Austin, TX

As you know, Dan had a business class in Austin this past week. He flew out on Sunday and Russell and I flew out on Tuesday. The flight was 3 1/2 hours and Russell did his best (for a 2 3/4 year old wiggle worm). The next morning, Dan left for his class and Russell and I headed to Zilkor Park, the 'Central Park' of Austin. The minute he saw the large fields, he just ran and ran and ran...

Zilkor Park also had a great playground. I had to laugh a little when I realized how much has changed since I worked in Texas 7-8 years ago. No longer do I look for historical museums and interesting tourist displays. Nope. I just look for the best playground in town. The weather was so nice (high 70's/low 80's) and it felt great to be outdoors.

On Wednesday night, I met a new friend who I connected with on an online January '06 Mom's group. Beth is a Christian woman who shares many of the same interests and it was fun to meet in person:-)

On Thursday, Russell and I headed out east to visit Linda, with whom I had worked at Camp Tejas. She now works at a different camp, though. We've kept in touch over the years and it was a joy to see her again.

After visiting Linda, I stopped by Camp Tejas. It was strange to be back (my last visit was 5 years ago), this time, visiting with a child in tow. Russell loved to throw rocks into the lake. I wish I could have stayed longer and visited longer with the staff but Russell was already nap-deprived and we still had the 90 minute drive back to Austin. Being back at the camp made me realize how important those summers were to me.

On Friday morning, Russell and I met up with Beth and her kiddos, Ana and Eli, once more before departing on our afternoon flight. Ana was a sweetheart and Eli was probably the best baby I've ever met. Seriously. No fuss, no muss.

After a quick stop at the ice-cream shop (thanks, Beth:-), we said our good-byes and left to pick Dan up from the hotel.

Any time that Dan and I travel, whether within the state or outside of the state, we ponder, "could we live here?" Austin is a great city although traffic is terrible because of the influx of California-ites that have moved into town. It is difficult to think of leaving the West Coast. Our whole lives are here. I guess just seeing the brand-new 4bd/2ba houses for $200k really tempt us though...

Some Wonderful News!

FoxNews.com

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The San Francisco 49ers have already made a coaching change this season. Now they apparently have their eyes on an even more high-profile front office move.


The 49ers have expressed interest in Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a possible candidate for team president, NFL.com reported.

"If she's interested in talking to us, I'm interested in talking to her," one high-ranking 49ers official told NFL.com. Rice has expressed a desire to be an NFL team president as recently as last week, according to the report.

Rice has already indicated that she will return to Stanford in January, a school where she served as provost from 1993-99, which would put her in the northern California area.

Rice has a long and documented interest in football, and has often been asked football questions during otherwise political interviews.

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In light of Condoleezza Rice moving back to Stanford, guess where I'm going to be taking Russell to play during the lunch hour? I'd love to meet her one day! (April, you can scout with me;-)

Off to Texas

Yesterday after church, we dropped Dan off at the San Jose airport for his flight to Austin, TX. There are three direct flights on American Airlines each day since Austin also has a high-tech sector and there is a demand for direct flights. SFO doesn't have direct flights to Austin, although we do prefer that airport.

So, tomorrow, the little man and myself will be in route as well. Dan called last night to let us know there was an indoor pool so Russell is very excited and already has his swimsuit out. Let's see if he actually uses it!

I plan to visit my Camp Tejas friend, Linda, and new friend Beth. I really want to visit two friends in Houston as well but since the drive each way to Houston is 3hrs, it seems a little much to squish into a two-day-trip. Hmm. We'll see. I wouldn't think about it twice if I was a single woman without a toddler in the back seat. Texas is a beautiful state to 'roadtrip' through and I really enjoyed the two summers I worked there (April-August, 2000 and 2001).

Back next week...

1988 and Beyond

What do Sunday, February 12, 1995, and Thursday, October 23, 2008, have in common? If you guessed Amy Grant, you are correct. Thirteen years and eight months difference. A lot of water under that time bridge! High-school, university, marriage, a child.

