Catching Up...

Okay, so Sunday night John poured me a wonderful cup of coffee and I got my laptop & found a cozy spot on the couch... all ready to get caught up with my blog - as promised. Then I realized that some of these old walls in our new home must still be plaster - for the wireless just wasn't making it to the living room. Strange - since it works all the way upstairs and outside - just not at that particular spot in the living room. So... I took that as a sign that I just need to rest and I would save blog writing for "another day".

I still am in total disbelief that I haven't written a blog since August! So much has happened since then and I'm going to do my best to give you the short version of the last 4 months.

Shortly after Jordan started Kindergarten - she enrolled in Kindergarten Soccer at her school. It worked much like Intermurals - it was just her class and they taught them the basics of soccer. For some reason we have been getting record amounts of rain - so we had make up dates for the make up dates. It seemed like they played soccer forever. But it was fun and I even made a few new friends with other Moms as a result! They didn't have uniforms, but you know that John wanted his little girl to be dressed for the occasion - so he got her a cute pink jersey.

In October, I had my 20 Year Reunion! I still can't believe it's been 20 years since I walked across that stage in my purple cap & gown! We had our graduation in the Exposition Center (you know, where they have the rodeo) and it was once said that we looked like a bunch of grapes in a cow patty! In preparation for my reunion I did Body For Life - a great nutrition and workout program. I lost 20 pounds and went from a size 16 to a size 6/8! I debated on posting before and after pics - but landed on no. I'm still not where I want to ultimately be - so maybe I'll post pictures when I'm finally at my target weight. But John & I had a blast at the reunion. So many people look exactly the same - however there were a few that were total shocks to me! One of my dear drill team friends took a great picture of me & John. We rarely get our picture taken so this one has become one of my favorites!

Halloween - this year the kids got to have a wonderful Halloween experience! One weekend they went to Trunk or Treat at Jordan's school and then on Halloween night a family in our church invited us to go on a hayride through their neighborhood and trick or treat. What a blast! Jordan was a Lufkin High School Cheerleader and JP was a Cowboy. Of course, everyone thought Jordan was an LSU Cheerleader since the two schools have the exact same colors. But every time someone would say, "Wow, you're an LSU CHEERLEADER!" She would correct them and say, "No, I'm from LUFKIN!" Way to go Jordan!

In November we went to Lufkin for Thanksgiving. Every year the grandkids make these cute turkey shirts and then pose for an obligatory photo for my Mom. We frame them up for her as one of her Christmas gifts. I wonder just how long they will be willing to paint their hands for her? I hope out of love for their Grandmother they will do this forever!

Now we're to December... Oh what a month this has been!!! When we initially moved to New Orleans we moved into this wonderful little house in a community called River Ridge. The house was adorable but smaller than we were used to and it was only supposed to be a temporary living arrangement. Our realtor in Houston said she could have our house sold within 72 days. So I didn't fully unpack us at this River Ridge house. Most of our furniture and other belongings stayed in storage (a carport covered with several tarps). This 72 days turned into 8 months! Finally we have taken care of the Houston house (lease to purchase deal) and were finally at a place where we could find a more permanent home. I am so grateful for John's patience in finding us just the right home. It seems like we spent every weekend driving around to every part of New Orleans looking for a place that was just right. We looked as far as the North Shore (those of you familiar with New Orleans will know what I mean here) and even went to the Westbank to check out Gretna and our search even took us to Luling. Then, as I said John found a great home in Old Metairie. We are so very blessed to be able to live in this awesome home! It is very much like in scripture when God said that He was going to do something so great that the people could only say, "God did this" - well.... us living in this house, in this part of town is exactly this situation! God showed us His amazing favor and provided everything to fall into place where we could live here.

Then the crazy schedule commenced! We moved in on Dec. 5th and by Dec. 15th we had everything in it's place and Christmas Decorations up and had the Journey Christian Church Staff Party. The next night we had the Journey Youth Party and on Friday had JP's 3rd Birthday Party! Whew! What a whirlwind week that was!

