~Exciting News!~

So I found out some very exciting news this morning!  Donny and I are parents!!!  That's right.  I'm pregnant!  I can hardly believe it!  I took a test cause I had one lying around and it had been a super stressful month, so I was just ready to move on to the next cycle of trying to conceive.  But when I came back to the test, to my shock and disbelief there were 2 lines!  I rushed to the store to pick up another box of tests to make sure I wasn't seeing things or had a messed up test.  Sure enough...2nd test showed the same as the first!  (Update: 2 days later I took another test, and then another  days after that!  Seems I'm still pregnant!  lol  The line kept getting darker so I feel pretty good about that!)  I have my first appointment on March 6th...which just seems forever away!  Donny wasn't home when I found out.  I had to wait all day for him to get home so I could tell him!  Longest day ever!!!  Seriously!

~Office~

Spent a lot of time working in my office today.  

My bulletin board

The view from where I sit...not bad :)

~Superbowl~

It was my week to lead kids church.  I felt more unprepared than I would prefer but God is gracious and I think it went pretty well.  Love those kids.  After church Donny and I took 3 of the residents up to Tigard for the Superbowl.  We had a great time.  It was rather relaxing for me- a nice chance to see my in-laws and crochet with all the ladies in the church :)  I think Marti and I have started a tradition.  She taught me a new stitch that I am anxious to try!  It looks like a basket weave.  I can't wait to give it a go!  Josh and Jessica are the youth pastors at this church and they also attend NU, Salem Campus, so we had quite a few students there for the game.  It was a good day :)

Jimmy and Jessica talking about their assignments during halftime

The boys playing football at halftime

Me and the boys-minus Donny

Me and Donny- not the best pic, but it's a picture none the less

~Saturday~

had some time today.  woke up at 6.  went to Starbucks a little before 7.  sat for close to three hours, updating this blog, checking facebook, researching where to go on vacation, etc.

Donny came and we took my car to get the brakes checked.  We walked around Fred Meyer and sat in Jack in the Box while we waited to see what the outcome would be.  Looks like I will be getting new brakes this week.

Waiting at Jack in the Box

We had Staff and Faculty Dinner this evening too.  We met at Red Lobster...all 19 of us.  And that is with not everyone attending.  We are getting too numerous to go out in public ;)  It was a lot of fun though.

Getting ready for dinner

half of the table

Just us

~Meetings and Thai Food~

Was in meetings from 9 am till 4:30 pm!  A couple guys from the Kirkland Campus came down and met with us concerning safety protocol, Clery and student life.  I think it went really well.  It's always good to be informed and on the same page as everyone.  And bonus, I am probably going to be going to Indianapolis this June for a ACSD conference!  http://www.acsd.org/conferences/  What a great opportunity and blessing to be able to learn more in my field so I can be more effective in my ministry!  I'm pretty stoked about it!  In addition, I will be attending with the area coordinators from the Kirkland Campus which will help me connect with them as well as network with others in my position around the country.

After all the meetings today I was feeling a little rejuvenated.  It really helps to be on the same page as everyone-working as a team is much better than working alone!  So I asked Donny out on a date!  After I cooked for the residents, Donny and I went out to eat.  We found a Thai restaurant downtown that my friend Shanon had said was pretty good.  It was.  I didn't have the camera, so no pictures, but the sweet rice ice cream was worth going back for! After dinner we went home and watched a movie.  Oh the simple pleasures in life!  I love my husband so much!!!

~Brussels Sprouts~

It was supposed to be my day off but Rebecca needed to switch days she cooked and I ended up having to work on the day she was cooking so I didn't actually get a whole day this week...oh well, it's been full of blessings in the midst of stress and exhaustion.  Such a dichotomy of a week.  Made the Costco run by myself.  It was of though.  I just bought essentials, like 12 gallons of milk!  Made rosemary lime chicken with baked brussels sprouts and mixed greens.  It was quite tasty!  I've always hated brussels sprouts but I decided I could find a way to like them, so I cut them in half, tossed with a bit of extra virgin olive oil, salt and Parmesan cheese :)  I baked them in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.  They were pretty good!  Soft, but no where near mushy...even slightly crispy on the outside.  And not at all bitter.  I may actually start to like these things!

Rosemary Lime chicken and brussels sprouts

And it's Thursday, so we crocheted and watched "the Importance of being Ernest"

~Friends~

I HAD SO MUCH TO DO TODAY!!!!  So I left the office so I could do some of it.  Got a lot done.  Felt pretty productive.  Plus I found time to have coffee with Shanon and Lunch with Tristan, Shanon and Leia at Love Love Teriyaki, which is probably my favorite restaurant right now. I needed that time immensely.  Such a blessing! Forgot to take a picture though :(  After dinner I met with Traci and Ashley (Tessa had to work) for our weekly mentoring group.  And since Tessa wasn't there we got to start planning her "Sexy Shower"!  Theme: Glitter Rainbow Lightning Bolts.  Trust me, it fits her :)  Also didn't get a pic...sheesh!