When You Become a Mother...

1. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

2. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

3. You respect your body ... finally.

4. You stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

16. You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth.

17. You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have.

18. You don't mind going to bed at 9:00 p.m. on Friday night.

19. You realize that the 10 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having.

20. You discover an inner strength you never thought you had.

21. You no longer rely on a clock — your baby sets your schedule.

22. You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one.

23. You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late.

24. You learn that taking a shower is a luxury.

25. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place.

26. You didn’t believe in love at first sight before, but now you do.

27. You start to appreciate Sesame Street for its intellectual contribution.

28. You have to quit watching the news because you see every story from a mother's perspective and it breaks your heart.

29. You just love life more - everything comes together and becomes better because of one tiny person and your love for them.

30. You finally find out the real reason you have those breasts.

31. Nothing is just yours any longer. You share EVERYTHING!

32. No matter what you've accomplished in life, you look at your child and think, "I've done a GREAT job!"

Christmas tree

We are so on top of it this year, we already went and got a Christmas tree. They had so many beautiful ones it was hard to decide. Abi helped find the perfect tree and had fun running around and hiding behind the trees. Grandma and Papa came with so it was extra fun for the kiddos.

Gobble, gobble

We had a great Turkey Day with so much to be thankful for. We are thankful my mom is making small improvements and that we got to spend time with family. 

Ben didn't get along so well with my parents cat. She scratched him on his face :(

Beautiful little Evie

Sister and lil E

Playdoh flowers by Abi and Brad

WSU

At the risk of sounding cheesy WSU is more than a school to me, it is who I am. It is where I met my husband, my best friends, drank way too much beer, stayed up way too late, and had way too much fun. If I hadn't gone to school there I might not be married to the man I love, I might not have two beautiful children, and I might not have a job I love. WSU is not the place for everyone but the ones that stay understand how special it is. I found this next bit buried in my inbox from 2005 (a forward from a fellow coug). I saved it and here's why-

To all you Cougs out there...........

What does it mean to be a WSU Cougar?

It means you're part of a shared experience, a common bond gained by living in a unique town in a unique place.

It means you know what it's like to drive five hours across the state to get to college, or to drive five hours to visit your friends and family on the west side.

It means you know to watch for the dark blue car in Colfax and keep your speed under 30 mph.

It means you know the taste of the fry sauce at Cougar Country.

It means you know the difference between Dismores and Safeway and The Cougar Cafe and The Coug.

It means you know every turn in the road from Pullman to Moscow, day or night, and in rain, snow or sunshine.

It means you know at least one other person who you spent so much time with that you can call them any time, any day, and have a listening ear.

It means that anywhere you go in the world, if you wear a WSU hat, you're ready to hear "Go Cougs" from a total stranger.

It means that people from big metropolitan schools don't understand what we know - what it's like to center your life on a small town for a few years, and to see those as a shared, wonderful experience.

It means you root for the little guy. It means you understand Rodney Dangerfield when he says "I don't get no respect."

It means you were surprised this fall when WSU was referred to on ESPN.

It means you know what it's like to win another Apple Cup - and to be ready to come back next year and go after them again.

It means you had the unaccustomed sensation of expecting to actually WIN games this year.

It means you know that victory can be snatched from the jaws of defeat and vice versa - and that both will happen in the same football season.

It means that whether the Cougs win or lose, you know it will NOT last...and that you'll be back for more.

It means you feel comfortable walking past Bryan hall, and you occasionally smile when you look up at the red clock face.

It means you know how valuable a 30-gallon trash bag is when you sit in Martin Stadium on a windy day.

It means you know the layout of the CUB, and where The Coug is.

It means you know "The Bookie" is a store, not a person.

It means that when winter rolls around it's ok to a laugh when people fall walking up the icy hills to class as long as you know your turn is coming soon.

It means that when you're in a car driving through the rolling Palouse hills in the spring and see spring wheat rippling in the wind, you find it soothing and beautiful.

It means you know which cliff is "The Cliff" and how to get to the dunes.

It means you know which Pullman streets NEVER to drive on when it's icy in winter.