The concert last night was part of a 20-city tour celebrating the Lead Me On Tour/Album of 1988. Ahh. 1988. Twenty years ago. Where was I? Fourth grade and an awkward nine-year-old who knew absolultely nothing about the Christian music world. At one point, our family had visited my 'cool' (read: young, single, beautiful, fun) aunt and I came across an Amy Grant cassette (Unguarded) and I asked her who the woman was on the front cover. I don't even remember how old I was at that point but it was after 1985 but before CD's were produced (1990).

I first discovered that Christian music existed during the Christmas of 1992 when my parents bought me a single-cassette player/radio. Scanning the FM range I found KLYN, the Christian station out of Bellingham, WA. For me, it marked the beginning of my teenage years in more ways that one. I had just turned 13 and I was learning quickly that my world was quite small. The world of Christian music allowed me a place to dream of travelling, music, and the life of stardom- all under the safe cover of loving God. What more could you want? I read the CCM magazines and only dreamt of the concerts I could attend. There were little to none in Victoria and few even in Vancouver, and the closest American city was Seattle. How was I to get to Seattle without time, money, and a driver's license?

In December of 1994, KLYN was promoting the upcoming Amy Grant concert (House of Love Tour) in Vancouver, BC. It was a rare opportunity for them to promote such an artist. There was a special family pack of tickets being sold for $55/4 tickets. And I wanted to go. Boy, did I give my parents grief. Looking back, I was sure a brat about it. I sulked and complained and all the rest. Besides, the concert was a Sunday night. School was the next day. How was that work out?

Soon, Christmas rolled around. We had gathered in the living room when there was a knock on the door. A delivery man (FedEx?) delivered a large, stiff envelope that my dad handed to me in turn. I opened it. There, in my hand, were four Amy Grant tickets. Guilt overwhelmed me because of my behavior but I don't think it last long... I was going to my first big concert (my first concert was David Meece in Victoria in November '94, the month previous. My dad was wonderful and took me to that concert).

I don't remember too much now, but I know that my sister, Candice and I took the ferry to Vancouver and my Aunt Annette took us to the concert. We parked in the back alley behind the Pacific Coliseum and paid some guy $5 for the parking space. The concert was all I imagined and more. I later mailed my ticket stubs to Nashville in hopes that Amy Grant and Gary Chapman would sign them. They did, and the ticket is a blast-from-the-past because they have divorced since that time.

In talking with Dan last night, he agreed with me as well that the Christian music industry was his life-line in high-school, when everyone else was listening to secular music, he felt like he had an outlet as well. He like Margaret Becker, the Newsboys, and Stryper.

I think it helped me feel cool and self-assured, knowing I was listening to these artists like Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Margaret Becker, and the rest of the 1980-early '90's rollovers. By the end of the '90's, the Christian music world had exploded into the music it is today... more praise/repetitious music and unambiguous. I returned from camp the summer of 1998 to find that KLYN had strictly switched to a praise format and at that time, I moved my dial over to the country station and never switched back. I've lost touch with the industry now with exception of the big names like Chris Tomlin and Matt Redmond. To me, the 1980's and 1990's will always be my Christian music era.

Amy last night...

My hot date;-) The concert was outdoors under the stars. The evening was mild at 73F and the cool breeze felt refreshing.

The music took us back to another time but when all was said and done, we drove home to pick up Russell from being babysat. Memories are wonderful but today is today, and it too, is a precious time.

Apple Picking

This post is a little late in posting, as we went apple picking on Friday and then to the pumpkin patch on Tuesday, but that's okay;-) I met up with five other ladies and their munchkins (eight, in addition to Russell) about 45 minutes south of here at an orchard just off the coast. Beautiful drive as always.

The apples were probably as organic as could be but at the price of $1.25/lb, I only bought a small bag. I gave Russell the paper bag and he picked up the apples off the ground (yes, bruised, wormy, rotten) and put them in the bag. Once the bag was full, he dumped it and picked up more apples. He was so happy and kept saying, "George picks apples, Russell like George," (in reference to the episode where Curious George goes apple picking).

These boys are only 17 days apart. The middle child was actually born the day after Russell in the same hospital, just across the hallway:-)

Once the picking was wrapping up, I convinced Russell to dump his 'ground-picked' apples once more and to help me pick 'new' apples from the tree. Then, a good tumble on the ground was in order.

