I love Thanksgiving (and my birthday)

So, I woke up yesterday morning to Zander in bed with me (Michael was already up with Keagan) poking at my face to wake me up. As soon as I opened my eyes, that sweet little voice said, "Happy birthday, Mama!" What a great start to the day. Then Michael and I put the kids in the stroller, the dog on the leash and went jogging. Man was it cold! But it felt great to start the day like that. Then while I got ready Michael went to the store and made the mashed potatoes for dinner. Then we spent the day with the Gonzales family. We got there about 2:00 and stayed until 6:30, eating our way through the day. We would have stayed longer but kids need their beds at a certain time of night. We really enjoyed our day. Then we came home bathed the little ones and I got to read to them and put them to bed. Then my mom and sister called to wish me happy birthday. That was nice.

Today was a great day as well. We decided to face the crowds and do a little shopping. We didn't actually go until 10:00. It's our first year, and it was as much as we could brave! We went to Sears, then the Cingular store to replace the charger for my phone (which I left in Seattle), then we took the boys to lunch and a movie. We saw "The Bee Movie". The kids liked the beginning then both fell asleep. The parents didn't like much of it. It might have been a cute 30 minute episode, and did have some funny lines, but not two hours worth. Then we spent more money at Wal-Mart buying Christmas lights and decorations. Michael's goal is to have a 'Griswald Family Christmas' this year. As we got home he was getting the ladder off the top of the Jeep and stepped down from the car onto the part where the driveway and grass meet and rolled his ankle, and heard it pop. I was inside and Zander comes in and says, "Dad is hurt." He doesn't seem the least big panicked so I wonder if he's kidding. I question him and he says, "He's laying on the grass saying, 'Ow.'" So I run outside only to see Michael being picked up by neighbors and hobbling into the car telling me we're going to the hospital because he can't move his ankle that it is killing him. One urgent care center and hour later we come home with a walking boot (just sprained, thank heavens), a prescription for pain pills, and a pizza. We were hungry by that time, so took a detour on the way home. My parents brought the kids back (thanks for taking them for the fun doctors visit) and we watched "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation".

I guess no holiday weekend is complete without lots of food, family, and a trip to the emergency room, right?

Oh yeah, and I finished my book! Yes, I finally finished all 1,130 pages of the unabridged version of "The Count of Monte Cristo." It was awesome. I highly recommend this book. Now I get to move on...any great suggestions?

final kitchen pics, Finally!

Here is the kitchen fully finished, and a close up of the tile backsplash. Doesn't it look great?!

It took about 748 tries to get the closeup picture of the backsplash up, so sorry it took so long.

My big interview

Dressed for success...I hope.

The short version of the day is the interview went well. I feel like a strong candidate. I should know before Christmas whether I was accepted or not.

If you want the details of the day, read on. =)

