Okay, let's face it, I was a little sad to be celebrating my anniversary in Texas. For seven years, Tanner and I have gone to the same restaurant, the very first restaurant we went to as a married couple -- Pazzo's Ristorante, famous for it's gnocchi and lemon drop martinis. I'd gone to several places this year in search of gnocchi and a passable lemon drop, but hadn't found any, so with a heavy heart, I resigned myself to eschewing all of our traditions except for one -- bowling because I had discovered a great bowling alley just a few blocks from our house.
Tanner had a restaurant in mind, so this morning I reminded him to call the restaurant to make a reservation even though I doubted we would need it. Imagine his chagrin when he discovered that they were open Thursday through Sunday. Life intervened and for some strange reason he ended up taking Kate to the store to pick up a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk. I didn't like the idea of leaving him with the burden of finding a restaurant. I sat down at the computer and looked at the search he had been performing. There was a list of fine dining restaurants in our area. I clicked on one titled Christopher's. It looked interesting, the type of place that offers live jazz on the weekends and interesting menu choices for dinner.
We dropped the kids off at a friend's house and headed out for dinner. We were seated in a large booth, surrounded by plush pillows with eclectic jazz music wafting around us. Crisp linen table clothes AND correctly placed utensils (which is an immediate tip off for all fine diners), large glasses for red wine, smokey lighting, and a cocktail list. They had a lemon drop for $10. I ordered it. I'm happy to say it was BETTER than Pazzo's Ristorante. Then they brought the menu. I was perusing it and had decided to order lamb when I read the last item: Wild Western Duck...served with gnocchi.
I almost burst into tears. Isn't it amazing how God blesses us in such minuscule ways? I had given my traditions into His keeping, and He gave them back to me. Aaaahhh...the gifts of God are given without repentance, and it was the best anniversary present He could have ever given me.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Yesterday and today
Yesterday it was 70F outside. The day before it was 72F. The sun was shining. A gentle breeze whipped little faces into cherry red smiles. Today, it is raining. Today it is 40F. Today, all the children are inside, snuggled between central heating and cartoons or in our case, space heaters and jars of paint. Today, the boredom was alleviated by a late arriving Christmas box.
Luckily it arrived while the girls were taking a bath, so I was able to disembowel it while leaving the shipping popcorn relatively intact, or should I say encased? Reagan opened her present and discovered a new set of princess paints. She promptly enacted an infantile example of Irish Jigging. Kate found a teal blue shirt, and exclaimed, "Oh, Mommy, it is exactly what a I wanted!" Georgi wasn't interested in her cute little red and black jumper, but Mommi was. I'm afraid that the biggest hit of all was the large jar of artistically layered candy. There was much excitement and hopping from one foot to the other as I undid the tape and the string. So, thank you for the late Christmas present. It has kept the girls gainfully occupied for the last hour and a half. I am looking forward to making cards; Tanner is wearing his shirt, and we are just about to get ready to celebrate our anniversary: dinner and bowling. I think we did that last year, too, but we like bowling, and we like dinner, so there you have it.
Luckily it arrived while the girls were taking a bath, so I was able to disembowel it while leaving the shipping popcorn relatively intact, or should I say encased? Reagan opened her present and discovered a new set of princess paints. She promptly enacted an infantile example of Irish Jigging. Kate found a teal blue shirt, and exclaimed, "Oh, Mommy, it is exactly what a I wanted!" Georgi wasn't interested in her cute little red and black jumper, but Mommi was. I'm afraid that the biggest hit of all was the large jar of artistically layered candy. There was much excitement and hopping from one foot to the other as I undid the tape and the string. So, thank you for the late Christmas present. It has kept the girls gainfully occupied for the last hour and a half. I am looking forward to making cards; Tanner is wearing his shirt, and we are just about to get ready to celebrate our anniversary: dinner and bowling. I think we did that last year, too, but we like bowling, and we like dinner, so there you have it.
