Phone call I didn't expect...

This morning at 10:30 I got a phone call from LISD. The nurse from OSE called to say John David was trying to throw up in the bathroom and was white with a little temp. Poor kid! I rushed to the school where he was lying down in the nurse's office. :( She had wheeled him down to her office in a rolling chair because he wouldn't walk.
After getting home, the boys watched a movie. Drew wanted a "sawad" (salad) for lunch. What 2 1/2 year old wants a salad instead of lunch meat? John David wouldn't eat even pasta. Needless to say, I am enjoying time to play on the computer and watch TV while my boys nap. :) I hope this is a short lived temp. We will see at 4:30 when we head to an after hours pediatrician place since the pediatrician's office is too full to see us today!

John David's News

Last Friday afternoon the boys and I were outside playing. The boys love riding their bikes in the cul-de-sac since they can now ride in the street. One of our neighbors had grandchildren living with them. The youngest one is a year older than John David but in second grade.

David and I have never let the boys play in the front yard alone. Now it is a big deal to me that they are ridng in the street. There 6 houses and 5 driveways on our street. The boys know their limits not to go past the last mailbox. They are good to push their limits including Drew.

As the boys were going down the hill of our driveway, one of John David's training wheels came off. (The other one has been lose and we have been tightening it up.) He didn't seem to mind but wanted to leave the other one on so the bike could still stand up. A few minutes later, he changed his mind. The two older boys tried taking it off themselves but were unsuccessful. I got it off and he took off down the driveway. He was soooooo proud of himself! Stopping the first time involved running into the side of the garage. He has gotten much better at stopping and starting.

Now EVERY minute he wants to be riding his bike. Both boys were up by 7:15 Saturday morning and they were outside by 7:45 am riding bikes!

Preschool

***Sorry this is so late. :(

Two weeks ago Drew and I started back to preschool. He is in the same classroom with new teachers and some new classmates. He wasn't very cooperative to take pics that morning. Mrs. Courtney & Mrs. Mary Anne are his teachers. He loves going to school. It is different only having one child at preschool instead of 2.

I am teaching the pre-K group again. I have 11 kiddos although none of them have been there all at once. I knew most of them but some are new to preschool. Two of the kiddos are my MGM friends' kids. I have never had such close friends as my students' parents. I am looking forward to this school year. I have a full agenda this year and not as much time-doesn't that sound like public school teachers?

At the end of the day we run out so we can get to John David. He is usually one of the last ones on my work days but it doesn't seem to bother him.

Drew

Drew has had his world rocked by "bubba" going to school this year. Although Drew corrects anyone that "bubba doesn't go to school, he goes to 'in'er'arten'". It is too cute!!! My brother thinks it's funny and has never heard anyone say kindergarten without any consonants.

Two weeks ago we bought Drew new mattresses. Ever since we moved he has sleeping on the crib mattress which laid on the floor. We didn't think it was worth setting up the 3-sided crib since it will be the full-size headboard for the guest room. Drew has loved his "big boy bed" with a "big boy pillow". The mattresses are still on the floor because we wanted to make sure he wouldn't roll off. He has done very well staying on his mattress. Here is a shot of his bed. He and John David couldn't decide who would get the striped sheets so one got the fitted sheet & pillow case and the other one got the flat sheet. They don't match but who cares! They agreed and didn't fight which was more important!

We are working on potty training. Some days are better than others. It all started before we moved when he wanted to start sitting on the potty. Bad timing but I didn't want to discourage progress. Rarely is it underwear alone but over a diaper or wearing a pull-up. I am a lot more calm through this period than I was with John David. We are starting eariler with Drew than John David, too. I have learned that he will be potty trained by Kindergarten. :)

Thursday morning as David and I were talking we heard a rip, rip, and then heard him go potty all by himself! We were surprised & excited! He was very proud of himself! Since we have been swimming alot I quickly ran out of swim diapers. He has done very well getting out of the pool to go potty in the backyard (of course). Since he likes to jump in the pool all of the time like John David it was easy to notice when it was time to go to the bathroom.

