I must have a short in my brain somewhere. I don't know what possessed me to agree to haul 4 children, all by myself, to the Houston Zoo for the morning, then take them to the airport to pick up a very much missed Auntie, then drive to Sugarland, then drive to San Antonio, then go to Six Flags. Oh, wait, confusing modifier there, I only did the Houston Zoo/Airport Pick Up by myself. But still...did my parents forget to teach me some basic math principles?
I have to admit that it was fun, and it did prove that I am capable of corralling and nurturing 4 warm bodies. We saw lions and tigers and bears, oh, my! and quite a few other animals before visiting the splash park at the zoo where the kids got dripping wet. Did I bring towels? No, but I wasn't worried, and I'm glad that I didn't. It took about 15 minutes for their clothing to dry. Now, that is hot weather!
It was great to watch Kate walk a little a head of the group with her friend. So many happy memories of being on outings with friends...I was happy to be making some of those same memories for Kate. We munched on Dippin Dots, went through an entire box of CapriSuns, 6 bottles of water and 4 glasses of lemonade before we had to pick up Emily.
I will not bore you with the details of airport traffic. Suffice it to say, it was a beast. Luckily, the much missed Auntie was still standing in the pick up area when we arrived. Everyone was grateful that she hadn't decided to catch the next flight home! We drove through Houston to Sugarland and spent the evening playing in the pool, eating dinner and finally crashing for the night with the expectation of an early Saturday morning.
Six Flags! That was what every single one of the kid kept asking for all the next morning as we drove and drove and drove. Of course, you must also insert pit stop, pit stop, pit stop because two cars filled with girls will not make it more than an hour on the road before someone has use the restroom! Luckily, we knew where the best places were, and it was only the very last time that things got a little desperate, but we made it to Six Flags in time to wait in a very long line for parking.
We managed to find parking spaces, tickets, sunscreen and all those wonderful things. We decided to split up for the day, so Tanner grabbed the three oldest girls an took them on the "car" ride. I couldn't help but chuckle a little bit since they had all been anxious to get OUT of the car just a few minutes before. Emily and I took Georgianna and went on the log ride, the baby car ride, and a couple of other kiddie rides. I finally convinced Emily to go on at least one daredevil ride which didn't seem to have any line, so she did while Georgianna and I waited in the shade. Afterward, Emily said that I could go, too.
I smiled and shook my head. "I come to Six Flags for two reasons," I explained, "the first one is Kate. The second one is Tanner." Yup, that's the truth. My job at Six Flags is Georgianna entertainer and bag watcher. I just don't do rides. Well, I did go on the Ferris Wheel (which Emily can attest that I had a white knuckle grip on the metal caging the whole time) and the Log Ride, but I think other than kidde rides that was it.
I enjoyed the next day much more. We all hung out together and the kids did the teacups, swings, haunted house and rides like that until we got too hot and then we headed to the water park where we floated on the lazy river and played in the wave pool until we discovered Kiddie Water Land, and then I grabbed a lawn chair, put it in the shade and took a nap!
Anyway, I'm super happy to have Emily with us. She keeps reminding me to chill, breathe and enjoy. I hope I can remember to do more of that.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
We had a tough Monday. The girls had a hard time adjusting to not having Daddy. When we left Sunday night, Georgianna told Tanner, "I don't like you anymore." When he asked why?, she said, "Because you leave me."
Sniff. Plenty of tears over that one!
So, our Monday was awful. Mommy ended up walking up and down the street in front of our house, taking deep breaths, trying to stay calm. It didn't work. I kept bursting into tears.
Kate, bless her tender heart, just held my hand. I am so glad that God has given her a compassionate heart. She has great, deep love. It's not always expressive, but it is permanent. I think it is the best kind of love.
Of course, I was also missing Tanner terribly, but being the mommy, I was working hard at not making the girls more miserable. I finally went back inside and decided that maybe it was time to just snuggle, so we all snuggled. Then the girls got ready for bed.
I was checking email for the last time when someone knocked at the front door. I assumed it was one of Jonathan's friends, so at first I ignored it and waited for Jonny to open the door until I realized that he was in the back room. I sighed and trundled over to the door, yanked it open and gave the intruder a blank stare.
I blinked.
Tanner said, "Um, is it okay if I come in?"
Then I burst into a fresh flood of tears.