Wow, what a day! I interviewed for the PA program at the University of Washington today. The process lasted from 8am-5pm. The whole day was structured and full. Right now my head is feeling full, and it aches, as do my feet.
The first hour was the introduction and explanation of the day. Then they split us up into two groups, and for 3 sessions we traded places taking tests/being in info sessions and interviewing.
In the first session I was in an exam. We took an 80 question vocabulary test in 15 minutes. I finished by the skin of my teeth. The second test was reading comprehension, (about 7 short stories and 5-6 questions each) which we had 20 minutes to finish. I finished about half of it. Then I went to my first interview. We were in groups of three, being interviewed by two people. The first interview was good. Straight-forward questions and answers. I felt good about this one.
The second session was an essay about how we felt about the healthcare system. An article that came out in the beginning of November said that "one-third of Americans feel the health care system needs to be rebuilt." If we agree, how would we fix it, blah, blah, blah. I felt okay about my answer. Then I went for my second interview. Overall, that was good. I felt like I was being analyzed more in this one. One of our interviewers was a psychologist, and he and the PA were both taking small notes while we spoke. A little intimidating.
Then it was lunch time. There were several first year students who came and took small groups with them to eat lunch. My group went to a Thai restaurant, and unfortunately my lunch wasn't great.
After that, we came back and I went to the info session where they discussed what would happen from here, when we would find out if we were accepted or not and all about financial aid. Most of us will know 'yes' or 'no' before Christmas. That's much earlier than I thought!
Then we went to the third interview. This was was more...interesting. They kept asking us scenario questions. I won't bore you with the details. So we discuss back and forth and give our answer. At the end, Grace (one interviewer) smiles at Mat (the other) and says almost under her breath, "See, I told you we could get away with not paying a shift differential." What? Did we just fail that question? Whatever. The next question was, "Okay, it's 3 months later and Matt and Tammy are happy and Rachel is having problems with coworkers not respecting her role as PA. Rachel, get advice from your friends." Lame. That interview sucked the worst.
Then we came back to the common room and had a "social" for 30 minutes where they served lemonade and cookies and expected us to mingle and introduce ourselves to those interviewers that didn't interview us and make our last "great impression". Whew.
After a bunch of people decided to take advantage of the free wine tasting this hotel has. I joined them and had a great glass of...water, and a sandwich for dinner. We had a great time and an even better time once a few of them got wine in them.
Now my belly is full, my head is fuller and I'm going to go work out (maybe), take a hot bath, and watch a few episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" that I borrowed from a friend before I came up here.
Wow. What a day.

more house pictures!

Okay, you have all told me enough that you're waiting for these...so here they are! Our house is a multi-level home. We have a living room, kitchen and dining on the main floor. Upstairs are bedrooms (2 bedrooms, 1 office) and down a few steps from the dining room is the family room (TV room). Then down a few more steps is laundry area and play/guest room. So, without further ado...

Family Room


Kitchen before

But apparantly I don't have the after shots downloaded yet. We have the countertops and backsplash finished. Here is a good one of me using the tile saw. Don't laugh at the outfit. Those tile saws spit out more water than my shower does. Without the garbage bag I would have looked like I just went swimming with my clothes on!

Michael rocks!

Here is the prelim photo of our countertops. We're doing granite tiles, but we haven't done the grout yet, so you can still see some of the grooves. Michael worked on them all day Saturday and yesterday (after church - he even skipped dinner at my parents house to get it done for me)! What a man! While I was at dinner he cut and laid all the tiles. He's my hero.
Yeah, the dishes in the tub got really old, and I'm glad this picture doesn't include the table because it's filled with dirty dishes and pans. We did start using paper plates after 1 day, Jess. We got smart there. The going out every meal would be nice...I'm just curious who wants to pick up the bill?
Once again, our internet and phones were down, but should be back up. Michael emailed this pic to my work email, and that's where I'm posting this, so I better be done for now, so I don't get fired!

I was lost, but now am found...

I really am still alive, just missing in action lately. We are basically moved all moved in, except for our office, which is the bane of my existance for the time being. I have things in my office that I am in need of and CAN'T FIND! It's quite frustrating. That's the biggest reason I haven't posted lately, I just don't spend much time in that room.

Also, we started on our countertops. By started I mean we don't have countertops or a sink right now. There are pros and cons to this. What are the pros, you ask? Well, I don't have to open the top drawer or cupboard door for anything inside, I just reach in. Another good thing is I've stayed right on top of doing my dishes. How? After every meal, I take the dishes up to the tub, wash rinse and set up the drainboard right there. Staying up on dishes? Good. Washing dishes in the tub? Sucks. The downside to no countertops or sink are much more numerous than the positive side. I'm sure I don't need to elaborate on this.

So, on another note, as we were working in the kitchen last night, Nov. 1st (keep that in mind) we turned on the radio to KOSY 106.5. I heard a Christmas song come on! I was shocked! Then another, then another! It never stopped. And this morning on my way to work I turned it on, just to check, and yep, more Christmas music! What ever happened to the day after Thanksgiving being the start of the Christmas season?! Who knew it started the day after Halloween? I thought that was pretty interesting.

Well, as soon as I get pictures loaded to the computer, I'll put some up. I'll do that soon because I have Halloween pictures I want to share. Yeah! 'Till then...