Tommy Goes to Two!

Level 2, NICU, that is! Because his conditions have improved, he has been transferred to the Level 2 nursery, this is for babies who are more stable. He is 3 pounds 3 ounces. Because he is anemic, he is having to have three two-hour sessions of blood transfusions today. So, if you are reading this, please be in prayer for that to go smoothly!

This past weekend, we had Ann's baby shower and it was so fun. She got some great items. It is funny... I only had a child 2 years ago and she got some new stuff that I hadn't seen and of course, thought they were so cool!

I love these pictures!!!

We also went to another pumpkin patch by our house on Sunday and the girls had so much fun picking out pumpkins to take back to their school for their Halloween Party.

Emme Ties Her Shoes

There is enough stuff I want to talk about that I really did have high hopes this week in posting a new blog everyday. Well, that didn't happen, so I will choose a few things I want to talk about.

Emme is at the stage where she really likes to put on her shoes by herself. Often times, she even wants to sleep with them on. This morning she wouldn't let me tie her tennis shoes, she wanted to do it. As I was trying to get everything in my car for the day, I looked back because Emme said that she was "ready." Emme had taken the end of the shoe lases (where the hard plastic wrap is) and pushed them through the top holes (the holes closest to her toes), she had crossed them and then placed them in the holes. They looked like two perfect round ties. It was so funny and I was surely impressed with my two year old this morning. I will try to get some pics of this talent real soon!

Last weekend was filled with so much fun. Saturday night we went to Landrie's birthday party at the pumpkin patch (me and Emme waiting in line for the hay ride is above). Jenn and Jenni know each other and the Burnfields were going to be in town, so I asked Jenn if it was ok to invite Jenni, Brad, Spencer and Carlee Jo. She was nice enough to say yes and feed them pizza. The funniest part is when we showed up at the party, I saw Kara's sister and her son there, and I was like I didn't know yall were going to be here too! We all just kinda invited our siblings, it was so funny. We all know each other, so it is fine, and that tells you what a great group we have!

After the party, the kids (meaning the adults who have kids, but still have parents) went to JR's for dinner... it was so nice and we took our time! The "kids" were Sara, Joe, Jenni, Brad, Steve and Meredith.

WEIGH IN

Today was weigh in day! I lost 3 pounds!! I am going to great lengths for these weigh in's. This morning before I left for work, I got on the scale with my pants and without my pants, and it was a 1 pound difference. SO, Lakeysha and I went to weigh in, I told her that I was going to take my pants off when we got to Tanya's office. So, we got to Tanya's office and she was on the phone. So, I quickly shut the door, and dropped my pants.... sure enough Tanya turned around and screamed!! I quickly put my pants back on and apologized, but did say that it had to be done. I will probably have to add this to one of those things "Sara shouldn't have done at work," lists... along with too many glasses of wine at work functions!

Enough said for today.

Date Night is Back, and So is Hadley!

We have "co-op" with our good friends the Smouses.... and before we both had 2 kids, we would watch each others kids while the parents had a date night. A year later, we are now back on. Joe and I watched Hadley and Hunter on Friday night while Robert and Rachelle went to eat and then they watched our girls while we went to the Studio Movie Grill. It was nice to get dressed up and go out with Joe. I hope we are able to keep the "co-op" going. It is so important for our marriages. Last night, I don't even think Joe and I said 3 complete sentences to each other.

Every night during the week, we have something to do. Monday night he has Softball, so we go watch him play. Tuesday and Thursday I like to go to my Nia class (Joe cooks) and Wednesday he and Elle have Soccer and Emme and I spend time doing what she wants to do. Last week we rode bikes in our cul-de-sac.

I think our schedule is fine because everyone is getting a chance to do something active So, I don't want to say "oh we are so busy." Because I think the phrase is over used and sounds so negative. We all have the choice to do what we want and need to do to get through the week. So, I need a new word besides BUSY. Who can offer me one to use?

All that being said, Joe and I hardly get a chance to talk in complete sentences. So, getting out once a month on a regular basis is great. I think Joe and I are very lucky in the sense that we do get out and do fun things because our group of friends is always up to something and his mom will always take the kids. However, adding this "co-op" allows us to get out alone -- which is hard for us because we like to go out with other people. There are people who are fun to go to eat with, there are people who are fun to invite over for a cook-out, there are people who are fun to go to amusement parks with and so on. My point is, we are always asking "ok, who should we go do this with, or, so and so invited us over."

We love people, heck, we love our friends! But, it is good to go out alone, even if that means you don't have anything really to talk about, because you make a vow not to leave the kids with a sitter and go out and talk about the kids!

Just looking over at Joe and knowing that he is mine and he is my rock and safety net, that is what being alone is all about. The knowing that all is ok, even in the quiet.

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The month of August and September were full of fun things and in all of those fun events, we missed Hadley! They played all weekend together and got along great!

