I heart blogging!!!

Thank you so much for all your prayers, sweet comments, and love!!!! I am grateful. Thank you also to crochetcrazymom for sharing your story!!! I NEVER get tired of hearing stories like that =)

Please keep the prayers coming... still more questions than answers.

Wisdom

I need some.

I need my doctor to have some.

Could you pray for that please??

I don't want to go into too much detail...because, well...it's just a matter so close to my heart, that I have a hard time sharing about it (most the time), and also I am soooo sensitive when it comes to peoples...advice...

...Even well meaning advice...

...but the gist is my doctor is looking into some things...she may have some answers in regards to my journey to becoming a Momma...

I would just be eternally grateful if I could ask you amazing prayer warriors out there to pray for her (my doctor) to have lots of wisdom when it comes to diagnosis and answers...


Oh, and Peace.

I definitely could use some of that too!


Thank you.

Thank you very, very much.

(I didn't mean to sound like Elvis there)

Carry on luggage

For our trip this last weekend there was one picture I took, but decided not to post because I didn't want to seem like a whiner...
This is what also accompanied us to Skamania Lodge:I have been feeling crummy for about a week and a half now, and it just doesn't seem to be getting any better =(. SO after days upon days of using all of the above items (and varying times, don't worry, I won't OD on Target's knock off Dayquil), I finally bit the bullet today and went to see my doctor. I love her. Today, she is my favorite person!! I know antibiotics are not always the answer, and I try not to run to her every time I sneeze, but this cold/flu has been a doozy! And it just is not getting better. Every time I bent over yesterday, I would instantly get a really severe headache, so I knew that pressure meant a sinus issue. No matter how much would "drain" out, the pressure remained. (and A LOT has been draining! I couldn't believe when they weighed me at her office this morning I hadn't lost any weight, I thought for sure I would have lost at least 5 pounds with all the snot I have produced in the last 11 days!!!! Ew. Sorry. Probably didn't need to share that...)
But today I got an RX for an antibiotic, and for Sudafed....which is no longer OTC here in Oregon. Or was that a federal law? I can't remember, all I know is I am happy to have it.
Here's to the road to health!!!

Skamania Lodge

What a beautiful lodge!!! I told David that it is my new Happy Place. It was sooo nice and cozy, and so relaxing! It was officially decided this weekend that I am a "lodger", meaning, I like the whole lodgin' experience... cocoa by the big fireplace, an outdoor spa with waterfall, beautiful mountains surrounding you...what's not to love?

This was on our drive there after we stopped for a late lunch:


Daveyboy happy to have arrived!
The "great room", where there were lots of couches and rocking chairs you could cuddle up in, both facing the fireplace...

..and the GIANT 4 -story windows overlooking the Gorge. Or as I called it, the Gorge-ous. Original, I know.
I had to get a close up here because there was the most beautiful rainbow!!

Isn't this scenery spectacular???
Awww...look at the happy, relaxed couple... =)

We had the "Bed and Breakfast" package for both nights, which included room service for breakfast!! We felt like royalty. Don't pancakes taste so much better both when you don't have to cook them, and when you get to eat them in your pj's in bed?!? I even got a fruit smoothie!!!
Yesterday we went for a hike ...
...David pretended to golf...
... and of course, I made him pose for the obligatory couple-self-portrait!! It just wouldn't be a vacation with out one of those! It was not even 48 hours, but it was soooo glorious!! It wasn't very crowded there at all. In fact late last night, I had the urge to go sit in the spa again (the one pictured in the post below). Dave had had enough "spa time" (who even knew such a thing could happen??) as we had already been down there once that day. So I ran down for a quick dip before bed by myself, and the place was EMPTY. I sat in that hot tub all by myself and just breathed in the fresh mountain air...Heaven. I was in such bliss at one point I was even doing twirls around the large spa with a giant cheesy grin on my face, and that is how the lodge employee found me when she came out to say the spa was closing. Oops. Oh well, I was too relaxed to be embarrassed.
So now we are back home. Safe, sound, relaxed and refreshed. Vacations are just so good for the soul!!!

Weekend getaway!!!

Tomorrow...


...we will be there!! In a room, in that lodge overlooking the river.

Doesn't it just look dreamy?!?

I simply can not wait!!! I know, I know...we just went on vacation in December, but these last few months have been crazy for us! David has been working 24 hours a week, carrying 10 credits, and working on his thesis in his "spare time". I recently got a promotion at work -which is a blessing, especially in this economy- but it has required a decent amount of overtime and general angst over the last several weeks. We have barely spent any time together, and I miss him terribly!!! So this will be a nice way to kick off the next term, which should be a lot lighter for Dave, and things are (hopefully) settling into a nicer pace at work for me.

Hooray for relaxing weekend getaways!!!!!

Be still my heart...