I really appreciate the effort the other women make in getting together for play-dates. Honestly, the dates are more for the moms to have some adult talk-time. It takes time to grow friendships and setting time aside isn't always easy but it is so worthwhile when all is said and done.

Tuesday

On Tuesday, I met up with three other gals and their little ones at a local pumpkin patch. Quick play-date for the kids with no toys to clean up afterwards:-) Russell put as many pumpkins as he could into the available wagons and then commenced to play in the dirt. Good times!

We Must Vote 'Yes' on Prop. 8

Included on the ballot of the November 4th general election is Proposition 8 which defines the definition of marriage (legally) in California. A 'yes' vote "eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry." I would have preferred it to say, "upholds the Biblical/ Judeo-Christian belief that marriage is the union between one man and one woman" but this is California. The term 'eliminate' conjures up a picture that something is being taken away from the rightful owner.

Once the belief that a man can marry another man, and a woman marry a woman is endorsed legally, what stops the next bill from allowing three men to marry? If they're all in love, what is then the true definition of marriage?

This is a link for a 6.49 minute web video testifying the results of the legislation of gay marriage in Massachusetts. Already, James Dobson can not broadcast anti-homosexual programs in Canada and I fear this will soon be true in the United States. For those in California, we must vote yes on 8.

Lessons Learned

While rifling through a box of books stored in a cabinet, I came across these two books: Hinds Feet on High Places and Mountain of Spices, both written by Hannah Hurnard. The books are allegorically written about the main character, Much-Afraid (she is transformed into 'Grace-and-Glory' after the journey is completed), who is invited to journey to the High Places by the Shepherd. Her companions, Sorrow and Suffering accompany and assist her along the way. The book is listed as a devotional which I think may be a little bit of a stretch but it is certainly more powerful than a novel.

It had been a few years since I read it last and the book provided food for my soul and encouragement for my heart. The chapter entitled, The Desert of Loss, really hit home and the introduction of the character Acceptance-With-Joy was bittersweet.

The sequel is just as powerful. I have only begun to reread it, but essentially, it is the allegorical tale that "personifies unhappy, tormenting attitudes of the mind, heart and temperament" and how these "can be transformed into their exact opposites and can therefore produce in us the loveliest of all qualities." (Hurnard) It is the tale of the Fruit of the Spirit.

To share a little from the second chapter which talks about the Fruit of Love, Grace-and-Glory reflects:

"It is happy to love and healthy, too. It is utter misery to withhold love and to live only and always for oneself alone. I see that it is exactly as He says. Love must express itself in giving; must find a way to become one with others, just as He found a way to give His own life to us and thereby to become one with us! And all the misery down there in the valley is because the inhabitants are breaking this law of their existence without realizing it."

The chapter caused me to reflect on the most well known verse of the Bible, "For God so loved the world that He gave..." I know that in my own life, it has been the giving of one's self that has shown love to me: the affection/attention of my parents, the devotion of my husband, the kisses from my son. Powerful.

It's That Time of the Year...

Yes, it is that time of the year... brisk, cool days, fall colours on the trees, and the unveiling of the winter wardrobe. And. Desserts. Lots of yummy desserts. From Halloween candy to pumpkin cheesecake (pictured above. Thanks, Martha!) and gingerbread, it is coming.

In the past, I've spent the ten weeks from October to January gaining the lovely pounds and then I've spent the next forty trying to lose and then maintain. You do the math. Is it worth it? (Well... cough, cough, I mean no!) I've always struggled to keep the weight off since I don't have the 'eat-whatever-you-want-whenever' genes.

We've started to try and curb the dessert fest early by only making baked goods on Fridays and then allowing the left-overs to be the only sweets for the weekend (fruit excluded, of course). I asked Dan to back me up on this one since I like to use him as a great excuse to bake (food= love, right?) If you were to look at my favorite recipes, nine out of ten would be desserts. The other few are vegatable dishes with cheese sauces. Eek.

