M&M Bribery

Anna has been doing so well on the potty! Since we have finally moved, Anna has her own bathroom and she can go potty whenever she needs. So, we've been giving her an M&M for going potty and a Tic-Tac for trying. She will run to the potty and when she starts to go, she grins really big and she points to the cabinet where I keep them and says, "Cockua" (Chocolate) and she gets an M&M. Yesterday night, she was in a diaper and she asked to go potty and she did! I was shocked! Blown away! She's doing so well!

Blessed by Friends

We are so blessed. We had friends come over last night and they bought us groceries! We were getting low and since Paul isn't employed yet up here, we were probably going to have to borrow more from Paul's parents. This is just another one of those things that goes to show that God is watching over us. Left and right, God is blessing us through our friends! Thank you, Jesus!

Twirling

I had a fun time today trying on all of my old prom dresses. They all fit (they fit because I gain weight in my hips and thighs) with the exception of one in which my boobs were too small to fill out, and a bride's maid dress which I wore (Anna was 6 months old) that now drowns me in taupe material. It's hilariously huge on me now. So that's a good thing, I guess. I just won't get to wear it again.
But the highlight of the day and the whole reason for writing this: Anna and I twirled together. She was wearing her pink & white party dress (which is now almost ridiculously small on her) and I was wearing my pink & white prom dress--and we twirled and twirled. It was so fun. Crazy fun. It will be a good memory, I think.

WOTD

laissez-faire \les-ey FAIR\, adjective:
1. the principle that business, industry, trade, etc. should operate with a minimum of regulation and interference by government

adjective:
1. maintaining the principle of letting people do as they please

Names

I thought I should just jot this here. Paul and I... Huh... It's funny that whenever we talk about baby names, we always focus on girl's names. Anyhow... we were just chatting the other day and we talked about Kathryn Eleanor. Paul likes the nickname Katie... which I'm iffy on... I'm kind of picky when it comes to nicknames. I think if I were to give her a nickname, it would probably be Ella or Ellie b/c I'm not too fond of Kate or Katie. Kitty? Nah. Eh... maybe. It's kind of an old fashioned nickname for Kathryn and I love the old fashioned aspect of Kathryn.

I liked the name Catherine, but not Katherine (spelling counts with me!) and liked the name Kathryn. Paul also liked Kathryn and liked that over Catherine, so there you go on that one. Eleanor I've always liked... especially since reading Sense and Sensibility with Elinor the heroine. Do you think two odd-spellings would be too much? Kathryn Elinor... That's why I preferred the spelling Eleanor. Anyhow... I'm babbling now. And I shouldn't be thinking about babies. Bad Sarah, bad. *thinks about childbirth* Yeah... there we go. Yup, I'm good. Not wanting another baby...

Although... I fear that Anna is having yet ANOTHER growth spurt. She's eating constantly again which is never a good sign as far as growing goes. She's already filling out 2Ts quite nicely. *prays her baby won't be a giant when she's older* A. I don't want her to have to deal with that... and B. I don't think we can afford that many wardrobes. *soothes self to stop stressing over things not yet come* Is anybody out there a really tall woman? Say... 5'11" + ? How was your adolescence?

Done babbling. I swear.

Yup... I'm gone.

I swear it.

Being Ruthless

I've been ruthless. Without Ruth. While unpacking my boxes, I've been throwing out things that don't fit, things that are from high school, things that are broken, things that I've never worn, things that are hideous or not my style. And it feels GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD. We're getting down to necessities and it feels really nice. I've been organizing photos, going through things. The house is still a wreck because of boxes and such, but it's really starting to feel like home. It feels so good. I love our home! :D

Our New Place!

The weather and roads were never trouble for us. We moved on the date we wanted. :D We are now in our new place! It's great! I feel like we're in a mansion, although it's a 2 br/ 2b place. It's perfect. Anna has her own room and bathroom and we have one of our own. I'm so excited. I spent today decorating Anna's bedroom! I hope she catches on to sleeping in her own room quickly and easily... although, I've learned that nothing is easy with Anna. The only thing that went remotely smooth was breastfeeding with her lol! Go figure! Everything else has been a struggle... sleeping through the night, for one!

Anyhow, I hope to post pics soon! I don't have my BIL's great camera to take pics with, so they'll be low quality, but you'll get the idea. It'll probably take all week for us to get everything unpacked and cleared out.

Stupid Closed Roads...

I-5 between Portland and Seattle is closed. Argh! >.< So hopefully we'll be able to move there in time to start classes on Monday. Pray the flooding retreats in time!

Bones Promo

Yeah, anyone who knows me knows that I'm a huge Bones fan! ;)

Enjoy!

Blessed Again!

Thank you to Candi, Violet, and everyone who has had their prayers with us. I am so blessed and overwhelmed by how blessed we've been! I'm excited to see life move forward. Thank you all!!!

WOTD

rhap⋅sod⋅ic/ræpˈsɒdɪk/ Show Spelled Pronunciation

[rap-sod-ik]

–adjective

1.	extravagantly enthusiastic; ecstatic.

2.	pertaining to, characteristic of, or of the nature or form of rhapsody.

Words of the Day

beleaguer \bi-LEE-ger\, verb:
1. to surround with troops; besiege
2. to surround or beset

The Spanish word of the day was Siempre meaning Always. ;)

Moving!

We'll be moving this Saturday! I'm so excited! Beforehand, I was afraid, though. But our financial aid has gone through and it looks more than just promising. I'm psyched! We're moving into a 2 bedroom place! Anna will finally have her own bedroom! That'll be different! I think it'll be as difficult a transition for her as it it will me. We'll also be starting classes. Paul will be finishing his communications degree and I'll be taking a writing course and a PSYCH course (I love psychology!)

That was the up side. On the down side, we'll be leaving our church friends and family behind. I'm sad about that. We'll be trying out the Assembly there in WA. Hopefully it will become a family like this church has become ours. Pray that we fit right in. :D

Favorite Picture of 2008

From Violet's Blog, I got this idea, to post my favorite picture of 2008. In that time period, Anna was 13 months-25 months. So much has changed!!! I can't believe it!

So, without further ado...I love this photograph. We all went to the park and the sun was setting behind her and she just grinned. I can never get enough of that grin. Sometimes it's very hard to be a parent--financially, emotionally... but we wouldn't trade it for the world. Our lives are just that much more full and perfect having her in our lives. She's so full of energy and life. She's so loving--so, so loving. She loves without question. I can't imagine going through life without her.

I'm off to go give her a kiss!!! ♥

Blessed!

I just want to take a moment to thank Violet and all of my wonderful friends. I couldn't have been more blessed in one lifetime. Thank you so much! For your prayers, your friendship, your support. I am overwhelmed by blessings! Thank you so much!!!

♥