We're Ready!

I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things this morning in advance of Ike coming ashore. They were completely out of ice, water, canned goods and bread. It was fascinating to see what everyone around me had in their grocery carts - and I had plenty of time to survey their carts because each line was about 25 people deep. Here's what I saw:

- a cart filled with fabric and batting - obviously, she plans to spend the weekend quilting
- a cart filled with several packages of hot dogs, chips, buns, beer, and coke - I want to go to HIS house!
- a cart filled with large marshmallows - no, I am not kidding
- a cart filled with 4 large roasted ready-to-eat chickens, with several gallons of sweet tea - welcome to the South!
- a cart filled with diapers, wipes, baby food, and beer
- my personal favorite - two college guys filling their cart with Moon Pies and Little Debbie snacks

Here's our checklist:

Water? Check
Batteries? Check
Toilet paper? Check
Flashlights? Check
Goldfish? Check
Peanut butter? Check
Bananas? Check
Movies? Check
Chocolate cake? Check
Diet Coke? Check, check, check

We're all set! As long as we don't lose power, I'll update the blog this weekend.

Random Thoughts

I went to a great class at my church today. It's called "After the Boxes Are Unpacked." Isn't that a great name? It's for women who are new to the area. There are 26 of us - several from different countries, many of us with young children, and everyone has a story. We had a great time and even went to lunch afterward. I spent a lot of time looking around the classroom wondering who I would end up being good friends with...

It's weird, though - I have a hard time believing that I'll get close to any of them. I think I left such a close group of girlfriends in VA - and we got so close when I had cancer - these are the women who helped me shop for a wig, who took care of my baby when I couldn't, who made meals for me, who kept me focused on God and prayed for me when I couldn't pray, who took me to chemo treatments, and who pretended to be my sisters and told ridiculous stories so they could get into the recovery room at the hospital to see me (you know who you are, girlies). They cheered me on when I just couldn't do it anymore, and provided me with tumor-humor when I needed a laugh. They have seen me with yellow eyes from chemo, with no hair, and as weak as I can get. These are not just friends - they are SISTERS.

Will I ever meet anyone like that here?

Hurricane Ike

So, I'm sitting here at my computer tonight, doing some work, with one eye on the TV because there's all sorts of coverage about Hurricane Ike. Many of you have already emailed me to ask if we're evacuating. Here's the deal...

We live about 80 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, so the chances of us needing to evacuate are slim. We'll probably just shelter in place until the storm passes. Being on the "dirty side" (to the right of the eye of the hurricane), we'll probably be subjected to higher winds, more rain and possibly tornadoes, but we have a plan for where to go - we'll hang out in our master bedroom closet. It's big enough for all of us if I take a few pairs of shoes out. Ha ha! Seriously, we'll have room for all of us.

So, the main thing is to keep stocked up on water, batteries, toilet paper, animal crackers, and bananas (Leah's favorite food). We're all set. I even have extra Diet Coke. :)

We'll be putting on our floaties Friday morning.

Our August Trip

In August, the girls and I went to Oregon and Washington to visit my family - and especially to see my grandmother. It was so much fun to see her again, and although she doesn't remember much anymore, we love to visit with her, love on her, and take pictures. She seemed to really enjoy seeing the girls especially. Here we are - 4 generations! Gram, my dad, me, and the girls.

One day, Leah had a total meltdown and we just could not console her. Papa had the bright idea to take her for a ride in the wheelbarrow and that was all it took to turn her frown to a smile again.

The girls also had a great time swimming in my aunt & uncle's pool. One day, my dad's brothers and sisters and their families convened and we had a mini family reunion and a pool party. Here are the girls with their second cousins, Josh and Sarah. Sarah is just 4 months younger than Leah. They had so much fun!

Leah in the hot tub with my dad - my aunt let most of the water out of the hot tub and let the water cool - and turned it into a wading pool for the littlest fish. Great idea! :)

The weather was so beautiful there - it was nice to get away from the heat and humidity of Texas for a few days and get some fresh, cool air - it was in the upper 50's at night! Fortunately it warmed up during the day. We had an awesome time but were very glad to get home and see Gary/Daddy again. He had to stay in TX because he had some inservices and meetings to attend since he's a new teacher in the school district.

First Week of School - Finally!

OK y'all - go get yourself a drink, go potty and then come back and pull up a comfy chair, because this is going to be a long post...

I FINALLY found the cord that connects my camera to the computer. And I was sick the last 2 weeks with bronchitis so I have a bunch to catch up on.

First, we'll cover the first day of school for Gary and Anna Claire, which was last Monday. We have a tradition that I get up early on the first day of school and make a nice breakfast for Gary before he leaves. I made blueberry muffins and eggs. Here's Gary enjoying his breakfast - doesn't he look ready to hit the ground running? :)

When I woke Anna Claire up at 6:30 am, she rubbed her eyes and said, "Momma, it's still NIGHT outside. Is this the time I'm going to have to get up every day?" I said, "Yes, honey," to which she replied, "We should find me a school that starts later so I don't have to get up so early." I didn't have the heart to tell her that once she gets to high school, she'll be getting up even earlier!

Here's Anna Claire's new backpack and lunch box - Barbie backpack, High School Musical lunchbox.

Here's Anna Claire in front of her school...she is SO excited to go in and see her teacher! Mrs. K is newly married (3 weeks!) and has taught for one year in another school district. She graduated from Baylor and is so cute. Anna Claire kept looking at her and saying, "You're SO pretty..."

Leah decided to take the bull by the horns and hang up Anna Claire's backpack for her.

My sweet girls - Leah wants to be big so badly!

Anna Claire absolutely LOVED school - and is still really enjoying it. She has met some great little friends - both in her class and on the bus. She informed me this week that she'd prefer it if I didn't wave goodbye to her once she's on the bus (apparently I was embarrassing her).

Gary had an equally great first week of school (now 2 weeks) - his kids are very polite, and his co-workers have been so helpful and friendly. He is teaching in a school that's only 3 years old, so it's a real treat for him to have the latest and greatest technology, his own classroom, and even better - the school is less than 3 miles from our house! No commute! It really is so nice, and we are getting to spend lots of time together as a family as a result.

So, in other news, we were spared Gustav's devastation - which we were very thankful for. We're hoping that there aren't any other hurricanes that come our way.

I am really enjoying getting to know the ladies in my neighborhood, working out with them at the Y, and spending time with Leah. It's amazing how quickly her vocabulary picked up after Anna Claire went to school last week. She is really talking a lot. Leah definitely misses her big sister, though - she walks around the house saying, "Shissy.....Shissy" (her way of saying "Sissy", which is what she calls AC). I am also enjoying working from home - I have a pretty good schedule of working during Leah's naptimes, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays while she's at Mother's Day Out. I also often work a couple of evenings a week after the girls have gone to bed. So, I have the flexibility I need but still get to keep my feet wet in my work, which I love.

We are going to our first high school football game this weekend, which will be fun. They play at a local stadium that seats 30,000 people! I cannot wait to see what this is all about. Anna Claire is SO thrilled that she will be able to watch the cheerleaders. She begins her cheerleading lessons next week, so she'll be taking notes, I'm sure.