30 Before 30

Okay, here it is. I turn 30 in November and decided to make a bucket list. Not that I think life ends at 30 (as Cassie thought my list meant). I just thought it would be fun to set some goals. So I'm attempting to accomplish all of these in the next 6 months. And I hope to not be doing them alone, so if you'd like to join in or help, come along! :) (FYI - these are in no particular order and are purposefully not numbered -- I actually wanted to put them in a cool graphic, but haven't quite figure out how to do that...)

• Take a dance class. I’ve obviously done this before since I was on drill team in high school, but I’ve wanted to take one as an “adult” (no, I still haven’t fully embraced that term) and haven’t had the guts to do it. I was originally thinking a hip hop class or maybe ballet (since I’m signing Addie up), but I’m being told pole dancing. Now that would be something new!
• Go skydiving, bungee jumping, or ride in a hot air balloon. I will do all three someday, but I don’t think I’ll get to them all in six months, so I’ll settle for one. :)
• Drive a motorcycle. I’ve been on one, but never driven one. Problem is, I don’t have one. Hmm… Or maybe a jetski. I think either will work. But again, no jetski…
• Go on a zipline.
• Write an article and submit it to Perspectives in HIM. I’ve had articles published already, but never as first author and not to an HIM journal. My goal here is to actually have one published, but I don’t think my timeline will allow it. So hopefully I can get one submitted – then accepted and published by 31.
• Run a 5k. Training now and picked the race – the Chocolate and Champagne race with my girl Cassie. And outfitted in sweet 80s workout attire.
• Girl’s trip! I’m thinking Vegas baby! I’ve gone on trips with Leisa, but only one time was it just us (LA). Def not enough. And I’m hoping I have some more girls game to join. ;)
• Go backpacking. I was fine with a day trip, but Cassie said it doesn’t count if I don’t stay overnight. :P
• Visit a new (to me) Idaho destination. I’m thinking Bruneau Sand Dunes, Crystal Ice Caves, or Shoshone Falls.
• Spend an entire day at Lucky Peak (and rock a bikini bod). Hmm, better find me someone with a boat…
• Visit a new zoo with the kids. We’re planning a trip to the Portland zoo in July – I’ve been, but not with the kids.
• Take Bubby to see the ocean. Same trip up to Washington – Addie has seen the ocean in California.
• Hike to the top of Multnomah Falls. Or maybe any Falls.
• Create a kickass new Bachelor’s curriculum that is bound for RHIA accreditation (yes, I used kickass and curriculum in the same sentence – I am a TRUE nerd).
• Have a super fun adult Halloween (I’ll still have Halloween with the kiddos too, but have never been out) in a super sexy costume (as Cassie said, skank it up).
• See a drag show. (I actually already did this, but it’s been on my wishlist for a long time, and it was within the last month or so, so I’m counting it)
• Go to a roller derby bout. (Same as above – already did it, but just a couple weeks ago)
• Put together and give an ICD-10 training session that rocks (yes, rocks).
• Do something new (to us) with my girl Leisa.
• Decrap. This is a technical term given by my buddy Ron. I am being consumed by STUFF!
• Take a class with Loren. Maybe cooking?
• Go clamming. Ryan thinks this is ridiculous, but I’ve never gone and I love clams. Why not?
• Go on a boat in the ocean. I’ve actually only been on, I think, one boat (a totally hot pontoon boat) at the McCall Lake.
• Get a tattoo. Or at least get it scheduled. I know what I want to get, but I want the absolute best person to do it, so I’m guessing I might find them booked up for a bit.
• Go unplugged for a week. No TV, no computer, no phone (except for necessary phone calls). Problem is, I have to get Loren in on this one too. And it can't be while I'm in school or teaching. Looks like August.
• Start a compost. This has been on my list for a long time!
• Set aside some money for something on my next bucket list (I have lots of travel plans in the future). I’ll obviously have to get a bit more specific with this (once I update my recently neglected budget).
• Write thank you letters to at least three influential people in my life.
• Secret.
• Secret. Sorry, I have to keep some to myself! ;)

