Peter found out today that his Grandma Thomas (the one who lived in Newport Beach) passed away tonight. I ask that you guys keep Peter and his family in your prayers. Thanks.

-Anne

Well that is the date of my scheduled induction for Camie. I just thought I probably needed to announce it to the family so that you all know what is going on here. We are getting very excited for her to join us. I will be 37 weeks on Wednesday and I am definitely ready for her to come.

Just as Peter announced, we rented out our home in Boise and are now in limbo at Mom and Dad's house until we figure out what we will do in Salem (rent/buy). Thanks to Mom and Dad for putting up with us being here for the time being. I don't know what we would do if we didn't have such great people to be willing to take us in. We love you and thanks so much.

It is weird to be in such a big house all alone but I am getting alot of company with Kim and Brent coming over alot. Thanks to all of you who are keeping me busy in these last few days of pregnancy and not having Peter here all the time. It is helping alot. Thanks.

Well now is the waiting game to see if she comes before April 16th. Otherwise she will be coming then and we will definitely let you know.

We love you all.

-Anne

We made it into Naha, Okinawa on Saturday night about 2140. Tom was there to meet us and drove us, taxi-style, through town to the base where he works. This is Camp Foster. All concrete but with beautiful greenery growing around and through out the base. Tom clued me in that 2 of my mentors live here; John LaBanc and Marc Waterman. I plan to drop by and see them while here, if we get the time. Haven't tried any local food yet but looking forward to it. Lots of Pachinko parlors on the way. Went to church today and feel pretty normal as far as no jet lag. Met some a Military Relations Missionaries. Barb and I are hoping to go that route when I finally retire. I think we are going to sit down and set a date so we do it, as planned. Otherwise, the time will just get further and further out there and we'll be too old to do it later. I'd love to come to Okinawa for our Mission. Right up our alley. Mom and I both like the area. We are going out on a short drive around the area today then leave tomorrow to go to Okuma, a military owned resort at the North part of the island. Have to watch out for the Habu snakes because Tom says I am paranoid about them and Banana spiders. Oh well. Later, K & B

So yesterday afternoon right before I hopped on a plane for Portland we agreed to the terms for renting our house out starting the next weekend. The opportunity came up and we decided to jump on it. I am excited to be moving on things but also nervous to be a first time landlord. It will be a 2 year lease. Well the real reason I need to blog this is that I will be packing up a moving truck next Wednesday and driving to Salem on Thursday. So....are any of you Vancouver-ites available to help unload the truck in Salem next Thursday night?

So sometimes I like to pretend I speak Spanglish and say words in Spanish in the middle of my sentences. Well, just now as I was deciding what I should title this post, I thought, "I should put San Diego in Spanish!" I am stupid...

Let's see, it's been almost a month since I've posted...sorry. I've been meaning to for a while but just haven't sat down to write it. So, of course, I am writing this during one of my classes that is pretty boring. Gotta be productive, right?

Speaking of school, classes are going well. I'm getting started on work for final projects, group and individual, that are all due at the end of April.  I can't really believe this is my last semester of traditional classes. I have my last class during the summer, which is more of a consultation project so I don't count it as really the same thing. I am definitely ready to be done, even though I am glad I came back to school.

My internship is continuing well. I have fairly constant work to do and am getting along with my boss.  From what he's saying it seems like he is wanting me to stay working there for a while, which would be nice to have as a steady opportunity for employment.  I think I'll be moving more into an organizational role in the business side of the company, which works for my strengths and I think will really help the company. I'm also planning on starting up some part-time work again with Sport Chalet soon. Not my first choice but it'll be easy cause I already know how to do everything and it won't be another thing to stress about (hopefully).

Outside of school and work, I've been enjoying my time with friends. I have my car back and he's working just fine now. SO nice to have a car again.

We took a trip up to LA to see my friend Matthew in a play he was starring in. He did a great job and we had a fun couple days hanging out in Santa Monica, Hollywood and Long Beach.

There were also had a couple birthdays this month among my friends so we got together to celebrate those around San Diego.

Quick update.

ISAAC...

• Has managed to text his cell phone to death. It is broken and he's at a loss.
• Doesn't act like he has a broken clavicle, which he does. Is it healing? Who knows.
• Has girls on the brain - or perhaps a girl on the brain.

• Continues to march to his own drummer. Loves skinny jeans - and actually carries them off pretty well.
  
