New Furniture

Our furniture finally arrived today. Here are some pics of the completed room!

As you can see Max and Leila approve!

Fun With The Pups Yet Again!

Yesterday I took babies to Mt. Tabor for a morning hike through the woods. This is another beautiful park in the middle of the city full of trees and castle looking structures around a resevoir. We had a grand time.

Sewing is Dangerous

I started a new costume about 3 weeks ago and decided, since it is a Regency gown, I would hand sew every stitch. Yes, I am insane :-0. Well, everything has gone wonderfully smooth. It has been the most relaxing sewing project I have ever done. Untill that fateful day. I was sewing along watching Persuasion, I'm still in the Jane Austen mood hence the Regency gown, when I stabbed myself. Yes, not just a little jab, oh no, the needle went in between my flesh and fingernail on the left side of my right index finger. It hurt, but not that badly; there was no blood, so I just kept going. Well, last Wednesday, a week after the stabbing, at around 3 a.m. I was awoken by said throbbing finger, and it was the size of my thumb! So off to the doctor I trotted, where I spent a nice portion of my day off, and was prompty issued antibiotics. Luckily, I had caught it in time so there was no prodding or poking needed. It has been 5 days since the doctors visit and now it's turned a bit green, which means I have to get it drained. Yeah! So I have been warned by my doctor to sew with sterilized needles. Who knew! Here's a picture of said green finger as a warning to all, SEWING IS DANGEROUS!

P.S. I will post pictures of the dress as soon as I have a chance to finish it. The finger has delayed things a bit.

Another Fun Outing With the Pups

So, yesterday Aaron took me to a new park full of trails and wildlife. Today I took Max and Leila for our weekly hike away from ye old neighborhood. We had a grand time frolicking on the trails. The landscape reminds me of England and Scottland. It is amazing that this wilderness is in the middle of the city. Here are some pictures! Enjoy!

Someone at Google...

So, somebody at Google has a wonderful sense of humor. Log on to Google Maps for directions from New York to London. Oh, and check out step 23 and 24. Too funny! Here is a link for y'all! Enjoy! http://maps.google.com/ (make sure you click on "get directions" and then type in New York and London. It's way cool!)

Sales Woes Part II... Revenge of the Sunshine (Muwahahaha)

So, here we are again! It's a beautiful day outside and I'm sitting inside the store waiting for lonely souls to wander in to buy lots and lots of furniture from me, preferably an entire set of leather with cheese (cheese is Fabric Protection, we're weird around here, don't ask). Due to the fact that it is about 72 degrees, sunny, a little breezy, and basically plain gorgeous outside, who in their right mind wants to go and buy furniture. Therefore, I have been on point (meaning it's my turn to take the next person who walks in the door and try and sell them stuff) for oh... 2 1/2 HOURS! Oh yes, ladies and gentleman the clock ticks on and there is not a soul in here, except for Meg and myself. To make matters more annoying it's, as stated before, GORGEOUS OUTSIDE. So it is a vicous cycle, you see. It's lovely outside, so there are no people inside, and I'm bored because there are no people inside, and time goes by slowly because it's so nice outside, and I just want to be out in it enjoying the weather. Oh well! Such is the life of a commission sales person. Hope you all are having fun. Wait, could it be a car...... No it's a school bus making a Burger King run and using our parking lot as, well... it's parking lot! It can't stay slow all night. Or, can it? Time will tell!

Jane Austen

So, I have been in a Jane Austen mood these past few weeks. I have been watching all of my Regency Era movies, reading Emma, and studying costumes from the time. I seem to go through phases of eras that I'm interested in. It will eventually change, but for now, I'm enjoying the delights of the early 19th century. Here are some links to recipes, crafts, and costumes of the era! Enjoy!

Jane Austen Magazine (A website that is run by the Jane Austen center in Bath, England)

Prints George (A very funny site with interesting prints, sayings, and mannerisms)

Jessamyns' Regency Costume Companion (The name says it all!)