David went down to Salem on Wednesday to run some errands and visit some family. He stopped in to see his brother and his family, which includes our two nephews. David made this video for me since I had to work and wasn't able to go...LOVE!!!!!

Birthday fun!!

First off, I am in love with you all!! I had no idea I wasn't a total freak until you all commented that you do so many of the same things!!!!! Hooray for being normal =). Or, at least, being a weirdo with a bunch of super-cool weirdo's like you =).

So I know my birthday was days and days ago, but for journaling purposes, I gotta log my weekend fun quickly...
Friday night David took me to The Olive Garden....mmmmm....my favorite! Love me some bread sticks dipped in Alfredo sauce! (Unfortunately, so do my thighs, which is why I just got home from doing 4 miles on the bike at the gym! HA!)

Then Saturday my wonderful husband sent me to a spa for a hot stone therapy massage and foot treatment - God love him. It was amazing!!!
This is me excited to head to the spa:Ok, so my face doesn't really show it, but I am GIDDY at the idea of getting a massage!! Of course when I walked in there, I had to force myself to pretend that I belonged there. This was a fancy-shmancy spa, and I felt like I stood out. But then I just thought to myself "for all these people know, I am an anaesthesiologist!" and promptly squared my shoulders and settled in with a magazine while I waited for them to call my name. I was so into my "fake-it-until-you-make-it" roll playing that when they called out "Mrs. Hoffman??", I almost corrected the girl and said "It's Doctor Hoffman". HA!

The massage was heavenly, and I came home more relaxed than I have ever been!!!

I spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with my three favorites...

Don't let Ruby's (the white one) face fool you, she was loving it.

Hope you all had a great weekend too!!!

28

In honor of my 28th birthday, I thought I would post 28 weird-or I actually prefer the word "interesting"- things about me:


1. I absolutely hate the smell of down. I can't stand it. It invokes a gag reflex in me. Just awhile back I was in Costco perusing clothes and just as I turned a corner, I all of a sudden felt like gagging and immediately recognized the smell of down. Sure enough there was some down jackets for sale just a few feet from me. Yuck. Down pillows in a hotel room? Adios. To the closet they go!!


2. I almost always have a candle burning in my house when someone comes over. I am always afraid my house really stinks and I just can't smell it because I am "used to it". So I burn candles just in case.

3. I love to sleep with one arm thrown back over my head.

4. When I sleep like that, my cat Lucy licks my armpit. It is so gross. So I can't really sleep like that for very long.

5. I am not a big vegetable fan, but I do love carrots. Love them!!

6. All my life, I had never had cable television until David and I got married. Hello TBS, TLC, Oxygen, and HGTV channels...where have you been all my life?!?

7. My absolute favorite food is macaroni and cheese. Love it. And although I really need to try this recipe, I pretty much love it in any form. Even good old all American Kraft macaroni and cheese. (Although I do think the spirals taste better than the regular, anyone else find that to be true?)

8. I may not be the best driver in the world, but I can parallel park like nobody's business. Seriously.

9. If you want to see me go absolutely ape, talk to me during a movie and then turn to me a minute later and say "what just happened, I missed it". SO. DID. I.!!! YOU WERE TALKING TO ME!!!

10. I have a strange - yet very real aversion to odd numbers. I can't stand if the TV or radio volume is on 25, or 17 or something, I always have to click it one more time up or down to be on a even number. I also can not set my alarm to an odd number. You could check it at any time and it will always be set for 6:42am or 6:48am, or 7:04am or something. If Dave tells me he needs to get up at 7:15am, he knows that the alarm will be set for 7:14am. I simply can not have it any other way. Weird, I know.


11. I prefer mugs with rounded, shaped, or contoured sides. David pointed this out to me, I had never noticed it before, but given the choice between two different coffee mugs, I will always choose the more curvy one....
I wonder what that says about me... any psychotherapists out there reading this?


12. I heart sleeping. I pretty much could sleep anytime, anywhere. I love it. Only like 3 times in my entire life have I woke up feeling like it was "time to get up!" I could always sleep more.

13. I absolutely have to have a glass of water next to me before I can fall asleep. HAVE TO. Even if we are camping or something, I have to have a water bottle near me. It's a strange comfort thing. But it also has to do with the fact that I lllllooovveee water. I carry a water bottle (stainless steel thank you very much) with me everywhere I go. I freak out if I don't have it with me and immediately become parched just knowing it isn't there. *Yes I have been tested for diabetes and no I do not have it*

14. Every night before I go to sleep, going to the bathroom is the very last thing I do. If I get all ready for bed and then climb in and watch TV or read for a bit, then I have to get up and pee before I can go to sleep.