It means that whenever you meet another Cougar, you feel a little bit of a special bond, even if you're very different people.

You remember and miss Shakers, the wonderful bar where you could spend $5 at Power Hour and still be wasted the next morning. RIP Shakers :(

You realize that we now love the football team no matter what, but still make fun of all the players that we meet.

You remember that CCN used to be THE place to be on Opening Weekend.

Your dad never missed a chance to party and go to a game on Dad's weekend.

You know the Mom's weekend "statistics".
You've eaten lunch at the Coug..in between classes and still drank beer.

You look at your schedule and consider dropping classes because you don't want to walk from the CUE to Sloan.

The Blue Heart thing actually makes you hate Pullman (kinda), or just the heart.

You can't believe Pizza Pipeline isn't there anymore.
You know the nicknames of the Tri Delts, Pi Phis, and KATs...and still laugh thinking about them.

You lived on campus only to be closer to the bars, not school.

You waited in line at Valhalla OR Shakers...because you knew it would be worth it no matter how cold it was.

You waited a half hour in line at Pita Pit after Shakers closed to get a dang good pita.

Pete's wylie drinks, spinning the wheel, and one bad attempt at karaoke...

You have experienced senior golf, cruise, raft trip, formals.

You still like to cruise by the bears and go to Ferdinands.

You have been prescribed antibiotics by student "death".

Can anyone else think of any?



Here are my additions:
You can't believe how much Pullman has changed since we graduated.

Your children won't have a choice of where they'll go to college and they have no choice but to proudly wear crimson and grey on game day.

You met your best friend or spouse where between campus and the bar.

Your favorite words- "Cougar football Saturday".

You excell at flip cup (boat races).

You have a severe allergic reaction to purple.

***So when I say GO COUGS! I say it from my heart and I mean it-beat those dogs!!!
Happy Thanksgiving and Apple Cup!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Cougs!

First blog ever by my husband (see below) so proud :)

Apple Cup

If you know me at all then you know what Cougar football means to me, and this blog entry will not really be news to you. For those of you that don’t know me very well, I will start by saying that without a doubt next to my wife, kids, and family, cheering on the Cougs is one of the things that brings me the most joy. Ok, now some of you are saying, “this doesn’t sound like Amy”. Well its not, but Amy has always said "this is our family Blog”, and she has encouraged me to write, but up until now I couldn’t think of where to start. It seems fitting to start with one of my favorite topics on my favorite week of the year, Apple Cup week.

I can think of dozens of reasons why Apple Cup is my favorite week of the year, but the two biggest reasons for me are that this game involves both family and Washington State University. My Mom and Dad took me to my first Apple Cup at Husky Stadium in 1997 and I have made every game since, and for the most part our family has attended these games together. Over the years this tradition has expanded to my wife, children, mother and father in-law, brothers and sisters, cousins, and countless friends. All of whom have helped make this tradition what it is.

Below are a few pictures of past Apple Cups, some good games, some disappointments, but overall great memories. Happy Apple Cup week and GO COUGS!

1997: WSU 41, UW 35. This picture says it all... Well not all, it really says Rose Bowl!

1998: UW 16, WSU 9.

1999: UW 24, WSU 14.

2000: UW 51, WSU 3.

2001: UW 26, WSU 14. Don't we all look young?

2002: UW 29. WSU 26.

2003: UW 27, WSU 19.

2004: WSU 28, UW 25. A good WAZZU win at the end. I almost missed the final series due to my sister's shenanigans!

2005: WSU26, UW 22.

2006: UW 35, WSU 32. To Pullman, WA via Shanghai, China. Dad arrived the morning of the game after 23 hours and 4 layovers.

2007: WSU 42, UW 35.

2008: WSU 16, UW 13. Huge 3 day tailgate in Pullman and Abi's first Apple Cup. Oh and yes, that is me celebrating, 0-12!

2009: UW 30, WSU 0. Not sure I remember this one, I think I have completely blocked it out.

2010: UW 35, WSU 28.

2011: ????