Here is a picture of "Bruiser" taken Thursday night. He was flossing his teeth but more important are his pjs. He loves the pjs with balls on them but he has been wearing them for a while now. As you can see they don't fit the same as they did probably a year ago. I am pretty sure they were John David's. I guess I'll have to find some more pjs with balls on them for his birthday or Christmas.

Life as I know it now

Life has certainly changed recently from moving into a new home, kindergartener, and many other things. It was an adjustment to go to work this week for teacher workdays and only have one child with me. Drew and I have kept busy surprisingly it hasn't always been going to the gym. It seems like I have been running lots of errands. We have had some repairmen out to the house and I always seem to schedule more than one on the same day. Yesterday was the electrician installing some new lights and the blind lady (Budget Blinds) came to give us an estimate. (She isn't really blind.) We have 2" metal blinds that are bent and some missing a turn rod. Our dream is to buy beautiful shutters on each of the windows. We didn't realize until yesterday there are 33 windows to be covered! Too much money for all at once!

Drew's naps have moved up earlier in the day to allow for a 2 hour nap. Naps are still so important in our home! John David has fallen asleep in the car a few times in the past two weeks as we were running errands after school. I tell you his attitude has changed, too! I can tell he is so tired and is short-tempered after going to school all day long.

Another big change has been John David buying his lunch. The first week of school he took his lunch everyday but buying intriguied him. Tuesday of this week was the first time he had the courage to do it. I had sent a check on Monday not knowing his plans. He doesn't want me to tell him the menu. He wants the teacher to tell him what is for lunch. He explained the standing up and sitting down in the mornings to tell the teacher about their lunch choices. He has loved buying his lunch everyday since Tuesday!!! When we ask what he ate, he usually chooses fruit and chocolate milk but I don't hear of any veggies. He doesn't want my sandwiches which were a hit in preschool! (His preschool teacher even requested his sandwiches.) The menu given to us includes 2 entrees and a third vegetarian entree which I've never seen in a school. It doesn't list the sides so I can't guide him in which choices to make at lunch.

Oh, to be losing control of knowing everything! I have usually had a good idea of what went on in preschool. I learned more about their days when I started working up there. Last year, I saw alot of what activities he did and who he played with at school. This year we know NO ONE in Kindergarten. I know it is a great opportunity to become more plugged in to our school and community. God does have some great plans for my little boy and us!

As we drove to school one day this week, he saw a kid at the crosswalk. "Mom, there's Danny. He is my best friend." Mind you he couldn't remember who he played with at school for the first 6 or so days. I tried remembering names I had seen of people at his table and others on the class list which wasn't over 5. I ask but he can never remember other names.

Today at lunch Drew and I went to Chick-Fil-A. It is the first time he and I had gone there without John David. We have a routine of ordering, eating, and then playing. I can tell you our order is always under $13 for our 2 kids meals & my sandwich. I order one 4 piece with fruit and a 6 piece with fries. For myself, I get a sandwich & drink. We all eat on the fruit before I even begin to pull out the fries with our meal. Today as I drove there, I realized I was only getting 1 kids meal and had to decide fruit or fries. We ended up with fries. I didn't have the heart to make him (& me) eat none of their yummy fries. :) My boys and I always finish our food there unlike my friends who order one kids meal for two kids and they still don't finish it. I can't imagine my boys not eating all of their fast food meals.

David took John David to school one day this week. I stayed home to finish getting Drew and I ready for Meet the Teacher at our own preschool. I explained to David how our routine works in dropping John David off. It really surprised David that John David hopped out of the car and walked into the building without any assistance. David stayed in the same spot until John David disappeared into the building almost getting in trouble by the Safety Patrol for not moving on quickly. It is a totally different actually dropping him off rather than listening to someone else do it. David also got to help pick up one afternoon during the first week.

Things are going well and we are all adjusting to our new way of life. Do I enjoy it? YES! God has given us many blessings and we are very thankful. I hope this post doesn't sound depressing. I wanted to fill you in on little things going on around here.

First Day of School-Kindergarten!!!