He said, "I figured you were gonna have a hard time tonight. I'm just sorry I didn't get here sooner."
Now, how romantic is that? I tear up just thinking about it. Ten years of marriage, and I've still got a Prince Charming!
Sniff. Plenty of tears over that one!
So, our Monday was awful. Mommy ended up walking up and down the street in front of our house, taking deep breaths, trying to stay calm. It didn't work. I kept bursting into tears.
Kate, bless her tender heart, just held my hand. I am so glad that God has given her a compassionate heart. She has great, deep love. It's not always expressive, but it is permanent. I think it is the best kind of love.
Of course, I was also missing Tanner terribly, but being the mommy, I was working hard at not making the girls more miserable. I finally went back inside and decided that maybe it was time to just snuggle, so we all snuggled. Then the girls got ready for bed.
I was checking email for the last time when someone knocked at the front door. I assumed it was one of Jonathan's friends, so at first I ignored it and waited for Jonny to open the door until I realized that he was in the back room. I sighed and trundled over to the door, yanked it open and gave the intruder a blank stare.
I blinked.
Tanner said, "Um, is it okay if I come in?"
Then I burst into a fresh flood of tears.
He said, "I figured you were gonna have a hard time tonight. I'm just sorry I didn't get here sooner."
Now, how romantic is that? I tear up just thinking about it. Ten years of marriage, and I've still got a Prince Charming!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Jellyfish
I was apprehensive about this last weekend. Houston had been seeing huge thunderstorms, and this was the weekend we had slated to visit Galveston (a.k.a. same weather). A lot of people don't realize that Houston is on Galveston Bay, so when we say that we're going to Galveston, it means traveling through Houston to the island of Galveston, and whatever type of weather is happening in Houston, it's probably happening in Galveston or has just finished up with Galveston and is now hitting Houston. So, huge thunderstomrs, they type that shakes houses, made me hesitate to visit Tanner. I considered asking him to drive up here, but in the end, I packed the kids in the car with half the house, and headed for Sugarland.
Did you hear about Reagan and Sugarland? Tanner told her that he was living in Sugarland for the summer. She looked at him very seriously and said, "Daddy, I don't believe in Sugarland."
Tanner was taken aback for a few seconds because he had taken her to see his apartment and to visit Sugarland at the beginning of the month, so he asked, "Why not?"
Reagan frowned as she thought over what she wanted to say. "Well," she said slowly, "People can't live in Sugar Land. It's not good for people to only have sugar. It will make you have tummy aches and your teeth will fall out."
We arrived safe and sound in Sugarland even though we drove through a storm. We saw sheet lightning and bolts of lightning, and thunder shook the car, we had hail and big splatters of rain, but by the time we pulled into the parking lot, the sun was out, the air was musty from all the evaporating rain, and we had the promise of a beautiful morning. We actually took the girls to the swimming pool that same evening.
We drove to Galveston the next morning and parked on the seawall. That's where we met the jellyfish. The girls darted out into the ocean way too fast. I had just sat down to take a look at the currents, and they were already splashing in the water. I didn't say anything because Tanner was with them, and after a quick glance, the water seemed pretty safe. Unfortuantely, they didn't last more than five minutes. Reagan started crying, and Tanner brought her to me. I realized almost immediately that it was a jellyfish sting, so I told her to pee. I had my hands cupped and everything, but Reagan just cried even harder. Kate joined us, and I tolder her to pee. She looked alarmed. Then Georgie came running out of the water crying, and Tanner followed her. I told Tanner to pee. They all just stared at me in horror! I was laughing by then, and I gave up. I dried Reagan off and took her to the car. I knew we'd just have to wait for the sting to go away since no one could pee for me!
So, we drove to the mini-golf course and the girls putted around for a couple of ours. I lasted for about an hour before the bugs started to love on me and covered me with bites. Each of the girls managed to get a hole in one, so I take it the golfing session was a success. We were going to drive back home, but when we started to drive along the seawall, I noticed an area that had two life guard stations and a bunch of people out in the water. I knew that there couldn't be that many jellyfish in that area or else the beach would be littered with kids crying, so we piled out of the car and had our day at the beach anyway. (Not to worry, I only let the girls go wading. Kate was allowed to go up to her midcalf.)
We came home tired out but happy and made dinner, took the girls to the pool, baths and bed. Sunday was much more relaxing. We went to the movies, ate popcorn, candy and more candy. Had a nap, went to the pool, ate pbj's for dinner, packed, drove home.