Monday, December 28, 2009
The lure of after Christmas sales
I could feel the tug all day Saturday. Women understand that strange, wanderlust that comes over us twice a year, that persistent voice urging us to just take a quick look. I assume that some brilliant psychologist came up with the idea of Black Friday and Day-After Christmas sales. Whoever it was, he or she should be awarded some kind of prize, maybe the peace prize because as long as we women get to indulge on those two days of the year most homes exist for the rest of the year in sensible harmony. I was disappointed because I couldn't indulge in a Saturday orgy of shopping. I had to work. I worked all morning, all afternoon and late into the evening. I got home at ten o'clock.
Sunday swept by as I handed out skates, showed little kids how to move across the ice, fetched cones, swept the main entry, washed windows and all that good stuff, but Tanner is a unique individual. He doesn't question this right of passage. He instinctively understands the delicate balance that exists between Woman and Stores. After I got off of work, he took us out for Chinese food and then without a single hint from me, he pulled into the Target parking lot. Oh, the bliss, the wonder of wandering down aisles stacked with ill displayed items, sifting through piles of jumbled stockings, candies, ornaments and wreaths, wading through reams of mismatched tissue and wrapping paper. The whining of bored children wafted across the store like gentle background music. The pitter pattering of feet dashing down a long aisle was a mere whisper of wind as I rummaged through discounted Christmas cards and ribbons. As Tanner struggled to keep three little girls in order, I browsed, searched, gathered and discarded.
There were similar couples there sharing similar fates. Some of the men were resigned; some, the 40somethings, smiled and nodded knowingly; some were distracted; but we were all intrinsically bound together. Each hoping to find the best, the greatest prize of all: Deep Discounts.
After negotiating the check stand, loading the car and driving home, I pulled out our Christmas Boxes and carefully laid our latest possessions on soft pillows of crumpled newspapers. And so...our home will exist for another year in sensible harmony...until next Black Friday.
Sunday swept by as I handed out skates, showed little kids how to move across the ice, fetched cones, swept the main entry, washed windows and all that good stuff, but Tanner is a unique individual. He doesn't question this right of passage. He instinctively understands the delicate balance that exists between Woman and Stores. After I got off of work, he took us out for Chinese food and then without a single hint from me, he pulled into the Target parking lot. Oh, the bliss, the wonder of wandering down aisles stacked with ill displayed items, sifting through piles of jumbled stockings, candies, ornaments and wreaths, wading through reams of mismatched tissue and wrapping paper. The whining of bored children wafted across the store like gentle background music. The pitter pattering of feet dashing down a long aisle was a mere whisper of wind as I rummaged through discounted Christmas cards and ribbons. As Tanner struggled to keep three little girls in order, I browsed, searched, gathered and discarded.
There were similar couples there sharing similar fates. Some of the men were resigned; some, the 40somethings, smiled and nodded knowingly; some were distracted; but we were all intrinsically bound together. Each hoping to find the best, the greatest prize of all: Deep Discounts.
After negotiating the check stand, loading the car and driving home, I pulled out our Christmas Boxes and carefully laid our latest possessions on soft pillows of crumpled newspapers. And so...our home will exist for another year in sensible harmony...until next Black Friday.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
1st installment: Reagan's birthday party
What is it like to have a birthday party in Texas during the month of December? I can't tell you right now, but I can tell you what it is like to prepare for it.
We started yesterday with a clean sweep through the house, painting a wall, and opening all the windows and doors to air it out. Then Tanner drove to the store and picked up the doll cake. I went ice skating. Then we switched and Tanner went ice skating. End of day one.
This morning Tanner grabbed the circle saw and drilled holes through a board so that we could have a bean bag toss. He painted it blue. Then I realized that I didn't have bean bags (minor oversight, I know) so I found our secret stash of water balloons. We spent an hour filling up balloons outside with the hose. Yes, we were outside in cloudy but warm weather. The thermometer is registering 71F. We told our guests that the party would start at 11:00, but in reality we are planning for 12:30. Like Hawaii, so many people here seem to be on island time. I figured if they actually showed up at 11:00 then they could help with set up, but no one did, and since it is almost noon, I will expect them to show up within the next hour or so.
The girls are scrubbed. Kate has learned how to make ponytails, so Reagan is sporting two of them. Georgie is down for her morning nap, and we are currently waiting for the first guests to arrive.
