Sneak Peek

Here is a sneak peek at this evening's award-winning costumes in our house. JBS desperately wanted to be "Darf Vader". Initially, I thought, "What a boring costume." But, I have boys and there are no fairies, no princesses, no faf of any kind. I finally relented when I found a baby Yoda costume. So, together, I have Darth Vader and Yoda. They are the cutest things you have ever seen.

So, "Darf" can't really be described as "cute", but the confidence that goes along with being Darf is really cute. JBS walks with his head up, chin out, arms swinging AND he wears his black cowboy boots under the costume. This adds an additional air of confidence to an already over-confident Darth Vader. JBS even has the breathing down. It's a riot. Such a big boy.

Yoda, on the other hand, is the cutest thing you have ever seen. Of course, you may not be able to see it. JLS absolutely refuses to wear any part of the 2-piece costume. I am willing for him to be nothing tonight, but just put the hat on long enough to take a picture. This will be the trial. If we are lucky we will share a pic tomorrow.

Batter Up!

So, after a day of complete and utter frustration, I have found my center and found my peace. We have a home and have a beautiful family. Today, as we were carving our jack-o-lantern for Halloween tomorrow, we discovered a baseball fanatic in ....JLS! It is unreal what he learns from his big brother.

JLS came to me saying "ba. ba.ba" Of course, this means ball. So, we throw the ball. He grabs JBS's bat the first moment it is free and swings...very aggresively. He swings again. Then, he taps the ground with the bat and raises his bat to his shoulder. (yes, he is only one) I hear JBS say, "Keep it level!" I have never seen such aggression from JLS, maybe fervor. Whatever it is, JLS digs baseball and it is a blast to watch him.

While I was taking the picture, I got so excited because I heard him make contact with the ball. Then Babe said it was really our dog, Toley. Oh well. Its a soft bat. Toley can take it.

How Quickly the Tides Change

It has almost become humorous. Almost, but not quite. I have packed my pantry, the office and utility. For some reason, I just couldn't bring myself to start packing our clothes. It just hasn't felt right. For just cause, as the closing of Babe's job has been delayed, yet again. This is how up and down our life is right now and not only has it taken a toll on our bodies, now our checkbook. We are paying to keep the boys' spots in their schools in Texas, in addition to their schools here. Bummer. Until today, I kept wondering "Why isn't this house selling?" We have watched each of Babe's buddies put their house on the market and sell it in the time we have had ours on the market. I started to wonder if God wasn't hearing my prayers to save my sanity. It clicked today. The biggest portion of my sanity HAS been saved. Our house hasn't sold because God knew this was going to take awhile. Unfortunately, Babe's buddies are living out of storage, in hotels or with family ready to move on Friday. Now, they are scrambling for a place to live for a month and stressed out probably a lot more than us. Yes, its frustrating, extrememly frustrating, but we have our home. And having a home is a very sweet feeling.

The Latest

For those of you that talk to me on a regular basis, our plans are so unreliable its ridiculous. Nothing has been told to us officially at all. The deal is supposed to close on November 1st. The boys are both enrolled in school in Texas beginning November 5th. Soooo, we will be moving down the weekend before. (ie next weekend!!) We have not sold our house yet, but still have faith it will soon! We will be living in a corporate apartment until we sell our house and buy a new one. (yippee!:))Babe is still here, which has been a huge blessing. In fact, it looks like the boys and I will be in Texas for a week before Babe has to officially start down there. We are moving forward in faith, as nothing has been put in stone yet with Babe's job. I sure hope he doesn't end up staying up here another month while we are down there....ironic, isn't it? In fact, I really hope the deal goes through, period.We don't have a mailing address or phone number. For someone like me that wants to start changing addresses, etc, that is very unsettling:) HOWEVER, you can still reach us on our same cell numbers for awhile.Will keep you posted!

Friends

In the past week I have become acutely aware of not only the loss of my friends when we move, but of JBS's friends. He is such an outgoing little boy and has lots of friends that he talks about on a regular basis. Of course, #1 is little Z. She came over to play yesterday with another one of our favorite friends, Willie. They had so much fun together, and the mommies had so much fun watching them.

Every night JBS asks to pray for Z and we do. He asks if Caroline and Claire, his friends at his new school, will come to our new house and play. How do you explain to a 3 year old that his young, but precious friendships are about to go away? I know friendships keep my world turning. He is going to recognize the loss...we can't just pretend he won't be affected. My greatest prayer for little JBS is that he finds wonderful friends in Texas to add to the sweet friends he has here. Lets add that prayer for me, too. :) And Babe. OK. JLS, too.

