Hello Everyone!

Well, I decided to link my blog to my Facebook, since I'm so active on there. Maybe if I get some readers here, I might actually be forced to keep up writing on it, because I really want to. As it is now, I'm only really writing for myself, and it makes me feel a bit like one of those crazy people muttering to themselves in Wal-Mart. So... yeah. Welcome.

Changes

Well, it seems we have some huge changes on the horizon. Dan has taken a job at the Kennewick branch of Amazon.com. I currently have a house full of packing boxes, and we are set to move into a lovely 2 bedroom apartment on Nov. 7th. Dan has already started the job, so he is staying with his sister in Tri Cities during the week, and he'll be coming home on weekends. It really sucks. I'm supposed to be packing and such... but I just can't seem to get going. I mean, I'll sort of toss a few things into boxes here and there... but for one reason or another, I just can't seem to get started on the bulk of it. I guess I am just so overwhelmed at having to pretty much pack everything by myself, and I miss Dan really badly.

I am excited about the apartment though. It's really nice, has a lovely balcony, and is in a gated community. It has a washer and dryer in the apartment (big plus) and we'll be on the third floor. That will make moving awful, but I think it'll be nice because we won't have anyone above us being noisy.

Dan's parents have also invited us for a weekend in Leavenworth. I'm really excited. It's this really cute little Bavarian town in NW Washington. They are going to rent a house, and we can all just relax and explore the town for the weekend. Should be lots of fun.

Well, off to pack some more and to get the kiddo to bed.

Cool...

It's been so blessedly cool here this past week. I love it. I can go outside and sit in the sun with a book and not bake! Today, Dan and I went with Emily's class on a a nature walk to Pioneer Park. It was really fun, and I'm glad we went, because there were like 16 kids and only two teachers, so Dan and I helped a lot with keeping everyone in line and safe. It was great to finally put faces to the names Emily is always talking about, and to see the kids' interest in the changing leaves and chestnuts and such. Pretty cute, and an wonderful way to get outside and enjoy the mild weather.

I just finished the book The Lovely Bones. It was AMAZING. If you're looking for a deep, meaningful, thoroughly enjoyable, makes-you-cry-and-laugh-all-on-the-same-page read, this is the one. I've been thinking about it and mulling it over even since I finished it. It's wonderful, go to your library and pick it up!!

Talked to my mom, and apparently she is getting her tonsils taken out October 29th. So we're going to head over to the coast and spend that weekend with them to help out a bit. It's Halloween weekend and they live in this huge housing development, so it'll be fun to go trick-or-treating with my little sister Shannon, and see all the kids' costumes, etc. Emily insists on being a mermaid (surprise, surprise) and I was thinking black leggings + black long-sleeve shirt + ears and tail + black eyeliner = cheap, easy and warm Black Cat Halloween costume for me. I just can't bring myself to spend like $35 on a flimsy costume I'll wear once. I can always reuse a long sleeve black shirt and black leggings.

Dan has an interview with an Amazon.com branch in Kennewick tomorrow, so I'm hoping that all goes well and he gets a job offer. It's only a six-month position, but that's probably good-- maybe in 6 months he'll have some other sort of permanant job offer. and he won't have wasted a bunch of time doing nothing. Plus, it'd be so much cheaper to live in Kennewick or Richland that here. So... fingers crossed.

Well, I think I'll go sit on the couch with a blanket, my husband and the pups, and play some Halo: ODST.

September Sunshine

Emily has been going to preschool for almost three weeks now. She's doing so well, only having a bit of separation anxiety before I leave her there. But usually I can get her busy playing and then just give her a quick kiss and take off. It hasn't been nearly as traumatic as I thought it would be. She really seems to like it. When we first go pick her up, she doesn't remember anything they did (I think it's just all the excitement) but throughout the day she'll share little bits and pieces of what they learned and who she played with. Yesterday she brought home these four little colored pictures of lion kings who were making different faces, and sang the song "Old King Cole", substituting "merry" for whatever emotion was on his face (IE: angry, sad, happy..) It was SO very cute, she has the sweetest little voice and I just CANNOT believe how grown-up she is. Everyone always tells you "Oh they grow up so fast!" and you're usually that sleep-deprived mama of a five-week-old and all you can think is "Not fast enough..." And then...seriously... you blink and that colicky little baby is four and a half years old, and in preschool and where has time gone??

