Our "New Addition"

So a couple of weeks ago when Bob was leading out the worship service at church, he made the announcement that a few weeks prior we had learned that we were going to have a new addition to our family. Of course the whole congregation let out a collective, "Awww!" and turned in their seats to look at my stomach - *AWKWARD!*. Then he told them that the day before (Friday), he'd driven to the St. Maries pet shelter to pick her up. Needless to say, many people were disappointed. But he got their attention. And it's nice to know that we have our church's approval when we do one day get to share that bit of news. :)

Well, we've had our new addition now for the last week and a half. Storm is a 4-5 month old labrador-retriever mix. She's full of love and energy and keeps us on our toes. I'm sure that all this puppy training will be good for all of us, but at the moment it seems a bit overwhelming. Nonetheless we love having her in our family.

Creative Pursuits

Lately, as I have thought about my Creative Pursuits and Aging research project, I realized that there are many several creative pursuits that I miss participating in. As I have worked with my group in the literature review, I realize that so many people put off their interests until later in life when they have time. I have many creative pursuits that I used to do that I have been neglecting lately, and some that I never have participated in, but want to. This got me thinking about all the things I hope to do one day:

- learn American Sigh Language
- become fluent in Spanish
- learn to play the piano again
- start playing the flute again
- learn to play the guitar
- learn to play the cello
- take up quilting
- learn to love exercise - continue yoga and pilates
- find a way to take up swimming again
- take singing lessons (though the thought terrifies me!)
- take time to blog and get my thoughts out

These are just a few things I've thought of lately. I'll probably be writing a part 2 of this later on. :)

Blog Facelift and Anticipating Adoption

I'm guessing that got everyone's attention. Sorry- no reason to get too excited. I just like teasing people like that. :)

So yesterday while I was avoiding homework I decided that I my blog needed a facelift. I have been quite neglectful... hopefully this will change. I need to write more often and keep everybody up to date!

Yesterday I also started browsing through the local pet shelters to see what's available for puppies. We're hoping to get some kind of lab/retriever/German shepherd. I found a lab/St. Bernard mix that was pretty cute, as well as a black lab/golden retriever. Adorable. I was a goner. Luckily Bob is able to think rationally. As soon as March rolls around we can begin officially looking- it's so exciting! It will be fun to have a puppy. It's one more reason to look forward to spring! :)

My dream

Well, last Friday I got everything lined up for graduation! On June 11, 2010 I will receive my B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies. The following June I'll get my masters!

It's exciting to see my dreams coming true. It's amazing for me to see where God has led. I can't help but think about what He has in store for my future.

In the last few weeks, as I have learned more about the scope of practice in occupational therapy, I have began formulating a plan of what I want my work and mission to be.

For several years I have wanted to work with children. After hearing Dr. Patch Adams at WOTA's conference last month, I got an idea of a clinic I'd like to start. I shadowed an OT in Vancouver, WA where there was a PT, OT, and Speech Pathologist all working in the same clinic. They were able to work collaboratively on each child, providing the care and interventions each kid needed. I'd like to start a clinic like that. Have the office open 3-4 days a week, and leave a day open for me to do some work pro bono and provide early intervention services to kids who would not otherwise have the resources to get the care they needed.

At this point I don't know how this would work legally to have a back door policy like this. But I feel such a strong calling to help children early on. Once they get into the school districts, the schools will provide needed OT treatment, but what about those kids who could benefit from care at an earlier time? It could make such a difference in their little lives.

A Random Act of Kindness

Today it was my turn to do the biweekly shopping trip to Costco. Though it's often fun finding new and tasty treats (especially on sample days!), it always seems to wear me out.

I had class until noon, and then my research group met for awhile, so it was early afternoon by the time I made it there, and I was hungry- not to mention tired and a little irritable. After circling the store and finding my things, I waited through line and finally made it out to the car. I put the lighter things into the trunk of the car first, leaving the heavier things until last. The very last item in the cart was the 20-lb bag of cat food. Twenty pounds probably doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot for me and my back. As I was staring at it trying to figure out how to lift it with the best body mechanics to avoid re-injuring my back, a man came up to me and asked if he could lift it into the trunk for me. I allowed him to, and thanked him, and then he offered to take the cart back to the store. What a kind thing to do!

Just that simple act of kindness made the rest of my afternoon happier. There's still good people out there willing to help others out. Feeling how good it is to have someone do something like that reminds me that I should be passing on that kindness whenever I have the chance. :)

The long and the short of it...

So I have a dilemma, albeit a small and not so significant one. But, I thought I'd ask your opinion on it anyways and try to get a little feedback. Do I look better with long or short hair? I've always tended to go for the longer hair- you can be more creative, or pull it up quick to get it out of the way. But having it short makes sure I always do something with it, since I can't just pull it back. It may look more professional though. So... in an informal poll... which looks better?? A, B, or C?

A (shortest)

B (short)

C (long)
I'd love to hear what you think!

My Summer To-do List

Well, this summer I had a short list of things I wanted to accomplish. Here is roughly what it was:
1. Get back in shape
2. Get a jump start on next quarters reading
3. Finish writing and send out wedding thank-yous (this has been on my to-do list for way too long...)
4. Do some fun summer reading
5. Settle into our new home
6. Plant tulips
7. Survive my first quarter of the MOT program.