I can't believe my little boy is 3 Years Old!!! When did that happen?! He was all about trains this year. I truly haven't seen anything hold attention like trains. He has already learned their names - his favorites are Thomas & Percy. Of course, I'm not sure who likes them more - JP or John!!!

I think that brings us up to date at Christmas! The kids had a blast having Christmas in our new house! We got to hang lights on the house and even blew up our Charlie Brown lawn decorations and put them on the big front porch. The kids every day would run out to say good morning to Charlie Brown, Snoopy and even Woodstock! It was so cute!

It's been WAY too long!

WOW! I can't believe I have abandoned my blog like this! I am so ashamed! Okay, before the new year gets here - I am committing anew! This week I am going to spend some serious time getting this updated and back on track. So much has happened since my last post. New house, school events, birthdays, and Christmas! Don't worry - I won't give a blow by blow account of each day, week, or even month - but I do promise to make you feel caught up on our lives and what we've been up to lately.

But for now - here's a picture of the kids getting ready for the holidays in our new home!

Much love and more to come later!

ps - most of you have probably even stopped checking this blog since it's been so long since I've written - I wonder if anyone will even see this!

"It's working!"

Well, what a week this has been and it's only Tuesday!!! Yesterday, Monday, August 17, 2009 - Jordan started Kindergarten. She's attending Atonement Lutheran School. In her class there are 24 students with only 7 girls!! I feel for her teacher!!! She did so great and looks adorable in her gray plaid uniform! John & I couldn't be prouder! She was so brave and strong - she didn't cry one single time! Me and John however, now that's a different story!



We had fun finding her desk with all her fun supplies already laid out and waiting for her arrival. JP had a blast playing in her classroom. I don't think he wanted to leave!



I got to stay for chapel on the first day and it was great! The principal gave a great message about deciding today what kind of student you're going to be! It made me wish I was a student all over again!



CHECK OUT MORE PICTURES OF JORDAN'S FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!

Now that Jordan was all settled in school - we initiated Operation Potty Train - for Mr. JP. It's only Day 1 of training and we're doing pretty good. I haven't lost my cool - even though I've either been in the bathroom with him or on the floor cleaning up accidents. He's had more successes than accidents which I call an overall victory! I think he grew tired of going to potty as the day wore on - I think he thought it was all fun and games before and as the evening arrived he was kind of done! But we're doing the M&M reward thing and also have fun underwear that have Buzz Lightyear and Lighting McQueen on them and that makes it all the more fun!

I think the thing that made me laugh the most was what he would say when he would find sucess with #1 in the potty - "It's working Mommy - It's working!" I loved it! Yes, you might even say that's a great theme for both of my kids for this week - "It's working!" Whatever I might feel about my oldest going to Kindergarten and my youngest seeing his last days in diapers... I think it's evident that what we're doing is working!

Sorry - no pictures of JP on the potty!

Catching up! July Fun

I can't believe it's been since June 21 that I posted anything! It has been a very full month. At the first part of the month the kids went to Lufkin to stay with my parents - Grandmother & Papa for an entire week. They do a "Grandmother & Papa Camp" for all the grandkids. Each year there is a theme with t-shirts, crafts, lessons, songs and everything! And don't forget the field trips! This year the theme was Facebooks - they studied and learned the books of the Bible. They learned that they can see more of the face of God through the characters in the Bible. Jordan is still singing the songs that she learned about the Old & New Testament. It's quite adorable to hear her version of books like Chronicles and Ecclesiastes!


This was JP's first year to go to Grandmother & Papa camp. We were very blessed that he got to go! Thanks guys! But before we could let him go - he HAD to get a haircut. But this was not just an ordinary haircut - this was his VERY FIRST haircut. He loved the place when we first got there. He even loved getting up into the airplane chair. However, when the clothes cover was put on, he let us know just how much he did not want to be there! He pretty much cried throughout the entire process. Then when she used the shears that was the last straw. But at the end... we had a VERY cute little boy with a big boy haircut. I think even he liked it better than the long hair! I am totally in love with his new look!



