Evil Knievel No Longer Lives Here

So, we decided to sell our other car about 6 weeks ago. When we bought it last year, we had no idea that Gary would be working so close to home. He had previously commuted over an hour each day in Virginia, so we wanted a reliable car that would be comfortable for him to spend a lot of time in if he needed to. If you recall, he didn't have a job offer until the day we literally moved so it was a shot in the dark to guess where he'd be working when we got to Texas. But once we got here and he began working, it just didn't make sense to have such an expensive car that was only being driven a few miles each day and sitting in a parking lot all the time. So, Gary had the idea that we could sell the car, and he'd ride his bike back and forth to school. Then he thought a little more and while that scenario would work well for nice weather days, it wasn't going to be as ideal on hot days (which we have a lot of here) or rainy days.

He did some research and found that he could buy a little motorized scooter – and with a helmet, jacket and gloves, he could zoom down the street quickly and without getting as sweaty...yet it would still accomplish our goal of saving money because it gets such great gas mileage. He did extensive research, finding the perfect brand and model scooter to buy, and we decided to press forward.

Before he made his purchase, though, he needed to take a motorcycle/scooter safety class. He signed up and last weekend the girls and I got up early on Saturday and Sunday mornings to take him to his class (about 15 minutes away). All went well on Saturday. He had a great time at his class and really enjoyed learning how to ride. We took him on Sunday morning too and then the girls and I headed to church.

At 1:30, I got a phone call from him saying he was finished. I knew there was a chance he'd be done early but I could hear in his voice that something wasn't right. “Are you OK?” I asked. “Just come get me,” he said. He could hardly breathe. “Do you need to go to the ER?” I asked. “Yes,” he replied.

I quickly dropped the girls off at a neighbor's house and went to pick him up. He said he'd been taking his last test and when he tried to stop, he went over the handles of the bike, then the bike landed on top of him. Ouch. Double ouch.

We went to the ER, and they sent him home with painkillers and a muscle relaxer to combat the pain from a bruised kneecap, sprained wrist, abrasions/bruises on his back and shoulder, and several bruised (and probably broken – it takes a few days for it to show up) ribs. His symptoms and pain level are the exact same as when he broke his rib about 18 months ago – and the treatment isn't really any different. He's going back to the doctor later this week to get an update and more pain medication.

I feel so badly for him. He really wanted to do this. And he was so concerned all along with taking every safety precaution. However, the fact that he was injured this badly only going 15 mph is frightening. He's been in an extraordinary amount of pain and it's been hard to see him like that.
So, we've changed courses. We're looking at a much cheaper used car/truck on Craig's List.

Evil Knievel has gone to live elsewhere and Gary's in search of a new dream. :)

Of Sleep and Discipline

We are tired.

We moved Leah into Anna Claire's room about a week ago when their new bunk beds were delivered. The goal was to make the entire top floor for all the kids so they had their own space and we have ours - including a guest room on the 1st floor for out-of-town guests to stay as long as they like.

The bedroom turned out adorable - I'll post pictures soon. However, the transition has been a rough one. Leah is still at the age where she REALLY needs a nap in the afternoon - at least 4 days a week. Since she moved into Anna Claire's room, she has only napped once - and that was because she fell asleep in the car and I carried her upstairs. Every other time, she just plays. The end result is that she often falls asleep before dinner or during dinner and then she either doesn't wake up until the next morning or she takes a short snooze then doesn't want to go to bed until after 9 pm. And she's no longer sleeping in like she was before she moved rooms either. This has resulted in a new level of defiance and desire to assert her independence (usually shouting "NO!") at every opportunity, and sometimes she even takes a swing at us. Some of this could be her age, too - it's hard to differentiate what is age-related and what is sleep deprivation-related.

She has also figured out over the summer how to push almost all of Anna Claire's buttons - and vice versa. The fighting between them is crazy. And it's mostly over dumb stuff. Now that I think about it, I'm fairly sure the stuff my brother and I fought about was equally dumb but it seemed important at the time. My mother is a saint - I have no idea how she did it without joining the circus.

Anna Claire is going through an equally frustrating phase. We are trying to teach her the importance of obeying the first time we ask her to do something. Instead, we're met with (a) reasons she can't do it, (b) numerous questions about why we need her to do it, or (c) total avoidance. We've had to come down pretty hard on her lately and take away fun things we'd planned in order to send our message.

I know consistency is a good thing and it's the RIGHT thing to do when it comes to discipline. If we're not consistent now with both girls, they will be monsters by the time the baby is born. But sometimes it would be nice to just take the day (or week) off, you know? There are evenings when I just want everyone to get along and for them to stop needling each other.

I recognize my tolerance level is probably short because I'm so close to having the baby and I'm not sleeping well either. I'm hoping that our consistency, especially in discipline, will pay off soon. After all, it's not a matter of doing the right thing - it's a matter of doing the right thing LONG ENOUGH.

Just Hanging Out, Gettin' the Oil Changed in the Car...

Sibling Class

Today, Anna Claire and I had a special time together and I took her to a sibling class at the hospital. The kids got to practice holding, diapering and swaddling a baby, they watched a video about being a big sister/brother, and then we took a tour of the labor & delivery unit. She absolutely loved it and was so into each activity - much more interested than she was 3 years ago when Leah was born. It was fun to spend some time alone with her too - she is getting big so quickly!

Below: Learning how to change a diaper. She informed the instructor that she already knows how to do this because she changes her sister's diapers. :)



Practicing swaddling the baby...