Sense and Sensibility Patterns (A site of Regency clothing patterns)

Demode' (A simply wonderful site full of historic costume goodies)

I leave you with this quote from Jane Austen...

"There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: we find comfort somewhere . . .”

Jane Austen's Portrait

Daddy and the Babies

Well, I know it's been a while since my last post; not much going on around here, just the normal. I thought you would enjoy seeing this very cute picture of Aaron and the babies. We love to throw a blanket on the floor and cuddle with the kids. This time Aaron was in and out of sleep and I managed to take couple of pictures. Enjoy!

New Furniture

The ability to purchase new furniture is just one of those glorious perks that comes with working for a furniture company. Finally, after 2 years of married life using an old day bed for a sofa, we will be getting our first set of real furniture. It's a semi custom piece, meaning I picked the fabrics that will go on the frame. It's quite exciting to be able to design a piece and have it made. I thought you would enjoy seeing the pictures our computer program spits out when you enter custom fabrics. * Note: The colors are not as brilliant in the pictures as in real life and it looses it's textural qualities through the computer. Here goes!

My Sofa

Aaron's Recliner

Rest in Peace

I found out this evening that my Pastor's mother died from cancer. It's a very strange feeling, I'm sad, but I can't cry right now. I've known her my entire life and she has been like a grandmother to me, but I guess it hasn't hit me yet. Well, I don't have much to say except I know she was a Godly woman who is with her savior now enjoying paradise. I love you, Toni, and I will miss you. God Bless.

This picture of Brad and Toni was taken at our wedding in May of '05.

Response to a Post

Please log on to my sister-in-law's blog, link above, and read her comment on race.

Leah, I want to thank you for that beautiful post. Those of you who read this blog know that Leah and James adopted a baby boy from Ethiopia this past August. I can't tell you how many times I have heard people comment on his color. The comments, I hope, have been in pure ignorance, but still bother me. When I proudly told people I was getting a nephew from Ethiopia I recieved strange looks and comments such as "Will it be a black baby?" I'm sure, as stated before, many of these comments were in sheer ignorance. But one has to ponder just how far these thoughts of "race" have been engrained into our vocabulary and culture.

A child is a child, regardless of the country they come from and the color of their skin. I have always wanted a baby from Africa. As a child, and a history buff, I studied the history of slavery in our own country and around the world. I was fascinated by the struggles men and women were subject to because of their color. When I was nine I read a book that has stayed with me throughout my life. It was the history of the Underground Railroad. I read how Harriet Tubman risked life and limb to bring slaves to the free north. I have always been amazed by her story, and admired her for her bravery and devotion to God. Another story that has made such an impression on me is from the American Girl Collection. The story is about a yound slave girl, named Addy, and her mother. With the help of God and the Underground Railroad, Addy and her mother successfully escape to freedom and are eventually reunited with their liberated family after the Civil War. It was Addy's story that made want to adopt an African baby some day.

We are all humans with the same struggles, fears, and problems. I pray that people may someday look beyond the skin and see that we were all beautifully and wonderfully made by a Creator who loves us. Remember, this Creator loved us all so much he gave us Jesus, His son, to save us, regardless of our skin.

I will finish with this statement. I am so proud of Leah and James for adopting Zachary. This child was once a prayer, a hope, and a dream for Leah who longed for a child and the rest of us who wanted her to have a baby. I love you Zachary, and I'm so happy you have come into our family. I hope you will continue to know just how much you are loved as your grow older. You are our miracle, our answer to prayer, and our little bundle of joy, regardless of where you were born and your beautiful brown skin.

These People Are Nuts!

So, it snowed all day today. I think we had a total of 4 or 5 inches, haven't heard the final verdict yet. Well, the entire town, except Aaron's school, has completely shut down. It hilarious! All of the local chanels on TV cancelled their regular programs to cover the winter weather. It's as though they have never seen precipitation before. Having recently moved from snow country I find it so funny. At home they would have plowed the main roads, pured lava pebbles down, and life would continue. Here, they have no plows, people don't know how to drive in the white stuff, and they all freak out. It's been quite the sight. Here's a final picture from the day!