The Punkin' Patch

What is it about the pumpkin patch and everyone being compulsed to take pictures of their kids with pumpkins? I don't know, but I don't want to be left out of the rage. So, we went to the pumpkin patch, like we do every year. For the first time ever, there were only 3 cars when we pulled up. This is THE pumpkin patch, everyone goes there. Last year we had swarms of kids in the background of all our pictures. We discovered the time to go...3pm on a Tuesday afternoon. Life is great since Babe doesn't really work much. We get to miss out on all the crowds, which REALLY makes Babe happy.

JLS was mesmerized by all the animals at the petting zoo and all the pumpkins! Really, he wasn't. He was most interested in the bi-plane that kept circling overhead. That should make Big Daddy happy. At one point he was very interested in a little billy goat until the goat coughed with JLS within 6 inches and JLS ran crying to Babe, never to get close to another goat.

JBS loved every inch of the place. He ran, he jumped, he yelled and he peed. It's painfully true. So, I let JBS pee in our backyard sometimes when its a pain to take him inside. Unfortunately, that has crossed over in to the public world. Thank goodness only 3 cars were there because I turned around to see JBS in the full monty peeing right beside the maze of hay....no qualms about it. We will be working on the modesty/appropriateness lesson next. I promise.

Last Hoorah!

This past weekend we went to the lake for Fall Break. While we never really said it, it was our last time at the lake for a long time. We move next week! The kids had so much fun together, Vin and I accomplished a lot in our scrapbooks, and the weather was BEAUTIFUL.

Grammy and Big Daddy have worked very hard to clear out the woods in front of their house. Not only that, but they made trails in the woods for us to go on a nature hike. This was very exciting business, especially for the boys. Big Daddy gave everyone a bucket of corn to leave for the deer and everyone found a walking stick. We found where deer had "rubbed" their antlers on the trees and saw lots of big spiders and animal holes.

There was construction down the street and a BIG sand pile that occupied G2 and JBS for many many hours. JBS finally rode his bike with training wheels, as opposed to his tricycle that was WAY too small. The kids went on their hourly golf cart ride, which JLS MUST always be in the driver's seat, and we went on several walks...JLS LOVES his stroller. And, at night, Big Dady made a bon fire and we roasted smores together.
It was lots of fun. Fun that will last for a long time.

Facebook!

I don't know what has gotten in to me. I am becoming the techno savvy girl genious I always wanted to be. Well, not really. BUT, I am one step closer. Today, I joined Facebook. My friends in my bible study decided we needed to get with it so we can be a little more "in the know" by the time our little ones are doing Face Book or My Space, or whatever it may be by then. So, we are all joining. It is really fun and quite addictive. Our 2 favorite babysitters are now my friends and I get to see pictures of their friends. I found a long lost friend from both high school and college. WOW! It's fun to reconnect and fun to find out things you didn't know about your friends. In fact, I discovered a girl in my bible study is friends with a friend of mine from high school! Isn't technology amazing? It really makes the world so small.So, in the left hand column there is a link to "Face Book Me!" So, take the time and do it. I guarantee you will find an old friend...and you can be cool like me. hee hee. I was already dubbed "the first K-Life board member on facebook". ie. I was outted as a parent. I guess its still "OK" since I am not a parent of a teenager...yet. Get in while you can!

A Walk in Your Shoes...

JLS hijacks everyone's shoes in the house...and out of the house:) For your enjoyment, his latest thievings....JBS's cool black cowboys boots that G2 handed down.



















The day JBS was gone and he swiped JBS's Keens...



















Just yesterday he discovered JBS's fireman boots.....those were a real hit.











While these were all JBS's shoes, on a daily basis he trods down the hall wearing daddy's tennis shoes, his loafers, then my shoes of every sort. He's a shoe man. Someday a woman will really appreciate that about him....a long someday away, but someday.

Under the Radar

I am still here, my friends. I have not forsaken the blog by any means. We are moving November 3rd and our world has entered that state of complete chaos. I have so much to say, yet no time to say it, so don't give up on me. I promise to return to my daily entries when we get moved. Until then, it might be a little sporadic. Every day brings new stresses and I find that I can't write a thing when I am stressed. Thank you for being patient with me!

What is Stress?