We're getting ready for Emily. I'm thinking I need to clean house...
Did you hear about Reagan and Sugarland? Tanner told her that he was living in Sugarland for the summer. She looked at him very seriously and said, "Daddy, I don't believe in Sugarland."
Tanner was taken aback for a few seconds because he had taken her to see his apartment and to visit Sugarland at the beginning of the month, so he asked, "Why not?"
Reagan frowned as she thought over what she wanted to say. "Well," she said slowly, "People can't live in Sugar Land. It's not good for people to only have sugar. It will make you have tummy aches and your teeth will fall out."
We arrived safe and sound in Sugarland even though we drove through a storm. We saw sheet lightning and bolts of lightning, and thunder shook the car, we had hail and big splatters of rain, but by the time we pulled into the parking lot, the sun was out, the air was musty from all the evaporating rain, and we had the promise of a beautiful morning. We actually took the girls to the swimming pool that same evening.
We drove to Galveston the next morning and parked on the seawall. That's where we met the jellyfish. The girls darted out into the ocean way too fast. I had just sat down to take a look at the currents, and they were already splashing in the water. I didn't say anything because Tanner was with them, and after a quick glance, the water seemed pretty safe. Unfortuantely, they didn't last more than five minutes. Reagan started crying, and Tanner brought her to me. I realized almost immediately that it was a jellyfish sting, so I told her to pee. I had my hands cupped and everything, but Reagan just cried even harder. Kate joined us, and I tolder her to pee. She looked alarmed. Then Georgie came running out of the water crying, and Tanner followed her. I told Tanner to pee. They all just stared at me in horror! I was laughing by then, and I gave up. I dried Reagan off and took her to the car. I knew we'd just have to wait for the sting to go away since no one could pee for me!
So, we drove to the mini-golf course and the girls putted around for a couple of ours. I lasted for about an hour before the bugs started to love on me and covered me with bites. Each of the girls managed to get a hole in one, so I take it the golfing session was a success. We were going to drive back home, but when we started to drive along the seawall, I noticed an area that had two life guard stations and a bunch of people out in the water. I knew that there couldn't be that many jellyfish in that area or else the beach would be littered with kids crying, so we piled out of the car and had our day at the beach anyway. (Not to worry, I only let the girls go wading. Kate was allowed to go up to her midcalf.)
We came home tired out but happy and made dinner, took the girls to the pool, baths and bed. Sunday was much more relaxing. We went to the movies, ate popcorn, candy and more candy. Had a nap, went to the pool, ate pbj's for dinner, packed, drove home.
We're getting ready for Emily. I'm thinking I need to clean house...
Lazy summer nights...
Sitting on the front porch, sipping a glass of lemonade, watching the kids dart in and out of shadows as twilight falls, I can't help but sigh with contentment. This is the time of year when fireflies wink in the bushes, and you can hear scattered shouts and squeals as kids play tag or basketball or, more than likely, football. This is the time for popsicles and dixie cups and water guns, the time when parents pull out the lawn chairs and barbeques, and the true American family spills onto the front lawns of the neighborhood. You hear, "howdy's" and "evening ma'am", sometimes the clink of a spur if someone has just come off the ranch, but more often the roar of motorcycles as people start pulling out their summer toys.
The smells of a Texan summer evening waft in and out of the trees. Sometimes they linger if the wind dies down, but more often they slip by. It's a peculiar scent filled state. Gasoline mixes with exotic tropical flowers, the scent of sweet fruits mingles with bug spray and sunscreen, and of course the faintest smell of damp sweat. It's a nice smell. The smell of hard work, determination and success.
I miss having Tanner in the chair next to me. I find it funny because it's not as if he ever really sat in the chair when we would come out here in the evenings. He would be the one chasing the kids, or he would be chasing the squirrel, cat or dog or any other stray animal he happened to see.
The smells of a Texan summer evening waft in and out of the trees. Sometimes they linger if the wind dies down, but more often they slip by. It's a peculiar scent filled state. Gasoline mixes with exotic tropical flowers, the scent of sweet fruits mingles with bug spray and sunscreen, and of course the faintest smell of damp sweat. It's a nice smell. The smell of hard work, determination and success.
