I can hear the hallelujah chorus in the background

Rodents of Unusual Size

Part of our Seattle trip included a drive to Point Defiance. In all the time we lived over there, we apparently didn't get out much. I LOVED Point Defiance. It's a park with a zoo and aquarium. There are lots of places with trails, they have flower gardens, a pagoda and a great view of the mountains. Honestly, I think I would've gone to the park every weekend while I was there. It was beautiful.

The entire drive around the park N and I were trying to decide how Zoe would react. Would she love it or hate it? I've never been a big fan of the zoo because of the smell. At the age of 4 the San Diego Zoo was not full of wonder and cool animals, but bad smells and a not-so-fun time. You see, I'm high maintenance. I like pleasant smells.

N on the other hand loves all things animal. He was doing his best to convince me on our need for a hamster. I told him he could have one once the divorce is final. Because those things are rodents and I don't do rodents. I barely do fish. He'd have to divorce me to get a hamster.

He's decided to live a life without pets. Knowing what a big animal lover he is, he must love me a WHOLE bunch.

We met up with our friends Ami and Shawn. Their son Aiden is three weeks older than Zoe. We were excited to see them at their zoo playdate.

The first thing we came to was the lemurs and meerkats. All I could think of what the song, "we like to move it move it." Although these little creatures were less musical. They didn't hold much of Zoe's interest. The slide at the playground won out.

Nevermind that she got stuck about half way down.

Part of the playground is a petting zoo. This is where Zoe is totally put to the test. Is she like me or N? Apparently she's like me. The closer that she and N got to the goats, the bigger the tears. I think N has some scratches on his neck from where Zoe was clawing at him to get away.

Aiden on the other hand couldn't get enough pellets to feed the goats. He has no fear.

You'll notice no pictures of Zoe anywhere near the goats or Aiden. She kept a safe distance and yelled for him to stop or for the goats to leave. I couldn't quite make out which it was.

It was then time for the arctic tundra. Also known as polar bears, seals, walrus and whales. Neither Aiden or Zoe are sure which way they should tell their dads to go.

The seals and whales moved a bit too fast for Zoe. She was NOT interested in them. We went to the walrus glass. The girl loves her some walrus. E.T. is the male and weighs at least 1.5 tons. Priscilla is the other walrus we saw and she would come up to the glass to swim for Zoe. I'm not sure how big she is since girls don't discuss weight. Despite the fact that these animals were like 50 times Zoe's size, she was totally in love. She would talk to them, tell them to come back. I can't be sure, but I think she blew kisses. We got some good video that I'll have to post.

Once we pried the kids away from the walrus tank, we checked out the polar bears. She LOVED this guy. Quite frankly, it looks terrifying to me.

I think the next part is what I hate most about the zoo. You see all the zoo workers love these animals the way I love Zoe. They think just because I'm at the zoo, I love animals too. In reality I'm just a mother trying to be brave for her daughter. I prefer plexiglass and cages. You can imagine how quickly my heart started beating when we came across Patrick.

N was all up front getting pictures. It was like he didn't realize that Patrick had quills of death. Or that the caretaker laughed about how sharp his teeth were and she has some scars. Like it was just another day with her friend. The sweat started to bead on my forehead as the thought of a porcupine attack. I had a hard time getting N away from Patrick. He was totally in love. I could see N thinking about ways to convince me that we need a Patrick. He knew there was no hope Patrick would come home with us when Patrick's caretakers said he was a rodent.

Didn't make him stop from running up to Buckley, another rodent of unusual size. At least this one was on a leash. And didn't have quills of death. It almost made you think you could get one as a pet. Then he started clawing at his caretaker. More beads of sweat and some black spots in my vision.

Once I calmed down and were a safe distance from the large rodents, we found a nearby cafe. We grabbed some lunch with a peacock who felt the need to be the 7th inhabitant at our table. N thought it was cool they were so close. I began freaking out. Not as much as when I discovered around some lattice work was a snake tank. It's safe to say I inhaled my food and willed myself to not think about "The Birds" or "Snakes on a Plane."

Quickly I ran around the outdoor cafe to the aquarium. Also known as sanctuary with plexiglass. They have a really cool Pacific Northwest Rivers display. I saw all the things you'll find in the waters up here. Which again, makes me glad for swimming pools and the YMCA. Some of those star fish are bigger than a car tire. Freaky!

They didn't hold much of Zoe's attention. Apparently if you're not 1.5 tons of swimming gracefulness, you mean nothing to her.

Unless you're a shark.

The girl loves her some underwater predators. Perhaps it's because the sand sharks look like they're sleeping. We could barely get her away from the shark tank. She was totally impressed. For once she and Aiden liked the same thing!

