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.

If only we could've thought of a name without a "d"

Today Addison's preschool class celebrated her birthday and gave her a good-bye card with all of their handprints and names. After I read her the inscription and each name on the card, she asked about her new preschool. I told her she would start at her new preschool as soon as there was an opening and asked her (purely from my own curiousity) if she wanted to go by Addison or Addi in her new class. She said, with much expression, "Oh...Addi! I'm so tired of writing all those "d's"!" She was a little quiet when I reminded her she would still have to write the "d's" in Addi.

What shoulda been

Five years ago today, I should have been holding a tiny baby in my arms. I should have been tired and sore and excited and nervous and in love in a way I'd never known before. I should have been beginning my life as a momma.

Instead, I was depressed and discouraged because my due date was yesterday and when is this baby going to decide to come out!

I didn't know it then, but little Addison Grace would stay put for a whole week past her due date and then would get stuck on my pelvic bone. We would meet for the first time, after 3 hours of pushing, on Tuesday, November 4, 2002. She made me work for her!

Addi Pie,

It blows my mind that you will be 5 years old in less than a week! The time has flown by. It seems like I've always known you...like you've always been a part of me.

Each morning I hear you amble into my room and make your way to my side of the bed for the sole purpose of giving me a kiss. It's my wake-up call and it beats hearing the beeping of an alarm any day! You shower me with kisses everyday and are always up for a hug or some snuggling. You've always been sweet and loving. I hope you never grow too big for those traits.

Addison, I love being your momma. I knew before you were born that you were something special...something to be excited about. I can't wait to spend another 5 years with you, except I wish I could find a way to make them go by more slowly than the first 5! All the work's been worth it :)

Love you,
Mommy

Just think, this time next year we could have 3 of them*!

*by them, I'm meaning girls, not parties

We are almost 2 hours into Addi's sleepover birthday party and I've never heard so much screaming and squealing in my life!

So far, the girls have made pizzas, dressed up Bryan, sang Happy Birthday, eaten cupcakes and ice cream, changed into pajamas and are now watching a movie. I'm hoping for a little more quiet during the movie. There has still been constant chatter, but at least it's been kept at decibels at which most humans hear.

One sweet note is that Addi has been totally fine letting Libby tag along. Bryan and I are betting that won't last much longer.

I'll be back tomorrow with pictures.

I'm so glad we finally did it

Last Saturday we had our pictures made.

It was fun and the pictures are beautiful, if I do say so myself :)

They were taken by Kevin at Life's Too Short Photography at Pullen Park in Raleigh. We had a great time and wish he would move to Dallas before we need family pictures again :)

He's posted a few of the pictures on his blog if you're interested.

more pictures, just because

Wordless Wednesday - all ready to hit the road

Baby P

A little over a week ago, I had an ultrasound. If we were finding out the gender of this baby, it would have been the time to do it. However, according to the sonogram lady, Baby P moves so much that she wasn't even sure by the time the ultrasound was over.

I must say I was a little overwhelmed at the thought of this baby moving as much as Libby did/does. I've told myself this whole pregnancy that surely this baby would be more easy-going and calm. Since the ultrasound, I've considered going Cold Turkey and giving up all sugar, caffeine, chemically-altered foods for the rest of this pregnancy in hopes of calming Baby P down.

Then I come to my senses and realize I Need Chocolate. I can't give up chocolate. And if I'm not giving up chocolate, a Dr. Pepper every once in a while won't hurt either ;)...(my, how my food restrictions have relaxed since I was pregnant with Addison).

Even though Baby P was all over the place, we were able to capture some good shots. I'm not sure how well they'll scan, but I'll give it a try. There is one picture of Baby P's face that I just love. I keep it beside my bed and look at it every night. When she took the picture, I was looking at it on the screen and I told Bryan that I could've seen that face and known it was one of our babies. You won't see any of that. The only reason I see that when I look at the picture now is because I can remember how clear it was to me on the screen. The bottom 2 pictures are actually the same picture...the bottom of the baby's feet. The lady knew it was my last appointment and said she wanted to make sure this baby knew where he/she came from. But the feet are upside-down, so that's why I've posted the picture twice.

Do you see that sweet little face?...on the right side toward the bottom?


hint: the heel of the right foot is touching the word FROM

fyi: North Carolina is the Tarheel State...did y'all already know that?? I didn't before I moved here :)

I don't even know what to say.

Read this.

As a mother of 2, possibly 3, little girls, I can't imagine their need for this at the ripe old age of 11. It breaks my heart and, honestly (maybe naively) I cannot fathom that there is a parent out there (who isn't consumed with a drug habit or isn't truly psychologically disturbed) who would not agree with teaching abstinence to a middle-school aged CHILD. If the public schools must be involved in this aspect of life (and they long ago took the stance that they would involve themselves), why not teach the one and only method that provides protection...protection from pregnancy, protection from disease, protection from the side effects of birth control pills, and protection from the emotional damage?

Can't you just buy some money??

(at bedtime)

Addi: Daddy, I want you to play with me Every Day!
Daddy: Like we played hide and seek when I got home from work today?
Addi: Yes, but Every Day.
Daddy: Well, we can play again tomorrow when I get home.
Addi: No, I don't want you to go to work. Can't you just buy money at the store?

Family Fun at Hillridge Farm

Betcha didn't know these were part of the rainbow

I overheard Addi and her friend Salina talking while they were coloring today.

