Dear Vet School Wives

(and wives of students:)) Some friends of ours, who graduated 25 years or so ago from vet school here at WSU, wrote this letter to us four years ago, at the beginning of our vet school journey:

"We are so happy for you both. These next few years are going to be the hardest and the best! You will look back on this time with fond memories. You will grow closer together and solidify who you are and who you want to become. You'll be amazed at how your testimonies will grow as you put your trust in the Lord. Enjoy this wonderful time together. Keep a journal and take lots of pictures!"

I love it and thought I would share.

Easter in Pictures and Other Events

Easter events were spread out over a few days...here they are in one giant post. First, we dyed easter egg monsters.

We had a few easter egg hunts. One done by the city (5 minutes of pure chaos!), and a small friend one in our complex.

On Easter Sunday Cody came running into our room early that morning and said "There are dragons on our table!" They got dragons in their easter baskets (randomly!). The only thing better would have been a remote control, flying, shooting, winged spaceship. That is what Cody really wants someday:)

Cody's preschool group went on a field trip to a farm. Unfortunately there was a freezing cold wind so we didn't stay outside long, but we got to go in the barn and see the chickens and saw the cows. They each got to get an egg from the chicken house and pet the chicken. Macey really loved the chickens but would only pet them once, and not for the picture:)

I don't know if this short video is even going to work, but this is Cody, Ben and Macey wrestling. One of the (many) TOP reasons I love having Ben home. The other night, as I was about to go crazy from grumpy children at about 6 Ben walked in the door and it was INSTANT happiness for everyone. He played and wrestled with the kids. I conversed with him in a refreshing adult conversation. I cleaned the kitchen after dinner. He bathed and got the kids ready for bed while I relaxed. It was a PERFECT night.

Not to get off track, but a quick side note. If you are not appreciating your husband, send him away for a few days (or in our case a month:).  I truly think it's important to know you can do it by yourself if you have to. You gotta know that; have a little independence. Having said that, I so appreciate what Ben does for our family, he is amazing!

Best Day in a Month

Today has been a blessing. First, Cody and Macey had friends to play with while my friend Chelsea found out if she's having a boy or a girl (...I'll let you find out from her:)).
Then she took Cody during Macey's nap (and Macey actually took a nap, she woke up at 5:30 so it's a good thing). I seriously haven't had a break during the day in so long it was like a piece of heaven.
My nephew's heart surgery was a success today. I know it was a stressful day for them, but such an important hurdle to cross and we're glad it went smooth.
THEN my friend Michelle had us over for dinner. Delicious and fun!
THEN my friend Emily came to play with the kids before bed. They built a fort and read books.
I'm not sure if everyone thought I had almost lost my sanity or if this was Heavenly Father's way of saying Look, this hard month is almost over, you can do it!
Ben is coming home around midnight on Friday. I CAN'T WAIT.
He has done an amazing job working at the clinic in Montana. They have loved him; I knew they would;) He just loves it because he loves working and he loves working with horses.

This is why I'm sad to be leaving Pullman. Let's face it. You don't come to Pullman for Pullman itself, you come here for the people, who are some of the best on earth and I don't want to leave them!

WHAT a week

I'm so happy/grateful to say that everyone in my family is doing well
This week my brother in law was attacked by a man of war while snorkeling at the beach (they live in Florida...I guess it does have a few drawbacks after all!).




Then later that night my parents were hit by a drunk driver. Luckily they were not hurt, just some minor whiplash.


Today my sweet little nephew had his open heart surgery to fix two holes in his heart. It went well. This is him pre-op. He looks so precious.

If You Can't Beat 'em, Join 'em

Since Ben wasn't able to come home to see us any of the weekends of his preceptorship, we decided to go visit him. It was a 3 day, 8 hour each way drive, but worth it. The kids (and me) loved every second of seeing their dad.

We went swimming, out to eat (which is a rare occasion as a family!), and to the Museum of the Rockies. Cody was so excited to see the T Rex there. They had a huge Frog exhibit I thought was pretty cool, and a children's room with tons of fun activities.

Dare I admit, Macey threw up a little bit...and I caught it in one of the play kitchen pots. I washed it thoroughly, but it's probably not ideal we were there.

Of course, what would a trip be without Macey being sick- a fever and stomach issues-but we made it through. They loved swimming!

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Here's us: 20 weeks

Cody painted his train and then made a train track for it. Lately he LOVES drawing - trains, dragons, dinosaurs, planes.

#3

Is a GIRL
I had the ultrasonagrapher double check.
When I told Macey she told me repeatedly "No it's a boy," so I finally decided to let her find out when I have her.
Cody cried until I told him that there's a little girl in heaven who misses him and wants to come to earth to see him, then he smiled.

Stinky Sticker Warning

Macey was running around in her diaper the other day and I noticed a bright yellow sticker stuck to her bum. It said "Warning: Suffocation Risk" which gave me a good laugh because she and Cody have had serious flu/diarrhea the past few days so it rang true. In the period of an hour I changed a couple serious diapers, sat by Cody in the bathroom, and then had him throw up inches from my face. Oh the things we do as mothers:)

I find out what I'm having tomorrow...my pregnancy has been exactly like Cody's, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything, so we'll see.

butterflies.soccer.walks.ben

For Cody's birthday we got caterpillar's in a cup shipped to us from his grandma Bonnie. They were caterpillars for around 2 weeks and then when they formed their coccoons we transferred them to a little mesh cage. Once they emerged we fed them sugar water and oranges. (insectlore.com) They were looking a little hagard, so we released them just as soon as it was "warm" enough. Tragically, it hailed the very next day. I'm sorry butterflies, it was a poor decision. Sorry Cody buddy too, if when you can read this you are devastated, but we did have so much fun watching them.

Cody has started soccer. He absolutely loves running

and carefully explains that you don't use your hands, just kick the ball with your feet.The other day was beautiful weather. In Pullman in the spring, to me, that means there isn't a cold wind. I think I hear the phrase "It would be so nice if it wasn't windy" about every other day.

So, we went on a long walk. It was so much fun and such a nice change from winter! Come again soon warm weather!

My stomach was so tight and tired after that...I feel like an old woman and I'm only halfway through with prego-ness.

And on that note, I still love going walking and being active, but as far as running and serious exercise...a little unmotivated. In the back of my head a little voice is saying "Six weeks or so out from the birth of your baby you're going to be starting from scratch whether you kill yourself now or take it easy." Is that wrong?

Last, but not least, Ben is enjoying his preceptorship. I do not love it, but that's a long story involving him not being allowed to come visit us. He also has to get up at all hours night for treatments. They are getting a great deal, this being unpaid and all...where are the paid people at those hours? Needless to say, Ben has not complained at all (that is just me and my hormones) and is doing what he loves.