We started yesterday with a clean sweep through the house, painting a wall, and opening all the windows and doors to air it out. Then Tanner drove to the store and picked up the doll cake. I went ice skating. Then we switched and Tanner went ice skating. End of day one.
This morning Tanner grabbed the circle saw and drilled holes through a board so that we could have a bean bag toss. He painted it blue. Then I realized that I didn't have bean bags (minor oversight, I know) so I found our secret stash of water balloons. We spent an hour filling up balloons outside with the hose. Yes, we were outside in cloudy but warm weather. The thermometer is registering 71F. We told our guests that the party would start at 11:00, but in reality we are planning for 12:30. Like Hawaii, so many people here seem to be on island time. I figured if they actually showed up at 11:00 then they could help with set up, but no one did, and since it is almost noon, I will expect them to show up within the next hour or so.
The girls are scrubbed. Kate has learned how to make ponytails, so Reagan is sporting two of them. Georgie is down for her morning nap, and we are currently waiting for the first guests to arrive.
Monday, December 21, 2009
So, what happens when you miss 4 days of Advent?
The last few days have been a little hectic. On Friday I worked in the afternoon. Then on Saturday I worked from 8:30am until 11:30pm. On Sunday I worked in the evening, so Monday we finally gathered around the Advent wreath and did a lot of catch up. The problem with catching up is that the kids got to open four doors on the calendar. Inside each door were three pieces of candy and usually 3 small toys. I'm sitting at the computer typing this as Georgie zooms by screaming at the top of her lungs, quickly followed by Reagan growling and Kate jumping like a kangaroo. Then they come to an abrupt halt at the Christmas tree and turn around and reverse their direction to the back room. Now, I'm hearing Kate shouting, "Help! I can't get out!" and now Daddy growls and suddenly the girls are running around in the back room and Kate is no longer shouting help. Strange goings on in this household.
I did manage to figure out how to do roll-on texture all by myself. My first attempt was an abysmal failure, resulting in splotchy patches of texture. I discovered that it was because my mixture was too thin, so I took the joint compound and mixed it with a small amount of primer in a 3 to 1 ratio, and I now have a beautifully textured wall that is curing overnight before I put on a coat of paint. One wall down 5 more to go. Correction: 5 more that are waiting, there will be a lot more than just 5 walls requiring texture.
Reagan is getting excited about her birthday. She wanted a doll cake, and I fully intended to make it for her, but then my hours started to pick up at the rink, and I knew that I wouldn't have time, so we toddled on over to HEB and ordered a doll cake from there. I cringed at the price, but it was either that or nothing. I asked Reagan what else she wanted to eat at her birthday party and she said, "Peanut butter sandwiches, celery, broccoli and raisins." I guess I'm doing a good job with the vegetable training. A present from Auntie Emily arrived today for her, and Reagan proudly carried it all the way into the house. She was so "gecited!" I asked her what she thought was inside the box and she said, "A cake!" I guess that's what everyone is suppose to get her for her birthday.
Today, I realized that I didn't have my mom to make quiche for Christmas morning. What am I going to do? I actually had to BUY bacon, spinach, swiss cheese and half-n-half.
I did manage to figure out how to do roll-on texture all by myself. My first attempt was an abysmal failure, resulting in splotchy patches of texture. I discovered that it was because my mixture was too thin, so I took the joint compound and mixed it with a small amount of primer in a 3 to 1 ratio, and I now have a beautifully textured wall that is curing overnight before I put on a coat of paint. One wall down 5 more to go. Correction: 5 more that are waiting, there will be a lot more than just 5 walls requiring texture.
Reagan is getting excited about her birthday. She wanted a doll cake, and I fully intended to make it for her, but then my hours started to pick up at the rink, and I knew that I wouldn't have time, so we toddled on over to HEB and ordered a doll cake from there. I cringed at the price, but it was either that or nothing. I asked Reagan what else she wanted to eat at her birthday party and she said, "Peanut butter sandwiches, celery, broccoli and raisins." I guess I'm doing a good job with the vegetable training. A present from Auntie Emily arrived today for her, and Reagan proudly carried it all the way into the house. She was so "gecited!" I asked her what she thought was inside the box and she said, "A cake!" I guess that's what everyone is suppose to get her for her birthday.
