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I do not like making big decisions. I am always afraid I'm going to regret it, so I'd rather decide to do nothing. Unfortunately, that doesn't always work.

I have a rather large decision to make soon. I have been offered an extra position at school, and I need to decide if I would like to take it. Currently, I am the grade level facilitator for our TRIBE program. That means that, this year, I am in charge of planning and organizing lesson plans 12 times a year for the junior class advisories. Additionally, I train the 20 or so staff members who have junior advisories. The position I've been offered for next year is the Building Coordinator position. This means that I would be in charge of organizing everything for all of the grade levels, ensuring that the GLFs have everything they need, preparing for a workshop at Focus on Instruction, communicating with parents and administration, and putting all of the lessons on the website. I would have to meet once a month after school with the Building Coordinators at Kennewick High and Southridge, and once a month or every two months with central admin. Some of the stuff--organizing and communicating with staff--I'm great at, and would really enjoy. Other stuff--parents! executive decisions!--I don't enjoy.

I am very flattered to be offered the position, but I can't decide if I want to take it. I don't yet know what the additional compensation would be, but I'm not sure if I can do all the after school meetings. I am on site council again next year (one meeting a month) and really am interested in the district science curriculum committee, which will be having more and longer meetings in the evenings, since we are choosing a textbook. I'm already missing so much of Katie's life, and I think that is worth more than any compensation. It seems to me that the main reason that I would take the position is that I don't know who else would do it, and I think I would do a good job. And really, my daughter is more important than that.

It sounds like I've decided, and I really almost have made up my mind. So why do I feel like I haven't?

Mother's Day

For me, Mother's Day is a celebration of my child. She is the reason I am a mother. She is what makes me special.

We've been having a lot of fun the last few weeks. I have been super stressed with work and school, and my baby girl just brings me that light she knows I need.

Lately she's been waking up with me, and will sit on the bathroom counter while I do my makeup and dry my hair. She likes to brush her pearly whites, while she's at it.

I get such a kick out of these curls!


And she is so silly. Such a sense of humor! She hung her sidewalk chalk bag off her ponytail, the other day.

And she's getting so grown up. Turning into a little girl before my eyes...

I can only hope to live my life in such a way that she always wants to walk in my shoes.


And a very Happy Birthday to Colleen! We love you very much, and hope to see you soon!

More numbers...

I totally forgot about Katie's 15 month well-baby check, so here she is, 16 months, and finally getting to the doc again...

Weight: 24.6 lbs.
Height: 33 inches
Tall and skinny!

Katie just loves our pediatrician. She was so quiet and still, doing whatever the doc asked. She even let her look in her ears, and just stood there, wondering. Didn't even cry for the shots, just startled. (She didn't cry until I took the lollipop away in the parking lot.) When the doctor finished, she sat on her stool to write on Katie's chart, and Katie walked right over to her and asked to be picked up! Dr. K picked her up and snuggled her a bit, and then put her on the exam table. Then Katie leans over to give a kiss! So funny!

Happy Easter!

The goodies...


The hunt...


The treats...


The fun...

She took two eggs and smashed them together until they cracked. Good thing I remembered to hardboil them!

Spring break, part deux!

The second day of our vacation we explored some of the other state parks in the Astoria area.

We first headed up to North Head Lighthouse, which was a fun, short little hike. It's so beautiful looking out over the cliffs at the ocean.


We spent about 40 minutes looking for Ft. Canby state park, where Jared's family used to spend summers. We finally stopped at the Ft. Canby store, outside of Cape Disappointment State Park to ask directions. Apparently, Ft. Canby State Park has been renamed--Cape Disappointment State Park. Huh.

We then headed back over the Astoria Megler bridge to go to Ft. Clatsop. Ask me how much I hate this bridge.
I think it's a very cool bridge, but I'm starting to have serious issues with heights.

Ft. Clatsop was the winter camp of Lewis and Clark in 1805-1806. It's a very cool set-up, and has recently been totally rebuilt.

"We have lived as well as we have any right to expect." William Clark, 1806.


Katie liked it too. Despite all the driving, it was a very fun day.

Happy Anniversary!

Four wonderful years...

They have not been easy years, but we have been richly rewarded. Our family is beautiful and cherished.

I love you!

Spring break!

A much needed vacation--to Astoria! Jared and I honeymooned here four years ago, and wanted to take Katie to the beach, so here we are.

Jared found a great deal at the Shilo Inn in Warrenton, and it's a great room in a great location. We can see Astoria from our room window, and Katie sure enjoys looking out the window.




We went to Ft. Stevens this afternoon to play at the beach.


Katie was not a fan of sandy toes...

In fact, when we tried to take this family picture, she picked the sand off her toes and stuck it in my mouth. Yum!


We played down by the wreck of the Peter Iredale. It's a cool old shipwreck.