Our One Year Texas Anniversary

One year ago today, we left Virginia and began driving to Texas. I cannot believe how quickly it's gone.

I remember that morning well. We woke up, having barely slept the night before at all because Leah spent a good deal of time opening and shutting the sliding glass door in our hotel room (including at 3 am). And we were sore from packing and loading. I was dreading the potential drive – because we had too much stuff for just one moving truck, we had to rent another one at the last minute, which left both Mom and me to drive the cars. Neither of us was really planning on that, and I'd never driven more than a few hours without falling asleep. I was trying to figure out how I would stay awake.

We went to the final walk-through of our townhouse, and Gary said, “I can't believe we're moving to Texas and I don't have a job yet.” I told him we had to trust that God would provide – after all, we felt so clearly led all along the way that this was where the Lord was leading us. No sooner than we finished the walk-through, Gary's cell phone rang – it was the high school here offering him a teaching job! He had a job offer literally 5 minutes before we got in the truck to move. I knew that God had not brought us this far to leave us, but the reminder of His faithfulness was such a comfort.

We got in the trucks/cars and began driving. Gary and Dad went on ahead, and we stopped for lunch at Chik Fil A – where it was “Cow Appreciation Day” - if you dressed up like a cow, you got a free meal. It was a pretty funny way to introduce Mom to Chik Fil A (they don't have them where my parents live). Add to that the fact that we were in a college town and the costumes were extremely entertaining!

The three day drive was so smooth – I especially enjoyed the drive through Virginia and Tennessee – such beautiful mountains! As we got into Alabama, I found myself getting more excited about our new adventure.

We arrived in Texas on July 14th – it was so fun to show Mom, Dad and the girls our new home! We spent the next few days unloading and unpacking. I'm not sure Mom and Dad really knew what they were signing up for when they offered to help us move across country, but we could not have done it without them. They were truly angels.

I've learned a lot over the past year. I've learned that while you can't ever replace dear, lifelong friends, there's still room for new ones. I've learned that I can keep a brave face for my children through a major hurricane even though I'm quietly freaking out inside. I've learned that it's not the big deal I thought it was to take a year to find the right person to cut your hair, to deliver your babies, and to be your primary care physician. I've learned that people here really do want to be friends – that their friendliness isn't fake but very genuine. God has shown me a new level of what it means to rely on Him for my identity now that I'm not working anymore. I've realized that a slower pace of life is what I've craved for years and it's wonderful to have that craving fulfilled. I've figured out that God really did hear my prayers for a friendly neighborhood,“back door friends” and lots of playmates for my children. I've discovered a new level of love, respect and affection for my husband. And I've learned that despite my initial impressions, I really love living here in Texas. I expected to “not mind it” but never expected to love it. But love it I do, and I really don't want to leave. Even though it's sometimes over 110 degrees with the heat index. Even though the cockroaches qualify as small animals that I think you might be able to rope and ride at the rodeo. Even though there are multiple lizards in my garage and one once made it into my refrigerator. Even though it doesn't often snow here. Even though my dear friends from Virginia aren't here and I still miss them terribly. Even though there's no Wegmans grocery store here. I still love it. I love my life here in Texas. It's been a great year.

July 4th Neighborhood Parade

We had a great July 4th, though it was oppressively hot. On the night of the 3rd, we went to hear the Houston Symphony give a free patriotic concert - it was outside and very hot but we had a great time. They closed the show with some fireworks.

On the 4th, we went furniture shopping for new bunk beds for the girls - we found some great ones that were on sale and they'll be delivered in about a week. I'm really excited. Then we can start setting up the nursery for the baby. I'll feel a lot better once we have things better organized. Then we went to the mall and let the girls run around, then went home to rest. I was not feeling well that day so Anna Claire and Gary went to watch the fireworks and Leah and I stayed home.

On Sunday night, our neighborhood had a parade for the kids where they decorated their bikes and rode around the block (so fun!) and then we had a big pizza party with snow cones, watermelon and some yummy side dishes. We just sat around in lawn chairs and had a great time getting caught up with the neighbors and the kids had a blast playing together. We live in a very social neighborhood but haven't seen a lot of our neighbors lately because it's been so hot. It was fun to see everyone! Here are some pictures from the neighborhood gathering...

Picture 1 - some of the kids from our neighborhood who rode their bikes in the parade.

Picture 2 - Gary and Leah having some dinner (Leah not being real cooperative about having her picture taken)

Picture 3 - Alyssa, Anna Claire, Leah and Karmen. Leah is looking so big with her hair in pigtails!

Summer Fun

I had to post these great pictures of Anna Claire's field day on the last day of school. It was so fun! Leah and I went over to her school to watch the festivities and the kids had such a great time. Pictured is also Anna Claire's fabulous 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Koury - we love her and she was such a great teacher this year! We will miss her.

(below) Anna Claire and one of her BFFs, Sarah. Strangely, her dad Brian is Gary's BFF at school too - they teach together!

(above) Anna Claire and Mrs. Koury

A couple weeks after school ended, Gary and I taught 1st grade Vacation Bible School at our church. Anna Claire and Leah also attended. Below is a picture of me with a bunch of my girlfriends from our Sunday school class who also helped out at VBS - we had a great time together!

One of our other favorite things to do this summer has been the Wednesday morning movies for kids - they're only fifty cents to get in and the girls love it! Last week we saw Madagascar 2 with some good friends...here's a picture of Leah & Gary (what you can't tell from the picture is that Leah is wearing her pink tutu - she wouldn't leave the house without it) and one of Anna Claire and her good friend from church, Emma Grace.