Today, I realized that I didn't have my mom to make quiche for Christmas morning. What am I going to do? I actually had to BUY bacon, spinach, swiss cheese and half-n-half.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Upset stomaches and more...
Hopefully we've seen the last of the stomach bugs for the rest of the year. Kate wasn't feeling well on Wednesday night, and Thursday she had the regurgitation woes. Today she is a little bit better, and has managed to keep some food down.
Today we are experiencing a weather pattern similar to a September day in Portland. The sun is golden. The air is crisp. A light jacket is a must. The only difference is the month of December. I'm letting the girls play in the luxurious sunshine. Kate's braids seem to be stretching out in the golden light as she runs around in the backyard. Reagan's nose is beginning to resemble Rudolph's, but it's not from the temperature, it's from all of the nose blowing she's been doing the past few days.
The weather here isn't always bliss. Yesterday it rained. Two days ago the temperature dropped below 40, and we've had a couple of frosty mornings already. The only difference is that we get anxious when there are 2 days of cloudy skies, and if there is sporadic rainfall during that period of time, everyone starts going just a little nutty.
I remembered a little park in the city adjacent to ours that had rubber matting under the play structure, so I took the girls there this morning. I wanted them out of doors today, but wasn't looking forward to the six inches deep in mud. The rubber playground was perfect. The only thing they got was wet, and that was because they insisted on going down the only slide that I hadn't wiped down. I guess the dry slides just weren't that interesting.
You will be delighted to know that Georgianna has learned how to say "candy cane". The only other words that are intelligible are "mommy" and "ba-ba". Though mommy is for any adult that will pick her up, and ba-ba is for anything that she can insert into her mouth whereas candy cane is intended only for candy canes.
Today we are experiencing a weather pattern similar to a September day in Portland. The sun is golden. The air is crisp. A light jacket is a must. The only difference is the month of December. I'm letting the girls play in the luxurious sunshine. Kate's braids seem to be stretching out in the golden light as she runs around in the backyard. Reagan's nose is beginning to resemble Rudolph's, but it's not from the temperature, it's from all of the nose blowing she's been doing the past few days.
The weather here isn't always bliss. Yesterday it rained. Two days ago the temperature dropped below 40, and we've had a couple of frosty mornings already. The only difference is that we get anxious when there are 2 days of cloudy skies, and if there is sporadic rainfall during that period of time, everyone starts going just a little nutty.
I remembered a little park in the city adjacent to ours that had rubber matting under the play structure, so I took the girls there this morning. I wanted them out of doors today, but wasn't looking forward to the six inches deep in mud. The rubber playground was perfect. The only thing they got was wet, and that was because they insisted on going down the only slide that I hadn't wiped down. I guess the dry slides just weren't that interesting.
You will be delighted to know that Georgianna has learned how to say "candy cane". The only other words that are intelligible are "mommy" and "ba-ba". Though mommy is for any adult that will pick her up, and ba-ba is for anything that she can insert into her mouth whereas candy cane is intended only for candy canes.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
God is providing.
Tanner and I have been discussing at length how to balance his job, his school and his family. Most of you know that I got a VERY part time job (try 3 hrs a week) at the ice rink and that I've been teaching violin on the side in order to supplement our income. But the last few weeks have shown us that a full time job, plus full time school is way to stressful for a full time Dad, and the only promise we have is that it is going to get a worse once he starts at A&M.
So, I started to pray again, asking God to give me the right job. I ended up applying for a position at a retirement home that would have required me to work from 3:00-11:00, 5 days a week. Translation: Kate gets to see mom on the weekends and cancel all violin lesson AND no choir at church. I was willing to make the sacrifices if it meant Tanner could get through the next term with less stress. The first interview went very well. I loved the atmosphere and the camaraderie that existed. I prayed and asked God to have them call me by Friday, but no phone call.
On Saturday I went to work at the ice rink, I was suppose to meet a group there and then we were going off site. All hell broke loose. Literally. We had angry parents calling, the general manager calling, our manager freaking out because the ice man didn't call, didn't show, didn't nuthin' and this was the SECOND year in a row that this particular obligation was getting ditched. It was a God-thing because I got to show my amazing customer service skills and smooth things over. I got to chew the G. M. out for incompetency. I got to show him that I have what it takes to handle ANY stress, AND I got a sit down meeting resulting in my getting ANY shift I wanted, and as many hours as I wanted. Plus, I still get free ice skating.