Quick Littles Update

It appears that once you have a second baby you just fall off the face of the earth. Or maybe I'm the only one that can't seem to cope. Obviously I haven't been very good about keeping this blog updated. And talk about a lack of pics. I seem to never have my camera, or if I do, the batteries are dead. I now understand why the second child never has as many pics. But there is definitely no lack of love. :) Anywho, I'm crazy busy and should be doing schoolwork, but just felt that I had to at least do a quick kiddo update.

Addie is definitely a little girl now. She is doing great at daycare and has really picked up her vocabulary. She talks quite a bit and asks questions now (not to the point of being annoying - yet). Her best friend in daycare is Mia, but she also plays with Stilson and Kimi (according to her). She picks out her own clothes, and yes, some days are pretty interesting. She is kind of potty training. We're being pretty casual about it. She has days where she wants to either be naked or wear panties, so she knows she has to go in the potty. But so far she'll only pee in the potty. She wants a diaper when she has to poop. ??? We'll get there soon I'm sure. I'm really hoping it will be before her 3rd birthday. Two kiddos in diapers is definitely starting to wear on me. The way we finally got her to even try? Promised her a big party. Great, this is apparently what motivates my little girl. What are we in for? We have had one successfully dry night, and today had our first successfully dry outing at the park. She has also become very good with her colors. Still working on the alphabet and counting. Can't believe how much she's grown up in the last few months. She loves to play games on my phone, which I'm beginning to regret a bit. Oh well, soon enough I'm sure it will be a Nintendo DS or something. She is already bugging me to use this laptop as I type this. Really - I have a 3 year old (almost) who uses my phone, the laptop, picks out her own clothes, loves lip gloss, talks back, and picks on her brother. Oh dear.

Bubby is just being as cute as can be. He has just in the last couple days began crawling. I use that loosely as he has only done it twice and not for much distance. But it shows that he's right there. He's 10 months - Addie was 8 when she crawled - so he's a little behind her, but I'm not sad about that. He loves to get into whatever you don't want him to, so the longer I can keep him immobile the better. We are going to have to do some serious baby proofing soon (really didn't have to worry about it with Addie). He is a tank - 22 pounds (Addie is about 24) and eats literally everything. If you have food, he better have some too or you're in trouble! He absolutely LOVES ice cream! He only has 6 teeth, but seems to be able to power down just about anything. He's still a total love -- loves to cuddle up close. We've been a little sick off and on for the past couple months (winter), so we've had some upset times, but overall he's pretty easy going and happy most of the time. He is a little more leery of strangers now, but still goes to just about anyone.

Speaking of upset times, I currently have a crying infant and demanding toddler (she "wants to type!"). And a mom that's kinda losing it (no, not because of the kiddos -- although I think anyone with small children is on the verge of losing it at any moment). Off to see if I can find my sanity...

My Sassafras

I know, I've been terrible about updating my blog. And I have SO many pics to go through! I haven't even posted anything about Christmas! But I have to start somewhere, so I decided to post these pics from Bald Eagle Days (late January) out at the Shakespeare Festival theater. I took Addie just for something to do. We didn't actually get to see the bald eagle (couldn't find the show, and by the time we did it was full), but we did see some owls and falcons, and Addie just had a good time running around. With winter weather we hadn't been outside much.

She did get to color an owl mask.

I was having fun watching her run around, wondering where this "child" (not "baby") came from.

Could she be any cuter??

She was trying to hide from me and thought she was rather clever.

Once it was almost time to go I finally convinced her to get her face painted. She chose an owl, and was the very last kid painted. She promptly destroyed it when she insisted on "feeling" it. Oh well.

Then we grabbed a hot chocolate on the way out.

Look at that sassy little thing. I was just asking Loren where we got a 2-year-old that insists on putting on make-up with mom, wants body spray, is already picky about what she wears, and demands Lady Gaga in the car?

