The Gift

I don't think I've mentioned that Wii we got a we Wii, but Wii we did.

(The story is kind of funny...I'll let you in on the short version because I'm really posting to tell you about something else.)

Addi's birthday was the day after we left Raleigh, so Bryan and I took her to Toys R Us and told her she could pick a gift. I was, naturally, practicing easy let-downs like, "Sweetie, I know we said you could pick your birthday present, but it just isn't practical to spend $500 on a life-size, talking horse." Or, "Why don't you try and narrow down your selections to the two you like best." Instead, we roamed the whole store and she ooohed and aaahed enough to make me repeat my let-downs a few times in my head, but ended up saying the one present she wanted was a Barbie movie that had (fortunately for us) been marked down to $9.99.

So, we bought a Wii with the leftovers. It was supposed to be Bryan's birthday present. However, I couldn't just let his big day go by without giving him something to open.

The girls and I set out this morning to find him a golf game he ooohed and aaahed about when the Starrs enlightened us to its existence this weekend. It took us four tries, but we finally found a store with one left. I almost jumped up and down!

The game was technically from Libby. Addi planned on buying him a plastic snow globe that can have pictures inserted in the middle. I bought one when I was in college from Old Navy and we still have it hanging around containing oh-so-young-looking pictures of Bryan and me. She loves it and keeps it in her room. I told her that I probably bought it ten years ago and we would have a hard time finding another. She ended up settling for a glass and ceramic snow globe from Target. And this one plays songs!

I'm positive Bryan was equally excited about both presents. In fact, I can hear the music from that little snow globe drifting through the house as I type this...or, maybe that's the Wii!?!

The best gift of the night isn't one Bryan received though.

Bryan is a gift for the girls and me. He's a wonderful father and husband. We couldn't find one any better...no matter how many stores we visited! The Lord blessed us with him and he will be a blessing to this new little one we will be meeting soon.

I love you, B. The girls adore you. Can't wait to see what the next 32 years bring your way.

I'm Back

So, we had the internet connection working and then, wouldn't you know it, I was checking email one day and the screen went black. Turns out my LCD screen had to be replaced and that was done on Friday afternoon. But, we weren't home when it was replaced and then we weren't home yesterday...all these Family Obligations :) That is why I'm posting a few days after I could have.

First of all, thank y'all for your sweet comments and your prayers. We're still adjusting and I know we will be for a while. I haven't lived in 3 different states and experienced 4 different moves since I was married 7 1/2 years ago to not learn that the adjustment takes a while! I do think it is a little easier for me this time because, with the exception of the town we live in, everywhere else we go is familiar. That isn't the case for the rest of my family, but it's helping me. And, of course, the fact that we moved to an area where almost all of our family lives and a lot of our old friends live is tremendously comforting.

We drove to Tyler (in east TX) and had a wonderful Thanksgiving. On Friday, we watched the Aggies BTHOtu at my parents' house. My mom kept the girls entertained by making gingerbread houses with them. Honestly (and I know, I'm a 2-%er), I had already planned out what stores I could visit during the second half when I could no longer bare(bear, which is it??) to watch our beating. As it turned out, I have yet to capture a great bargain this sale weekend. I'd much rather have it this way. I'd give up free shoes to watch the Aggies beat tu! Yesterday, I did attempt to score a deal on some Christmas decorations, but I found the worst Garden Ridge ever built and couldn't bring myself to spend any of Bryan's hard-earned money at it. Then, last evening we celebrated Bryan's birthday with his parents, sister, bil, niece, and nephew. It was great fun watching the 3 older kids follow each other around the house and to see what our little Baby P will be doing this time next year since Rachel is about the age he/she will be.

We have a busy week planned with Bryan's birthday on Monday, a trip to Belton to see dear friends on Tuesday, a trip to Canton on Friday (I couldn't believe when I Googled 1st Monday a Wikipedia article came up - they're big time!), and a family Christmas party and a birthday party on Saturday. I'm not sure when I'll get Christmas shopping in with how quickly our calendar is filling up!...maybe I can get it all done on Friday. Bryan will roll his eyes when he reads that :) Growing up in East Texas, his recollections of First Monday are not of the shoppers paradise it is today.

And, oh yeah, I also have to take care of the speeding ticket I got 4 days after we moved here. Welcome to Frisco! Of course, in order to do that I first have to have my car registered and get my Texas driver's license. I found out that helpful information after I sat in a nasty waiting room for an hour the other day. And, because I'm a first-born-girl-rule-follower (or I'm just nuts and am trying to blame all my quirks on something), I have to let you know this is my first speeding ticket of my driving career. I should probably also add that I've been pulled over several other times for speeding, however, I left with only warnings. So, I deserved it, but it's still a pain!

