Whilrwind Roadtrip

Flights are expensive; flights for FOUR are very expensive; flights do not fly directly into San Angelo, TX (where we needed to be for the Walts/Gilbert wedding that our kids were in). SO...we DROVE! We are crazy people, yes. Armed with dvd's and lots of snacks, here's our trip in a nutshell...

Thursday:

We left Overland Park around 8:30am and drove straight thru to Lubbock, TX (a 10 hour drive that was elongated to only 11 hours with a few pee stops and Cracker Barrel in OK City for lunch). Kids were actually very good despite that Piper never naps in cars and Porter has to be contained when he's usually moving at all times. At the 8 hours mark, he got a bit whiny and restless, but then again, so did I! We were greeted in Lubbock by Tyler's aunt, uncle, cousins, and even a special visit from Santa!

Friday:

We visited Tyler's 93 year old grandma before leaving Lubbock. She hadn't seen the kids before and she was so happy to finally see her "babies":) After some Tex-Mex lunch, we headed to San Angelo (4 hours) for the wedding rehearsal. I was informed that the kids were not just walking down the aisle, but Joseph wanted them to be ON stage with everyone the entire time. I was sweating, praying for Jesus to help us all, and the kids did awesome in rehearsal and were so excited about their "job". Rehearsal dinner next, then back to the hotel for a hard time getting Porter to fall asleep despite his tiredness. I'm sure our hotel neighbors were loving us at 11pm with a screaming child.

Saturday:

Up early...boys all went to breakfast and girls to a bridesmaid brunch. Porter was GRUMPY, but it all panned out fine once eggs and pancakes were in the belly. Just a few minutes to rest before everyone gets dressed in wedding gear. NO NAPS this day, let me remind you. Pictures were first--good idea! Kids...AWESOME! Smiled in all pictures, stood still and followed directions. I could not have asked for better. However...minutes before the wedding, we had full melt down mode...Porter throwing a fit in the hall and Piper asleep on me with fingers in her mouth. BUT...when Nicole walked out, they remembered their very important job, I left them with the wedding party to go sit down, and they proceeded to be model flower girl and ring bearer...from walking down the aisle with cousin Natalie (whom they loved!), to standing on stage "mostly" still and very quiet, to dancing back down the aisle during the recessional. The wedding was so wonderful and I'm so happy for Joseph and Nicole! Porter did fall asleep as soon as he was in his car seat on the way to the reception, but one nervous mommy turned quickly into one very proud mommy!!!! We're thinking about hiring them out as professional ring bearer and flower girl:)

At the reception, I did start a little fire at our table when my camera strap sat on a candle and burned in two pieces, I flung wax and burned rubber onto my hand trying to put it out, and Tyler finally put the fire out on the tablecloth, ruining a nice white table topper:) Oops!!!

Sunday:

After a goodbye breakfast with the fam, we headed to Dallas (5 hours). We had a great visit with Papa, Gigi, and aunt Teen; a yummy dinner; laughs and games; and lots of Christmas presents!!! The kids CRASHED that night and slept all the way thru!

Monday:

Heading home (8 hours)!!!! This was the easiest leg of the trip!!! The kids were occupied with their new Leapsters! Thank you, Papa, Gigi, and Teen! I've never had these kids behave that well on that long of a ride. With just one major stop in Wichita for lunch and Starbucks, we made it home by 5!

We all had a great night's sleep and today I feel like a stronger person for driving across 3 states, 26 hours total, toddlers in tow! I also feel like a plumper person because we ate like cows the entire time and sat on our butts a lot, but oh well--if that's the only negative outcome, I guess I'll take it:)!

First Snow??

Well, it's not the first snow we or the kids have seen. It's not the first snow since we've been here in KS for sure. It's not the first snow of the year...it snowed in Jan., Feb., March, and yes--even April! It isn't even the first snow of the month...it snowed a "dusting" as they say last weekend. However, as the weathermen here declare (and we should know as one lives next door!)...a one inch accumulation makes yesterday the FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON. However, by the end of the day, we had THREE inches! And, because we haven't had this much in about 7 months, it was still wonderous and fun to play in...

Run Porter, Run!

Tyler and I got a treadmill for our early Christmas gift to each other--for those days that it's just not convenient to haul off the the gym (like when we're snowed or iced in!!!). Little did we know, our kids...especially Porter...would take to it and run like maniacs. He LOVES it and is an amazing runner at 3 years old. By the time the day was done, he'd ran a MILE on the treadmill--no problem!!! (We later put pants and shoes on him--don't worry!) Plus...my voice sounds horrendous in this video. Yuck--how do you all put up with that?

Just for Fun...

Anyone up for blogging a survey?

Here's mine...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? not that i remember

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? when we gave opie away:( boo hoo...yes, i'm getting soft in my old age

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? if i am being neat, it's ok

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey pastrami

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? twinsies

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? yes!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? no! (said sarcastically)

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Never!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? any...maybe frosted wheat, though?

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? sometimes

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? i think, therefore i am:)

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? braum's cappuccino chunky chocolate frozen yogurt!!!! i miss you!!!!
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? style and humor

15. RED OR PINK? red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? worry wart, care what others think, mercy is not my gift

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? everyone!

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I hope they blog it!

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? none

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? animal cracker

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? computer humming

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? today--orange

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? starbucks and my kids

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Jerri Lynne

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Love her!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football if i have to pick...or the Olympics!!