I miss having Tanner in the chair next to me. I find it funny because it's not as if he ever really sat in the chair when we would come out here in the evenings. He would be the one chasing the kids, or he would be chasing the squirrel, cat or dog or any other stray animal he happened to see.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
All is well on the home front
Girl Scout Day Camp. I never was a Girl Scout. I use to envy my friends their good luck at getting to be a Girl Scout, so I really enjoy watching Kate do Girl Scout things, and Reagan's excitement at becoming a Daisy. I finally found the courage to let Kate go to Day Camp this year. On Sunday we registered, found her campsite and the latrines. Good old-fashioned latrines. Not the deluxe port-a-potties, but those wooden structures that we all remember as kids.
The volunteers at the camp couldn't stress enough the importance of preparing our girls for latrines. I kept hearing stories of girls having accidents at the end of the day because they'd "pretend" to use the latrines, but actually keep holding it until they couldn't hold it any more. I don't think Kate will have a problem. She peered into the hole with a great deal of excitement. I'm glad to say that I think she'll do just fine.
Day Camp is quite a bit different here than in Oregon. First of all the two most important pieces of equipment are a water bottle and sunscreen, followed closely by bug repellent. I don't ever remember needing any of those things when we went to Kids Camp at Wind River. I'm pretty sure I just had a change of clothes and a toothbrush. We had to get a substantial sun hat for Kate as well. What is most interesting is that they don't do anything with water until the very last day of camp, and then it is balloon tosses and soakers.
Kate was ecstatic yesterday because she got to pet a millipede, and she let a walking stick crawl on her. I'm pretty sure I would never have survived to Girl Scouts. Now I know why my parents never signed me up. I would've been traumatized. Last night I stepped on a cockroach with my bare foot. Jonathan was laughing so hard because I started to cry and then proceeded to wash my foot for about 15minutes. I still get the creepy crawlies every time I think about it. Yeah, my parents knew what they were doing when they didn't encourage Girl Scouts for me. All I can keep thinking is, "I hope Kate washed her hands and sanitized them."
Of course we're having gorgeous summer weather. I'm getting a bit tired of reporting on it. Of course it is sunny. What else would it be? Sometimes the morning start out cloudy and cool. Cool being about 80F. Then the clouds burn off by about 8:00am and we've got crystal blue skies with that big yellow ball scattering super bright light everywhere. Emily asked if she should bring jeans and a sweater just in case it cooled down. My reply: if you can imagine wearing them when it is "cool" outside, aka 95F, then yes, bring them. If not, leave them at home.
The beach is beginning to call us. I realized that we hadn't taken a beach trip yet. The girls love Galveston and Stewart Beach Park, so hopefully we'll be able to make a trip down soon. The sand is great at that particular section of the beach, and as long as we have an umbrella and water, the girls do just fine. It's strange that the waves look so murky in all of the pictures that I take, but when you're there, the waves are clear and sandy. I sometimes wonder if I have the settings on my camera incorrect. Of course, the water isn't anything like Hawaii, after all we're on the Gulf of Mexico host to oil spills and port traffic, but still it is a nice mini-vacation for the family.
All reports from Tanner indicate that he is relishing his job. I'm scared that he's already looking for housing and schools and has figured out how to move the entire family. I guess I've grown fond of small town life. I like the fact that police officers are friendly, kind and filled with integrity. I like that fact that you can talk to your mayor without an appointment. I like the fact that you run into people you know all the time, no matter where you go. I guess small town life has it's good points. Of course, I miss big city amenities, like French restaurants, Asian-fusion cuisine, grand opera, ballet, symphony, concerts in the park, Shakespeare, art museums and Whole Foods. We will see what God has in store for us. He holds the future in His hands, and I am so glad that we can trust Him for all sorts of goodies to come!
The volunteers at the camp couldn't stress enough the importance of preparing our girls for latrines. I kept hearing stories of girls having accidents at the end of the day because they'd "pretend" to use the latrines, but actually keep holding it until they couldn't hold it any more. I don't think Kate will have a problem. She peered into the hole with a great deal of excitement. I'm glad to say that I think she'll do just fine.
Day Camp is quite a bit different here than in Oregon. First of all the two most important pieces of equipment are a water bottle and sunscreen, followed closely by bug repellent. I don't ever remember needing any of those things when we went to Kids Camp at Wind River. I'm pretty sure I just had a change of clothes and a toothbrush. We had to get a substantial sun hat for Kate as well. What is most interesting is that they don't do anything with water until the very last day of camp, and then it is balloon tosses and soakers.