Here are some pictures of our house and a few of the girls. I think there's even one of my reflection in there...maybe you can tell how much bigger I've gotten since you've seen me last :)

the front of our house - I wanted to get it all for y'all, but it is so cold and wet here, I couldn't make myself walk as far out as I needed to - left windows are the study, right windows are the dining room with Libby's room above and our room is to the right of dining room

the girls standing in front of the door - I thought their expressions below were funny, I caught them right as the scarecrow fell over :)

standing in our entryway


dining room with pictures all over the table - I hope they aren't staying there :)

breakfast area/kitchen

living room with pictures propped against the walls

master bedroom - the bath is a really dark blue

our cute little half bath - even the toilet handle matches the light fixture, we'll just have to switch out the faucet and doorknob (most of the doorknobs on the first floor match that light fixture)

You can see whose room this is - she wanted the purple one even after she saw Libby's - that door leads to the bathroom she shares with Libby, which she thinks is really neat :)

Libby Lu's room - both the girls' rooms need bedding and pictures/shelves up on the wall

I didn't get a picture of the baby's room, the study, the playroom or the other bathrooms. The girls bathroom is the same purple as Addi's bedroom. And, those other rooms are a mess. I'm sure you'll see pictures of the baby's room once she/he gets here.

I suppose now I must go and hang some pictures :)...or help Bryan purge the playroom in preparation for Christmas.

a short update

Well, we're here in Frisco. Our household goods were delivered last Friday and we had a get-together today with some family and friends.

And, no, the boxes are not all unpacked and the house is not all put together, but we have understanding family and friends.

The girls are doing well. Libby had a few days of asking to go back home. She started sleeping in a toddler bed (without rails) on Saturday night and didn't fall out all week. She's sleeping in her new big-girl bed (with rails) right now...she wouldn't even let me cover her up :(

Addi has had a harder time. She keeps talking about how much she misses her friends and has drawn them all pictures and written in cards for them. I have to get some stamps so we can get those in the mail. But, we met a family behind us today and they have a little girl only a few days older than Addi. They also moved from NC last year and have 2 year-old twin girls. Hopefully all our girls will get along because they would make wonderful playmates.

Bryan is liking the new office. The girls and I got to see "where Daddy works" on Monday and were impressed by the kitchen...maybe it will inspire him to take his lunch instead of going out to eat every day!

I had an appointment with my new OB on Thursday and I loved her! I've never (with 4 different OBs in 3 different states) had another one ask how I'd like my labor and delivery to go...you know, how they say it will happen in the books :) This one did and she was so nice. She really took her time with me and seemed fine that I had both girls at the appointment. *a revealing look at how pathetic I can be below*

Baby P is great! Moving and grooving...so everyone says. He/She doesn't seem to be as active as I remember Libby being, but the doctors and sonogram technicians all talk about how much he/she moves. I have another appointment/ultrasound/gestational diabetes test in 3 weeks and then I start going every 2 weeks. I can't believe we're already at that point in this pregnancy! Things are going to really fly now, especially with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years coming up.

I felt a little sad when everyone left today and had to remind myself that I could see them again tomorrow, if I wanted. It was a strange, but nice feeling.

Our wireless is not quite working, even with all the hard work from Uncle Clay (thanks again, Clay!), but I'm online, our phones work, and we are gettting all our mail, we think :) I plan on catching up with communications this week. At least during the beginning of this week since the later part is Thanksgiving and a day dedicated to football. I've added a few shots of our last few weeks...I know some of y'all only care about the pictures anyway!

*I don't think I've even told Bryan this, but I have yet to change my watch to the correct time. In fact, we left on the Saturday before the time change, so now my watch is 2 hours ahead. Everytime I decided I'm being ridiculous, I just can't make myself change the time to Texas time. And, yes, I know it is even correct North Carolina time anymore. I'll change it one of these days. Now I just really confuse myself when I'm in a hurry and glance at my watch :)

1 down, 1 to go

I'm sitting here in a hotel room in Raleigh listening to airplanes fly overhead and the sweet sleeping noises of Libby Lu. Despite Addi falling asleep on the way here, she is wide awake trying to perform gymnastic stunts in her bed.

Our movers finished about 6:30 tonight and we waved as the truck drove away with all our stuff. Libby has probably said she wanted to go home and/or wanted her bed 10 times since then. Addi's been fine, especially since she got to play with Isabelle a little tonight. I broke down in our front yard when it was time for Bryan to leave. But, really it doesn't seem like we're doing anything but taking one of our twice yearly trips to Texas. Our flight is tomorrow around noon. Bryan is still on the road with Zoe...he has hotel reservations in Atlanta. He plans on making the rest of the trip tomorrow, so we should all be reunited at some point tomorrow.

I'll let you know more when I get a chance.