The Street and our Car at 4:30ish.

As you can see Max enjoyed the day as usual, curled up on the couch with a pillow, snoring away!

Let it Snow?

I woke up this morning to a beautiful site, SNOW in Portland. This doesn't happen very often, and when it does happen the enitre town shuts down. It's actually pretty funny. People around here act as though they have never seen precipitation, even though it rains almost constantly for 5 or 6 months out of the year. When it rains, they tend to freak out and traffic on the freeway comes to a crawl. It's insane. I've been told by locals "Welcome to the Northwest!" Here are some pics.

A Blessed Trip (Posted a Little Late)

We had a wonderful vacation in Arizona and I can't believe it's over. It went by so fast and before we knew it, we were back to work and school in full swing. Here are some pictures from our great trip!

The first day of our trip. Meet Wolfgang, my brother's blue tongued child. :-)

My mom, Jenny, Christmas Eve on the Bill Williams River Trail in Parker, AZ!

Meeting Zachary, we hit it off right away and his mommy, Aaron's sister Leah, let me hold him while he slept. It was wonderful!

Uncle Aaron and Zachy

Zach surrounded by his Christmas booty.

Aaron's side of the family with little Zachary!

Driving from Flagstaff to Havasu. Look at the snow!

Rosco, the dog my parents got when I was 16 :-)

Shelby my Mom's Heiz 57 doggy :-)

Rudy, my 15 year old Cocker Spaniel, my doggy I grew up with :-)

Aaron at Mandalay Bay the day we flew home!

Sales Woes, or Lack There Of

So, today has been absolutely dead boring. So far we've been open for an hour and not one soul has come in. I have a feeling it will be one of those days. To add to the boredom, it's a beautiful sunny day outside, and unusually warm for December. Chances are the beautiful weather and the fact that Christmas is a few days away will kill our traffic today.

As a result, I am trying to beat the boredom by writing. Unfortunately, also a result of the dead day, I'm blogging about my boredom. So as you can see it's a vicious cycle that may, or may not, be broken. The only way out is to get customers in here so I can sell them stuff! No people = no sales. Luckily for me this is only my 3rd week on the floor and I'm doing very well. I don't have to worry about money, just my boredom. I love selling stuff, it's fun and it feels pointless being here when I don't have people to sell stuff too.

Enough of my whinning. Tommorrow is my last day of work before heading to AZ. Finally we'll be flying out. I can't wait to see everyone again. It seems years since I've been home, even though it's only been 5 months. Plus I get to finally meet Zachary. I can't wait.

Ahah, that's it, I'm in count-down-mode. No matter how busy it may get, time will not go fast enough. It's just the way it works when one is about to leave on a trip, or have something else exciting happen.

Hey, it looks like a car may have just pulled in. One can only hope! It's hard to tell if it's in our lot or the lot next to us. Hopefully, it's for us, though no one has walked..... DOH, they just left. Oh well! So much for that one. Tis the Season they say!

Well, that's enough of my rantings for today. See you all later! :-)

Starting the Countdown

It's only 5 days untill we fly out of Oregon to Vegas and head to Arizona. Finally, Christmas is almost here. I am so excited to finally meet little Zachary. I can't believe it's finally here, time sure has flown.

I remeber last Christmas when Leah and James decided to adopt a baby. I was praying that we'd have a new addition to our family this Christmas. Finally, after years of waiting, God answered our prayers and blessed Leah and James with a beautiful baby boy. I'm so excited and thankful that God has blessed us with Zachy.

I'm a very proud Auntie and I can't wait to see him. Love you all :-)

Fun With the Pups

So, today was my Sat. and Aaron had his first final of the week. I dropped him off at school, with the dogs in the back seat, parked the car and hiked the hill around Aaron's school for an hour and a half. It was so much fun and the landscape was beautiful. Here are some pics! Enjoy!