Kate was ecstatic yesterday because she got to pet a millipede, and she let a walking stick crawl on her. I'm pretty sure I would never have survived to Girl Scouts. Now I know why my parents never signed me up. I would've been traumatized. Last night I stepped on a cockroach with my bare foot. Jonathan was laughing so hard because I started to cry and then proceeded to wash my foot for about 15minutes. I still get the creepy crawlies every time I think about it. Yeah, my parents knew what they were doing when they didn't encourage Girl Scouts for me. All I can keep thinking is, "I hope Kate washed her hands and sanitized them."
Of course we're having gorgeous summer weather. I'm getting a bit tired of reporting on it. Of course it is sunny. What else would it be? Sometimes the morning start out cloudy and cool. Cool being about 80F. Then the clouds burn off by about 8:00am and we've got crystal blue skies with that big yellow ball scattering super bright light everywhere. Emily asked if she should bring jeans and a sweater just in case it cooled down. My reply: if you can imagine wearing them when it is "cool" outside, aka 95F, then yes, bring them. If not, leave them at home.
The beach is beginning to call us. I realized that we hadn't taken a beach trip yet. The girls love Galveston and Stewart Beach Park, so hopefully we'll be able to make a trip down soon. The sand is great at that particular section of the beach, and as long as we have an umbrella and water, the girls do just fine. It's strange that the waves look so murky in all of the pictures that I take, but when you're there, the waves are clear and sandy. I sometimes wonder if I have the settings on my camera incorrect. Of course, the water isn't anything like Hawaii, after all we're on the Gulf of Mexico host to oil spills and port traffic, but still it is a nice mini-vacation for the family.
All reports from Tanner indicate that he is relishing his job. I'm scared that he's already looking for housing and schools and has figured out how to move the entire family. I guess I've grown fond of small town life. I like the fact that police officers are friendly, kind and filled with integrity. I like that fact that you can talk to your mayor without an appointment. I like the fact that you run into people you know all the time, no matter where you go. I guess small town life has it's good points. Of course, I miss big city amenities, like French restaurants, Asian-fusion cuisine, grand opera, ballet, symphony, concerts in the park, Shakespeare, art museums and Whole Foods. We will see what God has in store for us. He holds the future in His hands, and I am so glad that we can trust Him for all sorts of goodies to come!
All is well on the home front
Girl Scout Day Camp. I never was a Girl Scout. I use to envy my friends their good luck at getting to be a Girl Scout, so I really enjoy watching Kate do Girl Scout things, and Reagan's excitement at becoming a Daisy. I finally found the courage to let Kate go to Day Camp this year. On Sunday we registered, found her campsite and the latrines. Good old-fashioned latrines. Not the deluxe port-a-potties, but those wooden structures that we all remember as kids.
The volunteers at the camp couldn't stress enough the importance of preparing our girls for latrines. I kept hearing stories of girls having accidents at the end of the day because they'd "pretend" to use the latrines, but actually keep holding it until they couldn't hold it any more. I don't think Kate will have a problem. She peered into the hole with a great deal of excitement. I'm glad to say that I think she'll do just fine.
Day Camp is quite a bit different here than in Oregon. First of all the two most important pieces of equipment are a water bottle and sunscreen, followed closely by bug repellent. I don't ever remember needing any of those things when we went to Kids Camp at Wind River. I'm pretty sure I just had a change of clothes and a toothbrush. We had to get a substantial sun hat for Kate as well. What is most interesting is that they don't do anything with water until the very last day of camp, and then it is balloon tosses and soakers.
Kate was ecstatic yesterday because she got to pet a millipede, and she let a walking stick crawl on her. I'm pretty sure I would never have survived to Girl Scouts. Now I know why my parents never signed me up. I would've traumatized. Last night I stepped on a cockroach with my bare foot. Jonathan was laughing so hard because I started to cry and then proceeded to wash my foot for about 15minutes. I still get the creepy crawlies every time I think about it. Yeah, my parents knew what they were doing when they didn't encourage Girl Scouts for me. All I can keep thinking is, "I hope Kate washed her hands and sanitized them."