This morning was the first day of Kindergarten for John David. He has been very excited and asking about when he could go ever since he met Mrs. Brand on Thursday! She has been at OSE in K for 5 years. She is also an Aggie with maroon all around her desk-won't hold it against her. ;) Old Settlers Elementary are the Stars whose colors are red & silver.



We started the day off early with breakfast, a little TV, and then getting dressed. He tried to get me to change his outift since it wasn't "play clothes." (I may have totally mismatched him but I think it kind of went together.) He was ready to go. I am sad to say we didn't get a new backpack or lunch box this summer. It was in the plans but we have been so busy that it didn't work out. He didn' seem to mind it and David was thrilled I wasn't spending more money. John David didn't know why I had to take his picture outside of our own house but he was very cooperative. Drew couldn't be left out either. I am surprised Boulder didn't jump in, too. :)


I held my own. Two texts from my girlfriends this morning got my teary and Kelli L. tried to talk to me in the hall but I politely said I couldn't talk. The Lawrence's are our Bible Study teachers at church and the only other people we know at OSE. I got teary walking through the halls to his class. Teared up leaving him even though I know he is good hands & is completely ready for this new chapter in his life. I also teared up looking at the picture again just now.

He led the way carrying his backpack because he didn't want to wear it. He didn't mind walking into his room. David helped him find his seat & we put his backpack away. He didn't mind having his picture taken with Mrs. Brand and enjoyed playing with his playdough. Of course, not to compare he did take his playdough out of the container all by himself while others were needing assistance. One kid was already standing next to his chair and talking loudly across the room. I secretly was glad he wasn't at John David's table. (Horrible mom, I know.) I can already tell we will be hearing about M this year.



I have included lots of pictures. I also put one of his "new park". As we were walking in, David was asking him about it and Drew was talking about it. John David told dad he had already seen it and Drew couldn't play on it because it wasn't his school. Yes, it was quite funny.



Before we left the house, John David asked if we could have a popsicle after school. I said sure. When we left the school I told Drew we could go get a snow cone after John David's school. He wanted to go then and has asked repeatedly if we could go get a " 'nocone". His color choices keep changing from purple to purple & green to red & green. Who knows what he will get? John David doesn't know about the treat yet. I'm sure he will enjoy it!

I also forgot until this morning that I hadn't bought him any new tennis shoes. Oh well, I guess the second day of school he can wear new shoes.

I almost forgot to tell you about my morning. My sweet MGM friends & others came over!! I had told them about 4 months ago that this wouldn't be an easy morning for me. So they (especially Lisa) had a "Muffins & Mimosas" party at my house. Lisa sent out evites with a great poem. There were 9 ladies & 17 kiddos here!!! I told David there was lots of squealing. Several of the older kiddos were disappointed and didn't quite understand why John David wasn't at his own house. Knowing the ladies coming kept me busy cleaning the kitchen and mopping until they started to arrive. It was fun to show them our new home & share interesting stories about our previous owner which is another blog post. Julie, one of my teacher friends, also came. This was a big day for her since this is the first time in 14 years she wasn't returning to teaching. We are already planning next year's party since three of them will be sending their kiddos to K! I'm glad Jenny came by, too. She was encouraging since her oldest started 2nd grade today but she also had to run to her own party with others, too!

Tears of joy (I think)

Last Friday I registered John David for Kindergarten. It was very bittersweet. I had put off registering throughout the spring and summer until we knew where we would be living. I found out that there would be new student registration last week. Earlier in the week we had bought all of his school supplies. I hate putting that off until the last minute due to everyone else shopping, too. Thursday night my girlfriends reminded me I had to have his birth certificate. We have already received a bill with our address and I had a copied shot record.



The school was very bright and cheerful still displaying artwork from last spring. I was given a packet of papers with directions on how to fill each sheet out. There was a K readiness questionnaire, health form, and other forms. After about 20 minutes, I had completed everything. Several staff members passed me as I completed the forms. I wondered who they were. As I turned in my paperwork, I asked about an item mentioned on the supply list-GO Folder and location of the K hallway. The next question I asked was, "How do I pick up my child after school?" As I listened I started tearing up.



