SAHM's ROCK!

I just finished reading Dr. Laura's new book, In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms, and it is awesome!!  James and I made the decision before we got married that once we had kids, I would stay home, and we have been blessed to be able to do that.  But it's not always easy (as I'm sure you all know), and it's great to hear other people sing the praises of an often put-down way of life. 

I love being able to experience Maiby's life first-hand, and not have a day care worker, family member, or friend tell me the cute things she did that day.  On Saturday, we were hanging out at home and just enjoying spending time together.  James and I were on the couch talking and Maiby was playing with her toys.  One of her new favorite things is her 'list' - a small, 25-cent spiral notebook.  She is always drawing in it.  While we sat on the couch, Maiby came up and asked James if he wanted some soup (also a game she really enjoys, but that's another story), and when he said yes, she make a mark on her list.  She kept asking if he wanted something else and would make a mark each time he said yes.  Then she turned to me and started taking my order. 

If that food had been truly ordered at a restaurant, we would've ended up with some interesting combinations - soup, cornbread, chowder, sandwiches, cookies, and more (unfortunately, I was told that milkshakes were not an option).  It was so great, and without experiencing that first-hand, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much as I do.

Read this book - if I could afford it, I would buy one for all the wonderful women in my life, but as it is, I got mine from the library, and the book is still terrific.

C-A-K-E

Maiby and I spent most of last week at my mom's house. On Tuesday while Mom was at work, I made some rainbow cupcakes for her to take to her class for St. Patrick's Day. On Wednesday morning, Mom was frosting the cupcakes while Maiby and I ate breakfast. Maiby wouldn't eat much, so I was trying to coax her to have a little bit more.

Then my mom, the ever-loving grandma, asked if Maiby could have some "C-A-K-E," to which I immediately said no (it was WAY to early in the day) and Maiby prompty said, "Cake?!"

We were both amazed at her comprehension and it left my mom wondering if we would ever be able to spell words out while still trying to keep a secret from Maiby.

Going Big

Yesterday James had the day off, so we went down to Lewiston in the hopes of spending some time on the water. We were not disappointed, and Grandma even volunteered to watch Maiby so we didn't need to take her on the boat and worry about the sun scorching her. It was great. I went on the slightly-flat tube - it has been determined there IS a hole somewhere, so we felt every bump and skimmed the surface on one side while dipping down on the other. But luckily, the first time around when we almost tipped, Josh fell off and the tube corrected itself. But the 2nd time, we were not so lucky. I am the only one that got injured all day, but it's not too bad. I have a bruise on my rear from Josh's foot, and a scrape down my nose, which we are blaming on Josh, but in reality I'm pretty sure it was me. We had a great time, but after the crash I was done, so I got back in the boat and just enjoyed riding around the rest of the time. James got up on one ski for a while; it was a great day, and a nice time before he starts school next week.

Weekend of firsts continued...

Maiby had her very first camping trip this weekend, too! She loved it, of course - what little kid doesn't like the chance to play in the dirt all day long and not get in trouble for repeatedly hitting trees with sticks or banging the top of the water cooler? Not mine, that's for sure.

Here's James using our tent for the 1st time - it was a wedding present, I'll admit, but at least it has been used before our 3rd anniversary that's coming up soon...

Maiby really enjoyed having fun with Uncle Jordan - they pounded on the top of the water coolers together...
...and played with a squirt gun for at least an hour! He would squirt her, and squirt it into her mouth, and when it was empty 2 minutes later, they'd head over to fill it up. Again and again. And he had fun, too!

We were camping at Dworshak Reservoir, which was really fun. James' parents brought their boat, so we went out, of course. And I went out on the tube, which is the first time in about 10 years, and I liked it a lot. It was the type that you sit up on, and can have 3 people together, which I liked a lot better than the kind that you lay on your belly and kill your arms by the time you are done.

And the last first happened yesterday, which technically isn't the weekend, but since we were camping on Monday, then Tuesday is pretty much still the weekend, right? James and Maiby built a fort!! Outside view:

And inside:

Weekend of Firsts

Maiby and I took a quick, unexpected trip up to CdA to visit my mom today after we dropped James off for this Army weekend. And it was worth it; mainly because Maiby just adores my mom and can't get enough of her - she gives her the best and longest hugs ever. But she also got to experience a few new things:

Grandma finally talked Grandpa into putting in a swing in one of their trees. It was a hit.

And Maiby got to help Grandma make cookies! Chocolate chip, of course.

Mixing it up.

Having fun.

And Grandma loved seeing the many taste-tests that went on.

Pardon the Rant

James is out of town for the weekend, and I need to complain a little to someone so that I am not on the verge of tears everytime I think about it. Don't ask me why the tears are - that's just the reality that I can't control. The rest of the reality is this: the car is in the shop. Not a big deal. I had been planning on taking Maiby to my mom's house this week for a few days so we could visit and do a little shopping. BUT the car had to act up and the shop said Wednesday was the soonest they could do anything. To expedite the process, we took the car in on Monday. Also not a big deal, since James' parents graciously lent us their car for as long as we need it. Snag: I have not driven their big truck before and am a little nervous (extended cab with regular bed, step higher than your knee to get in, manual type of big truck). I don't think they would mind me driving it, but I have been able to get by without that since James has been home at night and loves to drive the truck so it hasn't been a big deal.

I talked to my mom and rescheduled the trip until this afternoon/evening. The car was supposed to be done today by 12, but when I called at 1 they haven't had the part come in yet. So it might not be done today at all. I am supposed to call back around 3 to find out what is going on. If it's still not there, I am basically stuck home until at least Monday and will need to find someone to pick James up from the airport on Sunday night when he gets back. So who knows what my fate is. A weekend stuck at home instead of a trip to mom's at the perfect time (it's spring break, so she doesn't have to work her school job and has tomorrow off from her 2nd one). Also, the boys are out of town until late Saturday. I fell rather silly posting this now, because it really isn't too big of deal, but it's purpose has been accomplished - not a tear. Hooray! Also, while typing I kept thinking of my MIL's new dilemma (broken shoulder) and feel pretty good about the whole stranded thing. Ignore the man behind the curtain (or crazy lady cooped up in her home) and enjoy your weekend!

School

Well we are back in Moscow and things are going well. James has finished the first week of classes and we are glad that Monday is a holiday. Things are going pretty well; our apartment is great and almost put together - just a few random boxes that are not quite unpacked or stored yet. I think that unpacking is more frustrating than packing and moving, just because I don't know where to put things because the places we live are always so different. But we are great. We don't have internet access at home, but I will be coming on campus so I am hoping to post something each week.

And I haven't forgotten about the Tag, Debi. Hopefully the suspense from the long wait won't make it too disappointing when I post it.