Of course we're having gorgeous summer weather. I'm getting a bit tired of reporting on it. Of course it is sunny. What else would it be? Sometimes the morning start out cloudy and cool. Cool being about 80F. Then the clouds burn off by about 8:00am and we've got crystal blue skies with that big yellow ball scattering super bright light everywhere. Emily asked if she should bring jeans and a sweater just in case it cooled down. My reply: if you can imagine wearing them when it is "cool" outside, aka 95F, then yes, bring them. If not, leave them at home.
The beach is beginning to call us. I realized that we hadn't taken a beach trip yet. The girls love Galveston and Stewart Beach Park, so hopefully we'll be able to make a trip down soon. The sand is great at that particular section of the beach, and as long as we have an umbrella and water, the girls do just fine. It's strange that the waves look so murky in all of the pictures that I take, but when you're there, the waves are clear and sandy. I sometimes wonder if I have the settings on my camera incorrect. Of course, the water isn't anything like Hawaii, after all we're on the Gulf of Mexico host to oil spills and port traffic, but still it is a nice mini-vacation for the family.
All reports from Tanner indicate that he is relishing his job. I'm scared that he's already looking for housing and schools and has figured out how to move the entire family. I guess I've grown fond of small town life. I like the fact that police officers are friendly, kind and filled with integrity. I like that fact that you can talk to your mayor without an appointment. I like the fact that you run into people you know all the time, no matter where you go. I guess small town life has it's good points. Of course, I miss big city amenities, like French restaurants, Asian-fusion cuisine, grand opera, ballet, symphony, concerts in the park, Shakespeare, art museums and Whole Foods. We will see what God has in store for us. He holds the future in His hands, and I am so glad that we can trust Him for all sorts of goodies to come!
The volunteers at the camp couldn't stress enough the importance of preparing our girls for latrines. I kept hearing stories of girls having accidents at the end of the day because they'd "pretend" to use the latrines, but actually keep holding it until they couldn't hold it any more. I don't think Kate will have a problem. She peered into the hole with a great deal of excitement. I'm glad to say that I think she'll do just fine.
Day Camp is quite a bit different here than in Oregon. First of all the two most important pieces of equipment are a water bottle and sunscreen, followed closely by bug repellent. I don't ever remember needing any of those things when we went to Kids Camp at Wind River. I'm pretty sure I just had a change of clothes and a toothbrush. We had to get a substantial sun hat for Kate as well. What is most interesting is that they don't do anything with water until the very last day of camp, and then it is balloon tosses and soakers.
Kate was ecstatic yesterday because she got to pet a millipede, and she let a walking stick crawl on her. I'm pretty sure I would never have survived to Girl Scouts. Now I know why my parents never signed me up. I would've traumatized. Last night I stepped on a cockroach with my bare foot. Jonathan was laughing so hard because I started to cry and then proceeded to wash my foot for about 15minutes. I still get the creepy crawlies every time I think about it. Yeah, my parents knew what they were doing when they didn't encourage Girl Scouts for me. All I can keep thinking is, "I hope Kate washed her hands and sanitized them."
Of course we're having gorgeous summer weather. I'm getting a bit tired of reporting on it. Of course it is sunny. What else would it be? Sometimes the morning start out cloudy and cool. Cool being about 80F. Then the clouds burn off by about 8:00am and we've got crystal blue skies with that big yellow ball scattering super bright light everywhere. Emily asked if she should bring jeans and a sweater just in case it cooled down. My reply: if you can imagine wearing them when it is "cool" outside, aka 95F, then yes, bring them. If not, leave them at home.
The beach is beginning to call us. I realized that we hadn't taken a beach trip yet. The girls love Galveston and Stewart Beach Park, so hopefully we'll be able to make a trip down soon. The sand is great at that particular section of the beach, and as long as we have an umbrella and water, the girls do just fine. It's strange that the waves look so murky in all of the pictures that I take, but when you're there, the waves are clear and sandy. I sometimes wonder if I have the settings on my camera incorrect. Of course, the water isn't anything like Hawaii, after all we're on the Gulf of Mexico host to oil spills and port traffic, but still it is a nice mini-vacation for the family.
