Before the storm we got a new friend...

B and A Bear found this little critter in our backyard. They saved it to show me with thoughts of letting it loose thereafter. But we kept it until MM got home and now it is a family pet awaiting the delivery date to MM's second grade teacher's classroom. That date was postponed due to IKE so we will continue to listen to the sound of crickets at night and spray the little green man to keep him moist until this Friday (hopefully!!!)

Hurricane Ike

Last week we geared up and got prepared for the coming of Hurricane Ike. I had all the necessities that we needed and B was trying to decide whether he wanted us to stay here or go to NB to ride out the storm. As of late in the week, the forecast for CS and NB looked almost identical. So B and I decided that the girls and I would stay.

The girls and I created an indoor camping area in the living room since I was not going to let them sleep upstairs during the storm and I was not going to sleep in our bedroom due to the possibility of a post oak falling on the roof of the master bedroom.

B braced the tree and secured all the patio furniture as well as cleaning up the back patio (we needed it bad).

We had our weather radio, water, flashlights, food, etc. ready just in case we needed them. We did not lose our power - we were able to cook - and we were glued to the coverage of IKE on the tv. It broke our hearts to see our Galveston that we visit every summer just get smashed to pieces. It also made us question some humanity that refused to leave - but that is a whole other blog post in itself.

With B off to work on Friday to sell generators, the girls and I braved the storm at the house by ourselves. There was lots of wind and lots of rain. At one point I even thought the sky light in one of the bathrooms was leaking...later found out that R (our beloved dog) just drank out of the toilet and made a complete mess everywhere.

I do however remember telling B that I thought we might lose the willow tree in our backyard during this storm. He did not think so. But two hours into the severe part of the storm, I heard a boom and low and behold the willow was completely uprooted and leaning over the fence into the neighbors yard.

But we are blessed. By losing the tree it gave B a chance to get his hands on a new chainsaw (can you say manly man!), a chance to communicate with our Chinese neighbors (this rarely happens), and a workout for momma while taking the leftover tree to the curb!

We are all safe. We are all healthy. Our house is fine. We have electricity. We have a lake in our backyard (more frogs to find!) And we have many great memories of Galveston that we will always treasure.

MM First Day of Second Grade

MM started Second Grade yesterday. She was excited but very comfortable with the routine since she is going to the same school this year. Her criteria for picking a teacher was "I want the blonde teacher!" I thought to myself....you are really going to pick a teacher like that! But she got her wish. She has the blonde teacher - Mrs. Hay! She also has another teacher because they team teach this year. As of yesterday afternoon she had not gone to the other teacher's classroom but she was excited about her homeroom. She looked so grown up when she was headed to the truck for us to take her to school!

A Bear's New School Year

ABear is so excited about starting school this year. Here teacher, Mrs. Pam, came to visit her last week. She shared one of her favorite stories with A Bear - If You Take a Mouse to School. She even had the little mouse from the story with her. A Bear also got to play a lot of games to show Mrs. Pam hand dominance, fine motor skills, colors, numbers, etc! She will be going two days a week this year and can't wait!

MM's Pool Party with Friends

MM is seven!

At the beginning of this month we celebrated MM's birthday with two parties! She had all the family in town one weekend and then a cool pool party with her friends from church and school. This was the year of clothes, art kits, and an easy bake oven! MM is growing up so fast. We love you MM!

Decorating Idea for Ellie's Room

There is a scrapbook queen in Austin named Jennifer Stewart who has amazing ideas. She creates a lot of vintage items, minibooks and such. I love her stuff. One of the ideas that she taught for a class was creating scrap-dresses for decorations. I hope to get together with some of my girlfriends to make these for our Sweet Pea#3! These pics are from her blog: http://jenniferstewarts.blogspot.com/

Surviving the rain...

Today a few MOPS friends and kiddos headed to the Children's Museum for some fun! All of the kiddos need an outlet to exert some energy since we have had nonstop rain here for three days. A Bear decided to dress up and strut through the museum, making sure everyone saw here. My friend snapped a few pictures for me. She chose a beer maiden outfit (I am sure it is called something else but it is what the ladies wear at the renaissance festival!)

Blog Slacker and more...

I know I need to update my blog. #1 to tell you about my baby turning 7 #2 fill you in on baby happenings #3 just general musing! But at this moment I only have time to add this: some of friends wanted to see the nursery bedding that I finally chose. It is different than what I posted before...actually wasted about 1 1/2 hours looking online and finally found the perfect bedding for our little Ellie! Will write more later.

21 weeks today

I had a check up this morning with my doc and all looks great! The baby is measuring great and the heartbeat is nice and strong. I have not gained any weight but I definitely have a protruding belly already :) I am starting to get excited about decorating a little girl's room again. I really want it to be simple but adorable at the same time. This is the crib set that I am in love with right now.....we will see what Daddy says when he sees it.

Beach 2008

We had a blast at the beach...more of an update to come soon! Just wanted to post a few pictures for family and friends. My mom did well and all the cousins had a blast together!

Sweet Pea #3 is a ...

The gender countdown is among us....

We are getting ready for the beach this week and all I can think about is what we are having...we have an appt. Friday morning at 9:30. Brent and I are anxious to find out and we have been praying for a healthy baby but I have to be honest that I have also been praying for a boy. It never hurts to tell God the desires of your heart.

I have always wanted a son. As long as I can remember I always wanted to have four boys. God had different plans for me there and I cannot imagine my life without my girls. They are my gems. But there is a longing inside me to have a little man in my life.

So now I have just been thinking about the dynamics of our family...adding a little girl would be easy because we know what to expect. Although we can expect to a have a little more drama added to our lives and another wedding in the future. Adding a little boy would be a whole new adventure...boy toys, lots of noises, lots of adventure and physical energy.

I also wonder about A Bear becoming a middle child. She seems well adjusted in every situation she is in but she has become a little clingy lately. They both seem excited about the baby and are asking daily how much longer it will be before the bundle of joy arrives.

MM thinks it is a girl!
A Bear thinks it is a boy!
I think the baby is a boy!
B thinks the baby is a boy too!

We will see on Friday...

Sea World Adventures

Feeding the baby dolphin

Look how close they get...

Shamu - Dreams Do Come True Show

Preparing to get wet...

Shamu's Shark Friend from Australia

Do we have to smile???


Daddy's Log Ride Adventure (the tradition continues...)

This creature can actually do sit ups - it is crazy to watch!

Cute comedic play with the sea lions

MM is ready to do this with Uncle KS

Small Group Men's Retreat

Last weekend B and the guys got to go away for the weekend to enjoy some fellowship, food, fun and fishing. He was able to catch a good size bass that they ate for dinner later on that day. On Sunday, the wife and kids from each family ventured down to the lake and had a good time relaxing, playing in the lake, and cooking out. It was a great way to wrap up a weekend with the men being gone! We love our honeys!