Passed the finish line!!!!

Brandon found out his Naplex score...HE PASSED!!!! Plus, we made it to Walla Walla safely. The kids have already made a few friends, and we are actually neighbors with a member in the bishopric. We are just trying to get settled. We don't have as much room here as our last house but we are trying to figure things out. We really miss you all but are definitely glad that we are finally in Walla Walla. It was a very-very long drive.
Well back to unpacking and i'll write later.

Almost there!

Brandon just found out that he passed his MPJE (pharmacy law exam for Washington state). He took that test last Friday. Today he took the Naplex exam (licensure exam) and so we find out his score sometime in the next two weeks.

Thank you all for your support. We are so grateful for all you do to help us reach our goals!

Memories from the womb.

Ian is mesmerized by the guitar. I mean he can be in a full blown tantrum and the moment Brandon starts playing the guitar he is completely quiet-with eyes glued on Brandon. He sat in his highchair, no toys, no food, no anything, just staring for like 30 minutes. It's incredible to watch. I wonder if it's because he remembers the sounds from while he was inside my womb and is fascinated???
Today he was really cute. He was on the floor next to Brandon. Ian kept sampling the guitar with his tongue. He would pull away slowly with a huge grin on his face. Of course Ian samples everything with his mouth... Music you can taste :)
I hope Ian will have a love for music!

Indian Health Service Residency

We did not get accepted into an IHS Residency. We are really sad but are trying to move forward. We still have a possibility of getting a Non-IHS Residency. Brandon has a few more interviews coming up and so we are just doing the best we can. We're trying to be optimistic about it all.
We had a list of places we thought were good, and we like what the IHS Residency could offer, but the Lord ultimately knows where we need to be, and what is best for us, and I guess it's going to be something other than this. However, Brandon still feels good about the Indian Health Service. He is going to look into available pharmacy job positions. He also feels good about the Non-IHS residencies as well. We will see if we get matched in March. We are excited to see where we end up. We are so grateful for all your love, support, and prayers.

TRADITION?

I've shaved my head about every other year of mine and Brandon's marriage -I'm getting that feeling again!!!!!
I don't know what triggers the urge for me to want to shave my head? Maybe it's the drain full of hair, or the fact I hate my hair falling down on my face all the time, or the fact that when I actually do do my hair-i feel like I am doing it all day long, or maybe I just want change and shaving my head is a pretty noticable change, or maybe it's the beautiful weather, or just boredom-who knows? But the fact is that for some odd reason I feel this weird "let's shave my head" feeling about once or twice a year. I have been just cutting Noah's hair instead. I have tried to suppress it because...well, i like it when Brandon doesn't have to cringe or look the other way when he talks to me. I know it's not my best look but it is one of the best feelings. You should try it! it's nice.... It makes me feel free and not so weighed down, if that makes sense. Anyhow, I have it pulled up, pinned back and out of the way as much as possible. I guess this is how I compromise. Plus, i promised Brandon that I wouldn't.


The good ole days

"I miss Grandma Taylor"

It's been really hard not living near family. Today was an especially hard day for Noah. He just kept expressing to me how much he misses Grandma Taylor. While he and I were sitting on the couch chatting he brings it up again
Noah: "Mom, I really miss Grandma Taylor"
Me: I miss her too, I wish that we could live closer to her"
Noah: "I wish she was my Mommy"
Me: "Oh? What about me?"
Noah: (a pause of silence) "I want two Mommies"

I really thought that it was neat that he tried to problem solve and find a solution.
It makes me sad that we usually miss out on family reunions, marriages, baptisms, holidays, and just time together spent with extended family. I feel bad that Meili and Noah only know names and not faces of their cousins. It's been definitely hard on them, and us too. I will be grateful when we can look forward to being more involved with family, and can afford the time and money to go and visit them. I am so grateful that we can e-mail, call on the phone, and chat on facebook to each other, and no matter the distance, they support and love us!

8 months already?

During dinner, me and Brandon were talking about how weird it is that Ian is already eating "Human food" as Meili and Noah put it. Meili and Noah have tasted Ian's baby formula and pureed veggies/fruit and they can tell you that Ian does not eat "human food"!
Anyhow, It's crazy that he is already eating solids, and has nearly tripled in his birth weight, has eight teeth, and is already developing a little personality!
He is eight months old today! Brandon and I were kindof shocked how fast time has gone by. I remember thinking when Ian was born, a year from now we will be graduated and hopefully heading somewhere new. I remember feeling like it was going to be a very long wait until then. Here we are 8 months into it and 4 more until graduation. Time has really flown by!
In the beginning I wasn't sure if I wanted another baby, and was really hesitant about getting pregnant. Brandon's idea...isn't suppose to be the other way around-me getting the promptings that it's time for another one? Anyway, with much thought, and prayer, and consideration, I knew it was right. I am so grateful. Even though I still struggle, I am, no doubt about it, so grateful for my little Ian!

Please refill the basket

I noticed that the diaper basket was empty so I asked Noah to please refill it for me. I went downstairs for a little while. When I came back up this is what I found.

Not exactly what I was thinking but it is what I asked for.

It made me laugh. Does it kindof remind you of the Amelia Bedelia books? You know, the housemaid that takes everything literally. For example in one of her books she is asked to "draw the drapes when the sun comes in." So ofcourse she has her pencil and paper ready to draw the drapes. Noah is becoming quite the little helper.

Baby Babble

Ian said his first "Da Da". Meili was watching Ian while I was in the other room and she comes running in "Mommy, Ian said Dad's name". It's so cute to hear him go on and on saying "da da da da (insert a little growling sound) da da da da". I love it! I know right now Ian has no comprehension of what "da da" really means, but he soon will. When he does start using actually words I know I am going to really miss all the cooing and baby talk.
The kids try to translate his baby sounds. It's kindof funny to hear what they think Ian is saying (who knew he could speak in such complete sentences) :).

DEDICATED TO GRANDPA JENSEN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD/GRANDPA JENSEN

WE LOVE YA!