So, today is filled with lots of thanksgiving to God. Because not only did I get a "job", but I passed my state govt. finals with an A+, Tanner finished his Calculus final with time to spare and Kate gets to do a Christmas show tonight.
So, I started to pray again, asking God to give me the right job. I ended up applying for a position at a retirement home that would have required me to work from 3:00-11:00, 5 days a week. Translation: Kate gets to see mom on the weekends and cancel all violin lesson AND no choir at church. I was willing to make the sacrifices if it meant Tanner could get through the next term with less stress. The first interview went very well. I loved the atmosphere and the camaraderie that existed. I prayed and asked God to have them call me by Friday, but no phone call.
On Saturday I went to work at the ice rink, I was suppose to meet a group there and then we were going off site. All hell broke loose. Literally. We had angry parents calling, the general manager calling, our manager freaking out because the ice man didn't call, didn't show, didn't nuthin' and this was the SECOND year in a row that this particular obligation was getting ditched. It was a God-thing because I got to show my amazing customer service skills and smooth things over. I got to chew the G. M. out for incompetency. I got to show him that I have what it takes to handle ANY stress, AND I got a sit down meeting resulting in my getting ANY shift I wanted, and as many hours as I wanted. Plus, I still get free ice skating.
So, today is filled with lots of thanksgiving to God. Because not only did I get a "job", but I passed my state govt. finals with an A+, Tanner finished his Calculus final with time to spare and Kate gets to do a Christmas show tonight.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Family Calendar
Okay, here is an update on the family calendar if you go directly to my blog website, http://www.ourtexanadventure.blogspot.com , and you scroll to the bottom of the page, you will see a calendar. It should have all of the dates and events coming up for the month on it. Those of you that I have sent links to, can update the calendar with all of your infomation. Those that I haven't, send me an email, and I will add you to the list.
This worked out great for us down here in Texas. When my Aunt went to Thailand, we were able to know when to pray for her, when to expect her back, etc... It also has helped us keep track of birthdays. Please update the calendar or else we really won't remember things like birthday cards, anniversary cards, etc... If we all check the calendar once a month, we should be bable to keep in better contact. Thanks you guys! Love, Noelle
This worked out great for us down here in Texas. When my Aunt went to Thailand, we were able to know when to pray for her, when to expect her back, etc... It also has helped us keep track of birthdays. Please update the calendar or else we really won't remember things like birthday cards, anniversary cards, etc... If we all check the calendar once a month, we should be bable to keep in better contact. Thanks you guys! Love, Noelle
Santa's Wonderland
So, we weren't going to go to this event because it costs money, but how could I resist? Lights, lights, lights. We took the kids. Pictures pending, okay, but boy did they have fun. Fake snow fell from the sky. Hot chocolate because we were dangerously close to 32F. I mean 63F at 6:00 in the evening is not a good sign for most Texans. Yes, we shivered our way past the bull ride and hay bales to the pony rides and petting zoo. I watched Georgie run up and down the gravel pathway and thought about her Grandpa Howell missing out on this. He would've loved to watch her run round and round in circles. Every time her foot touched something other than gravel she would stop, back up and then restart her circuit. We watched Reagan steal the show when she started to rock out in front of the audience that had gathered to listen to the singer who was crooning Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. We watched Kate belt out the lyrics right along with him. All in all a successful night, only thing missing were extra family appendages to laugh along with us.
Re: Santa Clause
Well, I gave up on the last entry about Santa Claus because the video took almost an hour to load. The girls had a marvelous time with Santa. Reagan gave him a hug. Georgie would have nothing to do with him, and Kate showed him her list. Then we munched on pretzel sticks and went to the play place.
I guess I'll be doing Santa Claus every year. I still won't tell them that he brings the gifts, but they can go ahead and pretend. I think it's the novelty of sitting on a bright red lap, snuggled up to a fuzzy white beard and having an old person actually listen to your chitter chatter that makes Santa Claus such an attraction. After all, my favorite people to talk to are my grandparents.
