Christmas Tree Harvesting

Joseph got to pick out the wreath! He was so excited!

This year I came prepared and yet there was not snow! I wasn't going to be caught dead making the same mistake as last year.

He's actually REALLY excited and dancing for the camera.

Measuring the tree and shaking out all the "pine noodles" as Joseph calls them. It's too cute to correct!

He loves the smell of Christmas!

Christmas Tree Decorating

Joseph's first Christmas, 5 years ago!

Joseph's FAVORITE ornament- this year. When you press that red button, "Linus and Lucy" plays.

I get butterflies when I look at my handsome husband!!! Too bad he's sick and I can't give him a big, ol' kiss!

Snow Days

The Monday before Thanksgiving we experienced a severe snow storm. It was so bad that the electricity went out and we actually didn't get it back until Friday morning! Thank goodness, we escaped to Southern Oregon to be with Nana and Poppy for Thanksgiving.

When we returned, we had to toss out all of the food in our refrigerator and freezer! It was for the best, anyway. It was sad seeing crab, shrimp, steak, and Portuguese sausage go in the trash but it was a good opportunity to start fresh with new groceries.

Apparently the County declared a State of Emergency and Joseph may not have to make up these days of school that he missed.

Growing Family

In the middle of October we found out that we were going to have another baby! We've been waiting until the end of the first trimester to tell anyone and since I am officially 13 weeks as of yesterday, I am going public! This ultrasound was taken at 12 weeks and 4 days but the baby is already taking true Stutesman form by being a little bigger than average.

Incredibly, I am actually due on June 11 which was when Joseph was due! I was induced on the 9th and had him on the 10th of June.

We wanted to wait until the last possible second to tell Joseph about the baby but he's such a little smarty that he figured it out himself. One day in the car he just asked, "Mommy, are you going to have a baby?" I couldn't believe that he had just asked me that out of the blue! I told him and he appeared excited. Since then he hasn't been inundating us with the barrage of questions as I had initially anticipated and feared. Once in a while he'll ask a question and it'll make me smile because it shows that he's thinking about his future with a sibling. He asked, "Where is the baby going to live?" and "Are you going to love the baby, too?" He said he wants to sell his bed so we can buy a bunk bed for him and his brother or sister. Such a cutie pie! He's already thinking about the fun he will have with him or her. I hope he's not too disappointed when the baby is here and he realizes that he's going to have to wait a long time before he can actually play with him or her.

The first 10 or so weeks were spent with my head permanently stuck in the toilet. I don't remember feeling this bad with Joseph. I have also been experiencing severe fatigue. Sometimes I just lie in bed without even sleeping but I feel so drained of energy that I can't manage to get up. Recently, I've regained my strength and appetite. Thank goodness!

We're excited about the next 7 months and can't wait to meet this little person! I want it to fly by but I know as soon as it's here, I'll wish that I had savored the last of our lives as a family of three.

Quintessential Intern

There I was, at Starbucks with a line of 5 or 6 peeved people behind me, reading off from a paper the 9 coffee orders placed by the CKJ office staff. I grinned when I got to Susan's because it was Hot Chocolate... I was tickled to see that we both like the same drink. Who wouldn't like Hot Chocolate, though? I was more than happy to do it but it dawned on me that this was the quintessential role of an intern! People gave me looks of sympathy and knowing as I walked out of the store balancing two drink carriers full of piping hot beverages. Susan is so wonderful that she treated her staff (and me) to Starbucks! What boss does that? Monday morning, not particularly cold, there she is shelling out $40 for her staff's orders. When I grow up, I want to be just like Susan! It's been my mantra since I started my internship. I may name my next child after her. Hmmm... Susan Stutesman? Even if it's a boy? (Johnny Cash's "Boy Named Sue" playing in my head.)

Monday and Tuesday evening were spent at Olympic High School making calls to registered voters possibly in favor of supporting the Capital Projects Levy being proposed for February's ballot. I was hung up on over 10 times and yelled at many times. When people call me, I'm always very polite when I decline to take a survey or hear about upcoming political events. I don't always decline, either. I love talking to people about my beliefs. If they ask me questions, I really like being honest because I'm really proud of my beliefs. Once, I was surveyed by people campaigning for Bush, and as soon as I answered the second question, they gave up on me. I suspect that they believed I was a supporter because I voted for Lingle in the previous election... Either way, I was still very polite!

Joseph came with me tonight and what a trooper he was! I can recall spending time with my mother at her workplace for hours on the weekends. I remember how painful it was. I brought all kinds of goodies for Joseph so he wouldn't be as bored as I used to be. I bought him a new Lego set (Toy Story 3, of course), 2 new Tag books (Toy Story and Cars), a Toy Story 3 puzzle, painting/marker paper, and yummy grinds. He was so well behaved and I was so proud of him! Susan tried to shake his hand and he didn't quite get it so we're going to have to work on that but she commented on how at-ease he is with strangers. It's true! He's just like his grandpa in that way!

My dad was definitely the life of the party. He knew everyone because he would talk to everyone. He was so friendly and easy to talk to. I remember being embarrassed by how friendly he was but now as an adult, I'm always talking to strangers. I think it contributes to Joseph's gregarious spirit. That, and my father is sitting on his shoulder guiding him through life, I'm certain. How lucky I am to have had such an amazing father! I think about him all the time. Last night I had a dream about him. When I wake up I am so sad because I feel like I should be able to call him up or visit him. I can't wait to be reunited with him again! Well, maybe I *CAN* wait until Joseph's much older.

