It's finally happened...

Landon is 9 and a half months, and for the past 3 nights he has..




Slept the WHOLE night through!

At first, we woke up in the morning and would ask the other "did you get up with Landon" followed by a "no...did you?" and we were so stunned! On occasion he'll be so exhausted he will sleep the full 14 hours. But not 3 in a row! YAY! GO LANDON! He had a 5 hour nap yesterday (I had to go wake him up come 6:45pm)and slept for 12 hours last night. Out of 24 hours, he was asleep for 17 of them! Oh my gosh! Tired boy!

Heat Wave from HELL!

That was the thermostat in my car, about 15 min ago. We saw the forecast this week, and everyone kept saying "It needs to be hotter than 89!" It will be "cooling off" come thursday, yep, down to the upper 90's. Spare me!

It's about 103 outside right now, and I'm sure it's going to get hotter. Homes in WA DO NOT have AC in them, it doesn't make sense to when it's cold 8mos out of the year. (same reason why there are no sprinklers, because it rains SO much)

I think it's not quite 86 in my house. I have jeans and a t-shirt on. If my kids weren't here, I think I'd minimize it a bit more!

Poo on the people who wanted 100 plus degree weather, are you insane?!

Tests of life and beyond

So many "sad" or even "bad" things have happened.

A good family friend, that lives next my parents was diagnosed with cancer. Another friend of my moms passed away from cancer last week.

Recently, I've found myself annoyed with everyone saying "live each day like it's your last". Really? Honestly, If I KNEW when I was going to leave this place, I'd make dinner, watch a movie, cuddle with one child in each arm, kiss them good night, and go to sleep. Is that just me? But, I can see why certain people would say to do that, but I choose to live everday, normally.

I don't think everythings really hit me. I just know, and feel like everyones patience is being tried, tested, and questioned. But, everyones rooting for each other and coming together unbelieveably well. Interesting how a horrible illness, will pull people together. I'm glad it can do that, vs tear people apart. I'm hoping he does well, he's helped me out many times, and has been very good to my mom, while my dad is gone.

On a happier note, after we moved to Puyallup, with all the chaos, my diet did NOT change, but I somehow managed to gain a bunch of weight. Not a ton by normal standards, but enough to where I don't like it. So, we have our gym membership FINALLY set up, that literally costs us nothing, and I'll be aiming to get to 105. Go me, and I hope it freakin' works.

Patriotism

I was doing my hair this morning, and was remembering about the 2 reporters that somehow are stuck in North Korea, and are in prison because they're american.

About a month ago, while Jeff and I were in Hawaii, we went to Honoulu, and ventured the ground of the Punchbowl. Which is a national monument of the fallen in pretty much every war, (minus the really old ones like civil) america has faught in. It's the most overwhelming place because it's name, after name, war after war. grave upon grave. Hundreds if not thousands of names are there. It makes you feel appreciative while you're there.

We came home, Jeff went back to work, recruiting. And as I thought about those reporters this morning, it dawned on me. So many people go off about how dumb this country is, how dumb those reporters were to cross the border. (which, wasn't wise of them, I'll say that, they knew it was a communist country)And how this country has SO many problems and how people are going to go to Canada and live there because they hate the US.

By all means, go. Get out of here. I don't know about you, but in US history, we were taught how people faught and died for freedom. It isn't free. It never has. It not only costs billions of dollars, but it costs lives. Be proud that we have the rights that we have, we have the right to worship as we please, say what we want and usually not get in official trouble for it. We can live and drive what we want. So many LITTLE things, that if those people hadn't faught to the death for, we wouldn't have.

My mom is very patriotic, and so is my grandmother. I appreciate it now, because the more I think about it, they're right. Be proud to be an american, we live in the best place possible. SO many people want to live here and are envious of our lifestyle and our "freedoms" that we have. I'm happy my husband is in the military, and it makes me smile when fellow americans stop us while he's in uniform, and thank him for his service. It's not for everyone. My grandfathers were both in the navy during WWII. I an ever so grateful now for that. They're the one being seperated from the wives, children, family, friends, so we can live a normal life. They do things we wouldn't even dream, so we can live in the place that we live.

BE GRATEFUL! Go buy a magetic american flag, and stick it on your car. Be proud, and stay proud, count your blessings that you were born here and not in a place like Somalia where hundreds are murdered daily, and there is no food, no water, no health care. And AIDS is a big killer of everyone there, next to the murders.

Blare Bruce Springsteen today in the car, and sing along to "born in the USA", thanks Bruce for that song, and thanks to my for fathers on the currency I use, without you all, I wouldn't be here, nor would my family.

In the words of a song that my grandma loves "I'm proud to be an american, where at least I now I'm free".

And Jeff, be happy that you got into the Navy, and that you have a steady job, and it compensates you so well. Had you not joined and served, you NEVER would have met me and Leena, and Landon wouldn't exist. Stand more proudly, please!

4th of July festivites.