She even likes to pretend we got eaten by one. I scream, she laughs.


Daddy makes some face.

The zoo was a great time. Next visit we'll see the monkeys, lions and tigers. One a cool day with a slight breeze so I don't have to smell anything unpleasant.

The Adventure Continues. Continues. Continues.

We are back from Seattle. I use the term Seattle loosely because we never actually made it to Seattle. I gotta say, nothing is close to anything else there. We've spent 4 days in the car.

I learned to fix the DVD player without actually looking at it. I can sing every Backyardigan song on either DVD. I can change a diaper in the backseat with all the doors closed and a car seat taking up half the seat. I got pretty proficient in living out of our car.

All-in-all, it was a great trip. While we barely got time to relax, we did get to see lots of friends and sign paperwork on the house. Because we packed so much into 4 days, I'm going to spread out these pictures for as long as I can on this here blog. Quite frankly, after traveling with a toddler, that's about all my brain can take for now.

Oh I kid, she was great. When we got to the hotel room all she wanted to do was sit and read. Apparently she likes to simulate being in the car for as long as possible.


Friday morning she got her mojo back. She stuffed Puppy (I tell you, we're very clever with the names at our house) in her hood and carried him around. She was a little upset when she couldn't sit in her car seat without Puppy in her hood. Once she saw the DVD, she forgot all about Puppy and demanded some Pooh.


Does it look like he's trying to make a jump for it to anyone else?

After an hour drive up to Bellevue to sign paperwork, she decided she would take us to our next stop, after she handed me her binky. A girl has to concentrate.


After signing papers, we went to Bell Square for some lunch with our realtor, Ryan Lex. It was the first time we've met him. He's as delightful in person as he is on the phone. We had a great time in fellowship with him and in prayer. God knew exactly who He had in mind to sell our house. We're so grateful to Him that it was Ryan.

It was a perfect way to end this house saga.

Sometimes it's still a little surreal. I've been picturing this day in my mind for 18 months and 24 days. I still wasn't prepared for how truly great this would feel. Not to mention how much weight that has been lifted. Through Bell Square I wanted to just bust out in song and dance. We had just met Ryan, so I figured I'll keep that part of me under wraps for now. We save that for the second meeting!

Next up, the zoo!

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

When N and I bought the house in Puyallup we made two rookie mistakes. We aimed higher than our pocketbook and didn't seek any counsel. We were trying to live the dream and were convinced we were smarter than we actually were. In reality the house became a way to drift the focus away from some problems in our marriage we weren't willing to work on.

Then two things happened. Zoe & I got sick and N got out of the military. All the goals, thoughts, dreams we had for the future built on a cracked foundation were challenged by these two events. We made the decision to leave our first home and move back to Spokane to be near family who could help us.

Instead of looking years into the future our scope became smaller. It could be guaged by days or hours rather than years. When you start looking at life in smaller increments all the cracks start to show themselves. You either face them or they break you. Which only leaves you the option of dealing with them. One way or the other.

I'm not going to sugarcoat it. N and I were to the point we were separating assets and trying to figure out how to live separately and still maintain that Puyallup house. There was no way to do that. We had to stay together. We didn't like each other. There were days we barely spoke. My poor mother probably regretted the decision to let us move in with her. A decision had to be made.

Instead of living in anger and dislike, we sought the help of our pastor. My Dad B. His counsel, prayer and accountability helped get N and I on the right track and remaining under the same roof. I know God used him in my life in many ways, but none was more evident than through my marriage.

Once N and I were on God's path, the Puyallup house became a symbol of what we had overcome. We have had two realtors that I would've preferred not to have. We've had two realtors that were/are a God-send. The most recent gentleman, Ryan Lex with Skyline Properties, is the man that I believe God has been waiting for us to find. Within a month of working with him we had a buyer. Ryan is ethical, honest and willing to give advice, which is much needed. His faith isn't something he wears on his sleeve, it's something he lives. There is no one else I want getting this commission than him.

Now we're in Bellevue signing the paper, saying good-bye to the past and hello to God's plan. We're meeting Ryan for the first time and celebrating all that God has provided for us.

As I look back on the last 18 months it's been the best of times and the worst of times. Yet God has remained faithful through it all. He's surrounded N and I with a family that shares our trials and joys, a church family that ministers to us and new friends. While I have no idea what the next hour, day or even year holds, I know the foundation is strong. It's not built on false wisdom or pipedreams, but on Him. On His plans yet unknown.