Max and Leila on the Hill

They Can Drink from a Drinking Fountain! :-)

Pretty trees and a path in the woods!

Long Time, no Bloggin

Well, I've been so busy with my new job I haven't have time to add to my blog. So here's a quick update in a nut shell.

I decided to take the La-z-boy job and I've been working there since Nov. 1st. So far I love it, the people I work with, and what I do. It's a lot of fun. After a month of training, I'm finally on the floor selling things. So far I'm doing well, but I'm not sure if I want to stay in sales. I may have an opportunity in the next few months to move into an Interior Design position. Since that's what my degree is in, I think I want to take that position within the company. It sounds like a lot of fun, but I'll wait and see what God has planned for me. I don't want to do anything out of his will.

As for non work related life, Aaron is doing well in school and is almost finished with his first term of the first year. He has seven finals to go and then he gets two weeks off. As most of you know, during one of those two weeks we will be traveling to AZ to see our folks and meet Zachary. Finally it's almost here. I can't wait to hold the little kiddo and finally get to know him. I have only seen his pictures and I miss him.

We did have one slight tragedy, our computer crashed about a week and a half ago. It doesn't think it has a hard drive! YIKES! Well, we shipped it to my dad, computer genius man, and we're patiently waited for a diagnoses. I hope it will be ok.

Other than that, things have been pretty ordinary around here. Life continues as usual, and we're counting down the days until we get to go home. I work tomorrow, 11-7, kind of a weird shift. I hope we're busy so I can sell stuff!!! God Bless!

Me Being Silly (trying on stuff @ Target) We're pretty boring people. We go to Target for fun!!!

Old Gypsy Wormen

So my dad had a fundraiser for the Community College he works at in AZ. Here he is as an old Hungarian Gypsy Women. Take a look!

Testing turned to Choices

Well, after three interviews this week it looks like I might have my choice as to where I want to work. Strangely enough, the company I was determined I didn't want to work for, due to weekends, is the one that is offering the best money and schedule. I would be working 36-40 hours a week, usually 7-8 hour shifts per day and making quite a bit doing so. Plus the store is really close to our house so there isn't any commuting involved. I have a second interview with the store manager today to discuss the details of the position.

The other company is in Tualitin, about 22 mi. from our house. It's a 8-5 mon-fri job, however because of the distance I would be gone from 7a.m. - 6:30 p.m. at night. It's a cabinet job that doesn't sound like it will be offering good money. I am, however, the top candidate for the position out of 12 so far. They will be calling me to schedule a second interview at the end of this week.

The final company sounds overwhelming. It's a commercial furniture dealer who specializes in office design. It would also be a mon-fri 8-5 job. However, it's located in the middle of downtown which means I would have to take the bus or drive and park. Fortunately the company gives their employees bus passes for free, however the bus ride from our house would be over an hour one way. So, again I would leave at 6:30 or 7 and be home around the same time at night.

So far I have decided the first choice sounds best. It just seems like a much more relaxed envrionment and I would have the potential to make a lot of money. Much more than I have been making or would make with a standard salaried job. Basically I have to decided between traveling for hours or working weekends. As of now, the weekends seem to be the lesser of the two evils. I will let you know when I find out more about the jobs! God Bless!

Corn?

So, Aaron and I spent a few weekends over the summer ripping out all of the periwinkle in our yard in hopes of planting veggies in the Spring. We then hand tilled the soil and added chicken manuer and hay. For the past couple of months we have just let it sit and do its thing. So far we have a grass-like plants growing all over the area. Plus, there are these two huge plants that have sprung up near the concrete. I think they just might be corn. Take a look!

The grass that has grown by itself.

Corn? Possibly? Time will tell!