So far, I haven't made much progress on number 1, although we did get a trial membership at Oz Fitness last night and I went swimming this morning. Sadly, it was the first visit to the gym this summer.

While I honestly thought I'd get a head start on summer reading, I have barely opened them. In fact, the last 2 only arrived in the mail today. Oops...

Today I've been working on my 3rd or 4th draft of the thank-you letters, but I still need to add pictures and room for a personal message. Hopefully I'll finish that today.

I did accomplish number 4, and enjoyed reading several books from the local library.

While we still have numerous boxes in our home, we are mostly settled, with only minor touches like putting up picture frames and organizing my study room left to do.

I still need to complete number 6. I planted a few bulbs in the backyard and some in pots, but the majority of them still need to be planted in the front yard. Come spring, the bold yellow and red will definitely brighten our yard. :)

I did indeed survive the first quarter of OT school, with my GPA and sanity still intact. I've heard that this next quarter is just as intense, but at least I know what I'm getting in to. :)

While I may not have finished my to-do list, this summer was great. I adjusted to OT school, settled into a new home, and still left time for some R&R. Hopefully it won't take long to switch back on the multitasking-goal driven-deadline meeting side of me. We'll have to see how tomorrow goes. :)

Hello out there...

It's been awhile! Since my last post that was nearly a month ago, many changes have happened. We successfully moved out of our duplex in Cheney on time, and for numerous reasons are happy to leave the life of renting in the past. The last few weeks we have been staying with Bob's parents, who have been generous to let us stay here while we get our feet on the ground.

We made an offer on an house on July 13, and it was accepted on July 15! Our move-in date is set for August 17, the day before Bob's 25th birthday. I enjoy teasing him that it's his birthday present. Can't wait to find out what I get for my 25th! Ha ha....

I'll be done with the summer term next Thursday, just in time to get a few days to rest before the big move in day. It's been a tough quarter academically, but has been wonderful to get to know my classmates and form new friendships. It's interesting to see how different our lives are, yet we are all there for a common goal. It's pretty cool.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow

This is a beautiful song that I've loved in the past and recently rediscovered. It's sung by one of my favorite groups, Selah. It really helped me put all my worry, stress, and anxiety into perspective. Hope you enjoy it as well!

Breaking Point

Reality is starting to sink in and I feel like I need to escape from it all for awhile. I still haven't learned to handle stress and I feel like I'm ready to break. I'm still trying to adjust to grad school and suddenly have the added strain of moving out in the next 15 days. When I first heard the news yesterday that we needed to be out soon I thought of it as an adventure. Since then, my act has failed and I am loosing the superficial confidence I was able to put on earlier.

This quarter is compacted into 8 weeks rather than 10, and is an intensive "review" of gross anatomy complete with a cadaver lab. We also are taking a kinesiology course that has many physics concepts I have never been exposed to. I feel like I've been playing catch up from day one. We're now 1/4 of the way through the quarter. The long days of class and intensive study are wearing me thin and my motivation as well as my concentration are melting away.

Our sudden housing situation is also a great concern to me. We are so blessed that Bob now has a mostly permanent job so we have more options. We'd like to take advantage of the housing market, but are not sure what our options are as far as that goes. So far there are not houses in the area that seem to be just right. At the same time, we're hesitant to rent again, because every monthly payment for rent could be going towards something we own instead that is about the same monthly cost.

Sometimes I long for the simplicity of life I had as a kid. Sure there were worries, but they were insignificant in many ways, especially when compared to the responsibilities I have today. It seems as though those days went by way too fast. I wonder what it would be like to go back just for a day and forget about grad school, bills, health concerns and housing woes.

I need to remember that God is in control. He hasn't let us down, and I'm sure he won't now. I just wish I knew how to trust more. Perhaps He will use this to teach me that lesson. I look forward to when God turns the next page in the chapter of our life and reveals what His plans are for us.

New haircut

Steal of a Deal

New Do?

In less than two months, I'll be starting my Master's Program for Occupational Therapy. I'm wanting to find a new look that for this next step in life. Not that it's that different, but it is a change, and they expect you to look refined and professional, since we'll be training to become OT professionals.

I've slowly collected more professional looking clothes that are modest, and look dressier than most of my school clothes. It's hard finding cheap, modest clothes! Especially when you're 5'12". :) So no more wearing sweats to class, or dashing out the door with my hair still dripping wet. I plan to "dress for success".

Lately I've felt that my hair is unpredictable at best, and often feels unruly and uncooperative. I've been thinking that I should try to find a "new do" that will be easy to maintain and look professional. Should I continue let it grow out, or cut it shorter? Let it have the faded color of once dyed, but going back to natural, or should I dye it. If so, dark brown, reddish brown... too many choices!

So, though it's not a super important decision- there's my dilemma. What to do, what to do.... any suggestions would be welcome!

progress in the midst of procrastination

Lately I have been really tired and unmotivated. I've managed to not fall behind in my classwork, but the house is starting to show signs of neglect... and I really could put more effort into my school work.