Little wonders and holy molars

I love watching my little ones grow. Everyday they change, everyday everything changes -good and not so good. Like how Abi is pooing on the potty, but I'm not a fan of racing stripes. It's amazing to me that they are born the way they are and although we can guide them through life, they still are who they are. My mom always says "they have a right to be who they are" -although sometimes I think I'd like to make Abi a little easier to live with she has a right to be herself and I wouldn't want it any other way. It makes me feel better when the other moms at the preschool talk about problems with their kids, I know I'm not alone when my daughter has to change her shoes 4 times before we can leave the house or pretty much do the opposite of what I want her to do. Abi is growing up and preschool has really helped her confidence and social skills. She easily and instantly makes new friends at the park or where ever we may be. Ben is not shy he walks over to complete strangers and wants them to pick him up. He is a complete boy, physical and tough, but he is so sweet. He likes to be held a lot, which I LOVE! I looked in his mouth yesterday to discover 3 new molars, holy molars, no wonder why he hasn't been feeling great. These little monkeys keep us busy and happy and more than anything we are thankful for them.

Finally done!

Yay, finally finished with my lastest cross-stitch. This took me about 30 hours, seriously. But it gave me comfort and something to do the long hours and days spent in the hospital with my mom. It is for a baby quilt we are making for an expecting mom at my work. I got one when Abi was born and it's pretty special to me.

Bam bam

We should have named Ben B, Bam Bam because he is always banging on things. The louder the better. He bangs his fists on the high chair tray, he loves to bang pots (or anything heavy and loud) on the hard wood floor, he bangs toys or fists on the toilet seat and/or picks up the toilet seat and drops it (making lots of noise). His other favorite thing to do is to throw his music table, or any other object large or small. He is such a boy, solid and tough, football in his future? Also, I think he eats more than I do.

Abi Gabby is so smart I don't think there is much she doesn't know at this age. Her new favorite thing is puzzles. I'll find her in her room quietly doing a princess puzzle while Ben is napping. She repeats anything and everything I say and I find when she repeats my own words back to me they don't sound great, so I'm trying to use different words and lots of patience when she is frustrating me. This is when parenting scares me the most, when my actions could make an impact that will affect this child the rest of their life. So as we are trying to raise two children I also must better myself in every way possible way too.

By the way, family pictures were a disaster ;)

Figures.......

This evening we have an appointment to get the kids pictures taken and a family photo. I was thinking this morning that it was good timing because Ben actually doesn't have any bruises on his face......about five minutes later he fell down and got a black eye. Figures.

Baby wipes

Baby wipes are good for everything and I do mean everything. I use them to do a quick wipe down of the counters and sink in the bathroom, wipe off the counters and table and high chair in the kitchen, clean small spots off the carpet, I put them on my Swiffer and mop the floor, I use them to clean spots off the furniture, wipe off the dog, clean dirt off my shoes, dust, wipe out the frig, if no Clorox wipes are available I'll use them to wipe off a grocery cart, not to mention wiping bums, faces, boogers, and hands. Couldn't live without them that's for sure.

Favorite pics ever

Two of my favorite pictures. Love these little munchies.

Ups and downs

The police officer that came back on Saturday said it's extremely unlikely that our house would get broken into again (especially since the person was scared off and to their knowledge took everything of value that was easily accessible) and that burglary in our neighborhood is rare. We are wondering if our dog did scare the person off???? She has been jumpy and barking all weekend. I know she would be protective of us if we were home but maybe she wasn't sure what to do since she didn't have anyone to protect???? I guess we'll never know. An extra lock for the backdoor, security alarm stickers on all the doors, maybe a beware of dog sign too, hopefully will be enough to detour anyone thinking about breaking in again. So far the insurance company has been helpful and we are starting to feel back to normal. When I get home after being out I still poke my head in the house and look around before even unbuckling the kids from their car seats. I find myself being a little jumpy and nervous, looking out the windows. I'm sure this will go away over time.

Somehow the universe has a way of finding balance. A super generous friend brought us presents (love ya Jen)! It was a perfect football weekend! Someone at my work asked if they could work Christmas day for me! Abi and Ben are extra cute and cuddly and have been sleeping from 7pm to 8am! The chickens started laying eggs again! The holidays are so close I can feel it! I just feel happiness and love around me. Life just has it's up and downs.   