With Faith Like a Child

Well, so much has happened since my last post. On Thursday of last week my boss told me he can no longer afford to keep me on at full time. Basically, the jobs are just not coming in. He explained that is has absolutely nothing to do with my abilities, there just isn't enough to keep me on. I was crushed. I suspected it was coming, but I didn't want to believe it would happen. I somehow, by the grace of God, managed to hold my tears until I was in my car and driving around the corner. I called my husband and started bawling. Even though I was told it was not a reflection of my abilities, it still felt like I had completely failed. Aaron, what an awesome Godly man, said he figured that's why I had called him and told me to go home and get into the Word. He also told me not to worry, God will provide. That I know in my heart. He has seen us through financial hardships before and has never let us down.

It's been four days since I was layed off and today I'm hitting the pavement to find a job. Over the weekend I posted my resume on Jobdango. I applied for 6 jobs and this morning I recieved a phone call from one of them. The company, who shall remain nameless, a large, nationwide chain of furniture stores, called me back this morning and gave me a phone interview. The woman I spoke with was very interesting in me and will call me back to set up a second interview. One major drawback is their employees have to work weekends, Sundays included. I am praying that God will bring me something that doesn't require weekends and holidays. But I know it is in His hands, if He wants me to work Sundays, then I'll work Sundays.

Right now Aaron and I are being tested. As hard as this is, I'm thanking God for the trial. I know this will build my faith and bring us closer to Him. God is in control and I have nothing to fear. Pray for us! God Bless!

A Wonderful Weekend

My parents, Dave and Jenny, came to visit us over the weekend and it was wonderful. They live in Lake Havasu City, AZ. For those of you who are unfamiliar with AZ, it's in the middle of a dessert, by a lake, and the summers are around 120 degrees, on average. I grew up there!

They arrived at our house at 3:30 Friday afternoon and they left around 6 a.ms Monday morning. On Friday night we went to the Cheesecake Factory at Washington Square Mall. It was great! However, Aaron was sick and started losing his voice that night.

On Saturday my mom, dad, and I headed to Washington State planning on visiting Mount St. Helens. Aaron, poor guy, spent the day studying and trying to get better. Well, it was so cloudy towards the mountains we changed our mind, mid stream, and headed towards the coast, where the Columbia river joins the Pacific. It was a beautiful drive. Along the way we stopped at a wildlife refuge so my mom could take pictures of birds. As usual, the birds were in hiding, but there were a slew of wild blackberries! I had a small feast of the last fruits for the year. YUMMY! After our little birdless excursion, we head towards Astoria, OR.

Astoria is an old shipping town, established in 1811, that marks the point were the river and the ocean meet. There is a huge bridge, called The Bridge of the Gods, that crosses the Columbia! It was impressive. We then proceeded to eat lunch at a little restaurant that's been around since 1916, and walked around the town. We got back into Portland around 4:00 or so.
Sunday my parents came to church with us, and it was awesome. They just loved the music and it was fun having my parents in the congregation again. After church we hung out at the mall, went shopping, and ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory. It was a whirlwind trip. Now, there back home in "good ol'e Havasu, and we're back to school, for Aaron, and work, for me. It was so nice having them home. I'm just excited for Christmas to roll around so we can see everyone, especially Mr. Zachary!

Mom and Me

Dad and Me

The "Hollywood" Pic (as my mom calls it!)

One of the Docks in Astoria, OR

Back to Flagstaff?

Jan. '05 Behind Aaron's Parents House in Flag.

Well, Aaron and I have been doing a lot of thinking lately, and it sounds like we may end up back in Flagstaff after he's through with school. He has a wonderful opportunity to possibly work into taking over an established dentist's practice in Flag. Plus we're both a bit home sick. We really miss the open spaces and lack of people there. In Portland, don't get me wrong we love it here for now, you have to drive for miles before you are out of the city. We miss driving five, ten, or fifteen minutes to get out of civilization. We also realized how much we miss our families and how much we have missed of Zach's life. Well, we still have 4 years before we leave. As for now we are taking each day at a time and trusting in God to guide us to the next step. God Bless!