Jeff in our backyard with Landon....one of the few years it DID NOT RAIN HERE!! (it always rains on the 4th up here in WA)


This is our friend Tristan...he and Jeff used to be on the same ship together. Tristan has about 6-7 months left in the Navy, then I'm pretty sure he's moving back to San Jose, CA (home) He was lighting off a roman candle when I took this, it just looks cool.


Missing Leena in this....prior to Jeffs dad telling us he was going to be in town, we'd arranged for my mom to have her for about 5-6 days, so she could see all her other family on her dads side, as well as my mom, who misses her dearly. My phone looks retarded sticking out of my pocket...oh well.




The neighborhood fireworks we lit off, Landon was in LOVE and AWE with them. Even with the huge obnoxious noises, he didn't even flinch!! He's such a BOY!


Ground flower going at the same time as a mortar....mortars used to be the hardest things to find! Now, with how accessible they were this year, I'm thinking that either in this county, they're legal, OR, they've been legalized...granted we did light the neighbors lawn on fire with one (they're in TX til August) and it blew up only aout 10-12ft in the air....oops! We've since returned the fire favor with watering their lawn, it's pretty much the biggest fire hazard you've seen, ever. (people don't have sprinklers up here....WE do, but that's it out of all our street)


Who needed to watch the Seattle show, we had our own going on in our neighborhood! (it's massive housing where we live)

All in all, it was fun. Jeffs dad and step-mom came from ID. I think they had fun, at least I hope they did! I think next year, we'll have to put on a even bigger show.

There's a reason we call her "Angel-Leena"

The other day Landon was cranky, Leena was bored to death, and any idea that I had for an activity during the day, got vetoed.

The day strolled by with ease, at least while Landon took a nap. He's getting his top teethers in and can be rather a cranky pants.

Come dinner time, with my son awake, my daughter running around outside, yelling "mommy!!" every 2 seconds it seems, I was getting worn out. Then, I get teh "I'm on my way home, what's for dinner" call from Jeff. I start to scramble to make a nice dinner, and get it on the table by the time he's home. All the while, keeping my worn side, as well as flustered, to myself.

After diner was done, Landon had been fed, but this wasn't enough to not keep him from fussing. I was tending to him whie I cleaned up the kitchen while it seemed like my husband and daughter, had left the building. They came back in and could clearly tell how frustrated I was. I somewhat angrily blurted out "can someone please just stop and help clean up! I made dinner, it would be nice if someone else helped clean up besides me, I do it ALL day long!" I'm sure I didn't sound as it seems, but I was making a point that I definately wanted help for a few minutes.

Then, Leena comes up to my waist, looks me in the eye and she goes "How can I make you un-stressed mommy?" Magic to my ears!! She's such a doll! I found myself more tha pleased with what she had just asked. I said "can you clear your place please, and then I'll tell you what to do after?" and she cheerfully said "of course mommy!" she did exactly that, and then came up to me and again and said "ok momma, what else can I do to help you out?" Jeff did not tell her to do any of this. That is simply her nature. This is a child that WANTS to do chores, because she is bored.

Thank you Leena for being the best little girl, ever!

I'm feeling rather content that I have such an amazing and impressive child. She really is a rare gem, really.

Our house, in the middle of the street.

A couple weekends ago..ok, maybe 2 or so? I saw some weird ad online and thought "this can't be right"..and what did I do?

I clicked on it. Yup indeed, it was right. It was an ad for granite being solde at $10 a sq ft vs the $75 it's usually retailed for. I've seen it as "cheap" as $59ft before too. But, there had to be a catch...the address was up in Kent. So, I jotted it down, and showed Jeff, and told him I just wanted to see what was there. He agreed, and we got in the car and drove up to kent to see why the "granite" was so cheap. It was just a liquidation sale was all it was. It was almost like a warehouse lot full of everything from onyx, to marble, to granite, you name it. It was was there.

Now, our downstairs powder room, is a step or 4 above a jail cell. It has nice lighting in it, it came that way, but it's rather small. and it has NO cabinets or storage or anything like that. We found this amazingly cool piece of granite, and like the ad said, it was $10 a sq ft, which retailed basically to $1 per pound. We bough the whole slab, as that was part of the "fine print". It's a 26" x 66" piece of black granite with cool blue colors in it and stuff. We want the same stuff for our kitchen eventually. The whole slab, cost us, a whopping......ready? $160 bucks! You can't get it cheaper than that. So now, we're giving the measurements to get it fabricated and are in the midst of finding a vanity. That's been the tough part because the measurements are funky. our bathroom is 38.5"(back part) x 26"(sides) so needless to say, we pretty much need a custom cabinet for that. Which...is nice...but those cost more than they really should, espcially for such a small space. So, we've been doing our homework, and have come across a few potentials. I'm just really excited because we're going to take teh "tropical/ Hawaii" theme we have in our main entry room, and into the bathroom. It's going to be so neato! eek!

You'd think I'd be tired of decorating my house by now. Honestly, I totally am, but I've yet to do any of the bathrooms. I think by the time we sell this place, it'll be pretty sweet and get all of our investments back if not double. All the bathrooms will have granite, and the master shower will have been extended out. ooooooh. Expensive, but worth it all!