In less than 10 days I would be leaving him here all day long without me. I called David who was encouraging and then my mom who was also encouraging. I cried as I talked to both of them. Mom cried too. I know he is ready and he will be fine. It still doesn't make it any easier for me. He hasn't shared too much on how he is feeling. I don't think he understands what it means to go to school for 5 days in a row like daddy goes to work. He has always gone two days and doesn't have an older sibling to watch.

Promise of stories to come...

I promise I am working on blog posts from the past 2 weeks. It has been an extremely busy two weeks between moving, cleaning, birthday party, closing and many other things. We have had many "curve balls" thrown our way yet many blessings as well. Pictures and interesting tales will follow.

Stay tuned!
:)
Anna

The WP

The last week of June is when MGM went away for the weekend. Some of us had been saving for this fun weekend! This year we went to a bed and breakfast named The Walden Plantation in Llano, Texas from Friday to Sunday. They had been expecting us for over a month. The wife & owner is also apart of a ladies group that have yearly trips.

Half of us went down early Friday morning to have lunch with Granny in Waco before getting there early evening. The others made it in time to meet us for dinner. The weekend was filled with laughter, talking, more laughter, late nights, relaxing, and some wine. I forgot to mention we didn't change any diapers or have to cut anyone's dinner except our own!

Friday night we met at Cooper's BarBQue for an interesting meal. You choose your meat before walking in the restaurant to have it weighed and cut. For some of our MGMer's, sanitizing is very important and this was a different atmosphere. ;) We laughed and talked way into the morning that night making many memories!

Saturday morning we slowly got up and suited up for a day at the pool. Of course, we enjoyed a wonderfully homemade breakfast first. On our way to breakfast at 9 am, we moved chairs and laid out our books and floats to claim the pool. We got several looks when we walked into breakfast from everyone who had watched us set our stuff up at the pool. I am sure they didn't know what to make of 6 women noisily walking in after rearranging the pool chairs and claiming just about all of the chairs. After breakfast we blew up all of our rafts, read books and visited some more. Mandi even read us her PEOPLE about Jon & Kate and other important stories in the world. We floated and talked until we were ready for a late lunch. After lunch we wandered back out for some more sun time before coming back one-by-one for a shower. (We only had 1 shower for 6 ladies.) That night we found a local Italian place which turned out to have decent food but horrible service! Surprisingly we turned in pretty early that night. We still had fun laughing and making new memories!

Sunday morning was a time of packing and eating a fabulous breakfast before heading home. It was a pretty uneventful day. It was nice to follow the directions of the GPS while visiting the whole way home. We ended the trip with lunch at DQ-a real small town Texas restaurant!

The weekend was fabulous and we have already started talking about next summer's trip! Thank you, girls, for some wonderful memories and laughter! I love you all and am truly blessed to have such good girlfriends!

Shoes

Totally forgot to mention who is selling the house we plan to buy. He is a former NFL player (Lions, Cowboys, & Bears) who was a runner up for the Vince Lombardi trophy('98). We saw his helmets, jerseys, and plaque. David "Googled" him and found out he set at record for heaviest Offensive Lineman when he played at over 400 lbs!

Here is a picture of his shoes compared to my size 8 shoes...

Apartments, Boys, & a house-What a week!

The boys left town last Monday with Mom & Dad to go to Oklahoma for a week. Every summer they take the boys and we have all been so busy with classes, swim lessons, VBS, etc until this past week. I hadn't felt good for about a day but wasn't sure if it was stress or something else. Turns out I had a UTI. :( I had 2 perscriptions and was glad to rest some during the week.

Monday night David and I went to look at an apartment complex near our house. Since we have to be out by the 30th and have no place to go, we needed to check out our options. I thought it was a little disappointing to discover that a 2 bedroom apartment is the same as a mortgage payment!! Plus you still have bills! Prices have really soared in the past 8 years.