15. I can not stand to be wet in my clothes. Like if I am washing my hands and my sleeve gets wet, I have to roll it up so that the wet part is not just resting on my bare arm. Or if I running in to work in the rain and the part of my pants that my coat doesn't cover gets soaked - I am miserable until it dries. The odd thing is I LOVE a nice long shower or a bath, I just hate being in wet clothes...makes me feel like a drowned rat or something.

16. Hi my name is Kendra and I am addicted to hoodies. I currently own 9 (yup nine) hooded sweatshirts, 3 zip-up hooded sweatshirts, and that's in addition to several hooded sweaters. Think that's weird?? I can't even remember the last time I used the hood feature of the sweatshirt.
Camping summer of 08 I think was the last time.

17. I can not go to the movies and not get popcorn. It's like my eyes are unable to focus on the screen (albeit GIANT) in front of me unless yummy buttery popcorn is being ferried from a greasy bag to my mouth. The only time I can think of where I didn't get popcorn was when we went and saw The Passion. Excellent movie, but not a popcorn movie.

18. I wear socks to bed every night. Well, ok, perhaps there is like 3 times in the summer when it is really, unbearably hot, that I don't wear socks to bed, but the other 362 days it's a guarantee.

19. I am late everywhere I go. No matter what time I get up, or how much I plan ahead, I am always running late.
I hate that about myself.

20. I love chocolate chip cookie dough more than I like chocolate chip cookies.

21. I can not stand Kirsten Dunst. I don't really know why...I just don't like her. At all.

22. I have never seen SO many of the "classics"...I have never seen "It's A Wonderful Life", or "The Sound of Music"...but I have seen "Sweet Home Alabama" like 17 times.

23. Even the thought of tapioca pudding makes me gag.

24. I hate the feeling of someone else's bare feet touching me. EW. It took me a long time to even be able to stand David's feet touching me...and I adore him. It's nothing personal, it just gives me the heebee-geebee's. (Is that how you spell that??)

25. Ok...so apparently, I talk in my sleep. And not just adorable little comments or noises, and not even chatty conversation...no, apparently I like to FREAK my poor husband out by saying something completely off the wall, while sitting up, eyes wide open, and try and convince him that I am in fact awake while I am speaking nonsense at him. The first instance on the books was shortly after we were married, when he came to bed, I turned on the light, sat straight up, and told him to watch his step because there was a cactus on the floor right next to the bed. He froze -obediently- and stared at me saying "Uh.....huh?"
Usually during such events, I wake up to find my beloved spouse is staring at me with the most quizzical look on his face.
That is just the first instance. The others are an entire blog entry of their own...

26. I have a completely irrational fear of running out of toilet paper. I always make sure each bathroom has plenty of extra rolls, and I keep an extra package in the garage "just in case".

27. I am scared of parrots. Terrified. When David and I lived in Mexico, we rented a bungalow from a lady who had an enclosed property, and she would just let these little monsters roam around. Have you ever seen a parrot walk? It is SO. CREEPY. They have big, sweeping shoulder movements, and they lurch slowly at you. They could smell my fear, and they would literally chase me around the yard. I am quite sure if I would not have run, one of them would have pecked my foot until it had to be amputated. Currently at my gym sometimes one of the staff members brings her parrot in and lets it sit on her shoulder while she works. I am always practically hugging the opposing wall as I check in...especially because my hair is usually back in a pony tail and therefor my neck (and carotid artery) is exposed!!!

28. Even though I can not carry a tune in a bucket, I have the gift of being able to identify a song within a few mere seconds of hearing it. We discovered this talent at Dave's work's Christmas party a few years ago...they would play a clip of a song, and whoever guessed it properly first won a token. A few notes would play, and BOOM my hand was in the air "Africa by Toto!" or "Carpet ride by Steppenwolf!!". My hands were filled with tokens in a matter of moments, as my husband stared at me with awe and wonder...it was one of my finest hours.



So there you go. If you made it through this whole list, you are a trooper!!! Don't worry, I won't try and do this when I am 40. HA!!
Lacy, are you up for listing 26 strange things about you this weekend??

Home sweet home

Little Miss Spunky Brewster is home!!!!! Thank you a thousand times over for your prayers!! Amanda sent me an email this morning asking me to specifically thank all you bloggers! Yesterday evening Cadence had a real turn around, and not only was surgery no longer being considered, but she was discharged late last night! Hallelujah!!!

Prayer changes things.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for storming Heaven's gates on behalf of my little niece. I am grateful!! If there is anything I can be in prayer for you for, please let me know.

Please keep praying...

My precious little niece is still having a hard time in the hospital. She is in good spirits - like always, she is such a happy little girl- but not really loving the hospital. She is having some GI issues, and they are not getting great results with the few options they have tried. They are talking about another surgery...and my heart is just broken. Please, please pray it doesn't come to that!! Please pray that the God of Wonders moves and heals... and please pray for my sister and brother in law. They are such amazing parents, and both so strong... I don't know how they do it...

