's win? "Most Likely to Run a Taco Truck"

I know I promised that once we left Hawaii you wouldn't have to view anymore pictures of Ben topless. Sorry, I was wrong. But it's a welcome sight (the shaving of the mustache) boobs and all.

Spring Forward!

Tonight is my favorite holiday of them all. (Technically I guess it's two am tomorrow) If they made cards for the occasion (I'm not sure that Hallmark doesn't) I would send one to myself. One more blessed hour of evening for the next 8 months or so in exchange for losing one hour of sleep - gladly. Even if you don't like Pres. George W. Bush for other reasons surely you can appreciate his lengthening of DST by a month.

Pres. Warren G. Harding ,who didn't like the idea of DST, said something to the effect of - "If you want more daylight then get up an hour earlier" Well that's fine, only this girl needs the time to change by government mandate to do so.

I don't know why we we ever "Fall Back". Of course I am very excited for that one day that I get to have one more hour in the day to do whatever I choose - unfortunately I usually squander it by watching an entire episode of SNL. And that hour we get is really just on loan until they take it back in the spring. So I can do without it for the greater good. We did without it in Hawaii and we survived just fine - maybe Pres. Obama with his island roots will institute the change.

Not that kind of Thank You.

Scenerio: I have just vacuumed the floor of crumbs in the kitchen. I am helping Avery soak her rose plant overnight. She tries to help by transferring clumps of soil from one side of the sink to the other. It gets all over the floor.

Me: Oh Avery! Thanks a lot.

Avery: I'm sorry.

Me again: I just cleaned the floor. You should ask before you do something like that.

Silence. A few seconds pass.

Avery: Mom, I know what you meant when you said "thanks a lot". You didn't mean thanks a lot like when you are smiling. You meant the kind of thanks a lot you say with a mad face. It doesn't mean the same thing.

Anger Diffused.

Binkless

Today marks four weeks of Miles without the bink. We weren't planning* on having him give it up just yet, I was still using it as a bribe for potty training, sleeping and general good behavior when we were in all of these stores we have to go to to pick out stuff for the house. But one day we forgot it and it just happened. The first couple days were painful - for me - I had to hide the binky stash from myself so I wouldn't give it to him. But he never missed a nap, and his behavior was the same. He asked for it for a few days, finally I gave him one I knew he hated to see what he would do. He said "not this one" and he and his dad had a ceremonial tossing (dunking really) of the bink into the trash. You could see the regret flash on his face for a second as he realized what he had done but was quickly cajoled into some chest thumping and celebrating his victory over that bit of silicone and colored plastic. We are now binkless.



*When Avery was two we were on the road - a new home every six weeks for a good portion of the year, thus we felt she and we, needed the binky. But as our travels came to an end we knew it was time to get rid of the pacifier - and give her a few months without it before a new baby came into the house and had one (which she stole all the time). But our great plan with her - because I think usually there should be a plan and some sort of explanation that the kid can wrap their mind around as to what happened to their little plastic friend - was that we would have accidentally left the binky on the plane and we'd have to get it next time we would be on a plane. She was a little sad, but our little scheme/trick/lie works and everytime she would see a plane fly by she would point and say "my binky!"

February Recap

February always goes by super fast and this one was no different. So here's the long of it for the short month:

Ben - Mustache still growing. Since I cannot stand to look at him for very long I don't know what else he did.

Miles - Ramped up the potty training to level two - venturing out of the house without a diaper. Unfortunatly, he also doesn't want to wear big boy undies - so commando it is - luckily when you are two, there is not much there to hurt. And while he is no where near getting the potty training achievment award he does insist on standing while peeing and can get the stool (the kind you stand on), pull down his pants and go by himself - and manage to get most of it in the bowl.

Avery - Started ballet and insists that she is as graceful as a swan.

Me - The list of things I did not get done in Feb is certainly longer than things I accomplished. For instance I didn't do: my taxes, finish writing thank you notes from Christmas/kids bdays, clean out my junkified car, organize the pile of stuff in my closet, get a Facebook account etc. etc. But I did go to a lot of tile showrooms, stone yards and hardware stores. And of course started my gymnsatics class.

