A Change in Plans...

So, as everyone knows, I have been applying for jobs and working on finishing my dissertation with the hope of relocating this summer. A few things have set me back in the dissertation process, namely illness for the past 3 weeks. Applying for jobs has also taken a larger chunk out of my time than expected as well. Add to all of this an e-mail I received Sunday morning from Bryony Lavery (my dissertation subject) that offered herself up as an interview subject in April; I did quite the happy dance.

I had come to the realization that we probably weren't going anywhere last week. The job market sucks (even in education) and the jobs I applied for were submitted 5-8 weeks ago which generally means that I'm not on their short lists. The diss is behind but perhaps that is how it was supposed to be in order to include an interview with Lavery. Humanities and Women's and Gender Studies GTF applications for the 09-10 year are due in 3 weeks. All these factors are guiding me towards hanging out in Eugene for another year.

If I don't get a full year GTF I will graduate in fall term. If I get one I will graduate in June. There is a part of me has been feeling like I'm doing everything half-assed, from being a mom to being a student to being a friend. Yesterday, after I talked to my advisor and various other folks it feels like a giant weight hs been lifted off my shoulders. I will continue to write with the hope of having a full draft by the end of the May. I'm applying to conferences which will add a little sparkle and shine to my CV. And we are planning a trip to England mid-April! Thankfully I have departmental funding for my travel/accomodations! We are off to get the girls' passports this morning.

This is a big switch in thinking...but I feel like it is the right choice. I'm not thinking of it as a delay so much as just part of the process.

Thanks for reading and being patient with our ever-changing life circumstances!

Big Kid Bath

Someone is quite proud of themselves...


That's right, our "baby" is chillin' in the big kid tub. She definitely thinks she is pretty cool!

Giving her a bath in the baby tub was more like taking a bath ourselves, with all the kicking and splashing. I failed to get around to ordering an inflatable one like we had for Maya, so in desperation we tried her in the tub by herself and she loved it! She really digs laying down on her back, splashing and kicking!

At the end of the bath we let big sis come in for some together time. So far it's worked out pretty well with little to no incidents. Here is a cute pic of them together!

From the mouths of babes...

Yesterday, Maya had a couple of statements/exchanges that "____________" me. I don't have a single word to fill in the blank...so many emotions.

When I walked in to her classroom with Fin, Danny and Maya were talking with the teacher about Maya not napping. She looked at me and said, "Momma don't be mad".

On the way home in the car Danny and I were having a circular "discussion" about where/what to have for supper. From the back seat Maya pipes up with "Momma take two deep breath-es. Daddy take two deep breath-es." Danny tried to convince her that we weren't angry, to which she replied "Daddy you are a little bit angry, believe me."

And finally, at supper I was telling Danny a story about some drama at school. Suddenly, Maya says "Momma, tell me the story too".

Oh, goodness. Where did our baby go?

Abba-Mania, part 1

Many of you know our house/car/existence is filled with Abba songs...thanks to Maya! Here is the proof.

First, Super Trooper with a "Fin Intermission".

Abba-Mania, part 2

A little Mamma Mia for your ears. Of course all songs have Maya-style lyrics but this one in particular has a lovely distracted quality to it!

Abba-Mania, part 3

And for the grand finale--Dancing Queen. Please note the emotionality and musical phrasing (aka--volume)!



And just in case you were missing out on some Fin love...here ya go!


And just in case you were doubting that Maya marches to the beat of her own drum...here ya go!

It's 3:24 am...what are you doing?

Whatever your answer...I wish I were doing the same.

Maya has been sick since Sunday afternoon, Fin since Tuesday afternoon and Danny and I since Wednesday. Mind you this is a new level of sick to add to the cough/cold/congestion that we've had for the past two weeks.

Fin is refusing to sleep, Maya is coughing her fool head off and Danny and I keep tossing and turning and getting up to take care of a kid every hour.

Need I say more than..."Livin' the dream!"

See you on the flip side...if I'm awake!