Calm Before the Storm

*Warning*: Novel ahead

I am calling these next few weeks of our lives "the calm before the storm." And rightfully so. Summer classes are OVER, Josh graduated (but is still job hunting) and we have nothing to do except for enjoy our last full month of summer and await Jacob's soon-approaching arrival. Then life as we know it will, I'm sure, return to "cyclone mode".

I took 13 summer credits from June 16 to July 25 and that was one of the craziest things I've ever done! I took an online class called Culture and Marriage which was super interesting. I learned a ton about marriage in different societies and cultures. For instance, did you know that among the Vanatinai of the South Pacific, unmarried couples can sleep together, but until they intend to move their relationship "to the next level" they do not eat together separately from their family or other kin. The couple is considered to be married when the new husband stays the night with his bride and she cooks him breakfast the next morning! (An interesting difference in our culture’s/religion’s beliefs about “taking a relationship to the next level.”)
So there ya go ladies. In some cultures, the surest way to a man's heart IS through his stomach!! hahaha
(sheesh. If that were the case in our culture, I'd be an old maid for life! It wasn't until I got married and had a family that I forced myself to learn to cook! Josh would have taken one bite of my morning-after, homemade breakfast and bolted out the door, never to be heard from again.)

I also took a Law and Justice class about Family Law where I learned all about divorce, child custody, visitation rights, and annulments...every day it was like going from one extreme to the next. First I'd learn about the glorious institution of marriage and how various cultures celebrate love and integrate family into society. Then I'd go to Family Law class at 10:30 and learn about what happens when it all goes to pot, families are torn apart and husband and wife duke it out in the court room. Yikes.

My third class was a philosophy class called Intro to Logic. To my right-brained mind, this gen ed class turned out to be anything but LOGICAL! I mean, really. I've taken chemistry, organic chem, nutrition, anatomy, and physiology classes before and done quite well in them, but then I go and sign up for this philosophy 201 class and learned that: Jolie's brain + logic = silly putty. It was like giving Kryptonite to Superman. My brain just couldn't wrap itself around anything that prof talked about all quarter. But oh well. What knowledge I did walk away with from that course was that I am a very ILLOGICAL person and that my brain is apparently in backwards. :-P

But enough about me. Let's talk about the rest of the fam for a minute. For two weeks--yes, count them--TWO weeks out of that 6-week summer quarter, Josh and the girls ditched me to go on vacation. (I would’ve gone but obviously I had to be here for school.) First they went to Burley, ID to see his grandma Ramsey before she left on her second mission. After a couple days there they pressed on to the great Salt Lake valley where they stayed with Karen and Kevin (his folks) for what turned out to be a two-week excursion. The original plan was to stay "only" one week, but then near the end of that first week Josh called me and said that he wanted more time there. I reluctantly responded yes to his request. I about died without them for that long!

You know, since parenthood for me began nearly 3 years ago, I’ve experienced dozens of fleeting moments of fantasizing about having the house all to myself for a couple days without any children or even, yes, husband around. (Sorry sweetie, I love you to pieces, but everybody needs "me time" every now and then!) I'd day dream about all I'd do with that quiet time spent in solitude. I'd read a book for pleasure for hours, uninterrupted. I'd catch up on scrapbooking projects, baby book and journal writing, and other half-finished projects around the house. I’d sing to my music and not hold anything back, watch a few chick flicks without worrying about Josh teasing me for being such a cheese ball, and eat fruit loops for dinner at, like, 9 p.m., because hey. I could!

To be honest, the first few days of their absence were heavenly. It really was nice to get up to an alarm clock at 8 a.m.; not by the sound of starving children at 6 a.m.! And the silence was eerily pleasant. But after about day 3, it SUCKED with a capital S. Seriously. The fantasy was over. I really wanted my family back! And then when Josh called to announce that they’d be away for an extra week, I about broke down in tears. My mom was able to come and hang out with me for a few days the first week and that was so nice. We chatted each other’s ears off, went out to dinner, and watched “Definitely, Maybe” (A MUST SEE LADIES! If you haven’t seen it yet, go rent it!) . She was also a HUGE help with all my projects around the house. We stained my bed frame, rearranged my bedroom, hauled a bunch of stuff to our storage unit, and organized the kids’ rooms. But when she left I still had an entire week solo mio. It was, well, weird! If I think about it, I haven’t been alone for that long in nearly 7 years! (5 years of marriage plus 18 months on a mission.) There were times when I didn't know what to do with myself because nobody needed me. I didn't have to take care of anybody or fix anybody food. WEIRD. ;-D