I also got bit by our neighbors dog. I did cross over the electric dog fence to knock on their door so I guess I was just asking to have three large dogs rush me and bite me through my jeans leaving a puncture wound and bruising. I didn't know which dog it was until Ben got bit on the arm by the Weimaraner a few weeks later (He called it a nip but he had the same type of wound I did). Apparently this type of dog does not like strangers but are friendly to children and aggresive in play. Looks like we need to familarize ourselves real quick. And not go over the fence line.

Recap Continued...

I almost forgot the best part of my month. Valentines weekend! Usually I don't care much for the holiday. Ben and I are not super romantic so we don't worry about exchanging gifts or ordering flowers - although I was hoping for a Shop-Vac this year. And I did get some delicious chocolates via FedEx from my dad. The kids got some cards and treats in the mail too - always fun. But thanks to my mom who made a last minute trip up to see the kids and to Priceline which landed us a sweet deal as always, Ben and I had a getaway to Seattle. It was a quick trip - maybe not as quick as my mom thought it would be - she thought I was joking when I said she could find us at the Sheraton in Bellvue - and that we were only going to dinner. We did go to dinner by the way - a great one. I researched restaurants (Frommer's never fails) near our hotel and we ended up at the Seastar Restaurant where we never got past the appetizers and then skipped to dessert. We had scallops three ways, calamari "poppers" stuffed with spicy ahi, the Super Dave Roll - Scallop, crab, avocado, & tobikko (flying fish eggs) topped with salmon, crab bisque* and then some lovely chocolate caramel dessert with dulce de leche ice cream.

The next day we got a few things done in Seattle for the new house - such a different experience without the kids! We also went to Whole Foods where Ben salivated over the prepared foods and ordered a few different items - gaining him an apprecition of the store. When we got home the next afternoon grandma and the kids were out on the town. Avery came home with some white tulips for me - my mom asked if she thought her dad might get me some flowers to which Avery said "No, he's too shy". So that rounded out a delightful holiday weekend!

-

* When inquiring as to whether he should get a cup or bowl of the soup - the waitress said - well it's pretty rich. To which Ben replied- "well so are we". Poor waitress didn't know how to respond to that one and I couldn't decide if I should laugh at his joke or if that would make us look like jerks or if I should say "no we're not" which would then insult her ability to get a joke. And all I could see while I tried to decide what to do was that ridiculous mustache...

"Top Shep". Or, Why my children play with knives.

We like to cook. And I just happen to have two very talented sous chefs who love to pull up a chair and lend a hand. They can trim, chop and peel (garlic is Avery's specialty), stir and measure.

She also washes dishes and sets a mean table:

I'm gonna have to make that plaid dress into an apron one day because she seems to like to wear it when she's helping (these pictures were taken in different months in 2008 - back when we were all still tan)

Miles, on the other hand, is still in training. This is what happens when he tries to make breakfast (two separate occasions):

---

Explanation for the knives in apple picture below. I was around the corner, about 12 ft away, watching "Top Shep" as Miles calls it (Top Chef) . Usually we watch it as a family affair (What? Bravo bleeps out all the bad words) but this time he was taking the opportunity to hone his knife skills in the kitchen. There would be no plastic knife for him this time! I kept hearing him say - "It's a king!", so I think he thought he was making a crown for the apple. Poor defenseless apple half. Part of me was horrified (a very very small part) , part of me giggled and part of me was amazed that he could get all those knives in there, climb down off the counter and bring it to me. I figured that the photo would horrify some and make others laugh, or like me, maybe a little of both.

Safety First

What I learned in gymnastics this week.

Two things a thirty year old should never do-

a) wear a leotard
b) jump on a trampoline or spring floor, especially if you have given birth

You've got a little something on your lip.

Oh, that's a mustache? You're gonna have it for how long?

