birthday week

last night was the start of birthday week for me.  my dear college girlfriend and i are lucky enough to have birthdays a few days apart, so every year we go out to celebrate together.  this year we went to ethan stowell's tavolata in belltown.  it was so fun to eat fancy food with a lovely friend.  we were given samples of wine to choose which we would like a full glass of, and the waiter was friendly (and kinda cute, too!).

excuse the mini pictures - they're from my phone :)

we started with the Buratta - crostini with a buffalo mozzarella cheese that was light and airy like a marshmellow, marinated artichoke hearts, cilantro, and a light lemon olive oil.

kari had the rigatoni with spicy italian sausage, and i had the potato gnocci with cauliflower.delicious choices!

afterwards, we went to capitol hill and met with some friends of mine for old school custard, and beer at the elysian brewery.  a great start to birthday week, if i do say so myself!

8 years into forever

on this day 8 years ago, I joined my life to a loving, kind, patient, hilarious, adventurous, delicious man.

we were but babies, look at us! I was 11 days shy of 21 years old, he was 23.

People told us we were crazy. Some thought we wouldn't last long.  (yes, our pastor has a black eye.  it was hilarious) 

but I am so proud to have grown into a woman alongside this partner, and neither of us would be half as great without the other.  We make a perfect team, beautiful children, and I couldn't be happier with my decision to say "I do."

Happy Anniversary Darling, here's to forever.

Family Vacation

Despite some major attitude problems and shoulder-chips, we had some good times on our recent family vacation to Birch Bay.  H got to build her first sand castle (and 2nd, 3rd, and 4th...), float in the warm salt water bay, hunker down for some quiet time on the lawn in a grandma made teepee, hunt for shells to toss back in the water, eat delicious black licorice ice cream, and surpass her mother in tanning ability by minute 4 of the vacation (while it was drizzling and cold, too!).  Overall, a pleasant trip.

President Obama's Birthday

today is President Barack Obama's birthday. Happy Birthday Mr. President - I voted for you, I like you, and I'm happy you're most likely having a nice day today. However.....

more importantly than you, my Dad is having a birthday today, too! And he's been around longer than you, and I'd rather celebrate him today, that is if you don't mind ;-)
So Dad,

You're the best Dad I had, and the best Dad I could have wished for. Here's to a pleasant 61st and 40 more to celebrate! Love you :) - Liz

Her new backpack for preschool

I think she likes it  (since she won't take it off!)!

she came right home and packed it up with all of her "stuff so my friends at school can play with me!"

ahh! my big girl!

photo shoot with spiro jamie

a picasa collage of some faves from our recent (and first!) family photo shoot! more to come soon! thanks so much Jamie - you certianly made us look good :)

A few current things

• I'm doing grosgrain's "frock by Friday" sew-a-long this week. This will be basically my first dress I've sewn for myself, and I think it should be pretty fun!
  
• We've been drinking this the past week. It's one of J's fave drinks, and bridget linked to this delicious recipe so we went for it, and are glad we did!
  
• I've never made blondies before, but they look especially delicious this morning, so it may be a post-naptime treat here J
  
• I'm going a little stir crazy these days since classes are done for the summer, but I somehow managed to lose my knitting pattern for my paron apron I have been working on and need something to keep me busy!
  
• I practically inhaled my favorite author's newest book "Fly Away Home" in 3.5 hours last week. Now I'm on to "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," and so far, I'm not catching all the hype….
  

This weekend, we have old friends coming for dinner, and I'm planning on going to get a massage and doing some reading on the porch. Have a good one, friends!

someone in my house doesn't want to do her homework

so she whipped up a new headband to wear to school tomorrow instead!

tutorial found here.

h's first camping trip

at the beginning of this past week, we went on a mini-vacation to the olympic national forest. h had a ton of firsts: first ferry boat ride, first fire-roasted hotdog (she roasted her own and ate 2 1/2!), first smore (and 2nd, and 3rd....), first time sleeping in a tent, first forest frolic, first waterfall, and first completely dry day in big girl unders (yes, i had to toss that in! it's a big first!!). it was a total blast, and we can't wait to do it again!

sprinkler season

the g-parents gave us a date night last night, and H had a blast with sprinklers. i'm also (finally) discovering google picasa and trying to figure it all out - i've gotta say, i'm liking the collage feature!