I think the nickname Sassafras is quite appropriate.

What Have I Been Up To?

Most of what I write about on here pertains to what I've been up to at home, with the kids -- our outings and events. But I'm putting together some information for my annual evaluation and find myself overwhelmed at having to recant my accomplishments in the past year. I've put together what I can think of and must say I'm damn proud of myself. Especially when you add that I had a baby in the middle of this! Just as a little boasting, these are some highlights:

• Taught 9 classes, including one during the first winter intersession (medical terminology, which I had only taught online before that)
  
• Took the lead as clinical coordinator, and found some new sites -- and coordinated the processing of background checks
• Accepted into a PhD program and took 3 classes
• Published a book, a book chapter, and 3 journal articles (with a number of co-authors)
• Gave 4 professional presentations and 2 poster presentations
• Served on the IRB and 2 college committees
• Supervised an independent study and 3 internships
• Served on the IdHIMA board
• Peer reviewed a textbook and journal article

This is in addition to helping with orientation sessions, doing tons of advising, and attending random department and college meetings. Hmm, no wonder I'm always exhausted! Damn, if I can do this pregnant and with a newborn, how am I going to step it up this year? I mean, I only have a toddler and infant now... ;)

Typical Pic Post

I decided to take the pics off my phone, mainly because I was trying to update some knitting project pics (I use my phone when I'm about to give something away and haven't remembered to take a "real" pic!). Holy wow, I had a lot of pics! Kind of fun going through them all, since many are from this summer. A lot of these made it to Facebook, but since not everyone is on there (can you believe it?), I thought I'd post here too.

One of our many zoo trips.

The first pic I managed to get of all three of us (albeit blurry!).

Love the cheesy grins.

This was the balloon festival.

I had a perfect straight-on shot of this, but Addie deleted it. :(

She hid behind the stroller to poop.

Speaking of poop... Doesn't he look like, "I just crapped my pants. Whatchu gonna do 'bout it?"

One of Addie's fab outfits. Love Bailey's tongue.

I can't believe how much he's changed already!

Addie loves her Dodo.

She decided to try on Tucker's old Halloween costume at Becky's. And added the floaty.

Love all the littles sitting down to eat. Too cute!

Another fab outfit.

I'm pretty sure this has been the most popular pic I've ever posted on Facebook.

Ready for some stompin'!

Real men wear pink.

Free scary face pancakes at IHOP for Halloween.

This was on Halloween actually. She insisted on wearing her pumpkin costume (which was not her actual Halloween costume this year).

She just looks like a sad orphan here.

Ice cream anyone?

He fell asleep in his highchair.

I had never seen Loren in a tie (no, not even our wedding) until this interview. I had to have a pic! Can you tell he was thrilled?

Trying out avocado.

This was so cute. Hayden and I were up that morning while Addie was still asleep. I was getting dressed to I set Hayden in the chair. Addie woke up and immediately grabbed her blanket and wanted to come snuggle with Hayden to watch cartoons.

Picking out Toys for Tots. She really put thought into it.

Loves mommy's make-up.

Me attempting to get a picture of my goodies for my Christmas family.

I can't ever seem to get all three of us to look decent at once.

Lovin' her bear from Aunt Linda.

Bubby too.

This is his 49ers hat that not only came out way too big, but doesn't look like 49ers. I think it looks like the Trojans.

She was rubbing her butt on the coffee table and I started laughing, so she thought she was hilarious and kept doing it.

My handsome boy in a highchair for the first time (at a restaurant).

Modeling the awesome shoes David hooked me up with.

Modeling his clothes from Uncle Sean and Aunt Erin.

Modeling my apron from Sean and Erin.

We went bowling for New Year's.

Addie has recently figured out how to take pics. Here's a fab shot of me (ha!).

Okay, I'm being summoned to help with crying kiddos. Until I upload more photos...