Gross I know. This work of art has been in the process of growing for like threee weeks now. At first I just averted my eyes when speaking with him. Now unfortunately it's become normal. I said normal - not pretty. The only time it's not normal is when we are at places of business and supposed to be taken seriously and I look at him talking and I wonder what other people think. They don't know it's a joke. Ben had a guy come give us a bid on stone work for the house and the guy had been in the Army at one time, after speaking for a while it came up that Ben was also in the Army and the guy asked - "E6, E7?" When Ben mentioned he was an officer the guy said oh - "you don't look like an officer". But that could be because Ben just doesn't look like an officer, or it could be that sick thing on his lip. Ben thought that it would earn him more respect with the construction workers...

I think he would look especially villainous if he grew out a handlebar type but Army regs prevent such nonsense.

So we will be graced with the presence of the 'stache for two and a half more weeks per contest rules. I don't know how you win or if there is a prize. All is I know is that we all win when it is gone.

Ballet Class

The only way you are going to get this girl to wear tights (or pull her hair back) is to enroll her in a ballet class where it is mandatory. Both kids did gymnastics last session and it was fun but until you're six here it's little more than obstacle courses and donkey kicks so I'm hoping for a little more out of the ballet. And because I am taking gymnastics and can only make so many trips to the gym per week as well as my no-classes-for-the kids-that-I-have-to-participate-in policy* Miles is going to have to wait a few more months before he can get in on the action.

Avery insisted that she get white ballet slippers (what, she didn't want to wear my vintage duct taped pink pair?). And after searching around we found them online from Target. They arrived just in time. (oh looks like the poor girl is going to be pigeon toed just like her mother. It's okay Abes it makes you run faster - at least that's what I've heard)

First class was great. It started off formally at the barre and if I do say so myself she does an excellent ronde de jambe. When they started doing floor work in pairs she darted up to another girl who had the same hot pink leotard that she did and held her hand. Instant BFF's - punctuated by Jack Johnson singing "I can tell that we are gonna be friends" at that very moment. Cute.



*Actually my policy is that I refuse to pay money to do a mommy and me class- his gymnastics was more of an open gym mom follow you around thing and it was free so it was okay, unexciting after 10 minutes but okay. Swimming lessons for him would be free too but I'm not getting in the water twice a week to have him blow bubbles. We can do that on our own time.

Gymnastics Apology

Another reason why we aren't doing gymnastics this session...

We weren't kicked out but we did have an incident one day where she was squirrling around with a boy she recognized from church. The teacher didn't appreciate it and she especially didn't appreciate it when she asked them to stop and Miss Avery G. told her "don't look at me that way" - in a cartoon voice (I had her recount the story to me in the car after she got a swat and a talking to)- but rude nevertheless. I could come up with a million excuses for my kid and in that moment you want to because it is sooo embarrassing, but it had to become a teaching opportunity both for me and her. I'm glad it happened now instead of at school where she could get off on the wrong foot and have to live with it all year. It was good for me so that I can be prepared to listen and support her teacher instead of going on the defense - which is what I wanted to do. So after her corporal punishment in a private bathroom stall (don't call the authorities - it was two quick spanks) she wrote the above apology and was a lot better in the remaining classes.

Look out. Momma's starting gymnastics class tonight.


I should have started stretching yesterday.

Very Superstitious

Okay, not very, but I do have a couple weird superstitions I have picked up over time and travels. In general I try not to do any of the classic bad luck moves - walking under ladders, opening umbrellas inside, breaking mirrors etc. but I will if I have to and I won't worry about recourse. But a couple others I do follow more closely I'm not sure why. For instance - I will never ever write anyones name in red ink. That is of course unless I want them to die. I picked this one up in China and I will search far and wide for a pen of another color if I need to write a name. There are a lot of other Chinese superstitions that I did not pick up. Many circle around numerology and calendars, others around placement of chopsticks, eating of noodles and gift giving.

The other superstition I have dabbled with is the cutting of hair during the full moon phase. Not my own but my kids. Although I should probably try it as my own could use a boost. I overheard some girls at school once talking about this - they lived on an Indian reservation near by and had quite the flowing locks. I'm sure they have many other superstitions as well. I wasn't exactly invited to participate in any of these superstitions from other cultures but some just stick.