We are having a gorgeous Indian summer here. It's been really warm (I think it got up to the High 80's yesterday) and sunny... but I am ready for fall. The dogwoods are starting to turn, and there is a weeping birch on the way to Em's preschool that is fully golden and dripping leaves. Stunning. I LOVE the leaf changes. Oh who am I kidding, I am a sucker for all things fall.

Impatient for Autumn

I am so ready for fall. It's right on the brink here... sitting in the shade of our giant maple, I can feel a cool breeze carrying just a hint of that smoky-fall smell. And just a few trees and shrubs areound town are beginning to show signs of turning. I'm so excited for this year... not really sure why. I guess it's because I'm hopeful that there will be some big changes for us in the coming fall/winter/spring. Some progress. With Dan being in school for the past four years, we've been in this sort of forced stasis, and it will be so gratifying to finally break out of that and begin living our lives.

Emily begins preschool tomorrow. I'm excited for her, and at the same time, terrified. I just really hope she doesn't cry when we leave. I'm like 90% sure she won't. The preschool is really awesome, with so many toys and activities, even monthly field trips. And it better be awesome, for the price. :)

Oh, and I colored my hair. Darker, for the fall and winter. So exciting, I know.

It's been a while..

This thing has become sort of like twitter for me... I'm not sure why I even try. There is no one to read it, nd really nothing I do could possibly be of any interest for anyone out there, so what's the point? The point, I suppose, is for my own benefit. Looking back and remembering...

Right now I am so frustrated. Our life is at a complete standstill, and there's nothing we can do but keep looking for work for Dan. And keep praying. If anyone happens to read this, please, pray pray pray.

Today was pretty good. Dan let me sleep in (woohoo) and I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Then got ready and went to see The Astronaut's Wife with Dewann and Hannah and Hannah's friend. It was very well done, Rachel McAdams is amazing, but I cried nontheless. It's heartbreaking. Beautiful and heartbreaking. Then came home, drank some wine, grilled burgers and watched the rest of the 3rd season of How I Met Your Mother. Love love LOVE that show!!

Thrilling, I know. I think I'll go lay in bed and read now.

Goodnight, neverland.

baby fever

I'm having big time nesting issues right now. We just got a new car, and I can't help but think how wonderful and safe it would be to drive a newborn around in. Yesterday I was reading one of Laynie's (my niece) baby books and there was this sweet little picture of a newborn baby boy sleeping in this soft blue cashmere blanket.. and I just wanted to snuggle him. I had a dream I was pregnant, and I was honestly disappointed when I woke up and found it was a dream. I keep making my sims (fron The Sims 3-- awesome game but don't buy it if you want to actually accomplish anything in life) have babies. Emily keeps saying she wants a baby brother or sister. (

I think it's just the season (you know, spring/summer) and everyone's pregnant... maybe it's just hormones. I don't know. But the timing just isn't right at this point... Dan has to find a steady job first and we have to make the probably necessary move. And I really have to finish school.

But oh boy, when I look at little baby clothes... my heart melts.

Change is in the air

Dan has an interview in Bellevue tomorrow. We're going up this afternoon, and we'll stay the night with my mom. I'm excited to see her, and this will be a nice little mini-vacation in the middle of the week!

I really hope this job works out, it's for a marketing firm in Bellevue, and I guess there are worse places to live than there. It's just east of Seattle, and although housing costs are INSANE, it's a beautiful place. And there would be way more opportunities for me as far as finishing school and finding a job once I'm done.

Yeesh... when I think about how much more work and time I have to finish school.. two more years for my bachelor's, then another two or three years for my PhD... It's a little overwhelming. But it will be worth it.

So.. we'll see. I'm already stressed out about moving there and he hasn't even interviewed yet. God only knows what'll happen if he actually gets a job somewhere and I have to truly face a move. But as much as I love Walla Walla, I think it's time for a change or scenery. I'm sort of ready to explore new territory. I'm like 99% sure I was a gypsy in another life.

Welcome

I'm not entirely sure why anyone starts a blog in the first place, but they have become wildly successful... I suppose because there is something interesting in reading about a complete stranger's day-to-day life. I guess I am starting this one because I want to remember... I want to remember the things I go through, the sweet little things Emily does and says, the little successes and little disasters or our day-to-day existence. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and all that. I also want to share... things that have worked for me in regards to raising my daughter, my struggle with an anxiety disorder, the first years of my marriage to my wonderful husband, Daniel.

I hope that someone will read, take interest, and maybe this will help them..or they will help me in some way... or they will help someone else. I guess I just want to be heard.