While His plans will include trials and joys, we can rest easy knowing that we are surrounded by family that won't let us fail and are willing to pray with us, helping N and I stay focus on God rather than all the other noise.

As N and I see the many blessings He has been bestowing on us, may He provide the same for you. May He be your guide in the best of times and the worst of times.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May His face shine upon you.

May His countenance be with you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

Personality Test

Everyone seems to be taking personality tests. I figured, with all the challenges I face at work, might as well see what my personality is and what I should be doing.

I'm an ESFJ:

Extraverted (shocker)

Sensing

Feeling

Judging

I should be in sales or management. I think finance fits in that category. At least I know I'm headed down the right path.

What's interesting is the other ESFJ's that are out there. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dezi Arnaz, Eleanor Roosevelt and Elvis Stojko.

I was a little excited to be the same as Elvis Stojko. Not to discount the others, but he's my favorite. I remember some Olympics in high school where he did a quadruple turn in the air and the followed it up with a back flip. While wearing a leather coat.

What's not to love about that? We're the same personality. Go figure.

Perhaps I should start wearing my leather coats.

And twirling in the halls while I refill my water.

The dotted line

I'm a little superstitious. Which is difficult because I'm mostly logical. Children have that saying, "step on a crack, break your mother's back." The logical part of me knew that was totally false, yet the superstitious part of me wouldn't step on the crack.

As you get older the superstitions change. Breaking mirrors, black cats, talking about good news.

Maybe that last one only applies to me. I have a fear that if I talk about intangible good news that is in the pipeline, somehow it will not happen. I fear that my big mouth will impact the decisions people make, even though they don't even know me or hear me speak.

Now that I write in down, it does sound stupid. Aren't we supposed to share good news? The logical part of me knows God is in control and whether or not I talk about it doesn't really impact His plan. Old habits die hard.

That's why I'm talking today. I'm giving up the superstition and letting the good news of God's plan in my life flow.

We leave tomorrow to sign papers on the house in Puyallup. I've mentioned it before in passing, but this time it's final. We sign on Friday and the buyers sign next week. After 18 months and 20 days, we are excited to no longer have that house in our lives. We can travel to Seattle to visit our friends. We won't have to worry about who is mowing the yard or how we're going to get over there to pull weeds. We don't have to worry about that mortgage payment and how on earth we will ever afford any emergencies.

We no longer have a reminder of some of our early marriage hardships. We can solely focus on God's plan in our lives in Spokane. Being with our girls and family. Being in a marriage that finally puts God at the center. Being in a church family that holds us accountable and ministers to our hearts.

This house wasn't just a liability on our balance sheet, it represented a time when our marriage, our life together was a liability on life's balance sheet. This signing isn't just a time for peace of mind (don't get me wrong, that's a nice bonus too), it's a good-bye to our past.

I can't wait to sign on that dotted line and focus on God's plan for our future.

My Country Tis of Thee

It is interesting that Veteran's Day falls so closely to an election. At least every 4 years! As I was growing up, I looked forward to this day in November as a day off from school. We always knew it was coming because we'd color pictures of flags and sing the Star Spangled Banner or America the Beautiful. I didn't have any idea how significant this day was until I was about 15.

My grandpa Ray was in the hospital. My freshman english teacher, Mrs. Korus, asked us to write a biography on someone. It was a lesson about interview skills and creatively writing a story from your notes. I picked my grandpa because in all my 15 years, I'd never really known him as a man.

What I learned about him was far beyond anything I could prepare myself for. He was a shorter man, slighly rounded by years of grandma's good cooking. I remember he was easy to smile and if you got him to laugh, his arms would bend up around his belly and he'd almost make a wheezing sound rather than a true laugh.

As I sat in that hospital as a 15-year old biographer, I found the questions I had prepared were trivial compared to his life's story. He told of growing up poor, traveling with his family for work through Oklahoma. As I had just read Grapes of Wrath, I'd gotten a good visual of his childhood.

Despite how poor they were, he still felt a need to serve his country. Honestly, I can't remember what branch of the service he was in, but he told his personal experience on D-Day during WWII. For the first time I saw him not as my grandpa, with laugh lines, but as a man. A soldier.

His story embraced everything that his America. The amber waves of grain in the midwest to the broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fights of war. He embodied everything that this country was founded on.

He died a few days after my interview. He never knew how much that interview meant to me or how it changed my view of him. Changed my view of America's history.

Today is the day I remember those who have fought and are fighting so bravely for this country. I know not everyone agrees with war, but these brave men and women are fighting to defend our freedoms. Freedoms of speech, religion and opinion. Thank you for serving this country. Thank you for standing on that wall so I don't have to.