27. HAIR COLOR? blondish

28. EYE COLOR? greenish

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no, but i'm thinking i may needs glasses...finally!!:)

30. FAVORITE FOOD? pizza

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Baby Mama...laugh out loud hilarious!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? black

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer here

35. HUGS OR KISSES? both!

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? do i have to choose?...ice cream, pecan pie, bread pudding, red velvet cake, etc., etc.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ???

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ???

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? none...i need a new one. my book club is starting the twighlight series, though

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? it's grey

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Amazing Race

42. FAVORITE SOUND? music

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME??? Hawaii

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? special??--not so sure about that, but i sing, play very basic guitar, and am a little crafty:)

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Corsicana, Texas

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? everyone's

Just in case I didn't say it clearly...

This is a great summary of my thoughts on the Presidency...Donald Miller's blog "From Reagan to Obama, a Brief Political History"

My Vote

Well, I think I'm in the minority among ALL my family and many friends as I voted (and my kids too since I took them with me...ha ha) for Obama. So, I thought I'd explain it so I don't have to re-tell it over and over:) I've never been one to think much about politics and have always voted Republican because it's just what I thought I should do. However, when the races started, someone at our church presented a very challenging message and I was up for the challenge for the first time ever. I picked three issues that were important to me, did my research, prayed, and voted for the one who I felt answered those issues accordingly. If you look at EVERY issue or just the ones people TELL you are important, you will (or I will) go crazy! So, my issues are...education, poverty, and health care, with side issues being Darfur - because I think it is so amazingly devastating, and gun control - because I hate guns. Obama was in line with what I feel is a Biblical perspective on all those issues (whether he knows it or not). I do not believe people should be denied health care because they don't "earn" it. If I can help by be being taxed a bit more--I think that is my duty! As a wise friend said recently...I haven't "earned" anything God has given me--that's called grace! I didn't find that McCain ever really even addressed the poverty issue where Obama addressed it fairly aggressively with raising minimum wage significantly, tax cuts for the poor and old, tackling hunger in America, transforming poor neighborhoods, etc. I also see that Obama is planning on investing more in education--especially that in poorer areas that are in most need, as well as making it easier for lower income families to go on to college through grants, etc. Regarding Darfur, I looked on Darfurscores.org , and saw the scores of politicians based on how they vote in helping the tragedy there...Obama got an A and McCain a C. Gun control...Obama wants to make it illegal for citizens to own assault weapons while McCain does not. That's a given for me--we do not need those guns in our hands...or our children's. I think McCain seems like a great person, served our country well, and I feel so sad for his days as a POW. However, I stuck with my issues and how I believed they were best addressed. As a Christian, I believe I should be okay with some of my money being taken to help those less fortunate...I think we are commanded over and over to do such aren't we?...Deuteronomy 15, book of Luke, etc. for further reading. Moreover, I hate that poverty is still so rampant in America--the land of opportunity! So, I'm for whatever and whoever can help combat that--again, Biblical. Please know, I am not judging others on how they voted, slamming their candidate or party--their important issues may have been different than mine. I'm just explaining how and why I voted since it's been in question:) As an added bonus, I think it's wonderful that only a few years ago, African Americans were in slavery and yet now we have a black President! What an accomplishment! Above all, my wise friend also reminded me...GOD is in control--no matter who the President, what the issue, or how we vote! And THAT is comforting!! P.S. I don't believe in abortion so don't go there.

Fall!

So, I'm not so good at the blogging anymore. To catch up...we are enjoying the Fall here. It's my favorite time. We've been to pumpkin patches, enjoyed the cooler weather, drank lots of coffee (and hot chocolate for the kids), carved pumpkins, put out mums, roasted pumpkin seeds, had parties, etc.!!!! I won the "Great Pumpkin" at our neighborhood carving party, and the kids had a party at gymnastics and school. Sugar, costume, and party overload!!!! I made "take home treats" for their pre school class...brownie pops that look like jack o lanterns. Cute, but hellacious! Do not attempt them unless your patience far outweighs mine. Thank you, Mom, for helping:)

Our most favorite event of late is our trip to Oregon to see our best buddies, the Askews (Israel, Allison, Isaac, and Eden). I went out at the first of the year after Eden was born, but we haven't been out as an entire family in 2 years!!! To start, the kids were great on the plane...3.5 hours non stop. Piper had a few fits on the way and on the way back wet her pants so she went pantless most of the flight home, but whatever. Porter was perfect, though, and even slept! Usually, when we go there from Texas, we are shocked at the cool weather, but their temps were about the same as ours in KC if not warmer! Weird. Anyway, we had a blast with them as always...pumpkin patch, apple festival, yummy restaurants, pretty parks, lots of coffee, kids playing together...it was a great trip. At night after kids were in bed, the adults all played a game...different each night from Moods to Scrabble. We laughed and laughed at Israel's lack of expression and Tyler's lack of spelling:) Of course Allison and I were good at all of them--haha:) We were very sad to leave and still remember our time there everyday. We look forward to their visit to us in the summer.

Getting ready to trick or treat Friday night. Good news is Friday is the warmest day this week, so they won't freeze walking up and down the street:) We've already had freezing temps this week--nuts!!!

Oh yeah...Tyler has decided to get rid of Opie. Supposedly he's moving to a ranch in Wisconsin, but we're still waiting for it to be final. The kids and I want him to stay, but looks like mean ole' Daddy is winning this battle...haha. It will be nice to have paw print free windows and floors, though:)