On Monday night, we were supposed to see a house that went on the market on Friday. We tried Saturday, Sunday, and Monday night. From the internet description, it checked almost all of our boxes-4 bedrooms, 3 car garage, pool, etc. We were very anxious to see it since we were considering another house that was much smaller but finished out nicer with an awesome pool! Tuesday night we finally got to see the house and really like it. Stephanie had been talking to the realtor who mentioned the home owner could be out by July 30 (our close date for Aspen Way)!!! Was this the house for us working out according to God's plan? We looked at it again on Wednesday night & put in an offer. By Friday, we agreed to a price.

God has worked it out for us to move from home to home at the end of the month! Here is a picture of our new home-Lake Crest in Flower Mound.

We never doubted God but wanted to know His plan for us! There is some work that needs to be done on the house. Most of the downstairs is orange (not terra cotta) tile, orange ceilings, and orange walls. We will initially paint some rooms and then step back to see what needs to be done next.

One of my goals for this week while the boys were gone was to start packing. Besides what is in the storage shed for the past 4 months, I hadn't started on anything else. This week I packed over a dozen boxes including most of the boys toys, china, serving dishes, books, and many other things. Here is a picture of some of my cleaned out kitchen. As you can tell, the top cabinets are cleaned out as well as most of our glasses. I haven't started our dishes yet. There is more to be packed but the boys are home and I am out of boxes. (We are trying not to buy any!)

Another fun thing happened this week-a new baby! My cousin, Jenny, had her third child on Thursday. Nobody but Steve knew if it would be a boy or a girl but Jenny had a feeling she would be having a third son. Brenner Oz was born at 3:12 pm weighing 7 lbs 13 oz. Leah & I got to go hold him on Friday. :)

3rd tooth

John David lost his 3rd tooth tonight thanks to his brother, Drew! John's top two teeth have been wiggly for a few weeks but one has been barely hanging on for the past 48 hours. We have been encouraging John David to pull it or let us pull it. But he wouldn't hear of it! He was very proud of himself when he could twist it sideways.

Tonight Drew had climbed on the couch and John David was following him when Drew's foot caught the very loose tooth. It popped out! John David was initially upset that his brother kicked it out rather than letting him pulling it out on his own but afterward he thought it was cool. I think he would have liked him to get the other tooth out, too!

John David can't wait for the money! The boys are headed to Oklahoma tomorrow to spend time with my parents this week. I really wanted the (Texas) Tooth Fairy to come rather than miss that special opportunity! Of course, who knows how much money the Oklahoma Tooth Fairy would have left?

(Gloria, it happened about 30 minutes after I got off the phone with you!)

Moving...

Our house is finally on contract!!! We had over 50 showings and an offer finally came through. While we were working our first offer and countering, another buyer wanted to make an offer. Our first offer was too far so all parties agreed to walk away. The other offer was good but we didn't agree on things for a while. After we signed two days later, we discovered that they were working another offer. We were pretty disappointed and discouraged. (VBS started.) Three days later they wanted to agree to the offer. After we signed the paperwork, the inspection was 24 hours later.

After the inspection, they asked for everything to be fixed! Lots of things were very minor except for several windows that need to be replaced. We are learning alot about selling, our home, and repairs. I still feel like a property virgin and we have been home owners for nearly 8 years!

Meanwhile, we found a really good home. By the time we started inquiring about it, we discovered there were already 2 other offers. We made an offer with a contingency since our house hasn't closed. We were their second choice. Oh well. There is a "fixer-upper" we've been looking at for a while but I think we have moved on from that house. It needs painted, the pool is filthy, and all the flooring has to be replaced before moving in (huge expense)!

We have been looking at houses on the internet and in person. Our realtor has been very patient and helpful. Who else can call or text at 7 am or as late as 10 pm! Of course did I mention her family is good friends with our whole family!

The boys are headed out of town next weekend. I plan to start packing and looking at apartments. Do we want to go to an apartment? No, but we don't want to settle! We would rather be in an apartment than settle on any home.

I will do my best to keep you better updated!

