writing update

I really should be working on my assignments and writing instead of surfing the internet and blogging. My mind has been so full of some new ideas for some books lately and Adam has been asking me questions about it to really get some plot and background solid. This new idea is going to take a lot of research and background before I can even begin to write. I am still working on some other stories and am hesitant to start an new story, but I need to for my assignments in my writing course.
The assignment I am working on now is taking me a long time. I need to write the first few chapters of a teen novel, then a full page synopsis for a short teen story, and a children's board book (at least that one is done). It's difficult to actually sit down and do it sometimes while Lizzy is running amuk. But, I guess if I can blog, I can work on my assignments.
I have a couple stories sent to publishers and am waiting on them. That's the hard part. Waiting and waiting. Publishing is the slowest industry out there. I think I am going to send out an article to a children's magazine soon too. I just need some permissions for the photos first.
I have one story with a literary agent (yes, I have an agent... that sounds so weird) and am still waiting on that one too.
So waiting, waiting. That's the game. Hopefully I'll hear something soon.

blossoms

I was so happy yesterday to see that the cherry trees are starting to blossom. There are quite a few of them here in Forest Grove and it's so nice to see that spring is finally coming. I think spring is my favourite time of year in Oregon. All the flowers and the blossoms are just so beautiful, but I like the pink blossoms of the cherry trees the best.

This picture isn't actually from Forest Grove and the blossoms aren't that big yet, but it shows what it is starting to look like here. The blossoms are coming and the flowers are budding. I can't wait until everything is in full bloom.

pics

I thought I would add some new pictures of the family, so her goes nothing!
Here is Lizzy at the duck pond. She loves to go and watch the "mommy and daddy ducks" and then wiggle her bum like them. Hopefully there will be some new baby ducklings soon.
Some of the beautiful ducks that Lizzy loves so much.
Gramma came to visit and Lizzy loved hanging out with her. Gramma was the one who discovered the duck pond. It was just a few blocks away and I had no idea it was even there.
Adam setting up for Optorock where he was so totally awesome! Rock on! Good beat!
Lizzy and I were fooling around with the camera and making funny faces. Elizabeth loves to make faces. She gets that from her dad.

Wow! That took 4 times longer than I expected it to. This blogging sure takes some getting used to. Now that I've started I think it will be so much easier. I hope...

this month

I guess I'm being too slow in my blogging, for it's been a whole month! The past month has been uneventful except for all of us being sick. I think Adam had it the worst with bronchitis and pneumonia. Then as Adam started to get better, I got sick, and then Elizabeth. All three of us had fevers, coughs and the other 'fun' symptoms of being ill. Thankfully, we are all feeling so much better now.
My mom came to visit this past month and it was so nice to see her. Unluckily she came when Adam and I were the most ill, so we didn't get to visit as we would have liked. It was nice that she could take Lizzy out and play while Adam and I got some rest. Hopefully next visit will be much more active and fun.
Adam is doing well in school and working hard. This semester is supposed to be the hardest of the program. Adam is very busy learning new procedures and studying all the time. We got to take some time off while Adam performed at Optorock. Optorock is a kind of a talent show that the optometry school puts on for its students where any of the students can participate in. Adam and a few friends wrote a song for the show and won first place! Adam loves playing his guitar and performing and I enjoy watching him play. He really is an awesome guitarist!
Lizzy is busy as ever and growing fast. She is such a funny girl and says the oddest things. Yesterday she we were eating some chicken and she said, "I want some chicken so much." It sounded so funny. Where did she learn "so much" from? She loves to pretend and dance. She likes to refer to herself as Princess Lizzy and wear pretty dresses, necklaces, bracelets, and mommy's shoes. It's quite amusing. She also loves Dora the Explorer and says things in Spanish sometimes, like gracias, or delissioso (sp?) and counting up to five. She really is a clever girl.
Another really exciting thing this month is that Elizabeth is potty trained! Yay!! She is doing pretty well with it, but yesterday had 4 accidents which was such a trial in patience for me. Hopefully she doesn't regress and continues with the potty.
Well, I hope that is good for an update, so adieu... until the next blog.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Gorner Family blog. Now let's see if I can figure this thing out!

I thought that a blog might be a good way to let everyone know how we are doing. I guess now's a time for a little update.

Adam is doing very well at Pacific University where he is studying optometry. He's in the middle of his second year and is very busy this semester. He gets great marks and works hard.

Elizabeth turned 2 in November is busier than ever. She loves to sing and dance and is always moving. Lizzy is speaking better and better and it is getting a lot of fun to play with her.

I am doing well and working hard on my online course. I am taking Writing for Children and enjoying it immensely. I am also in the procees of trying to have some of my children's stories published. I am keeping my fingers crossed and trying to be patient. It's such a slow process! We hope it all goes through well!

So here is the start of our blog. We hope you enjoy it and post too.
Love, Adam, Allison and Elizabeth