Thanksgiving is approaching quickly. I'm so excited to head over to Oregon to have dinner with Joe's family! The food is always AMAZING! I'm excited to see James and Laura, too! They have recently become engaged! It is so exciting when people make the decision to spend the rest of their lives together!!! They will be tying the knot in June and we can't wait to be there to support them.

Pumpkin Patch

Here's a picture of Joseph at Maris Farms. He's such a ham! Always wants to see pictures of himself! Gotta love this kid!

My Pilot

On our way to Disneyworld, Joseph had an opportunity to sit in the cockpit of the airplane next to the co-pilot. He was tickled and I was so excited for him!

Noah Robert Shiiba

Look at my nephew! Isn't he perfect!?! I can't believe how much I love him even though I've never met him before! His name is Noah! Doesn't he look SOOOO Japanese! I love it! I can just seek that big ol mop of black hair under that baby hat! I want to kiss and hug him forever.

October Craziness

October is flying by and without a moment to rest, I've been unable to compose a thought let alone an entire entry.

I started my internship with one of the most amazing administrators in the country! I want to lock her in a box and study her for at least a dozen years. Luckily for both of us (is kidnapping a felony?) she lets me follow her and pick her brain all day on Mondays and Fridays. I really miss teaching middle school. 7th graders are so... SPECIAL! I mean it! Once you work with them, your heart is theirs forever!

Back to Principal Jung... She is able to lead respectfully and in a collaborative manner. I have so much respect for her! When I grow up, I want to be JUST like her!

Joseph has been working hard in Kindergarten. We enjoy doing his homework every evening and I especially like hearing about all of the neat things that he's learning at school. Mrs. Meadows is a skilled teacher. She is able to differentiate her curriculum to address the needs of each of her 19 students. Joe and I attended our first PTSA meeting this past Thursday. That won't be a regular occurrence. The families are very cliquish and I didn't feel very welcomed at all. I figure, I paid the family membership fee and bake breakfast goodies for the Bear Den volunteers; I'm good.

This past weekend, Joe, Joseph and I went to Marris Farms to select the right pumpkin. There was a hay ride, corn maze, magic show, ono food, under-ground slides, monster trucks, and tons more! I couldn't believe how many things there were to do! The next day we met Mary, Jack, and Claire over at Islandwood in Bainbridge Island where they had carving, decorating, and painting stations. There was hot cider, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and freshly baked cookies (yummy snickerdoodles). After decorating our pumpkins (it was BYOP) we drove on over to Mary's house and Jack and Joseph played together for hours while Mary and I caught up. Claire came downstairs to show us the dance that she choreographed to the Kidsbob CD that Joseph bought her for her birthday. It was hilarious! Each child got to choose a song that they danced to while everyone sat and watched. Joseph invented this dance move called the Golfer's Swing. It's ingenious! It's right up there with the sprinkler and pepper grinder dance moves that I've perfected!

Work is great. We're finishing the accreditation process that Mary and I initiated when we started at CYP last August. I've never worked on something like this before and I'm grateful that I've had this experience. When I get back into the public school system, I'm sure extensive knowledge of the accreditation process will be a helpful accomplishment especially for an administrator.

Thanksgiving is approaching soon and we've got a lot for which to be grateful. We're spending the weekend in Oregon with Nana and Poppy. We're excited because Uncle Paul's brother and wife will be there from the Netherlands and I hear they're quite entertaining! There's nothing like family, for sure!

Happy Birthday, Claires!

The day that we got back from Disney World, Claires (her nickname) was having her birthday party at the Bainbridge Aquatic Center. Since Paul is in Afghanistan, Mary had to plan it all by herself. She did a great job! Everyone had so much fun and even though we had spent over 6 hours in the air, we would not have missed it for the world!

Mickey Cupcakes

We wanted to get something at Disney World for Joseph's class but there wasn't really anything that was worth bringing back. I thought about getting pencils but his class shares supplies and it wouldn't really belong to them. I went to Minnie's Bake shop on Main Street and got these sprinkles! We got off the plane, went to Claire's birthday party, then headed home and made cupcakes. What a day! They really liked it, though!

Magical World of Disney!

Joseph is working on the remote control car he and Joe created at Ridemakerz in Downtown Disney.

So excited!

A HUGE toy store with everything Disney!

Meet and greet with Goofy.

Build-a-Spud
You can create a Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head for only $19.99! Plenty of accessories that are not available anywhere else! Flip-flops, surfboard, Donald Duck Sailor hat, angry eyes, happy eyes... whatever!

This was the Science Fiction Dinner Theater! The best steak and potatoes in the state of Florida, I'm sure! Yummy!

Can you imagine how hot it must be in the Florida weather wearing green paint? What a trooper this trooper is!

In Downtown Disney there is a place called DisneyQuest. It is INSANE! Multiple levels of arcade games for FREE! You can play air hockey from 9am-11pm if you want!

Joseph finally meets his idol! Handy Manny and Joseph unite for a long happy hug!

Joseph got to create a lego car and race it down a hill.

Life-size Lego Woody!

Dad, Joseph, and Mater.

Waiting in line for the Toy Story Mania Ride! 70 minutes and worth every second!

Joseph will be a safe driver! (Thank goodness they're changing that driving age to 18).

To infinity and beyond! We attended the Disney's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It was sweet because we had the park to ourselves! Joseph was able to ride his favorites (Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain) over and over with no wait at all! We went Trick-or-Treating and scored some pretty awesome candy! All of the actors (Disney employees) called him "Buzz" and one guy even asked him for his autograph! SOOOOOO cute! Joseph was confused but it was still so cute!

Here our little ham is trying the newest Wii game "Sing-It" where you can sing Karaoke style to many favorite Disney tunes.