30 before 30

I recently read a blog where the woman was talking about one of her checks off a list she titled 30 before 30. I instantly thought that sounded like a fabulous idea, and decided to tackle such a list for myself! Now, I know what ya'll are thinking, 'she's not even 29 yet, and her birthday isn't for 3 months,' but I've decided to make this list with some bigger things on it that could take longer than 1 year. The intent is to revisit this list at the beginning of every month and check off the things I've accomplished. Anyone have a milestone birthday coming up in the next couple months/years, feel free to join me! This could be fun, as well as a little bumpy at times…

1. 
   
   Watch the series Sex & the City in entirety (I've only ever seen a random episode here and there, and the 1^st movie!)
2. 
   
   Learn to bake bread
3. 
   
   Stop drinking soda (I had come really close to being able to check this one off, lasting a month, but in the last 2 stressful weeks, I've had 3…..)
4. 
   
   Grow my hair long enough to donate a ponytail
5. 
   
   Finish knitting James' 31^st birthday socks (due 3/21/2010!)
6. 
   
   Sew a dress for Hazel
7. 
   
   Have a family photo shoot with Jamie Spiro (scheduled for 7/26/10!)
   
8. 
   
   Teach Hazel to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano
9. 
   
   (Learn how to & ) knit a hat for myself
10. 
    
    Determine a signature drink that I can order wherever I go, and always have the ingredients for at home
11. 
    
    Make my own pickles
12. 
    
    Have a stocked liquor cabinet, like an adult
13. Eat a meal at preservation kitchen
    
14. 
    
    Find my perfect shade of lipstick
15. Actually get the Luther's Rose tattoo I've been dreaming of for 10+ years
16. Keep some kind of lovely plant alive in my house or on my porch
    
17. 
    
    Go on a cycling/camping trip with James and Hazel
18. Eat a meal at poppy.seattle
    
19. 
    
    Sing at church
20. Ride my bike to the grocery store
21. Take a theo chocolate factory tour
    
22. 
    
    Reduce (or eliminate) use of plastic bags from the stores
23. Get my makeup done at a department store counter
24. 
    
    Make something fabulous out of anna maria horner's fabric
25. Find a perfect skin care routine
26. Finish knitting the paron tunic for myself
    
27. 
    
    Develop a regular yoga routine
28. Write a song for Hazel
29. 
    
    Drink more water every day
30. learn to make Phad Thai from scratch

Check the dress off the list!

Sent from my iPhone

30 before 30

I recently read a blog where the woman was talking about one of her checks off a list she titled 30 before 30. I instantly thought that sounded like a fabulous idea, and decided to tackle such a list for myself! Now, I know what ya'll are thinking, 'she's not even 29 yet, and her birthday isn't for 3 months,' but I've decided to make this list with some bigger things on it that could take longer than 1 year. The intent is to revisit this list at the beginning of every month and check off the things I've accomplished. Anyone have a milestone birthday coming up in the next couple months/years, feel free to join me! This could be fun, as well as a little bumpy at times…

1. Watch the series Sex & the City in entirety (I've only ever seen a random episode here and there, and the 1^st movie!)
   
2. Learn to bake bread
   
3. Stop drinking soda (I had come really close to being able to check this one off, lasting a month, but in the last 2 stressful weeks, I've had 3…..)
   