So, that is my goal this fall/winter. Try and find more vegatable recipes (without cheese sauce) and not to consume too many empty calories (how can they be empty when they seem so heavy later?). Watching Russell's consumption of sugar has weighed on my mind as well, since he eats what we eat. I must admit, it is a lot harder to eat a garden salad in the winter time than the summer. Steamed veggies, here we come!

Low Cost Car Wash

After the rains finished yesterday, the skies cleared and today was sunny albeit cool. Welcome to fall:-) When we came home from church, Russell noticed one of the neighbors washing her car and he wanted to watch. Dan suggested that he wash his own car, which he did. He loved it and insisted that Dan watch him (he loves the verbal affirmation of doing something well). Good clean fun- literally!

On another note, Russell and I will be accompaning Dan in Austin for a few days at the end of the month. It has been five years since visiting (during Dan's lengthy deployment) in October 2003. I'll be visiting Linda and hopefully, meeting a new friend named Beth:-) Since Dan's company pays for the hotel and rental car it would be a shame not to take advantage of those. Yee haw!

October 1st ramblings

As I've posted before, I love the first day of the month and a semi-new start (kinda like January 1st)... so, Happy October 1st!

This October marks one year of miscarriage bloodwork for me. Most doctors don't start worrying about the cause of miscarriage until you've experience three consecutive losses. Russell knows the lab as the place where he gets free stickers so he doesn't mind going along with me. I usually get my bloodwork taken from my left arm because I've been told I have nice veins in that arm (I'll take any compliments I can get;-) In the last few months, I've started alternating arms just to give each vein a little resbit.

My latest diagnosis from the OB and RE was elevated anti-thryoid antibodies. Even though my thyroid is in the normal range, my RE put me on levo.thyroxine to try and regulate the antibodies. The side effect? Hair loss. Great. So, in the last two weeks I've been taking this medication, my hairbrush has been full in the mornings. Supposedly, the side effect is temporary until the hormone levels stabilize. I called my RE and she said to wait it out a little longer and as long as there were no clumps of hair being lost, I should be okay. For the first time in almost two years, infertility is no longer on the top of my stress list but now, hair loss. (Dan can't tell I've lost more hair than normal, so I don't look sick or anything.) The thyroid anti-bodies haven't been proven to cause miscarriage but in my case, it couldn't hurt to treat it, either.

I don't know where we'll be next October in this journey. Russell will be almost 4 years old and eligible for preschool. If he is our only child, I don't think I could send him off at such a young age. Besides, for $250/month I could buy a lot of art supplies for him to use at home.

I'm looking forward to this month. We hope to go to Gilroy Gardens (childrens non-profit play place) and see the Halloween/fall displays. The cooler weather will allow us to enjoy Gilroy a little better as it tends to be quite hot there during the summer. Dan will be in Austin, TX, for the last week of the month for technical training. We'll miss him a lot but I like that he gets to expand his world and be challenged.

That's all for now.

Pismo Beach

After church on Sunday, we loaded up the car and drove south on the 101 to Pismo Beach. It was about a 4hr drive but time passed quickly. Russell had come down with a cold on Saturday morning, so he was loaded up with Tylenol in the back seat.

Once we descended out of the California hills onto the coastline, Russell yelled, 'beach! beach' until we check into the hotel and our car was successfully parked at the boardwalk. He was so happy with his pail and shovel. He loves the beach but is adamant about not getting his shoes/feet wet. Go figure.

Our hotel is the white one above. Accurately described, it had "ocean views." We had to take a short walk alongside the ridge to get to the beach-access stairs but it was no problem. Russell could do it.

Yours truly. The water was really nice and it would have been fun to have a few friends to enjoy the water with me. Dan and Russell are not big water/swimmer/ocean people;-)

California natives: the pelicans. There were hundrends of these birds flying and diving continually.

Dan with his coffee and Russell with his milk and Cheerios. Since Russell was under the weather (read: grouchy, whiny), he wasn't into exploring the locals towns with us. We stayed close to the hotel and relaxed on the beach.

On Wednesday morning, we packed up and returned home. Russell didn't realize we were going home (I wonder where he thought we were going??) until we reached our neighborhood and then he shouted, "No go home! No go home! Room! Room!" (for his hotel room). Ahh. Welcome home!