Today I completed the first challenge exam required to fulfill the computer literacy credit I needed in order to move into my grad program. I'd learned way back in September that I would need to study up and challenge this course, and it's been weighing heavy over my head these last months. It feels nice to get the first step done!

This afternoon I was also able to register for my first quarter of EWU's Master of Occupational Therapy Program! This also helped me feel more motivated and accomplished. For years this has been only a distant dream, and now it's actually happening! It's very exciting to me.

There are still things on my long to-do list that I need to complete. They'll come in time. For now I'm just enjoying these feelings of accomplishment before I feel overwhelmed with everything else.

Bald Eagle in Portland?

Last weekend, Bob and were in Portland visiting my family. As we were packing up and getting ready to drive back home, Nathaniel ran inside and told us that a bald eagle was in our neighbor's tree! Nathaniel, Mom, and I had seen one the day before on a walk, but it had been from somewhat of a distance and we didn't have anything to see it more clearly. This time, we were able to get right under the tree it was in and gaze up at our nation's majestic bird. Here are some pictures of him:

Liquid Bliss

As many of you probably know... I'm quite the coffee lover. I'm not one of those addicts who can't function if they don't get it, but I enjoy getting it every 2-3 weeks as a treat. My favorite drinks at Starbucks have been decaf soy caramel Macchiato (if I'm in the mood for something warm), or a decaf caramel Frappuccino (if I want something cold). The only problem is that I found that the frappuccinos are SUPER unhealthy. Funny how seeing nutrition facts can make something you once enjoyed sound nasty!

Today I discovered a perfect alternative to the cold icy treat, that also has the bonus of using soy (the frap comes from a mix so they can't substitute) that tastes amazing! It's an iced venti soy decaf caramel macchiato with extra sauce. If you decide to try it you may get a confused or exasperated look from your barista while placing your order, but it's worth it. Oh, and don't forget to stir in the caramel and milk from the top... otherwise you'll get straight coffee until the very end. :P

Vegan Stroganoff

Bob and I both enjoy cooking, which has been a lot of fun. It's fun to spend time together while creating a meal that we'll enjoy together. Recently, Bob has been quite busy working for the UCC Office, and so I've done most of the cooking since I get home earlier. I realized I've fallen into a rut and have been repeating several tried and true meals. Bob's been great about it and always appreciates what I make, but I am determined to find new meals that we both like.

With both of our unique tummy needs (I already feel sorry for our future children!) it's difficult to find new meals that we can both enjoy. Yesterday as I should have been reading for class, I was thinking about what I might make for supper tonight.

One of Bob's favorite meals that his mom makes is Stroganoff made from mushroom soup, sour cream, Lipton's onion soup mix, onion, mushrooms, and dinnercuts. I felt bad because I hadn't made it for him, since I can't eat several of those ingredients. As I thought about it, I realized that I could make several substitutions and come up with something that was pretty close to his childhood favorite. Here's what I came up with. I think next time I will add a few cloves of garlic, but other than that, it was great!

Vegan Stroganoff

• 3 cups hot water
• 4 tablespoons Chef Bonneaus Instant Brown Gravy
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 3 packets George Washington’s Rich Brown Seasoning and Broth
• 1 block of tofu

Whiz these ingredients in a blender until smooth. Meanwhile.... sauté the following:
• 1 8-ounce package of sliced white mushrooms
• 1 sliced Portobello mushroom
• ½ onion, sliced in thin strips

When the mushrooms are soft and the onions translucent, add the liquid mixture from the blender into the sauté pan. Stir constantly until mixture begins to boil. Finally, add about 1/3 of a 12 ounce container of Toffuti sour cream and mix until it’s evened out.

Tonight we had it over rice, but it's also good over potatoes or your favorite pasta. Would also probably be good with other spices, or with your favorite veggie meat. :)

Another Open Door

God has been so good to us! This past year we've faced lots of unknowns- getting married (a good thing, but definitely an adventure!), finding a home, getting settled in a new town, and discovering what God has in store for us as far as work and school.

I have been going to school here since September, aiming at starting the OT program this summer. There are typically 60-70 applicants each year, and 30 are accepted. We have been waiting since the first of February to hear whether or not I got in, and today we got the letter- I'm in! I am ecstatic about this opportunity and truly feel that it is where God is leading me. This career will let me help others lead more fulfilling lives, and let me use the talents God has given me.

Bob has been blessed with a job at the UCC Office off and on for the past 8 months. He was first hired for 3, then for an extra month, and after the December fire, was hired back on. During the months he was not working for the conference, he has had side jobs where people have needed computer help, and God has provided for us. Bob has been promised work at the office through the end of this month. We pray that God will give us the patience to wait on Him and the wisdom to follow His will. It will be interesting to see where God leads him in his work next. :)

Visiting Grandparents in Montana

Celebrating Spring

I don't know about everyone else, but I know this is the longest winter I've ever dealt with. It's the first I've spent this far north, and it's quite different from the usually mild winters I grew up with. I am ecstatic that spring is finally here, and look forward to warmer days ahead!