4. Grow my hair long enough to donate a ponytail
   
5. Finish knitting James' 31^st birthday socks (due 3/21/2010!)
   
6. Sew a dress for Hazel
   
7. Have a family photo shoot with Jamie Spiro
   
8. Teach Hazel to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano
   
9. (Learn how to & ) knit a hat for myself
   
10. Determine a signature drink that I can order wherever I go, and always have the ingredients for at home
    
11. Make my own pickles
    
12. Have a stocked liquor cabinet, like an adult
    
13. Eat a meal at preservation kitchen
    
14. Find my perfect shade of lipstick
    
15. Actually get the Luther's Rose tattoo I've been dreaming of for 10+ years
    
16. Keep some kind of lovely plant alive in my house or on my porch
    
17. Go on a cycling/camping trip with James and Hazel
    
18. Eat a meal at poppy.seattle
    
19. Sing at church
    
20. Ride my bike to the grocery store
    
21. Take a theo chocolate factory tour
    
22. Reduce (or eliminate) use of plastic bags from the stores
    
23. Get my makeup done at a department store counter
    
24. Make something fabulous out of anna maria horner's fabric
    
25. Find a perfect skin care routine
    
26. Finish knitting the paron tunic for myself
    
27. Develop a regular yoga routine
    
28. Write a song for Hazel
    
29. Drink more water every day
    
30. Learn to make phad thai from scratch

best birthday party part 3

H, C, and A hamming it up - this is one of the best pictures. i think i'm going to print it and frame it for christmas gifts, seriously!!

party time!

all the pretty (& handsome!) little helpers opening H's gifts

H and S blowing millions of bubbles from bubble wands that look a bit too much like crack pipes....

cake time! H was really excited about her cake

as i sort through the millions of pictures taken, i may post more. all in all, i am so thankful for how wonderful the party turned out. if only i could use this as a template and throw identical parties from here on out!!

best birthday party part 2

my parents have a big hill in the backyard, and for the first time in 30 years, that hill got some serious action! the kids played a game they created themselves called 'up hill, down hill,' where they would climb up the stairs on the deck to the top of the hill, and then march down the hill together like this. ruth said they looked like little mountian goats, and i couldn't agree more :)

playing on the hill. 'A' was the queen of the roost getting the highest climb of everyone!

natalie used her creative writing skills to draw a real hopscotch game in chalk, which C and H couldn't have enjoyed more...

H's new favorite thing to do with chalk - play CSI.....

H and I playing bocce ball together behind the grass

best birthday party part 1

hazel's 3rd birthday party was fantastic! the weather cooperated - though it seriously threatened not to - and the kids couldn't have had a better time if they tried! blogger won't let me upload all the pics i want into one post, so here's part 1: the set up!

these penant banners hung in the front yard trees - alerting people that the party was here, at my parents house

we had a tasty snack spread including pirates booty, sweet potato chips, tea sandwiches, cream puffs, sun tea for the adults, and 'toddler tea (fruit punch)' for the kiddles

dad and katy hung my felt garland from the deck bannister. it looked so great!

and more garland in the tree. i love that garland!

hazel asked for a chocolate cake, in the shape of a circle, with pink frosting and a candle. here's what we gave her! the flowers are starburst candies warmed in the microwave and quickly rolled out with a rolling pin and cut out with cookie cutters! the cake was a hit!

prepare yourselves to be amazed!

since we just moved this weekend to a different unit in our same apartment complex, i had a built-in opportunity to do a much needed pantry/freezer inventory. i just made a grocery list for this weeks meal planner, and i have 5 things to buy for this weeks meals (this does not include the things i will get free with my WIC check).

here is the list:
*1# extra firm tofu
* 2 cans chicken
*1 can great northern beans
* fresh loaf of sourdough bread
* dried basil

here are the meals:
M-Rachel's white chicken chili (thanks rachel for the blog post!)
T-best baked eggs and salad
W-Sarah's phillipine chicken w/brown rice
H-thai coconut soup (in the slow cooker!) w/thai peanut tofu & chicken, & leftover brown rice
F-TJ's freezer phyllo margharita pizzas w/salad
S-H's birthday party, so it's tea sandwiches & cake for the entire day of meals
Sun- leftovers

i even am planning on making a slow cooker crunchy garbanzo bean snack for the week tonight, and have all the fixin's for some fun non-sandwich lunches for H, including an alphabet pasta salad perfect for toddlers :)

yup. i'm amazed, too !