Memorial Weekend

We headed to Lake Winnsboro this weekend with the Turner's. The kiddos had a great time. We did swim and John David had the best time jumping in, getting out, and running to jump in again. The guys fished, we talked, slept, relaxed, and talked some more. It rained a little but cleared up too. Since rain was in the forecast I brought water guns & other inside toys in case we need some fun! The water guns were a hit with all 4 kids! Stephanie and I were smarter this year & bought each kid a life jacket which was required anytime we went on the pier. It was a little more relaxing from that perspective. No one seemed to mind except maybe Jack who looked cute!

Yes, that is Drew squirting his 85-year-old great-grandmother who loved every minute of it! She would run away pretending to hide and giggle as she got squirted! I love my Grandmother (Gigi)!

Luckily this year, I didn't get eaten up by the bugs! :) We ate good including fried catfish on Lake Fork.

Since no one lives at the lake there is always maintanence work that has to be done.

Here is a cute pic of the older kids...

Remember we always get a cute one of them at sunset.

All of the kids

The last morning John David drew fish so he and Natalee could fish. How adorable!

Easter 2009

Sunday was Easter. What a wonderful day to celebrate our Risen Lord!! We had 3 Easter egg hunts the week leading up to Easter!

On Tuesday, MGM, got together at the Savage's to celebrate with an egg hunts, dinner, a craft, and decrating a cookie. It was so much fun! Thanks, Mandi! My boys kept showing the others how to climb the walls in their backyard!

On Thursday was our school egg hunts. I didn't make it out for Drew's hunt but I did get some pics on his way back to class. I did get to see John David's class which was fun. My students had a good time, too.

Saturday was our church's egg hunt at a local park that my boys had never been to before. The morning started off cold and listening to the Easter Resurection story which got a little long for preschool boys with a basket.

Notice the "hats"...

John David kept asking, "Dad, when can we go play at the park?" My boys got bored and it was cute to watch Drew pray in his Daddy's arms.

The Big Day...

Tuesday, March 17th is the BIG DAY-Christy is being induced! Whohoo!!!! Little Blueberry has not wanted to make her entrance so the doctors are going to encourage her to come out tomorrow! Christy was due March 7th which came and went without much fanfare. She has been walking and walking trying to get her to come but it hasn't worked. Her sonogram, stress test, and fluid levels were OK which is why they let her leave the hospital this afternoon but told her to report at 5:30 am tomorrow.

Mom & Dad went down on Saturday after making a stop here to hug "their boys". Leah was there last Friday. Roxy, Christy's mom, made it there this afternoon. We are very excited to make it down there Thursday.

I know it will be hard tomorrow not to be down there experiencing it all with everyone else! I will be on the phone most of tomorrow waiting for answers and her progression. I do know Christy & Blueberry are in good hands-God's hands! Pray for a safe delivery for everyone and calm nerves including my brother!

I also can't wait to find out her name.............

It's official-our house is for sale!!!

The sign went up Monday morning and box went on Sunday night after pictures were taken of our home!

A range of emotions has occured the past few days once we decided to put it on the market last weekend. Once Stephanie showed us the lockbox and talked about a sign in the yard, David and I looked at each other like this is really real!

We have debated for a couple of months whether it was time to move or stay. From a few blogs ago you might know we have been looking and put a few offers on a certain home. That home is still not on the market but there has been another house but we are still unsure as to if we want to put an offer towards the sellers. We are very selective in the city, size of the house, size of yard, and many other things. This week we even started thinking about Flower Mound as well as Coppell.

Right now our focus is our own home. Since we don't have a peace about making an offer we have decided to try to sell ours. We have even agreed to live in an apartment temporarily until it is time for us to buy a new home.

It is all in God's hands! We know he will take care of us and lead us in the right direction. Pray for us and let us know if anyone wants a fabulous 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 living, real hardwood floors, and a huge yard!

We were at Walmart when Stephanie put out the sign which was quiet interesting to see when we got home. As you can tell by John David's hands we were buying things to prepare our home to be sold-Magic Erasers, candles, air freshners, and even a few plants. (He is also holding ziploc bags.) We haven't anyone look yet but there is an Open House on Sunday from 2-4 pm.