• Has entered a Google logo contest at school and is taking it rather seriously.

• Had an 'accident' at school last week. He was mortified. I got an apology call from the teacher that wouldn't let him go to the bathroom. I should have had her come over when he was on his bunk bed crying over the embarrassment.

• Just a sweet, obedient, fair-tempered, beautiful girl.
  
• Her latest ambition is to play the cello.

• Has been offered the opportunity to train in the NICU at the hospital. Taking it.
• Has started running with her pepper spray after a friend spotted an 'exposer' on the dike. Lovely.
  
• Signed up for a sprint triathlon in July. Adding laps to the current regimen of running and biking.

• Survived (only barely) his g-mail account being taken over by some scammer.
  
• Will be joining Adina at the pool at 5 am for laps. Just acquired some smashing trunks for the occasion.
• Has made Discovery Dental the major sponsor for the upcoming Washougal Schools Foundation Stride - a running event in May. Huge exposure for the practice.

• Excited for our trip to Utah with the Schickies next week.
  
• Headed out with friends on Friday night to dinner & a show: 3 cover bands for The Cure, Joy Division, and New Order. Should be a blast.
• Took the kids to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid - pretty funny. They loved it.
• Enjoying the Spring weather. Kids are outside constantly on their bikes and taking walks.
  

I realized I didn't post any pictures of this exciting event in the life of the Debaltzo family. We held off until Max got the word and then I forgot about it until I was going through my latest photos. It was a BIG event for the family and especially, Sam. Marnie, he's on the way to your territory. You might get a visit from the missionaries some evening. A meal might be appreciated if he is in your area. I've included the map from his letter package. Good luck to you, Sam, God Bless. Kenn & Barb

A close friend of mine from school was concerned because his son was having headaches. They rushed their little boy up to Stanford today because they thought he had fluid on the brain. Instead they discovered a tumor at the base of his skull that they are going to try to remove with surgery tomorrow morning. I humbly ask for everyone's prayers on Matthew McKaughan's behalf tonight and tomorrow.

Mike

I'm back in Boise.... that is until I go to Bellevue tomorrow. I will spend Tuesday night here before driving back to Vancouver. I'm getting familiar with the Boise-Vancouver drive. I finished the "Red Rabbit" book by Tom Clancy on this drive. I think I finished it at least. The end of the last C.D. didn't really end like a usual book on C.D. so I need to talk to my friend and see if I am missing a disk.

It seems that life and this pregnancy are wizzing by at times... and sometimes not so much. Like when I am dealing with the not so fun side of being pregnant with all of the issues that make up my pregnancies. I can't wait to be able to run again, have energy to get through a day, no back/hip pain, etc. On the positive side, I am sooo excited to meet this baby girl. I think about what it will be like to have a second child, what she will look like, how will she be different from Noah as a newborn, how will Noah be as a big brother, and on and on. It took me a while to actually get excited about having a girl once we had the ultrasound mostly because I suppressed the desire for either gender so much as to not be disappointed. Then slowly I started looking at pink things in stores and realizing that hey, "we are having a girl!!!". I only know how it is to have a baby boy so it will be a new experience even though I am a girl myself... silly I know.

As for Noah, we are anxiously getting ready for his surgery which is scheduled on April 2nd to remove his adenoids. The last couple of months have been a struggle for our family as Noah has had plenty of illnesses, trips to the E.R., and an increasingly more difficult time breathing and sleeping. 6 months ago, he slept through the night, now he wakes up between 1 and 4 times a night mostly because he sleeps so lightly and gets frustrated with waking up likely because he can't breath well. I wouldn't have called it sleep apnea until Anne mentioned it with regards to Beck. I then looked it up online and Noah satisfied each symptom. I have heard that the difference before and after the surgery is tremendous and I can't wait. Noah is naturally a happy kiddo, but with the loss of quality sleep, I'm guessing he'll be even happier without waking up all hours of he night. This will also be a welcome change (sleeping through the night that is) just in time for the birth of Avery. :)

Lately, Noah has been saying the word "yah" all the time. If you ask him any question, he will respond with "Yah" or an occasional "Nah". We really need to get him on video responding "yah" to all kinds of silly things like we have done with him lately. He also really likes music and musical kid shows and loves to dance to them. We'll be in the car with my iPod playing my music and when a song comes on he likes he'll bop his head or start laughing and smiling. It is hilarious to see him dig Kanye West or Black Eyed Peas and Coldplay. I guess we aren't the parents that play only kid music but Brent and I like music so much and variety that I think we couldn't handle just kid stuff.