I kept super busy by studying and researching so I did have that to distract me. I also scoured the house from top to bottom and man, did that feel gratifying! I'm a bit of a clean freak so it was nice to have the house immaculate, if only for a couple of weeks. I organized EVERYTHING we own, threw away lots of junk and made at least 4 trips to the Goodwill. I also surprised Josh by giving our bedroom an “extreme makeover”. Before our bedroom felt more like a dorm room. Our comforter set was a putrid color of army green and everything from the lamp to the wall treatments was mismatched. So while he was gone I ordered a gorgeous ivory colored comforter set with a bunch of throw pillows to go with it. I was so proud of myself, too, because I found the set on Bed, Bath and Beyond for super expensive, did some digging online and found the exact same set from some online bedding outlet store for nearly half the price! Go me. Then I bought some sheer curtains and a cool-looking curtain rod to cover up our ugly blinds. I hung candle sconces on either side of the window and hung a floral wreath above the bed. My mom actually made the wreath! We went to Michael’s hoping to just buy one that matched my new “motif” but they didn’t have anything I liked. So we selected a bunch of silk flowers and greenery to make our own. I was going to help make it, but when we got home that day from shopping in Yakima I was exhausted so I laid down for a nap. When I woke up she had already finished it. It turned out amazing! I love our room now. It actually feels like a bedroom for one, but it looks so much more romantic, relaxing, and inviting. Ooo-la-la.

Josh and the girls had lots of fun in Utah. They went to Lagoon and to the Hogle Zoo, lit fireworks on the 4th, hung out with friends and family, and basically had a grand ol’ time. My sister-in-law, Megan, and her family were also along for the first week so Joanna and Jaclyn got to play with their cousins. Virtually all pictures taken of their adventures in Idaho and Utah were taken by Megan, so thank you Megan!!

Megan took this picture at Lagoon, and it cracks me up!!!

Joanna playing with a sparkler while cousins Isaiah (yellow shirt) and Josiah look on

Joanna with uncle Nate

Joanna enjoying a ride at Lagoon

Joanna NOT enjoying a ride at Lagoon. That's Josh by her side and cousin Isaiah and grandpa Ramsey on the left

Joanna (right) on a ride with Lexi Gill (left). Lexi is our friends' daughter. They were born just days apart!

Josh with Steve and Shelley Gill. (Lexi is their daughter.) Shelley is expecting, too, and get this. She and I have the SAME due date! Yeah, so Lexie and Joanna were born a couple days apart and now our next children will be too! Funny.

We're in the baby business

We already know full well just how insane we are for having babies very close in age. Heck, assuming Jacob will be born at 38 weeks like his older sisters were, we're going to have three children under the age of three for about a week!! And with Joanna almost, but not quite fully potty-trained, we'll also have three kids in diapers!
So, funny story. Today I was at Wal-Mart buying out their stock of diapers and wipes. I'm not kidding. In my cart was: one case of size 5 diapers, one case of size 4 diapers, 4 big bags of size 1 diapers, 3 bags of newborn diapers, and 3 of those huge boxes of wipes. After clearing the shelves I proceeded to the check out where I was met with a friendly smile by the checker. She took one look at my load and asked, "Oh, do you run a DAYCARE?"
I couldn't help but laugh at her honest question. I explained that sadly, all these diapers and wipes were for my own children.
So there you have it. When you're in the baby business as seriously as we apparently are, you may be occasionally mistaken for someone in the daycare business.

And I'm proud to be an American...

...where at least I know I'm free...to make fun of our President?! Here are a few Bushisms for ya.