Our 'not so' little boy

Little Russell isn't so little anymore. He sleeps without the crib rails and sits at the table without his blue booster seat. His verbal abilities are improving almost daily and he likes to set the table (i.e. set out the forks and knives). He is so precious to us.

Last Saturday, I spent an hour at the local thrift store (for those of you local, call me if you want to know where it is). I like buying Russell's clothes there because of the low prices ($1-$2) and great finds (Gymboree, Gap, Old Navy). I am now buying 2T-3T clothing for him for the cold winter/spring season. The funny thing is that I am finding that most of the toddler's clothing's tags have names printed on them. I suppose that the parents labelled the clothing because they sent their child to daycare and didn't want it to be lost. Poor Russell will grow up with 'Johnny' and 'David' and 'Sammy' written on his labels;-)

R.E. Visit

We had a busy Sunday- but nothing had to do with our anniversary. I helped in the nursery during the first service then we attended the second service and were home home for lunch at 1pm. Then, Dan told me the RE clinic had called earlier in the morning to see if we would like to fill a cancelled appointment spot the next day (today). I've never had a dr's office call on a Sunday.

The office called back about 2pm and we confirmed the appointment, so no more waiting until October 2nd. Then, soon after Russell got up from his nap, our friend called to say that his wife was going into labor and to let us know it was time to pick up Child #1. No problem. We had guests coming for supper but thankfully, courtesy of Trader Joe's, no preparation was needed.

Our guests stayed until 7:30pm and then we put Russell and his friend to sleep:-)

So, at the appointment this afternoon, the RE talked with us for an hour about our 'case' and admitted that there is still hope for a healthy pregnancy considering we've had Russell. I'll grasp whatever hope I'm given. She ordered more extensive clotting tests (she suspects that although my clotting is okay normally, it may go askew during pregnancy) and thyroid bloodwork (similar reasoning, considering my pseudo-arthritis fingers/ 'claw-hands' I had during Russell's gestation). I liked what the RE was saying because she wants to continually monitor my clotting factors and thyroid during the next gestation (whenever that may be) so she'll have an idea what changes my body is allowing and possibly not regulating. The journey continues.

Six Years Already!

Happy anniversary to us:-) We're looking forward to our Pismo Beach trip next week (this weeks was too busy for us to go). If I had to say, 'I do' all over again, I would:-)

Good News

Apparently, our insurance company will pay for 50% of consultations, ultrasounds, IUIs, and some of the medications at the RE clinic. Apparently.

I received the letter from our HMO a few days ago that provided us with this information even though it contradicts the information I received from the insurance company this past spring. Hence, my scepticism. I need to call the insurance company to clarify the confusion.

On another note, Dan only has $400 left of his student loan. That will be the end of the last 12 years of repayment. Our university plan for Russell? Stay beneath the $80K 'poverty' level and send Russell to Stanford for free.

Autumn Beginnings

This Sunday is the 'kick off' at church of the new season. Like school, the church mimics the start of new classes and care groups and such. Last Sunday, we moved Russell up from the toddler nursery to the 2.5yr-3.5yr class, which basically means less toys and more structure.

I remember the close of summer as a child. Dad would be off to school to prepare for the fall and we'd anticipate what teachers we'd have. It was a time of saying good-bye to the summer and warm weather, and hello to the long pants and sweaters once again. Russell (whether by Nature or Nuture) is similar to me in this way. When the morning is clouded by the fog, Russell says, "sun come back? Clouds move away!" Yes, definitely my child. We thrive in the sun/warmth. He plays with his cars and blocks in the sunny areas of the carpet.

The fall is also a time of anticipation for us. Our anniversary vacation, Canadian Thanksgiving/ Columbus Day get-togethers, Halloween fun for the kids, American Thanksgiving, and of course, my birthday:-) Christmas follows as well but I enjoy the family gatherings moreso than the gifts. I know I sound 'old' when I say the gifts matter less now, but I'd rather we'd spend the money on a great vacation and fun times. How many of us remember what we got last Christmas? Maybe next winter we could do Hawai'i??

