challenge response: ten years in review - top one thing about being a mom for ten years

oh, gosh. that's a hard one! the past ten years hold so many wonderful memories (like when two-year-old ben gathered my slippers and then his own and lined them up together so they could be close, like us) and lessons learned (most importantly, that life is so much bigger than your own self - a huge revelation at 15!). i could be humorous and go with something about how tall he's getting and how nice it will be to have someone to get things for me from the top shelf. or, i could indulge in pride and expand on the idea of leaving a legacy, some part of myself (hopefully the better parts) existing long after i've left the known physical world. i could appeal to sentimentality with the unconditional love given by a child who is wholly dependent on me to provide for him and show him the world.

but i think i'll keep it simple. the best part of being a mom these past ten years has been ben. with a smile he reminds me of the joy of life. with a hug, he shows me compasion. and when he sleeps he shares with me his peace. the whole world is inside of ben. every laugh, tear, broken heart, new love, question and answer is held within him - our shared experiences as humans. taking care of him and loving him has allowed me to love myself and everyone else so much more. how can i hate anyone when i know that at their core they are just like ben? like me and you. every time i look at him i see the truth and beauty of this world and the potential for greatness.

** your challenge: top one thing your mother has given or shared with you

*edited* challenge response: the hip side of spokane

i don't consider myself to be hip - i'm really just a nerd. but it seems like anyone who is hip was at the death cab show. this was the line to get in the door 1/2 before the doors opened!

your challenge, should you choose to accept it: self portrait, literal or otherwise

day 1 of project 365: clean at last

it anything characterizes today, it's this.

so we ran the dishwasher at some point last week, and everything came out coated in grit and grime. i tried re-running it, with the end result of having everything cemented onto the dishes. so today, ian washed and then soaked half of the dishes, and i washed those, resoaked, and washed the rest. the dishwasher is full again, ready to run in the morning. it was one of those huge projects you don't even want to tackle.

on a side note: on this day last year, it was snowing, and obviously absolutely freezing outside. this year, i just went out at 9:30pm in my tank top and was very comfortable. i love richland.

Challenge Response: Top ten favorite things

1. Ian. How could he not top my list? He is so much more than I ever thought a person could be, he goes beyond that guy in the chick flick where you groan and say, "No guy would ever do that!"

2. Summer. I love the heat, the sunshine, the opportunity to go outside. I love taking walks at dusk or sitting at patio dining after dark. Dancing under the stars, driving to work in the brilliant sunlight. None of those happen in the winter.

3. Ice cream. Phish food is my all-time favorite, but really, give me anything chocolate with chocolate chunks and fudge swirls and such, and I'm in ice cream heaven.

4. Dinosaurs. I love the mystery and the majesty. I love love love the evolutionary puzzle that they hide (or expose?). They're so majestic. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the Walking with the Dinosaurs on Friday!

5. A nice, stiff drink. Is it frosty, sugary, with that latent alcoholic bite? So refreshing and lovely. So good to be a grown-up!

6. My house. I love decorating and making it accommodate both my and Ian's style. It's constantly a work in progress, and I cannot WAIT to get a place of my own, but I enjoy decorating, cleaning, and of course just BEING here.

7. Photographs. And picture-taking. I have a deep appreciation for the eye that can look at the everyday and see art. And love to try my hand at the same.

8. Animals. I don't know if I would call it a favorite or not, but I'm such a sucker for an animal. I fall so deeply and inexplicably in love with any animal face that looks at me like it needs cared for. Probably my unused motherly instincts.

9. My family. They embarrass me sometimes still (my dad came to dinner with Kathy and us wearing a fanny pack!) but I'm very proud of being a Watkins. And while I have decided to take Ian's name, I'm still looking forward to instilling that pride in my kids.

10. Good friends whom I know will always be there. Thank you. :)

Challenge: Ten years in review - Top one thing about being a mom for ten years!

picture of the week: my favorite place in richland

no, this is neither a cop-out nor am i being crass. i love my house, and i love being in bed. i pull my scrapbooking stuff around me, turn on HGTV, snuggle up under the covers and i'm happy as a clam.















picture challenge: the hipper side of spokane

Challenge Response: ten reasons to get my degree

1. i will not be happy until i do.
2. i want to prove to myself that i can commit to something and see it through to the end.
3. to set a good example for ben.
4. so i can get a job that will allow me to better provide for ben.
5. english professors are sexy.
6. i miss the environment: an emphasis on learning and excitement for discussing new ideas.
7. it's time that i find my passion.
8. there is a certain amount of respect one gets when they hold a four year degree (in almost anything).
9. most of the jobs that interest me require a bachelors. with a degree, i can better compete for my dream job.
10. i need a change of scenery, more inspiration and school is a good place to find both!

your challenge: top ten favorite things (tangible or abstract)

Photo Challenge

Oops! I forgot to post your photo challenge for this week. So here it is: My favorite place in Richland.

challenge response: move over winter, make way for spring!

sometimes i just love spokane. ben and i took skippy for a walk down to riverfront park and had a picnic dinner. it was so nice! spring really has arrived (finally!).

New thought

I had such a good time going around with my camera yesterday, I think I'm going to attempt to do a picture-a-day for a year. I have a flickr account, it'll be good for me to keep an eye on my surroundings and become super-comfortable with my camera. :)

Challenge Response: Top ten things to do before I die

1. Have kids. That's number one, I really would like to raise at least one child.

2. Get married. I'm slightly pessimistic, and I keep thinking how crushed I would be if I died before I got to marry Ian.

3. Ride in a hot air balloon. Wouldn't that be awesome?

4. Go parasailing. I'm starting to see a theme there. I've already gone skydiving, or that might be on this list.

5. Buy a house. And totally do it over. I really want to build a pergola!!

6. Go to Paris, Las Vegas and have another yummy pastry thing:















7. Go back to Paris, France with Ian.

8. See Italy and/or Greece. I'd love to see the art and the villas by the ocean.

9. Go see Asia. China, Japan, India at least. It would be a great retirement trip, take a month.

10. Open a business with Ian. I don't know what I'll do, but I want us to be self-employed. We'll have a blast!


Challenge: Top ten reasons to get my degree

picture of the week: april visit to bookwalter

picture challenge: "move over, winter. make way for spring!"

special picture just for you!

DINOSAUR!!