The Stupidest Things President George W. Bush Has Ever Said

10) "Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream." —LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000

9) "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family." —Greater Nashua, N.H., Jan. 27, 2000

8) "I hear there's rumors on the Internets that we're going to have a draft." —second presidential debate, St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 2004

7) "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." —Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000

6) "You work three jobs? … Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that." —to a divorced mother of three, Omaha, Nebraska, Feb. 4, 2005

5) "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." —Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004

4) "They misunderestimated me." —Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2003

3) "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" —Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2002

2) "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." —Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

1) "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

It's like what Steve Martin once said in one of his acts: "Some people have a way with words. Other people not have way."

Happy Father's Day

Josh with Joanna

Josh with Jaclyn

Every girl makes a mental checklist when they date a guy. We all did it, right?! There were certain criteria that he had to possess and measure up to, otherwise, there's the door buddy. Does he treat me like a queen? Is he a worthy priesthood holder? Does he put the toilet seat down after use? You know, the important stuff. ;-D

But honestly, somewhere in the process of dating Josh I guess it slipped my mind to make sure that he was good with kids and would be a good father to my children. Mmm, I guess at the time I was too twitterpated and over the moon in love to care!!

I sure lucked out because Josh has proven to be THE MOST WONDERFUL father to our little girls. He is so involved with everything from the diapering and bathing to the giving of horsey rides and building towers out of blocks. He is so patient and tender with them and is pretty darn discerning to their needs. Oftentimes he knows what a cry means before I do. (you know, hungry cry vs. a tired cry)

And I LOVE that he shares this thing called parenthood 50/50 with me. Whenever I'm gone at class, at the store, etc. I never have to worry about the girls being well-taken care of. He makes sure they're well-fed, diapered, and entertained. (Even if that sometimes means popping in a movie!!) He understands that the dad is not just a "babysitter" while mom is out. ('cause man that burns me when I hear women say that their husbands are home "babysitting the kids"!!) He cleans up messes after meals and reads bedtime stories. I mean, really. The guy is such a great dad and I couldn't ask for a better guy to be the father to our children.

Josh, I love you and I am very grateful for all that you do to make our home a safe and comfortable place to raise our family. You set a great example for our daughters of how a father ought to be, and I hope that they can marry a man like you some day. Happy Father's Day to you and all the other dads too!!

Graduation weekend

Here he is!! Our CWU graduate being forced against his will to walk at Central's graduation ceremony last Saturday. His family and I pretty much revoked his agency on this matter and made him. ;-) Josh graduated with a BS in Accounting, in case you're wondering. I like to tease him that he also got a minor in Professional Video Gaming. hehehehehe.

After four years of college life it still does not seem real that he's DONE. All done. (Well, except for a Master's some day, then we'll start the whole process all over again!)
After all, virtually our entire married life has involved school, so it just feels like part of who we are as a couple. Two married people. Broke. Apartment dwellers. Broke. Late night studiers. Broke. Juggling classes and kids. Broke. Mac 'n cheese eaters. Broke. You get the idea. But soon we'll be adults (again!) and he'll get a grownup job. He has applied for various positions at KVCH (the hospital in town) and hopes to get administrative experience there. His end goal is to be a hospital administrator. You know, some day when we're "grownups". ;-D

I am so pleased and proud with his accomplishment. Anymore, not many people can actually complete a four-year degree in FOUR years. We work our way through college, take breaks to "figure out what we want to do", etc. But he did it. He even took summer classes each year to finish on time. So I gotta commend my man on a job well done!!!!

This pic was taken at the ceremony just before he walked onto the stage to receive his diploma. Notice the graduate two behind him bracing her cap on her head and the millions of clothes pins that band members used to hold their music to the stands. Last Saturday was your typical windy, but otherwise sunny and beautiful day in Ellensburg. Wind gusts reached 40 mph that day. Ug. I swear. The longer I live here the more sick of the hurricane, err, I mean the wind, I get!

Josh and Joanna walking home together after the morning ceremony.

It's funny to think that when Josh started college in 2004, these little girls had not yet joined our family. Now it's 2008. One college degree and two (and almost 3!) children later...my how things change!!

Josh's family and some of mine came to dogtown to help us celebrate. His sister Megan, her husband, Jesse, and their three adorable boys stayed with us. Here is a picture of Megan reading a bedtime story to three of the five kiddos on Friday night. The kids had so much fun playing together all weekend.
Altogether we had 13 adults and 5 children crammed in our teenie apartment throughout the course of the weekend. But it was loads of fun!