Garden Update

This weekend has been unusually warm for June. Yesterday and today have been in about the 80-90's. We are trying to keep cool with fans and popsicles. I am also trying to keep my garden cool. Last month, I wrote about how the rabbits have been eating my garden. They had bitten off all the tops of my carrots, and my beans with the exception of about 3 plants. we then covered up the space between the dirt and the fence with some stones, and it has seemed to stopped to the rabbits. I am pleased to announce that my carrots and beans appeared to have bounced back and are growing again.

Below is a picture of some of the carrots that survived. One of my squash plants is finally growing. The other sprouted, but then stopped.

Below is are the beans. These must be some strong little plants. Most of them were bitten down to just stems, but they keep producing leaves. Also I have included a picture of our grass. We planted 40 feet of grass, and it really gives our yard a bit of color.

5 Exciting Years

On Friday, Dusty and I celebrated our 5th anniversary.  We are both amazed at how fast time flies.  I will be the first to admit that it has not all been perfect.  Dusty and I have been through what we think are our share of trials that seem to be enough to last 50 years of marriage.  But through them, we have grown to love each other even more.  I can honestly say that I love him just as much today as I did 5 years ago when we got married if not even more.  

I came home on Friday to see these beautiful flowers sitting in my kitchen.  

Also a couple weeks ago, we celebrated our anniversary a little early with some fine dining at the El Gaucho restaurant in Tacoma.  Even through my professional career, I had never been to such an amazing restaurant.  The service was amazing, the food perfect, and the atmosphere even better.  We got the prime cut of steak, and a table side prepared caesars salad, along with a table side prepared dessert of flaming bananas.  What an amazing experience.  I wish we could afford to eat out like that more often.

Twilight Series

When I left for Scottsdale, I started a new book called Twilight.  I had heard good things about the book after my sister Melissa read them and my Mom read them.  Dusty picked it up for me, and thought it would be good for my plane rides.  Due to the flight delays, I got plenty of time to read on the way down.  

I got so hooked to this book that I spent every evening reading while I was at training.  On Wednesday night, I was up until 2:00 AM finishing it.  I was a little tired on Thursday, and also frustrated that I didn't have any more of the book to read.  

On Friday on my way home, I found book 2 in the series called New Moon.  I was really glad I bought it as I sat on the plane for 2.5 hours before it even took off.  I got about halfway through it on Friday and finished it on Saturday.  Dusty was kind enough to go buy me book 3 called Eclipse.  I read all day Sunday (except for church) and read Monday night, and finished it on Tuesday.  

These are literally some of the best books I have ever read.  Stephenie Meyers, the author, is truly amazing, and I would recommend these books to anyone who has not read them.  The fourth book is coming out August 2nd, and I can't wait.  

I feel like I read them so quickly, that I must have missed a ton of stuff in them, and plus they are just really good books.  I may read them again before the 4th book comes out.  

Scottsdale, AZ

The evening of Father's day, I was fortunate to be able to fly out to Scottsdale, AZ.  My plane ended up being delayed a bit as the pilots were not on time, then they had some problems with the log book, so we left about an hour late.  When I got there, I had already scheduled a shuttle to pick me up in Phoenix to drive me to Scottsdale.  I call the shuttle people, and they said they it was too late and they couldn't pick me up.  I was a little frustrated, but just got a taxi instead.  I got to the conference center at about midnight and checked in.  

At Deloitte national training, you get to have a roommate for the first 5 years, and then when you become manager, you finally get your own room.  I absolutely despise roommates and felt bad that I would be waking up my roommate as I got in so late.  When I checked in, I found out that I didn't have a roommate.  I was so excited.  Perhaps it was because I checked in so late.  I didn't really care why, but I was thrilled.  

Anyways, the training was fine, though difficult to stay awake at times.  I guess I just don't find SFAS 157 (fair value measurement) that invigorating.  What did keep me awake, however, were the birds.  I am not sure why, but at the conference center, there were birds singing the entire time.  The first day, it was fun, but then when it kept going and going, it got a little old.