All reports from Tanner indicate that he is relishing his job. I'm scared that he's already looking for housing and schools and has figured out how to move the entire family. I guess I've grown fond of small town life. I like the fact that police officers are friendly, kind and filled with integrity. I like that fact that you can talk to your mayor without an appointment. I like the fact that you run into people you know all the time, no matter where you go. I guess small town life has it's good points. Of course, I miss big city amenities, like French restaurants, Asian-fusion cuisine, grand opera, ballet, symphony, concerts in the park, Shakespeare, art museums and Whole Foods. We will see what God has in store for us. He holds the future in His hands, and I am so glad that we can trust Him for all sorts of goodies to come!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
A cool morning beckoned us to the blueberry patch, so we all piled into the van early on Saturday morning and drove to Caldwell to visit Kingsbury Farms. It's a smallish farm with about 100 blueberry bushes. Not very popular with all the rough and tumble, but it had good picking, good prices and short distance all in its favor. We picked about 20 pounds in about an hour and a half which was just perfect for the kids. No pictures this time around. We were a hot, sweaty sticky mess, but we had our treasure trove and were satisfied.
Then we did some much needed summer gear shopping. Please don't worry, I will not afflict you with a list of all the things we had to get, but for the Grandmas and the Grandpas out there, we did get new life vests for the girls. Of course the girls had a great time. It was like they had been transported to Disneyland. Kate actually stopped in the middle of putting her pink life jacket into the basket and said, "I can't believe you actually said yes! I feel RICH!" It was nice to be able to get the girls a few pretty things, especially since they give up their Daddy for a whole week.
Nap time, bath time and then Tanner whisked me away to a dinner and movie date. I still think it is funny that I just love having dates like this. I guess it's because I didn't get any of them before I got married, so these types of outings are a lot of fun. We crack jokes and comment on all the previews just like a couple of high school kids sitting in the back of the theater. We went for a run. Yes, we are starting to run. We'll see how long it lasts. No promises.
Sunday was not so great. We had a great start, a delayed breakfast, a delayed oil change, a delayed tire change and then a delayed arrival at home because we got into a car accident. The classic three car sandwich with our car in the middle. To top it all off, the car that rear ended us took off! What is it about us and hit and run drivers? So, now the air conditioning isn't working in the van, and I'm not sure how to get it fixed since we are both technically down to single car family status with a MUST drive to work. We will see. Tanner is thinking of trying to make a miracle happen on Friday.
It's difficult to say if any of us are injured. I'm keeping a careful eye on the girls, of course, but I've had a hurt back since early December, so I'm not sure if the soreness I'm experiencing is increasing because of the accident or if it is just the normal increase of soreness before my next appointment. Well, I am confident that God is still taking excellent care of us. I will not be shaken. But please, continue to hold us in your prayers. As we move closer to reaching our goals, we are certain to be tested.
Many of you might not know the chief reason we moved. Tanner and I were continually frustrated that no matter how hard he worked, we could never get to the point where we could effectively contribute to missions. We were able to give one time gifts, but were unable to make commitments to help fund people overseas. We prayed a long time about it and felt God direct us to go to college, to seek a degree that would provide for our needs and to spend a period of time learning to live within those needs and in faith so that we would know the difference between a need and a want. We believe that through all of this we will be able to have a great impact on missionaries around the world. Our commitment to this endeavor has not wavered. Even with Tanner's internship, after a great deal of prayer, we decided to send a small portion of the money that he makes to fund a missionary in Africa.
Believe it or not, we wired funds last night, and this morning the accident happened. Suddenly, we're struggling with worrying about how much this will cost or that will cost, and I confess, tempted to try to hold on to the "extra" that God gave us in order to make sure that we are comfortable. I am comforted to know that not once did either of us suggest this.
And here is the amazing part of our story. After the accident, the hood couldn't be opened on the van, so it looked like there would be body work to be done. I had to take Kate to her camp orientation, and then dinner had to be made. Things didn't settle down till after 5:00, and then we discussed which car Tanner should take. He then remembered that the license plate had fallen off the van, so he went back to the accident site, which was actually near Kolache Rolfs (aka Kate's favorite breakfast stop in the ENTIRE world). When he came back with the plate which miraculously was still there, he pushed the bumper, heard something click, and voila! the hood was fixed and it will now open. Of course there is still some damage, that sort of thing doesn't always get fixed in miracles, but it looks like the van will be okay. We still have to figure out how to get the A.C. fixed, but that's something that might only take a day rather than a week to repair. ahWhoop! (BTW, that's the Aggie yell for Juniors).
So, we count our blessings. All of you are among them, and we are truly touched and blessed by your prayers.
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