Snapshots of Spring

It's been awhile since I updated my blog. The last three weeks have completely escaped me somehow. Well, actually, I know how...I was working - and playing - but mostly working. I can finally, FINALLY announce that the website I have been redeveloping for the past 13 months was launched last weekend, with only a few minor glitches - HOORAY! But the two weeks leading up to the launch were definitely stressful and looooong. Also last weekend, we took a road trip over to Seattle to see my family and belatedly celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day. That was fun and the drive over the Cascades was gorgeous. We stopped at Snoqualmie Falls along the way:

Spokane is also beautiful this time of year as the flowers and trees are in full spring bloom. We are so lucky to live just three blocks from the Japanese Garden at Manito Park. A very tranquil setting (but much smaller waterfall!):

So after all the hustle and bustle of the past few weeks, we were thrilled not to have ANY plans for Memorial Day Weekend. We also had been car shopping the past few weeks, and pulled the trigger on buying a new vehicle Saturday - so we had Sunday and Monday to drive around in the new car and have fun! Due to his pinched sciatic nerve, Steve really needed a vehicle that sits up higher, especially for road trips. So as sad as we were to see his Acura TL sedan be traded in, and after test-driving many different brands and models of SUV's - we ultimately chose an Acura again - this time an MDX - to replace it. We believe this will be a great "family truckster" for many years to come - so we are excited about it:

Temps have been in the low 80s here with blue skies the past few days. We took a drive out through the backroads over to Lake Coeur d'Alene yesterday afternoon and absolutely loved it. Luna was in heaven sitting up so high with the wind in her face:

We are looking forward to many more road trips in the coming months!

25 Months...and Happy(?) Mother's Day

Today marks my 25th month logged in for Lia...and it falls on Mother's Day....sort of bittersweet to say the least. But I have to look at it like 25 months behind me is 25 months closer to my girl. Happy Mother's Day to my mom, my grandma, and to all my friends who are mothers (some for the first time this year!) - as well as to all my fellow "moms-in-waiting" - I know this can be a tough day for a lot of us. You are ALL in my thoughts and prayers on this special day!

An Odd Year...

Literally. It's 2009. And I turn 39 today. I turn 39 on 5-5-09. That's a LOT of odd numbers! Call it a bit "OCD", but I have always had an aversion to odd numbers. If I have the choice, I will always set the temperature in my home or car to an even number. I tend to count out and eat food or candies (like M&M's or Tic Tacs) in groups of two (or four, or six!) I did a quick Google search on odd numbers vs. even numbers, and found out that studies have proven that most people in western culture actually prefer odd numbers. Though I did learn that - with a few exceptions - Chinese culture does tend to prefer even numbers as well. So I'm in good company with over a billion folks there! :)

Steve flew to Denver this past weekend for his Great Aunt's 90th birthday. He picked up his mom and brother in Denver and then they drove four hours (each way) to a farm town in Nebraska, where most of their extended family still lives. So I hung out at home with the dogs and watched chick flicks like "Baby Boom" and "Twilight" and cheated on my diet by eating pizza and making chocolate chip cookies. I also treated myself to a pedicure and haircut - here's a pic of the new "do":

Steve's mom sent him home with all sort of Avon goodies for me including several pairs of slippers (the hardwood floors in our house are cold!) and all sorts of new makeup and fragrance samples to try. Steve brought me a couple of "gifts". First of all, he brought me rolls from Texas Roadhouse (oh how I miss TR!), complete with cinnamon butter which he snuck into his carry-on. He also brought an adorable ladybug hat for Lia (complete with a daisy - my fave flower!):

Anyway - back to the topic at hand - my birthday. I was a bit dismayed to receive a direct mail letter (addressed specifically to me) from a cremation service yesterday. Seriously? I'm not planning my demise yet... I believe people are only as old as they feel - and I still feel 26. I'm certainly not thrilled with the number this year, but not in a "boo hoo I'm getting older" way - just in terms of the actual number being so odd. 39 just sort of seems like hanging onto the edge of a cliff before tumbling over into the 40s. I'm actually looking forward to my 40s. Lots of good stuff ahead (and lots of even numbers!)