Hadley (#0) and Elle (#5) are on the Green Giants together.

They also found a cozy spot to watch Oswald!

I Want Daddy!

Today is a short blog, just asking a simple question really.

Emme is a "hoarder." She likes to grab everything in site and take it to the car with her. So, my car is very full of her toys. I was trying to get her out of the house this morning to go to school and she wanted to take the DVD player to the car. When I said no, she started crying and said "I want Daddy."

My response.

"Believe me, I wish your daddy was here too."

Does this happen to you? Why do they always want their daddy when I tell them no?

Cowboys and Green Giants

This past weekend actually started on Thursday for us. The Coppell Cowboys (local high school) had a Homecoming Parade. We went to our neighbors for pizza and then we all walked to the parade. It was so fun.

Saturday was the Green Giants first game! Coached by Joe, the Green Giants is a 3 year old soccer team. These toddlers don't quite understand the game and get very upset when someone else kicks the ball. I had to practically bribe Elle with Popsicles to get out on the field and play. The highlight of the game for #5 was when the other team's superstar was running down the field on his way to make his 3rd goal.... I told Elle to run down the field and turn around and when the little boy was coming towards her, then to kick the ball the other way, and she did! She was so proud of herself and I was proud of her too. Learning about defense early is important ;). Joe coached a great game and has wonderful patience. The kids love him! It is going to be a great season

Joe is out of town for a few days, and Maggie has Emme and I have Elle. Yesterday, as I was taking Elle to school, I said, "When I pick you up, we are going to go to the 99cent store, and I will let you buy some Princess stuff and then we are going to go eat, we are going to have fun." She then said to me, "It will be our special day, just me and yours." Just me and yours, I kept replaying that in my mind yesterday, it was just so cute!





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Here are some recent pictures of Thomas. He is up over 2 lbs now. I love the picture of Ann looking in on him. In that picture, you can see the Little Giraffe blanket to the left of him. This is the little face blanket, and as you can see, he is not as long as the little blanket. I can't wait to see him again!

In a Funk

I am in a funk. Have been here all week it seems. I can list a few reasons I think this is the case (in no order):

1. I have not been to my Nia class in forever

2. I have been eating like crap!

3. We have been out of town or volunteering at church and as a result, haven't made it to an actual service in about 2 months!

4. I started my new devotional, and love it, but have not read it all week, and I think my Grandma may have hijacked it when she was here ;) I showed her the book and her read it while she was here, but not sure I communicated that I actually needed it back, it may be somewhere in my messy house

5. Work. Work is great, and not too terribly busy, but I am stuck some where between the "Have to do's" the "want to do's" and the "need to do's"

6. Politics: No matter what side you are on, you have got to be so sick of the media. I happen to be for John and Sara and if you are on this side of things, the media seems to be so biased. Take for instance, last night on Extra, they said "Barack raised 9 million dollars last night.... and now let's look at Sara Palin's clothing costs, she wears high priced suits in this time of financial crisis." COME ON PEOPLE!

7. Thomas: I wish tomorrow was November and he could be out of the hospital. Poor little guy. I miss him so much and care for him and worry for him.

Anyway, I know there are seasons in life and I know I need to pick my butt up and start working out and eating right. I know what I need to do. I know I have the family support to do it. I know with Christ I can do this.

So, why am I not taking the right steps to get out of this funk?

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Latest from Tommy:

He is on the CPAP - positive airway pressure, basically oxygen in his nose so he does not get tired breathing on his own.

Praise You in the Storm

Oh, my favorite Casting Crowns song... so good and so true (I'll post the lyrics below).

I must have heard this song a half a dozen times while I was in Houston last weekend. The DJ of the Christian Radio Station would say "this song is appropriate for the anticipation of Hurricane Ike."

I thought alot about this song on my way back from Houston on Friday. Seeing what Ann has gone through, it is sorta hard to say "ok Lord, I WILL praise you through all of this..." and then I saw Tommy - and that is all it took, one look at that sweet little face and his dimple on his chin (just like his daddy's). Tommy had a procedure on his heart on Friday and so far he is doing good. They were all in the hospital when Ike hit and they did loose power, but generators were available.

Mom, Dad and Nana are here right now. They also brought Brian's mom up who is going to stay at her cousins house. I am waiting to hear what my aunt and uncle will do. I have also emailed all of my friends asking them to check in too... what devistation for the Galvez and Houston areas.

I am not sure how to see the good in such an awful storm that left so many homeless and without power. So, that is my struggle this morning. But, I do continue to pray for those impacted.

Here are some pictures from Ann and Brian's house, they got lucky, no trees fell on their home.

Praise You in This Stormwords by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, That You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away, Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls, I barely hear Your whisper through the rain“I’m with you”

And as You mercy fallsI raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm And I will life my hands

For You are who You are No matter where I am

Every tear I’ve cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side

And though my heart is torn, I will praise , You in this storm