I guess I'll be doing Santa Claus every year. I still won't tell them that he brings the gifts, but they can go ahead and pretend. I think it's the novelty of sitting on a bright red lap, snuggled up to a fuzzy white beard and having an old person actually listen to your chitter chatter that makes Santa Claus such an attraction. After all, my favorite people to talk to are my grandparents.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Santa Claus
Well, I've never been a really big fan of Santa Claus. It must be cuz I never got to sit on his lap when I was a little kid or maybe just cuz we never really celebrated Christmas. So, I was a little surprised to over hear this conversation between Kate and Reagan.
Reagan: I love Santa Claus.
Kate: Yes, I got to see hime once.
Reagan: You did?
Kate: Yes, Auntie Joanelle took me and Emma and I sat on his lap and he gave us candy canes. Let me tell you, they were delicious. AND they took our picutre.
Reagan: Can I see Santa?
Kate: No, Auntie Joanelle isn't here to take us.
Hmm... (That's me in the kitchen with a plate of sandwiches.)
So, I announced early on Saturday morning that when I got back from work we would go to visit Santa Claus at the mall. You should have seen the excitement. Yes, you could actually see it. It manifested itself in two small girls jumping up and down, clapping their hands and shouting at the top of their voices and Reagan giving a huge "super bark".
Now, I digress. You might be wondering, "what is a super bark?" Watch the cartoon BOLT. There's a wonder dog that can do a super bark, and Reagan can mimic it. Or better yet, watch the video that I'm posting.
When I got home, Kate she had a list. She wanted a dog and a table lamp with glittery beads. So we went to see Santa. Reagan wore her blue jacket with striped pants. She attracted so much attention while in line because she kept shouting, "Santa! Hi, Santa! I love you!" So, they got a picture, a candy cane and a little coloring books. Then we went to the food court and had sushi.
So, I'm sitting here wondering about the Santa Claus phenomena. I've never told them much about Santa Claus only that he was a real man, who lived a long time ago and gave away all of his riches to the poor.
Reagan: I love Santa Claus.
Kate: Yes, I got to see hime once.
Reagan: You did?
Kate: Yes, Auntie Joanelle took me and Emma and I sat on his lap and he gave us candy canes. Let me tell you, they were delicious. AND they took our picutre.
Reagan: Can I see Santa?
Kate: No, Auntie Joanelle isn't here to take us.
Hmm... (That's me in the kitchen with a plate of sandwiches.)
So, I announced early on Saturday morning that when I got back from work we would go to visit Santa Claus at the mall. You should have seen the excitement. Yes, you could actually see it. It manifested itself in two small girls jumping up and down, clapping their hands and shouting at the top of their voices and Reagan giving a huge "super bark".
Now, I digress. You might be wondering, "what is a super bark?" Watch the cartoon BOLT. There's a wonder dog that can do a super bark, and Reagan can mimic it. Or better yet, watch the video that I'm posting.
When I got home, Kate she had a list. She wanted a dog and a table lamp with glittery beads. So we went to see Santa. Reagan wore her blue jacket with striped pants. She attracted so much attention while in line because she kept shouting, "Santa! Hi, Santa! I love you!" So, they got a picture, a candy cane and a little coloring books. Then we went to the food court and had sushi.
So, I'm sitting here wondering about the Santa Claus phenomena. I've never told them much about Santa Claus only that he was a real man, who lived a long time ago and gave away all of his riches to the poor.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Lest anyone should think that Texas is merely fire and brimstone, today the temperature is 34F. Yes! 34F! We are shivering and complaining because of the cold. No, they haven't shut down schools because the sky is a clear blue, the sun is bathing the streets in winter gold and there's not a hint of frost on the ground. It is still 34F and very cold. I had to wear sunglasses to drop Kate off at school. I also wore a jacket, scarf, two shirts, jeans, double socks and had the heater on full blast in the car. Poor Kate was shivering in the back seat and didn't warm up until we were half way to school.