So, I previously discovered my body was harboring a dozen or more ulcers, most assuredly related to the recent stress of moving, well, thinking about moving. In addition to that, I started having excrutiating spasms in my gut. The kind of pain that puts you on the floor, crosses your eyes, and renders you useless for several minutes. It was a scary time. My mom has always told me that I internalize all my stress and I will finally admit, after so many times on the floor, she might be on to something.

My latest discovery in how I manage stress was diagnosed at the dentist office yesterday. I had a little pain when I ate the last couple days, so I had it checked out. Evidently, I have 3 cracks in my back two teeth. He said the cause could be one of three things....ice crunching (I don't do it), grinding my teeth in my sleep (I don't) or, he asked me if I have been under a lot of stress lately? hee hee. I said, "Kind of." I have clenched my teeth so hard for the last few months, and I do catch myself doing this a lot, that I have cracked my teeth. Beautiful. I never knew it possible to crack your own teeth. That's a lot of clenching, I would think.

In addition to my teeth clenching and cracking discovery, JLS was also diagnosed yesterday with a double ear infection and pnuemonia. What kind of mother am I? So, since my stomach troubles, I have been trying very hard to just relax when the boys are asleep or at school. This sounds great and easy, but painfully difficult to do when I look around the house and see all the things that need to be done, while I lay on the couch. It's close to the frustration of being on bed rest. I lay on the couch and very specifically breathe through my body trying to relax all my muscles and my tummy. It really works. Its like Yoga on the couch. :) Now, I will add to my routine, teeth clenching relaxation techniques...come join me anytime! It should be lots of fun.

With any luck, this will be the last symptom of stress in my body....either no more symptoms or no more stress! That would be great.

Micracle #3...or 5? Maybe 103.

If you have been keeping track of answered prayers or major miracles in our lives, let's add another. My phone rang yesterday and the Mother's Day Out that we liked now has a spot for JLS. While that was the least of my worries, it worked out beautifully. I had already made the tough decision to send JBS to preschool 3 days a week (we are only used to 2 and thus means we both have to grow up a little). Knowing it is highly likely we will all be living in an apartment, I thought it would be best for JBS to be with kiddos and having fun in school when we won't have a yard or much room. Coincidentally, although I really don't believe in coincidence, the only opening they had at JLS's school was 2 of the 3 days that JBS is in school. This, of course, works well for Momma, who is fully committed to going to the gym every day until I die (but not until I move to Houston). It is also perfect to have that third day alone with JLS. After last weekend and all the snuggles I received from JLS, I realized the poor guy just doesn't get much alone time attention. This set up will be perfect.

Of course, true perfection will be achieved when we sell this house!!!

Freedom!!

This past weekend JBS went to Gambo and Poppy's to spend the weekend. While he was having fun there, JLS was partying it up at our house. He was sad for a moment when JBS drove away, but soon after that, JLS ran for all the contraband. He jumped on JBS's tricycle, rode in the red car, played with JBS's cars and his treasured glow-in-the-dark plastic knife. When he woke up the next morning, JLS grabbed JBS's shoes and Babe's duck calls (that JBS wears everyday) and ran outside to play without even stopping to put clothes on. JLS was in heaven. No one was telling him he couldn't do anything or play with something or ride a toy. Not only was JLS happy to have his own space, he was happy to have his Mommy and Daddy all to himself. JBS is so much of a snuggler, it seemed that JLS wasn't....until JBS wasn't around. JLS snuggled and hugged and kissed and snuggled some more. He couldn't get enough of us. Precious baby.

However, the time was long enough. When we picked JBS up from Gambo and Poppy's JLS giggled and laughed the whole way home. It took awhile for JBS to admit it, but he missed JLS, too.

Obsession

Our lives have become obsessive. All we talk about and think about is selling our house. We may have to both be committed before all this is over. OVER! I can't wait to say that. We have this sudden sense of urgency because we found a wonderful house that we want to buy in Houston. We even made an offer...with a contingency. Unfortunately for us (and for them :)) no one accepts contingecy offers down there. They don't need to. This neighborhood is the hot neighborhood it seems and the houses sell in a matter of days. Of course, I would fall in love that way. Nothing can be easy, right? So, the house sits on the market down there waiting for someone else to fall in love with it, when it REALLY wants us to buy it! The only advantage we have is that it is new construction and won't be ready until November. Who moves in November? WE DO! So, I am hoping that deters some potential buyers from wanting that house.So, then, we had an open house this past weekend that we really put a lot of confidence in. Rightfully so, as there was a couple that came that supposedly wants our house. They have closed on their house, they are ready to move and we are ready to sell. Our realtor has talked with their realtor several times. Together they agreed that their realtor would let us know if our house is no longer an option. Nothing. We want a contract so bad we can taste it, mostly because we want this house in Houston so bad we can taste it.I continue to repeat that God is in control; all things work together for good; without faith, its impossible; I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me; I know the plans I for you says the Lord; When you face trials of many kinds...any more to add? Please pray for us! If not for the desire of a house, but for the desire of our family to stay together when we move. Oh, how we need your prayers. Thank you!