One that I will certainly follow should the opportunity present itself again is the bringing of a lei or gift to sacred Hawaiian locations should I choose to hike there. I learned that one the hard way.

So being Friday the 13th and all - what superstitions from your own culture or others do you hold dear?

PODL PRS

Amy + Adam

Amy - If you're not going to post them, I am...

Crazy kids.

On the beach in Utila. Cute as can be.

Love the cake AND the flowers!



After they swam with them, they ate them.

Congratulations Amy and Adam. May you enjoy many beautiful sunsets together!

Photos by unknown.

Homemaking 101

The lesson I was to give this week in Young Women's was entitled Homemaking. I don't know why seeing that title made me bristle when that is in fact what I have chosen to do myself. Must be the same feminist in me that bristles when I have to put homemaker down as my title when I file taxes, or the one who wishes that people could see me (and the other hundreds of highly educated women that I know) for the college-educated person that I am and for the "business analyst" that I was, instead of just a mother of two. But again, I have chosen a different path for now. One I know I am lucky to be able to choose.

But how do you teach this topic - especially when the book that you are to teach from is outdated? Well, first you put your feminist pride aside and realize that the book isn't so bad and that the values in it are worth being taught. I never once read anything about not getting an education and instead getting married and having kids right away, about having to stay at home, about being submissive, about having a hot meal on the table and a smile on your face when hubby comes home. What the book taught was about the difference between homemaking and housekeeping, about appreciating what your mother does for you, whether she has a full-time job or "simply" stays at home (4 out of the 5 girls I taught, have mothers who work outside the home) and about finding your talents and magnifying them.

It was the perfect springboard for the things I had to say on the topic - develop skills, get an education (college or trade school), have a hobby, and find a husband that will support your interests and admire your talents. We talked about hopes and dreams and their what their home will be like when they are in charge of a household. Some like to cook, some like to garden, others enjoyed organizing. I don't remember thinking about those things much at their age, but then again I don't think anyone asked. And then again I got married before I had a chance to really think about those things. Marriage wasn't exactly on my radar when it came knocking. Luckily it suits me.

So during our conversation I decided to have a little fun and had the girls shaking something and passing it around. It was in a container and wrapped in a bag so they couldn't see what it was. It was heavy cream and salt. By the end of the class they had made butter. How domestic of them! I made bread that morning - how domestic of me! And together we enjoyed the fruits of homemaking.

Sometimes a girl just needs a little time alone. And a doughnut.

For some reason this week just got to me. I can't identify anything in particular that was causing the stress but it was definately there. I'm sure recent inspections gone wrong on the house and getting to the point where we will no longer be staying under budget but wanting to go over everytime I go into a flooring store (champagne taste on a beer budget problem)(what do you mean I can't have limestone countertops...) - You know real important issues like that. Usually I enjoy such "challenges". But trying to be an attentive mother, a deal-finder and trying not to become "some kind of girl who doesn't wash clothes" when all I want to do is plop down on the couch once in a while and watch something mindless on tv (something mindless of my choosing - not basketball)- is all the sudden too much. I think I've asked Ben at least three or four times this week to listen to my heart because I am just sure that it is beating irregularly. He always tries to do a lame finger on the wrist pulse check but I insist that he listen to my actual heart because that's where the problem lies...he says it's the same but what does he know.

So the best solution I could come up with to counter the stress was a litttle time alone. Generally my time alone comes in the form of locking myself in the bathroom to primp, pluck or read The Week in the bathtub. But that doesn't save me from the constant banging on the doors - and pretty much hearing anything else going on in the apartment. Our lack of personal space is probably part of my problem. So what better and more peaceful place to go than to the temple...a temple with a Whole Foods nearby. So I made the hour long trek in silence - thinking about - nothing really.