Brent and I are plugging away at our respective jobs and always trying to perfect the work-life balance. Brent is super motivated when it comes to his career and always excelling with whatever store he has in his charge. His current store is no exception from what I hear.

I, on the other hand, am definitely struggling with motivation at work which started once I was prego and dealing with fatigue and such. Of course I don't let things slide and put my best forward, but on the inside I am really struggling with working 3-9 hour days. I was on a list among my colleagues to take a student but was not expecting to get one this spring until I was informed last month that I would have one for 6 or 8 weeks starting this week. I will be sharing her with another therapist who will have her on my days off. Sadly, my last student was here when I was about 6 months prego as well and I would really like to say in the future that I don't want another student when prego again. I just hope this student is sharp and on the ball as she should be with this being her last internship as I don't know if I'll have the energy to deal with a struggling student PT. We shall see!

On one last note, I have to say here that the nesting instinct when pregnant is no joke. I like organization anyway, but looking at my home through these nesting eyes is entirely different. The only downside is I have been pushing myself beyond what my tired self would like me to do to satisfy the organization urges. Among lots of little projects, we also recently painted our upstairs hallway and bathroom, as well as put cabinets up. In the end, I really like the results of a nicer and more orderly home.

Buffy

Do you really need an explanation for this one?

Ahem...anything to blog? Anything at all?

Took off Thursday morning to fly to SLC to visit with Dick and Martha and go see Brian Regan that evening. Spent the weekend with them including visit to Ginger and John and a show with D and M (Alice in Wonderland) last evening. Then down to BYU today (Saturday) to watch Sam Debaltzo with his Dad and Mom (on SKYPE) open his mission call. I will not indicate on this blog where to as he has not had a chance to talk to his brother, Max on a Swedish mission. Waiting to take off in SLC airport to PDX. Temple tonight with Barb in Portland and back home for Sunday's busy schedule. Talk to you all later. Dad and Mom.

A couple of my favorite pics of you both...

We love you both and wish we could have spent time with you and the rest of the fam on Sunday.

Mike, Brooke, Jane, Sadie, Ellyn, Sawyer

For those interested in our skydiving experience…

Saturday was a gorgeous day in the Northwest – and a perfect day for Dave to redeem his birthday gift from last year: a tandem skydive. After Dave did his 9-mile run and I finished my bike ride, we all jumped into the VW bus and headed to Molalla, where Skydive Oregon is located. Upon arrival, Dave checked in and it became a waiting game – waiting for training, then waiting for your jump. As I sat there, in the warm sun, listening to my music, the kids playing in the nearby field, and watching skydivers come down a dozen at a time – there was a part of me that wanted to do it. I chose not to vocalize this thought – because Dave would pounce on it, but it turns out I didn’t have to. He knew I wanted to do it – and I didn’t put up much resistance, so he got me signed up.

Meanwhile, K&B arrived with Kim, Anne & crew. Really nice of them to come out and watch – it made the whole day more enjoyable. We were soon called in for ‘training’. I was ready to sit there and absorb helpful, potentially life-saving information for the next 30 minutes – but instead we got what looked like a demonstration of Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes from a guy with a red goatee. They spend more time showing you how to buckle your seatbelt on an airplane than this guy spent on training us to jump out of a moving aircraft at 13,000 feet. Whatever. Bring it on.

Time to suit up. I can’t remember the name of Dave’s jump partner – Jeff, maybe. I had Sean, who just came off 2 months in Cabo as a skydive instructor. Both super nice guys. We signed up for the video, so they each had a camera attached to their wrists to document the whole ordeal. They helped us get our jumpsuits on, then step into our packs, and off we went out to the airstrip.

The plane landed, turned around, and we loaded up. Tandem jumpers got in first, so the professionals can jump out first. The plane is gutted - with two long benches running lengthwise inside. We packed in like sardines, straddling the benches – I was eating the backpack of the guy in front of me, and getting intimately acquainted with Sean behind me. We took off, and then it hit me, “I have to jump out of this plane to get back on that ground. What have I done?” But it only lasted a moment – I was nervous, but truly excited and really not at all concerned about safety. Maybe I felt so safe because I had just watched dozens of jumpers land safely on the ground – or maybe it was Sean, reaching around me like a mother hen, tightening straps and securing hooks – over and over again. Eventually, I just put my hands up in the air, and gave him free reign.