Russell has a copy of the book, "My Little Book about God" by Eloise Wilkin (we all had a copy, I'm sure!). There is a little phrase in there that reads, "God gives us memories of yesterdays, so that happy times and people we love, we can keep with us always in our hearts." This is very true!

So, as I mourn the passing of another summer and the warm days and short nights, it is wonderful to look forward as well to know that more wonderful moments will be coming our way, and that yes, summer will come once again.

Appointment Reminder

With the new automated phone and e-mail systems the medical clinics have, you'd have to be dead not to get the multiple messages. Before each appointment, the phone rings and leaves an automated message and than an e-mail is sent to my in-box. Despite all the iPhones and Blackberries and fancy cell-phones, it is obvious that someone is not showing up to their appointments. Me? No, my dates are clearly marked with pen on my disposable fridge calendar.

The next 'big' appointment we have is on October 2nd in the afternoon with a reproductive endocrinologist. Although my OB has done a phone consultation with the RE (last fall), we figured it couldn't hurt to meet in person. Our insurance doesn't cover any infertility (yes, the same company that will pay for an abortion for the low cost of $125 up to 20wks gestation) but we can pay out-of-pocket if it is an issue. My OB said he'd talk to the insurance company and tell them it wasn't that we can't get pregnant but that we can't stay pregnant. Nice doctor, he is.

In the mean time, we are trying to stay distracted. I've been looking for a twin bed for Russell and with that, some new bedding. We were given two season passes for a theme park in the area so that will be fun for us as well (there are 2-3 months left on the tickets). Then, to celebrate our sixth anniversary, we're heading down to Pismo Beach on the 21st-24th. Since being married, we've driven all of the California coast with exception of the Monterey-Goleta section. Supposedly, this section is the most beautiful:-) The place we are staying is more family friendly and each room is actually a suite (900 sq ft with two bedrooms). The hotel is right on the beach. Hopefully, it will be a place we can return to often.

A Poem

I found this poem posted on another blog this week and it really hit home for me. I don't really need to comment more, but just an encouragment for everyone, no matter what we're going through, God is still in control...


Wait
- by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word."

"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign."

"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.

"Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run."

"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint."

"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see."

"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart."

"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last."

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you."

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though often My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

Life Uncomplicated...

Over the weekend, we started to 'clean sweep' our house. We really have only made one big move (San Diego to here) so we haven't been forced to purge the extras. The next major project I need to work on is getting rid of Dan's Navy uniforms. He wants to keep the formal sets (no problem) but the 'work blues' need to be seam-ripped of ID and other Navy insignias before we get rid of them. No moving truck is coming any time in the forseeable future, but someday it will, and we don't want to have to sort/clean as much when that time comes.

We got rid of:
-cassettes & VHS tapes (we just kept a couple of our favorite movies)
-unused summer clothes and unstylish pregnancy clothes (yes, they do exist!)
-baby swing and Jumperoo (if we need those again, we can just borrow them from other families)
-unread books (always lots of those) and magazines (do you really reread the National Geographics?)

Now that Russell's room is decluttered, we hope (in the next few months) to put a twin bed in there. He'll be out of the crib soon. When we put the crib away in Russell's closet, we'll sort the closet at that time. It has all the camping equipment which we hope to use next summer (Yosemite, maybe??).

Living in 1040 sq. ft. has its' disadvantages but overall, we still love our little place. It works for our family. Although I do envy certain houses/yards in the area, I find that people that own homes still use the city parks just as much as we do.

The small space we have also limits Russell's amount of toys and books. Interestingly enough, Russell really only plays with his Matchbox cars and classic wooden blocks. He parks and reparks his cars for hours. No exaggeration. Since he can now identify all uppercase alphabetical letters, he is excited to 'match' up the blocks and cars (i.e. the loader is parked by the L, the tractor by the T). He is so excited to know the letters (we're still working on the lowercase) and numbers 1-10. We went into Old Navy yesterday and Russell was shouting out all the numbers he saw on the large-labelled signs. Fun times.

I guess once we finish purging, it will be potty-training time...