The weather was HOT!!!.  It was about 115 degrees every single day.  The classrooms were air conditioned, but lunch and breaks were outside.  I am not sure how people survive the summers in Phoenix.  It really made me appreciate the good old northwest.  On the way home, my plane was delayed again about 2.5 hours due to the heat.  Evidently, the plane could not cool down.  We pulled out after we had been sitting on the plane for about a hour to taxi to the runway, and about two minutes later we had to go back because the engines overheated again and needed to be cooled off.  It turned out to be a very long flight.  I was really glad that I had a new book (see next post).  

Father's Day

Dusty and I had the opportunity to spend Father's day my Dad and the Poe Family.  Originally, they were going to come up to see us, but David had an appointment in the morning, and a dance festival practice in the evening, so we decided to find something to do down in Olympia.  We contemplated for quite some time to find something to do, and then it dawned on that Olympia is the state capital.

When we got there, all the of the buildings were closed, but we decided to walk around the government grounds.  I had not been to the capital since probably 5th grade or so, and it was fun to walk around.  We saw the Killed in Action Police memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial, both of which are very interesting.  Below are some of the pictures we took on the grounds. 

The family in front of the Legislative Building

I never realized how beautiful Olympia is.  This is in front of the Judicial Building overlooking Capital Lake.

Here is David in front of the fountain.

Even Willie got to join in on the fun.

Mom and Dad then drove to our house to spend the night and we enjoyed Sunday together.  I made Biscuits and Gravy (Dad's Choice) for breakfast and we all went to church.  Mom, Dad, and David then drove out to Maple Valley to see Grandpa and Grandma Woodward.  Dusty and I were not able to go as I had to catch a flight.  It is always great to spend time with the family and remind David that he does have siblings.  We love you Dad!

More Blue Deloitte Shirts

Last summer, my sisters were in town, and one of them asked my why I wore the same blue Deloitte shirt out on the lake as we swimming/boating.  I responded with "what do you mean? I wear a different shirt each day.  I just have 4 of them."  I wear them to the lake because I have been thrown into the water more times than I would like, and they are free tee-shirts that I just don't care about.  

Each year, Deloitte sponsors a day where nationwide (may even be worldwide), we shut down our computers, stop sitting at our desks, and make an impact on our local communities.  The Seattle office hosts a variety of events each year to chose from.  Some of the standards each year include Earthcorps (environmental restoration), Junior Achievement (teaching students for a day), YWCA (Painting housing units/teaching basic skills), Seattle Children's Museum (cleaning/painting).  They have also hosted other activities throughout the years, including cleaning up Seattle Public Schools, helping out with Northwest Harvest (Food Bank), and Habitat for Humanity.  

We sign up for activities, put on a blue Deloitte Tee-Shirt and do service.  For me is a really fun day each year that I look forward too.  This year, I signed up for Earthcorps as I thought it would be fun to get outside.  We all started at Safeco field for registration and a kickoff, then we split up into the different groups and go out to serve.  The day was a little rainy, but it all turned out okay as we were protected by the tree canopy in the park where we were working.

Here we are at Safeco Field.  I thought it was cool to see our name on the big reader board. 

The first part of the day, I was part of a bucket brigade to move mulch up a very large hill to be spread around newly planted trees and shrubs that are native to the area.  I was near the top of the brigade, and it was a beautiful view to see.  Below are a couple pictures I took while we were on a break. passing me buckets.  

Here is the group in front of me on the bucket brigade.  Sorry I don't have pictures of us actually passing buckets.  It was hard to take pictures and pass buckets at the same time. 

Here is the view from where I was standing in the bucket brigade.  That is the Puget sound on the other side of the trees.  This was truly a beautiful park.

The second part of the day, we helped with slope stabilization on a hill where another group pulled out Ivy the first part of the day.  Basically, we found big logs in the forest where we were working and dug them into the side of the slope to slow the erosion of the hill side as all the plants were removed.  They said that it should help the slope remain intact until the roots of plants can take over to stabilize the slope.  

Here is the finished product for the slope stabilization.  You can see the logs that we set in the hillside horizontally to help the slope from eroding.

We completed the slope stabilization too quickly, so afterward, they told us to continue to pullout the ivy growing on the left of that large tree.  We actually removed it by using hedge trimmers around a particular section of ivy and then just rolled it down the hill.  It worked pretty well and we were all surprised.

