The Wednesday Cusette

Health Section
It seems we can't shake this horrible cold. Zoe has had either a cough or runny nose or both for three weeks. After a weekend of increased coughing, we went back to the doctor. It's still a virus, but she has the start of an ear infection. Her first! She's on antibiotics and seems to be doing better. We are so blessed she's such a good medicine taker! She's still tired and cuddly, but more talkative. She even greeted N home from work on Saturday.

I'm two weeks into this cold and I'm positive going through a box of Kleenex every couple days isn't good. I had no idea a cold could produce so much gunk. N's starting to feel more tired and achy. I guess the family that sneezes together, stays together.

Business Section
I had the awesome opportunity to travel to Tacoma yesterday for an all-day meeting at Russell Investments. They are still my Tacoma family. It was so nice to catch-up with people and to see all the things going on in their lives. Part of me is sad that I'm no longer there. It was the first job I ever had that I had a passion for, along with a passion for my colleagues. I know God has provided me with an amazing job here in Spokane and I'm grateful for this opportunity, but the people at Russell will always have a special place in my heart.

Housing Market
Last week we got a call from our realtor. He was very candid. He's out of ideas on our house and perhaps it's a good time to get a new face in there. While I appreciated his candor, this left a hole that was going to be hard to fill because we didn't know of any realtor in the area. N and I began to pray for direction. When a listing expires, realtors get a list and you can get solicitation calls. We received a call from a young man with a company I don't know much about. Within the first few minutes he was talking about God and how much he's been blessed in this slow market. N and I took this as a sign he might be able to help us. Because their company is fairly new, they say they'll sell your house in 6 weeks or you get $1,200. After getting into specifics and reading the fine print, N and I are inclined to go with him. In 6 week we either won't own a house or we'll have some money to help lower the price. Which I don't think is a bad gig.

We're working on cleaning up the yard and really making this house more appealing. While it's not gone yet, N and I have some renewed hope. Please continue to pray that God brings the perfect family into this house who can make it the home we had hoped it would be for us.

Church News
This week we are preparing for our pastor's retirement. It's bittersweet as he is the only pastor I've ever really known. He joined our church a few months after we did. He's my honorary dad as well. While I'm so thrilled he'll be able to enjoy this season of his life with health, I'm sad to see him go. We've been busy getting ready for the retirement party on Sunday. I'm doing a skit for him. I even enlisted N to help with props (I needed a tire and he brought me one from the motorcycle shop). In 2002 our church went through the 40 Days of Purpose. For 6 weeks I played a character named Ronda. She is charmingly aloof and quite funny. Some people at church still refer to me as Ronda. Who knew you could get typecast at church! I'm having fun writing the skits and preparing to perform. Hopefully it'll lighten the mood as everyone, including my dad are feeling a little sad.

The Cusettes
D and E are doing well. They each had soccer games on Saturday, which fortunately weren't cancelled due to the snow! N is planning on taking them for a date this weekend. Should be fun.

Zoe has been spending lots of time in the bath lately. The steam seems to help clear her lungs and nose. She's getting to be such a big helper. At 3:30 this morning, I had a revelation. I'm starting to think "nee-nee" means binky to her. She usually just calls for me in the middle of the night, but this morning it was for "nee-nee." When I gave her the binky, she was pleased and actually wanted to fall back to sleep. One of the items on her developmental evaluations is having words for certain things. While I'm not found of the word "nee-nee," it's cute hearing her learn.