It took about 15 minutes to reach 13,000 feet. All the while, the guys are asking us questions for the sake of the DVD they are making – and telling us to give a thumbs up or a cheesy smile for the camera. I’m hoping they’ll edit it so I don’t look like the idiot I felt like. Then, the door opens. Holy crap. A burst of cold air, and a deafening roar – and people just start jumping out the plane. No hesitation. No wavering. Just falling out of the plane. Somehow, it was decided that I would be the first of the tandem jumpers. Sean, now strapped snugly to me, starts pushing us down the bench toward this open door. He asks one last time, “Are you ready to skydive, Adina?” This is it. My last chance to back out. Fortunately, I am too much of a coward to be a coward and I give him a resounding, “Yes!” Out we go.

Unbelievable feeling. Dave’s experience was a little different than mine, but I never really felt like I was falling – though I undoubtedly was in a free fall for about 45 seconds. You are travelling so fast, about 120 miles per hour, and the wind is so fierce, it just felt like I was floating. It was amazing. Sean pulled the cord, chute went up – not nearly as jerky as I thought it would be – and we were flying. It was so peaceful – we could talk just like we were sitting across from each other. No shouting. The view was breathtaking – I could see Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Ranier, Mt. Hood, and Mt. McKinley. I could also see Dave floating around beneath me. Sean pointed him out to me, and said, “Hey – there’s your boyfriend!” Cute. He let me do the controls for a bit and he did a few tricks – but I really just liked floating there and looking around. I knew it would be over too soon. And it was. Before I knew it, the ground was getting close and we were swooping in for a landing. A smooth one, too. It took me a while to get over the adrenaline rush – I was so shaky and my stomach was rolling. But it was an unforgettable experience – one I highly recommend.

It was a good way to start off March – feeling so alive – and a little reckless. February was not a great month – and I’m glad it’s over. Too many hours at work, too many changes in our schedules, a lot of stress & anxiety – just an emotional roller coaster. Fortunately, my work schedule has lightened up and things are getting back to ‘normal’, whatever that may be. The kids have Friday off, so I think Anne & family will come hang out with us.

Dave and I are also training for a half on April 10^th – same one we did last year – then I will do the Hippie Chick Half with the other ladies in the family. Then our Ragnar Relay in July. I’m loving the running – I love the time to myself, my music and my thoughts.

This is way too long.

Adina

Spring must be starting because there are pink trees everywhere and Melia LOVES them. Whenever she sees one when we are driving she yells. "Those are my favorite!" She calls them her princess trees. On Sunday, we realized there are a ton of them outside the church building. Papa took a picture for her!

Dave and Adina we are anxiously waiting for a report on the sky diving... pictures and videos would be awesome!

Wish I was with you all tonight. Please give Anne and the boys an extra hug for me. Staying in the hotel, eating out is getting old. There's just nothing warm and cozy about going home to a hotel room at the end of the day. Right now I am in Boise, but will head back to Bellevue for Monday and Tuesday before traveling Wednesday to Vancouver.

WE ARE OUT OF THE OLD APARTMENT! This picture was taken a couple nights before we moved out. Melia really loves playing Rock band even though she obviously isn't really doing it, but she loves it! I have been having a few of these "relaxing nights" lately. For those of you who haven't heard, Treven received a promotion to the Fitness department. He is going to be trained to be a CFT or Certified Fitness Trainer, which he is really excited about. Treven also will be considered full time so we receive the wonderful full time benefits. It is so funny that we are so excited about having health insurance... Treven and I haven't been insured for about a year so we are dying to have some insurance! He ALSO is getting a raise of 2 dollar an hour! Everything is going so well at work and he is loving the people he works with and the environment there.