bed

this is the bed that we got for h at ikea last night. not much to look at, we know, but it was cheap and that's how we roll these days.

however, we have a plan. and that plan includes paint. we asked h what color bed she wanted, and she said green. so i found my favorite shade of green, seen on the notebook in the picture below, that we're going to color match in a super high glossy paint to paint the bed frame.

the pink = the sheets h choose at target today. pretty cute, huh? james asked if it matched, and i proceeded to show him pictures of bright pink flowers in nature with green leaves, and he shrugged indifferently :)this lovely comforter would really be the icing on the birthday-big-girl-bed-cake. but this will have to wait a bit longer....

lucky girl :)

living life compartmentalized

today, james is putting the final touches on a big job, so i'm home with h - which is a traditional way to spend fridays in this house since i'm at school all day thursdays. james' whole day turn is done and h and i generally miss one another, so good times are had on fridays. on fridays, i do an excellent job playing with h - making art projects, cooking together, playing board games, and running outside. sometimes we get together with friends and have lunch, go to a story time, or even better - h's and my favorite past-time: target browsing :)

basically, i am good at compartmentalizing my life into its little foci areas and generally they don't interfere with the others.

but today, this friday, i am getting all twisted up with my priorities. i've got 3 final papers due in the next 6 days, h's birthday party is getting planned in my head (which is way more fun), and as of yesterday evening, we are officially moving in 12 days. across the parking lot, mind you - simply to another identical apartment to the one we're in now to officially forfeit our battle with mice (and let the mgmt team begin their own rodent battle in our absence). the new place is literally 100 yds away, so we don't really have to pack anything - just walk it all across the street in laundry hampers and wagons. but here's the rub:
i'm actually excited.
i am a strange person, and i love moving. not the 'beg your friends to lend a hand' part, or the 'change your address all over again' part. i love the fresh slate, organized home, chucking the accumulated trash, re-evaluating what you have, built-in opportunity for change, and even the actions of packing and unpacking. i even love the actual picking up of the boxes and furniture and literally 'moving' things part (if i have someone to watch h, i like to help others move for this very reason).
but i can't let myself slip into this particular pleasure zone because i've got 3 papers to write first!!!
mantra for the next 6 days......i think i can i think i can i think i can.....

my current to do list

i have 8 days left of school this quarter, and i am struggling to remember that there is stuff to do before classes end and not spend all my time daydreaming about what fun things i can do when quarters over! so here's my to do list for the next 8 days:

• read 75 pages of Moe-Lobeda's "Public Church"
• write History of the Reformation "So What" paper - 5-7 pages
• write Christian Ethics Case Study Moral Deliberation paper - 5-7 pages
• write Christian Sexuality "Toward a Renewed Theology of Human Sexuality" paper - 5-7 pages
• care for my child
• care for my house
• care for my spouse (though this one could be a to-list casualty, to be honest)
• go to four 3-hr classes

there are calendar obligations, as well - like a personel meeting at church, watching H's friend for a few hours this afternoon, J's classes, etc. i guess this doesn't look so bad.... though i must admit, my list includes things that i can redily check off and feel accomplished. things such as:

• take a shower (i know - as a mom, i'm lucky this happens once a week before classes!)
• put shoes away
• make coffee
• brush teeth
• eat breakfast
• make lunch for H
• be pretty (a new suggestion for the list which i think i like!).......

you get the idea :)

wish me luck! i intend to post a blog about the things i intend to do on my downtime before my summer class starts in july - but it is intentionally left off the to-do list because i'll actually do it before anything else if it's there!!