Unlucky day

11/11/11 did not turn out to be a lucky day for us. The kids and I ran to the grocery store in the afternoon (which is always a bad idea that time of day because they are tired and cranky) when we got to the check out one of my worst fears came true, I looked in my purse and realized my wallet wasn't there-yikes! I took it out and put it in the diaper bag at the museum. We ran out to the car because I thought the diaper bag was in the car, it wasn't. I started crying, I just spent an hour grocery shopping with cranky kids for nothing. I was mentally drained when we got home so I sat on the couch for a while. I can't remember why but for some reason I went into our bedroom and I saw my earring on the floor, I thought that is weird. I picked it up and went to put it back in my jewelery box when I realized almost everything was gone out of my jewelery box, I thought very weird. Then I looked down at the carpet and saw pine needles everywhere, I had just vacuumed-panic swept over me (another worst fear came true). I ran back to the kitchen and saw the knifes were missing out of the butcher block, hysteria and panic took over-what if someone was still in the house! I grabbed the kids, shoeless and coatless, my cell phone and the car keys and threw everyone in the car (not even in carseats) and left. I called Brad, I knew he was almost home. He could barely understand me because I was hysterical so he called 911. Abi kept saying "mom, it's OK dad will be home soon".

The police came and searched our house, no one was there. They took finger prints and filed a report. At one point there were 6 police officers searching in and around our house. Stupid dog, now I can say she is really good for nothing. She is the reason I feel secure, she barks viciously at strange sales men that knock on our door. She's big, black, and has a deep bark and is kind of intimidating. On top of that I left the TV on our while we were gone only because I couldn't find the remote to turn it off (the kids like to take it and hide it). Which leads me to the scariest question of all, how did this person know we weren't home? I'm pretty sure I scared them away when I got home and opened the garage door because there was a pile of stuff by the backdoor that they had planned on taking but didn't have time. They took my jewelery, Brad's watches, eagle scout ring, digital camera, video camera, i-pod, knifes, and other random stuff. I am so thankful they did NOT take a small tin I have in my jewelery box that has all my important/valuable jewelery including my heirloom diamond ring from my grandma, necklace from Brad, and a few other small diamonds (which are now in our safe). The only way we can assume they got in is through the backdoor which we always, always double check to make sure it's locked. I never leave it unlocked even when I'm home, but as I said it was not my day and the one day someone wants to break in our house I forget to lock the door???? How is that statistically possible, what are the odds???? If only I had paid more attention when we first walked in I would have noticed right away and we wouldn't have even gone inside.

I'm thankful they did not take anything that can't be replaced. I'm thankful my kids are too young to understand what happened. Abi thought it was fun that our house was full of "boys" (police officers) and Ben just wanted an officer to pick him up, sweet boy. I'm thankful we were not home and that my family is safe. This unlucky day makes me realize we still have so much to be thankful for.

Children's Museum

We met up with some preschool friends at the Children's Museum today, and I ran into my cousin and their little girl Gracie. Abi had a good time and so did Ben. They liked the farm area and the playground area the best but also liked the trains and planes. Abi either did not want me to take her picture or she was running around playing and I couldn't get her picture. All in all a good way to spend a rainy day :)   -and glad we made time yesterday to enjoy the sun at the park.

Helpless

Feeling a little helpless today. I wish I could say my mom is doing better but we may have taken a few steps backwards. She still can't see, or walk, or pour herself a glass of water, or put toothpaste on her toothbrush, or even go to the bathroom by herself. She falls down so much that she is covered from head to toe with bruises, she has lost 10 or 15 pounds, and she is having some kind of mouth infection (or reaction to medication) that is causing her tongue to be swollen, bleeding, and painful. I can barely understand her on the phone because her mouth is so bad. She has been acting out of character and hallucinating (especially at night). My dad is exhausted on the point of mental breakdown and there is nothing I can do. IT SUCKS! I feel so helpless. I hope somehow someway things will get better.

I heart baby legs