CLICK HERE FOR MORE HAIRCUT PICTURES!

Later this month, a sweet lady in our church gave the kids one of her old small guitars. They kids LOVE it!!! Every morning it's a rush to see who can get to the guitar first. This is truly a test in sharing for them both. Margaret-Mary gave it to them at church - which they both entertained their friends with their guitar playing skills!

Orange Beach

Our church youth group went to camp with StudentLife in Orange Beach, Al. John went to visit them on Monday night and he let us come with him! We had a blast! Jordan has been so excited to see the beach again ever since we left Houston. If she loved Galveston you know that she was thrilled with Orange Beach!!! They loved staying in the hotel and playing in the sand and yes - even loved the hotel pool. Thank you John for letting us have a little family getaway! While you were doing the Youth thing we had a blast!

Here are just a few pics from that trip!





CLICK HERE FOR MORE ORANGE BEACH PICTURES!

Random Fun Moments...

This has been a great week! Everything from fun new adventures outside the house to just cute things around the house. You can definitely say that our children are following their Daddy's footsteps musically - they both LOVE to play his guitar. JP though is the spitting image of John when he plays any guitar. Oh... and he calls it "tar" - it is soooo cute! I really think they could make a great new duo!!


One afternoon we made a fun craft for John. JP & Jordan painted heart shaped frames for Father's Day. They both really got into and and had a blast. Jordan commented that it sure is fun being creative! I'm really going to take a cue from this statement and we're going to start having craft time every day. I was most surprised at how well JP did with the paints. Yes, he mixed them - but he only painted the frame! All floors, tables, and furniture were left as they were before we started!!!


Also this week we went to the Children's Museum. What a fun place!
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES FROM THERE.

We finally went on a family adventure to the Lakeside Mall. We took a trip to Orange Beach Alabama to visit the Youth at Camp. So while we were in the Disney Store we found all kinds of great deals on swim stuff for the kids. Here is Jordan showing off her new duds! We'll post pictures of the actual trip later...


Again - we're loving being in New Orleans and all it has to offer. Plus, I think our kids have really adapted to their new home.

End of May Activities

I still can't believe my little girl is 5 years old!!! To Jordan's dismay the 10 day birthday celebration has finally come to a close. Her birthday was May 20th, and she's been receiving presents either from family members coming to visit or sending them in the mail and the grand finale was the family & friend party this past Saturday. And boy did she clean up! She wanted it to be a Littlest Pet Shop (LPS) party, but when we got to Party City no LPS's were to be found. So sweet little Jordan didn't miss a beat! She happily changed her mind to Barbie! In addition to all the regular party accessories, we found a great New Orleans bakery to make the best Barbie cake ever! Check it out!








She had loads of fun splashing around in the backyard. Thanks to all our friends who did both Littlest Pet Shop and Barbie. You made one 5 year old super happy!


Also to end out the month of May we took the kids, along with their new friends - Hannah and Rebeccah, to the New Orleans Aquarium. They had a blast! Jordan even was brave enough to pet a shark! JP on the other hand was fine just to meet new friends in the play area.









We are really enjoying all the fun sights of our new home. I think next on our agenda is the Children's Museum!


Every morning the kids struggle to let John out the door. At first they kiss him good-bye, but when it comes to him actually walking out the door they want to do everything they can to convince him he should really take the day off and play with them. This morning, Jordan tried the ever popular, "PLEEEAAAASSSSE"! It got her an extra hug and kiss. But then JP pulled out the clincher - he put John's cowboy hat and said, "Da-ey's hat! Da-ey's hat!" Then I got the camera and he said "Cheeeessse!" Too cute. It did buy the kids a few more precious minutes with their hero.