getting back to normal

Things are getting back to normal around here. It's all back to normal in our house, complete with chaos and one crazy mama. Karl was able to finish the debris clean up and we are back to having a bunch of lawn bags on our front lawn (I paid some guy to haul away the first batch). I'm glad it's cleaned up. We were sooooooooo very lucky. Our poor neighbors STILL have that tree in their house.

Today was a somber day for me ... it's the 2 year anniversary of my dad passing away. I still can't believe he's gone. We had a complicated relationship, but I loved him unconditionally. I miss him so much. I still think, oh I need to call dad and tell him _________ (fill in the blank). And watching Jack grow - he LOVED LOVED LOVED Jack (he loved Allison too, but only saw her a few times) - I hate that he has missed these past 2 years and all that will come. Ok, that's all I can say about that. I miss my dad.

in addition...today was a very *long* day in the life of this mommy. Allison was incredibly challenging today and boy did I say some prayers for strength ... and patience and whatever else I needed to not completely loose it. DId I mention, Karl's at work?! Put it this way, it's 7:40 and the kids have been in their beds for 15 minutes already. I am D O N E for today. Let's hope for a better day tomorrow. Oh ya, Allison ate MORE gum today too...that was the icing on the cake.

Earlier today I enjoyed church service and the kids learned more about Noah in their Sunday school. Jack..."we learned about a guy who built a boat" ...ummm Noah ... "Ya that's him, how did you know?" I know everything. Now mind you, I've read them that story about 20 times. {rolling eyes} We enjoyed some lunch at McCallisters with Stacie & her kiddos. :)

I need to get a shower, make some bows, clean up the living room, write some thank you notes and I'm sure there is more. I'd rather crawl in bed and watch a tivo'd Jon & Kate + 8 though....

I just realized (thanks to my People magazine) that Dancing with the Stars and Lipstick Jungle premiere this week. WOO HOO There is a bright spot in a gloomy day....

I just need to be thankful for what I have and for my 2 children, regardless of the very challenging days.............

the view from here

This is the street that intersects ours...this photo doesn't do it justice. A few trees had fallen across the street, but they were already removed.

This is our neighbor's house.... notice the tree truck protruding from the roof.

And this is our house - we were soooooooo lucky.


I took a few pictures of our street and the street that intersects ours....

my update!

Just wanted to report that we are ok and so is our house. We are back at our house (since Sunday). We were sooooo very lucky. Our neighbors didn't do so well - one has a tree IN their house. I took pictures, will post later.

We regained power at about 3:00pm today. Thank God. Seriously. Thank God.

It really hasn't been that bad - it's been very pleasant outside and my neighbors are awesome. Karl had to go to work yesterday morning, so it's the kids and me. We have just played outside alot.

Poor Allison has a stomach bug, but it doing ok.

Anyway - just some quick info!

we're ok

Just a quick update to let everyone know we are safe and sound. We evacuated to San Antonio to some friends house. From reports from our neighbors, our house is ok. There is no electricity though. Some - I'm writing this from San Antonio....

We are going to try to go home tomorrow. We'll see, I think the roads are floaded in spots.
We plan to make wise decisions. :) No stupidity here!!!!

Please keep Galveston & Houston people in your prayers! We have some neighbors with a tree IN their house. We were soooooooooo lucky - we have 100 feet tall Pines in our back yard - which is why we evacuated.

gum

So yesterday we had a little excitement with Allison. Yesterday afternoon I was working on the computer and Jack was watching some TV and Allison was playing nicely in their little toy corner in the living room. I decided that probably wasn't the case and went to check on her - to catch her in my purse with a pack of gum. So I check it out and it's more than 1/2 empty. I had just opened it yesterday morning and knew only 2 pieces should be missing. I headed over to her little corner to find gum wrappers ... EIGHT of them. I asked her where she put the gum and she said "in my tummy". Then it dawned on me that I had found another stash of papers a few days ago but chalked it up to Jack not cleaning up his gum wrapper trash. So I realized she had eaten between 8 and 16 pieces of gum in the past few days. I called the pediatrician's office and long story short ... she'll poop it out. Nice.

Today Jack headed back to school ... not too exciting of a day. :)

Saturday

Sinus infections are running rampant in our household this week. Hopefully they are on their way out!!! :)

Allison started preschool on Thursday and loved it. She had a great day! She walked right in and didn't even say goodbye!! She was happy and that was good!!

Jack had a good week at kindergarten and got through it with the sinus infection. Poor guy. We made a trip to the pediatrician on Thursday and now he's on the mend.

We spent the day catching up on things.

Well...must stop typing...Jack got juice all over the keyboard and must clean....

my Tuesday

Allison & her preschool teachers

Jack climbing at the YMCA

The day isn't even 1/2 over, but I thought I would post some pictures. Last week we took Jack "rock climbing" at the YMCA. He had been WAITING to do it ... you have to be 5 and he did great! Allison also wanted to ... but she's only 3. I posted Allison with her teachers too. :)

Jack got up in a good mood and got ready for week 2 of kindergarten! I hope he is having a good day. I miss him. It makes me a little sad that he is spending 7 hours a day with someone else!


Allison and I had a good morning. We went to our beloved Target. :) After purchasing a bunch of stuff we didn't need we head over to drop off clothing for the big consignment sale at the Methodist Church. I hope to make some decent $$ there, but we shall see! Then we treated ourselves to a little Bread Company (Panera). Yum yum.


Now, I must stop avoiding the kitchen and go unload/load the dishwasher. Why do I hate doing that so much?!


Oh and no Gustav weather remnants to report from here. We might get some rain later, but we'll see!

challenging....

This has been one of those days. Wow. I just put the kids to bed. Whew. It has been very challenging with the 2 kiddos this afternoon/evening. Jack isn't bad - he just doesn't listen. Allison - well she doesn't listen, etc. I'm glad they are in bed and we can start a new day tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, Jack heads back to school tomorrow. He's happy about kindergarten. :) I'm so glad. We worked on his first "homework" today. We decorated a little cut out person like him. We both enjoyed it.

I hope Allison and I have a better day tomorrow. She is the most strong-willed child. Holy cow.

I am hoping that Gustav doesn't give us too much trouble. I hope all the people along the coast are doing ok. I'm so glad most evacuated.