All in all, it was a very fun day, and nice to get away from the computer.  Also, the shirt I got this year was light blue rather than royal blue and organic cotton, which makes really is softer than regular cotton.  It may become my favorite Deloitte Impact day shirt yet!  Perhaps you will see it if you come to the lake this summer. :)

Eagle Court of Honor

On June 3rd, Dusty and I were able to make the trek up to Everett to celebrate with my cousin Erik his accomplishment of achieving the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts of America Program.  He was awarded his rank along with one of his friends.  It was great to see him and the rest of the family.  We are very proud of him, and are looking forward when we get to attend my brother David's Eagle Court of Honor.  I hear he is just a project away.  Congratulations Erik!

Here is Erik (on the left) taking the oath that comes along with being an Eagle Scout.  

The Divine Role of Women

To me, this is a subject that everyone claims they cherish, but I believe it is greatly taken for granted by many.  Most little girls grow up holding baby dolls, they play house, and they don't even realize that they are born with a God given gift to procreate and bring children into this world.  

Once they understand what a woman's role is, they can't wait to get married, and hold real babies that truly are miracles.  They assume that everything will go perfect, and they can plan families like they plan vacations.  For most, it all comes true.  I know so many that have family planning down to a science, and when they are ready to have a child, they just decide, and a month or two later, they are on their way.  Doesn't it sound so easy?

Unfortunately, for some, including me, it doesn't work that way.  We don't sit around and think "hmm... I think May is a great month for a baby's birthday", or "that would be great timing for work", or "I want my kids 2.5 year apart, so this is the right time." No, people like me do not have that luxury, and I personally feel that many who do, do not appreciate the fortunate situation they are in.  

Dusty and I have been waiting over 4 years for a hope that we may celebrate the birth of one of Heavenly Fathers precious children, and we are still waiting.  I do not understand why it has been so difficult for us, and so many others.  I feel like I have been through many trials, but this by far has been the most difficult.  It is extremely difficult to grow up with only one plan, fulfilling woman's divine role, and not being able to execute the plan and put your natural instincts into action.  

It is difficult not to be able to obey the commandment we were given when we got married to multiply and replenish the earth.  I do not yet understand why such a loving Heavenly Father makes it so easy for some and so difficult for others to obey that commandment.  I have gone through many feelings including denial, jealousy, anger, and sorrow and experienced thoughts such as perhaps we aren't spiritual enough to bring a child into our family, perhaps I don't matter to my heavenly father, perhaps it is something I did in my past to make it this difficult.  

The one thing I have learned though all this is that Heavenly Father does love each one of us.  I am sure in hindsight, I will understand why we have had this difficulty, and learn to appreciate the trial as I have others.  The Lord has a plan for each one of us, and sometimes we don't know what it is or understand why.  

I did not write this to make anyone feel bad or to create a pity party for me; I just want women to realize what great gift they have to bear children and to cherish every moment of it.  I also want to let anyone else that is not quite as gifted to know they are not alone.  I also hope this will help other to be more understanding of those that are not quite as gifted in this area whether it be difficulties to get pregnant, or to stay pregnant.  I am truly happy when my friends and family get pregnant and bring children into the world.  I love them and their babies.  I just wish I could provide those babies friends and cousins to play with.

The Rabbit Lives

Well, unfortunately, at our house this morning the rabbits are still alive in multiple ways.  First of all, our house is built next to the green belt.  I have seen little bunnies in the evening as I drive home from work at times, but didn't think too much about it when I planted my garden.  I am not having as much luck at growing vegetables as feeding the rabbits or other little critters.  I kept coming home and finding less and less carrots sticking up from the ground, and lately, I started seeing chunks bitten from the leaves on my beans.  

We tried piling up the dirt by the fence, and then saw a tunnel into our garden.  We have now laid some stones by the fence to hopefully block them out and maybe some of the beans can be saved.  We will see.

Also this morning, we went into the doctor to have the pregnancy test.  According to my Mom, back in the old days, they took your blood and injected it into a rabbit.  If the rabbit died you were pregnant.  Unfortunately, this morning, the rabbit lived.  We are disappointed, but dealing with it, and determined to try again with our last 2 remaining embryos.  I do not yet know the time frame of when we will be able to try again.