Thank you prayer warriors!!!!!

I get by with a little help from my friends...

Ohhhhhhhhhh happy day!!

Look what was waiting for me when I got home tonight...


An early birthday present from my sweet bloggy friend Jen and her daughter Jeven! Isn't that just the nicest thing?!?

Jen is such a fun, kind, thoughtful, happy soul, and I love reading her blog. And her daughter Jeven is just about too adorable for words!!!

Isn't it so cute? I just love how Jen put a smiley face here, that just seems to be the epitome of Jen, =)

She wrote me a sweet card...
**Please excuse these pictures. They were taken Post gym/Pre-shower...so the glamor factor is at about a negative two. But excitement outweighs vanity tonight =)**

Some adorable monogrammed note cards...

A pretty little ornamental plate that says "You make the world a better place just by being in it". Awww...shucks =) Ditto to you Jen!
And last but not least, a delicious smelling candle!!

Thanks so much girls!! You are too sweet!

I heart bloggy buddies!!!!!! =)

Prayer request

**UPDATE** Amanda just updated here and things are already looking up!! Thank you so much for praying!! Please keep praying things continue to go well, and that Cadence recovers fully.
Thank you, and to God be the glory!!


Just wanted to ask all of you prayer warriors out there to please be in prayer for my little niece, as well as my sister and brother in law.
Cadence is SUCH a miracle, and I know God will continue to protect her (and her parents!) as He always has.
But they have all just been through so much, and I know they would appreciate all your prayers!!
Thank you!!!

Don't you just love the weekend?

My least favorite part of a weekend is that it's end is inevitable. =(.

Friday night after a llloonnnggg work week, Dave and I actually got to hang out together for the evening. David did our first BBQ-ing of the season, and it was delicious!! There is not much tastier than a grilled cheeseburger on a nice "Spring" evening. We watched a movie, and hit the hay pretty early as we were both exhausted from the week.

Saturday, we met my bloggy friend Julie and her husband Wayne at Claim Jumper for lunch. It was SO fun!! I sometimes forget that Julie and I have only known each other for 5 months, and have only actually hung out twice...because I swear it seems like we have been friends for ever! Our husbands were both saying it was uncanny how much we had in common, and when we left the restaurant, David turned to me and said "well you two are just like two peas in a pod, aren't you?" =).

Saturday evening Dave's dad came up and he and Dave went to the Blazer game. And while they were gone, I met up with my beloved sister in law for coffee. We spent over 3 hours chatting away while enjoying our delicious Starbucks drinks. It was such a nice evening...despite the drunken homeless man who came over and interrupted our conversation to ask me where in England I was from. When I stared at him quizzically and said "I am not from England", he stared back at me just as confused and said "well why do you speak with a British accent then?". I was pretty sure I hadn't been speaking with a British accent -ever-, but he seemed so genuinely confused that I had to check with Risa to be sure....

"I don't have a British accent? Do I???" I asked, wondering if it were possible I was the confused one...

"No." She confirmed.

That's what I thought.

Weirdness.

Anyways. Since I wasn't as smart as Risa and didn't order a decaf, I was wide awake when I got home, which led me to end up working on projects around the house until after 2 am! Add in the tragic loss of an hour (why do we still do this??) and sadly the Hoffmans did not make it to Church this morning. Which led to a little guilt, until I read Jenna's blog today...

Thanks Jenna =) I needed that!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend! Since all my chores were completed in the wee hours of the night last night, I am off to lay on the couch and watch some Sunday evening movies...oh how I love the weekends!!

Product placement

All my life, my mother has sold Mary Kay cosmetics. I grew up with the stuff, and it's pretty much all I have ever used...not only because I get it at cost, but because I genuinely like their products and am therefor usually quite loyal to them...until I read about this product on BigMomma's blog.

I tried that eye lifting serum on BigMama's recommendation, and thus began my torrid affair with Olay products.

Within just a week it was like hello eyes from 5 years ago! You look lovely!! So nice to see you after all this time!!!!

Seriously, I know it's like $100 for a bottle the size of a nickel (I kid, but only slightly), but if you have birthday coming up,(ahem), which is making you all-too-aware of your getting older,(ahem...) and you are working lots of overtime lately and not getting as much sleep as you need, (ahem...), then can you really put a price on a product that both reverses the clock AND somehow manages to put more time on it?
I say no... we will have to see what The Husband says... =)

I think I might need these...

Why, you ask? Well, one, they are cute. Two, they are on sale. And last but not least, they are named "The Kendra".
And that just never happens!

Just for laughs...

David's sweet little cousin sent us this email forward this week, and even though we had seen it before, I laughed all over again when I read it...
From a Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

From a Cat's Diary



Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...............