On a more pleasant note, even though it is 70 inside the house, the girls are bundled up in sweaters, socks, long pants and double shirts. They are finally getting warm, and Georgie is standing in the middle of the living room, spinning round and round singing. Reagan is crouched in front of the heater playing with a doll. I am shivering at the computer, but I still have my jacket on. I did take off the scarf.
On a more pleasant note, even though it is 70 inside the house, the girls are bundled up in sweaters, socks, long pants and double shirts. They are finally getting warm, and Georgie is standing in the middle of the living room, spinning round and round singing. Reagan is crouched in front of the heater playing with a doll. I am shivering at the computer, but I still have my jacket on. I did take off the scarf.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Happy Birthday to ME!
This is the year for unusual birthdays. Tanner's fell during midterm week, and mine has fallen during finals week. So, when people ask me what I'm doing for my birthday, I say, "studying!" Of course, it's not all studying. I took the kids to the Children's Museum. I made a ham dinner. I did a short stint at the foodbank, and now, I'm blogging. But, while at the museum, I read and made notes, and dinner was made during study breaks. The kids are entertaining themselves, and I am only vaguely alarmed at loud banging sounds from the back room. I figure as long as no one is screaming, I can keep on studying.
I can now officially post the totally, awesome, exciting, breath-taking, jumping-up-and-down news that Tanner was accepted into the engineering department at A&M. His application arrived 2 days before the close date, and they had already filled all the slots for Chemical Engineering, so they have him on the Industrial Engineering track. Lest you think that is bad, we were told that 700 people were denied their first pick of Industrial Engineering, and the admissions department told us most people that don't make the Chemical Engineering cut are sent to general studies which means that A&M really wants Tanner in the Chemical Engineering department, they just didn't have room. So, we have to apply for a transfer in June. We are just relieved that he is in. There were times this year that we were scared that our move might have been for nothing since A&M is such a competitive school. It's nice to know that so far everything is falling into place. I use the term "falling" loosely, since it is obvious to us that God is truly guiding our steps and facilitating the entire process.
We continue to pray that God would keep His hand upon us, that He would provide for us (especially now that Tanner is in A&M and it looks like Mommy needs to get a job), that our children will feel loved and heard, that we take the right classes and choose the right teachers, that we find time to continue working on the house, that the roof doesn't start leaking like a seive, that the cockroaches stay under control, that we find friends for Reagan, and that we continue to adjust to Texan culture.
I can now officially post the totally, awesome, exciting, breath-taking, jumping-up-and-down news that Tanner was accepted into the engineering department at A&M. His application arrived 2 days before the close date, and they had already filled all the slots for Chemical Engineering, so they have him on the Industrial Engineering track. Lest you think that is bad, we were told that 700 people were denied their first pick of Industrial Engineering, and the admissions department told us most people that don't make the Chemical Engineering cut are sent to general studies which means that A&M really wants Tanner in the Chemical Engineering department, they just didn't have room. So, we have to apply for a transfer in June. We are just relieved that he is in. There were times this year that we were scared that our move might have been for nothing since A&M is such a competitive school. It's nice to know that so far everything is falling into place. I use the term "falling" loosely, since it is obvious to us that God is truly guiding our steps and facilitating the entire process.
We continue to pray that God would keep His hand upon us, that He would provide for us (especially now that Tanner is in A&M and it looks like Mommy needs to get a job), that our children will feel loved and heard, that we take the right classes and choose the right teachers, that we find time to continue working on the house, that the roof doesn't start leaking like a seive, that the cockroaches stay under control, that we find friends for Reagan, and that we continue to adjust to Texan culture.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Yikes...
This week is going to be a roiling week! It started today with school, choir for kids, choir for mom, school for dad. Then it will slowly simmer on Thursday with dress rehearsals, work and more school. Add a little more heat on Friday with library duty, work, performance and of course homework. Rolling boil stage is reached on Saturday with performance, work, performance, work, and thank goodness the heat is turned off on Sunday with only church and a Christmas parade to walk in.
And then I have to study for finals, and Tanner has to study for finals. I'm looking forward to an entire month of non-stimulating brain activity. Maybe I'll check out New Braunfields...
And then I have to study for finals, and Tanner has to study for finals. I'm looking forward to an entire month of non-stimulating brain activity. Maybe I'll check out New Braunfields...
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