Happy Birthday Grammy and Big Daddy!

Grammy's birthday was last Friday and Big Daddy's birthday is next week. Since they are so close together, we have started celebrating them together. Having everyone together for their birthdays just re-emphasized how blessed we are to live so close that we can be together for more than just the holidays.

Since we were having an open house at my house, we had dinner at Vin's and I was in charge of the cake(s). Big Daddy is hard and fast about his Sock-it-to-Me cake. I can't think of a year he DIDN'T have a Sock-it-to-Me cake and by golly this was not the year to try to change tradition. Grammy loves Italian Cream Cake and I wanted her to have her choice of cake, as well. (Sock-it-to-Me cake is great, but it's really just a coffee cake...we like a little icing on birthday cakes!) So, I thought instead of making 2 cakes, I could talk Dad in to Mom's choice or a carrot cake. He loves Gigi's recipe for carrot cake and I know Mom likes, it too. This was a mistake. This produced a conversation with Dad that confirmed, he really doesn't know what he is talking about....in the food department, of course. I will not take away his Eagle Scout honors, his Check-list'isms, or his "Dr" status, but Dad doesn't know food beyond fish and fowl.

At first try, I tried to explain to Dad that Italian Cream cake has cream cheese frosting like carrot cake and it even has coconut (which he loves) in the icing. "Why don't we try Italian Cream cake, Dad?" To which Dad said, "Cream cheese? I don't eat cream cheese!" "But, Dad, cream cheese in in carrot cake icing and you love that." Dad says, "NO! There is not cream cheese in carrot cake icing, its coconut!" "Dad, there is not coconut in carrot cake." "Well, what are those white things in the icing on carrot cake, then? " "Dad, its cream cheese." "No way, I don't like cream cheese. It can't be cream cheese." And so the conversation went. So, I got Mom on the phone. "Mom, do you know that Dad thinks there is coconut in a carrot cake? and that Dad says he doesn't eat cream cheese?" Mom said, "Don't tell him cream cheese is in the carrot cake icing or he will never eat it again. He thinks he is being healthy by cutting out "all white" food. Just don't tell him anything!"

That was it. It's not that he doesn't LIKE cream cheese, it's that he thinks he is a health food man. That's really funny, because THAT he is not. Dad can eat whatever he wants and not gain weight, so he has never had to worry about what he eats. Next time you see him, ask him if he has cut out his beloved WHITE popcorn or WHITE mashed potatoes, or WHITE rice? No. He uses that excuse to make him look good when it works to his advantage...such as not losing his precious Sock-it-to-Me cake at his birthday party! So be it. I made 2 cakes. As it should be, really. Everyone gets their special day and special cake and special attention. I am glad I don't have to share my birthday with anyone :)

No Time to Breathe...or Type!

Last week might have been historically my worst week of maintaining my blog. My apologies to those who keep opening and seeing the same picture of JBS in his Star Wars underwear and JLS crying as he evades JBS's wrath. Usually my absence is due to my overscheduled life....and again this is true. BUT, doesn't absence make the heart grow fonder?Last week we were in Houston exploring and house hunting, and we finally made it back to a family of 2 cars. (Phew!) We had the exciting news that Babe didn't have to leave on Thursday after we spent a great deal of time working out and working THRU our decision to live apart for a month. However, I neglected to say, that the deal will still go thru at some point this month, so we are still moving. It's actually a better situation, as it will occur here and they will start the transition on the trading floor here. THEN, they will transition to Houston on November 1st. It makes more sense this way...for everyone.We went to Babe's parents over the weekend for an Oklahoma Centennial celebration and parade and we also celebrated Grammy and Big Daddy's birthday yesterday. Tonight is TULSA K-LIFE's Kick-Off and Gambo, AJ, and KM will be arriving tomorrow for a few days at the State Fair. We have a big week again, with many photos to share. So stay tuned and don't give up on me, yet.