I enjoyed my peacful time alone but I must admit what I was really looking forward to was a doughnut. I'm not usually a doughnut girl - but if I am going to have one it's going to be an old fashioned or a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. And my mom introduced me to the Whole Foods doughnut on our recent road trip. Healthier than your average doughnut? I doubt it - but definately craveworthy. I let myself remember that I had three others waiting for me at home and grabbed a couple extras - which would either ensure that I would be able to venture out on my own again sometime with hopes I would return with treats in hand - or it would give me extra doughnuts to eat on the way home should I regret having only eaten one at the store.

When I get home I have Ben check my heart beat one more time to be sure I'm not dying but otherwise I feel a little better. And I'm going to make sure I pencil in a little alone time for next month - right there along with a date night with Ben - whenever he gets rid of that awful mustache, some "grown-up girl bonding time" with Avery (that's what she calls it) and some potty time with Miles.

January Recap

I had originally planned on doing a Dec/Jan combined recap but I can't remember back as far as 2008.

Ben - Is still on a research rotation and has submitted a case to show for it. He has been honing his woodworking skills and has made us some cool "furniture" for the new house. He also started working with the 16 yr old boys at church as an advisor.

Miles - Can be found "skateboarding", playing "raquetball" and jumping off of things while dressed as spiderman and playing the harmonica (he'll ask anyone - "do you like my music?"). And telling me he can do everything "myself". Yep we're at that stage.

He made the jump to a size 4 diaper. As you can see he is getting quite chunky. :)

If his mom had more time to devote to his training I'm sure he could have made that jump straight to the Thomas undies. Instead, at home he will say when he needs to go but is very annoying in that he will only relieve himself a little at a time. So he needs to go a little every 5 minutes. Contrast that to his sisters "bladder of steel" and she who goes once a day - midday and once before bed because we make her. And yes she drinks plenty of liquids.

Vital stats from his 2 yr appt. at 27 months : Height - 33 in. (7th %ile) Weight - 24.4 lbs (5th%ile) His head is 51 cm (90th %ile)

He met all of his milestones except that the doc said he should be dressing himself. At 2? Really? He can put his own shoes on the wrong feet and both legs into one opening of his pajama pants but I guess that doesn't count. This is why I don't go to appts unless an immunization is involved.

Avery - Big events for Avery in January included turning five, turning five and turning five. See post below for details.

Another highlight (for me too!) was going to the Seattle Aquarium with longtime friend Erica and our new friend Kari. And the giant octopus.

Lynn - I learned this month that turning 30 doesn't make you feel old - having your kid turn five makes you feel old. I'm not neccessarily looking forward to the changes come the Fall but we'll do fine I'm sure.

At church they switched my calling from teaching the Valiant 9's - all boys, I loved those kids - old enough to have good conversation but young enough not to be bored and aloof - and a game of hangman solved anything. I now am with the Mia Maids (14-15 yr old girls), which is familiar territory only this time I realize that I am in fact not their peer. What a difference 3 yrs. makes

The house - It's coming along and we are about halfway done. We are getting to the fun decisions now. We have a couple polls going and coming up if you want to weigh in on sink selection, appliances, flooring etc.. Speak now or forever hold your peace!

The car - Our VW hit 100000 miles this month during our road trip. You might recall that we were wondering if we should keep this particular car or get something different a few months back...almost a year ago actually. Well we kept it. Not that it was ever a question for me really. I love this car for a number of reasons and will continue to do so for some time if it continues to treat us well. I also loved the car I had previously - a '93 Honda Civic that had around 267K on it when we had to leave it behind to move overseas (the shipping cost was nearly it's book value)

Other family news - I forgot to mention that Ben's brother McKay left the country to serve a mission in Peru in November. We'll miss the best manny we ever had but I for one can't wait to go to Peru in about oh...22 months.

Here's a little snippet from one of his recent emails to the family: "The people here are pretty awesome. Well, some stuff is kinda weird here too, like I often find myself thinking - why are those dogs on that roof? And why is that lady sweeping that dirt floor? And, it smells like poop in here. Oh its cuz that's poop right there."

Sounds awesome.