It has been a blast to have Anne right around the corner. Andrew and Melia love playing with each other and we went to the Children's Museum last week with Buffy and Noah as well and the kids absolutely loved it! We took Melia and Andrew to go see Treven's dad's snakes (he breeds and sells them) Melia and Andrew loved it and Andrew actually touched all the snakes along with their chameleon, Sam. It is so funny to listen to Melia and Andrew talk to each other whenever they are together. In the first couple of days they showed us the difference between boys and girls, Andrew had asked Melia to tell him a story so she continued with telling him about the princess who fell asleep and the prince came and gave her TRUE LOVE'S KISS (she made sure we heard that part) and the princess woke up and they lived HAPPILY EVER AFTER. Andrew then asks, "Where is the dragon?". Melia said, "The prince got him." and continued to start the story over included the dragon part. Then Melia yelled out "And they lived happily ever after!" and Andrew goes, "AND THE DRAGON DIED!". It was awesome! Anne and I just looked at each other and laughed.

McKenzie is growing up so fast. She is becoming more social with everybody lately and is really picking up on words. She stills loved her babies and has to have her baby with the bottle when she goes to bed. She is doing great in the bunk bed and really loves it. Her new thing is to say "WAIT!" when I am saying good night and shutting the door. Then she wants a hug and kiss so I do and then leave again... she continues to say it and I say Kenzie, go to sleep. And she just cracks up laughing. She thinks it is so funny. She also loved Papa. She calls him Pops right now and runs to give him a hug whenever she sees him.

I am getting more sub calls lately so it is nice to have Treven have some days off during the week so I can sub without paying for babysitting. I am still organizing the new apartment. I am getting myself ready for the half marathon I am doing in May... we will see how it goes! This last month, my wonderful old room mate from BYU Idaho, Megan, came up to visit. She has never been to Oregon/Washington and she is thinking of looking for a job up here in the fall. She is in grad school at USC for Social Work. There are zero jobs in California so she is looking elsewhere. After her visit, she definitely is looking up here and wants to move here when she finds that job! We are so excited!

Today we went and saw Adina and Dave sky dive. I will let them post about that, but it was awesome to be there to cheer them on! It was a beautiful day today and it was nice to be outside for most of the day.

Well back to my relaxing night... sorry for the rambling. Enjoy the pictures.

I did see the original title of your posting... but I was in the midst of preparing for a Relief Society Board Meeting Breakfast at our house this morning. Now it is over and Dad and Anne (and boys) are not back yet from their breakfast out. The meeting went well. We had 15 sisters attend and had some good discussions. All together a good thing...and I'm glad it is done!!!

This morning was all the more stressful since the Chili Cookoff Fundraiser for our ward was last night which Dad was in charge of. We just got that stuff put away in time to get set up for this morning. However, the rest of today is a bit more relaxing. We are going down to Molalla to watch David's skydive...Dad's doing a lot of praying but it is probably a perfect day to do it...no wind, blue sky. This is the kind of day we LOVE here in the Northwest. Tonight we have to go to an awards banquet for Willamette Dental.

Sunday night everyone is coming over to celebrate Brent and Anne's birthdays. Tuesday night I'm hosting a shower for a girl in the ward...then Thursday we are going up to Utah to go to Brian Regan with Martha and Dick. It will be nice to have a couple of days to relax up there.

Well, that reminded me that I need to go and pick up Anne's birthday cake!!!

Love to all of you!!! (I'm glad Marnie gets her wheels back on Monday!)

Mom

Well, our family has just recovered from a nasty bout of stomach flu that hit the home like a tornado. At one point, I was jumping between Brooke, Jane, and Sadie all puking at the the same time while I was also sick. A couple of minutes later, Ellyn joined the party. Sawyer had it on Monday night and although he fully recovered within 24 hours (quicker than any of us), he holds the record for most puking in a night (about 30).

I am wrapping up my 3rd quarter here with finals starting next week. It will be nice to change pace again. Thankfully quarters are only 11 weeks so that prevents some burnout. I don't know how I ever did a semester system.

We are still loving Carmel, the pics above are from a walk Sawyer and I took the other day when I was experimenting with the camera. What a nice place to be!
Our lease is technically over in about 2 months. We are praying hard that we can renew it and stay in this home we love so much. That is my major source of stress right now. How I long for the days when we can own our own home and not worry about this kind of stuff!

But, we have an exciting Spring-Summer ahead of us. We were just looking at all the events coming up and it is quite impressive. U2, Coheed and Cambria, A's games, Big Sur mud run, Le Mans series races, MotoGP races, Rolex series races, Wicked, U.S. Open, family reunion, starting marathon training again, EFY for Jane, San Diego in September and much, much more.

Well I have to put together some homework that I missed while sick. Later.

You people need to blog.

Mike