Addi: I'm using blue because blue is my daddy's favorite color.
Salina: My favorite colors are purple and hot pink.
Addi: I like cold pink, purple and hot blue.
Salina: Really, I like all the colors of the rainbow.
Addi: Me, too. But not brown.
Salina: I like brown.
Addi: I only like hot brown.

The sign we've been waiting on

Update: We've had the Sold sign out for about a week and have movers coming the first weekend in November. I feel like I need to purge, but it's hard to force yourself when you don't have to put it all in boxes. I keep telling myself that I'll end up throwing out a lot when I have to unpack all the boxes, but just think how much I could get rid of if I purged now and then again when I unpacked. And, think is probably all I will actually do about it :)

I realized I needed a little Mommy Time-Out today when I heard these words pour out of my mouth:

"Just eat whatever you want!"

I'll most definitely regret them tomorrow :)

Going, going, gone!

We are waiting to hear back from our relocation company, but our house has a (at this point) verbal contract on it! Needless to say, we're thrilled! As soon as the relo company finishes up some paperwork, it will be official.

And, in the knick of time as we had an Open House scheduled for Sunday. Bryan and I planned on taking the girls to a pumpkin patch, but the temperature is supposed to almost be 90 on Sunday. Now we can delay that trip for more seasonal weather...and that was written with complete optimism that we will, in fact, see seasonal weather this October.

We have put in an offer on "the" house in Frisco and should hear back from the sellers today or tomorrow. We're hoping to have all that hashed out by Monday.

So, we'll be having Thanksgiving in Texas. Maybe we can get some more seasonal weather there :)

God is good and we are thankful.

A Delayed First Day

When we found out we were moving I went back and forth on whether Addi would begin preschool here. Bryan and I talked about it and finally decided we would wait to start her until we moved thereby avoiding the difficulties involved with not only moving her home, but also her preschool.

However, it now looks as though the girls and I will be here much longer than we'd hoped. And, honestly, she's been driving me crazy. (It hasn't been her fault. We've been living waiting to move. That isn't a fun way to live. Plus all her friends have either started school or preschool.)

Today, she began her time in Miss Angie and Miss Jeneane's class. She spent last week preparing by working in a kindergarten letter workbook. Every day she would pull it out and tell Libby she couldn't play because she needed to work. This morning she told Libby that Libby might get lonely today because she was going to preschool. (Of course, Libby responded with, "I wan go preschool!")

She had a good day and is really excited about going back on Thursday. She even told Libby that tomorrow they could hunt for something that starts with D to take for Show and Tell. Oh, and since there's another Addie, she's decided she wants to go by Addison. Her teachers, who've known her since before she turned 2, say they are having trouble remembering to call her Addison instead of Addi.

I got a picture at the beginning of the day with Addison and Miss Angie and at the end of the day with Addison and Miss Jeneane.

little frustrations

On Saturday, we noticed our computer was running so SLOW and that every 4.5 minutes a message would pop up telling us something to the effect of No Wireless Connectivity and that meant no internet for anywhere between 10 seconds to 45 minutes....frustrating!

Here is where I should mention that we have another computer, a somewhat antiquated, but reliable desktop. However, when we still had hope our house would sell within our time-frame, we packed that baby up and stuck it in storage to help our home appear less cluttered...frustrating!

I'll bring this one up because I love my husband dearly and while, I could've cared less, he was very concerened on Sunday when he wouldn't have internet. He has a routine on Sunday afternoons of setting up our living room with the computer, the remote, and various snacks. Then he spends the day obsessively checking his points against the other people's in his Fantasy Football league and flipping from game to game. For him, not being able to check on the points was, you guessed it...frustrating!

In the past week, we've had 4 showings postponed by an hour. We have gotten the call to postpone the showings at least 45 minutes into the original showing time. 2 of those actually called well into the postponed time to let us know they wouldn't in fact be coming at all...very frustrating!

The most frustrating thing I've been dealing with has been my attitude. I've been letting myself get bogged down by all these little frustrations. How can I expect the Lord to use me for Great Things - Things that will most assuredly prove more challenging than a few glitches with our internet - if I can't even get past these little things?

Even our house not being sold by now is a little thing. We, or I never really considered that our house would still not have a contract on it. Unless we get a contract on it very soon, the girls and I will be staying here while Bryan moves on to Dallas. He'll come back every other weekend and while some of you may be thinking that sounds awful, I'm okay with it. Honestly, I wasn't and that disappoints me greatly. But, I quickly remembered a 6 month period I spent as a single mom. And, I remembered that only a month ago Bryan was still able to be activated and deployed. That would've been a 15 month time period of being a single mom to 2 and then 3. Just under 2 weeks is nothing! It's a vacation that thousands of military spouses would scoff at :)

Some of my favorite scripture is found in Jeremiah, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'"

That's a passage I go back to over and over again. I need to remember it the next time a showing is canceled :)

*Certainly not frustrating news came on Thursday. I had an appointment at my OB's office. For the first time in all my pregnancies, I am measuring right on! I'm excited about this (even though it means I am bigger than I was at this point with either Addi or Libby). This also means I've gained more weight than I had at this point with my other two. In fact, with Addi, I was still throwing up everyday and hadn't even gained a pound. I'm hopeful this is an indication that this baby will gain weight a little more quickly than it's sisters did and not an indication that I will be gaining too much weight with this pregnancy.

And, now I must get something to eat...I'm famished :)

Miss Inventive

Addi needed a large, flat space to work her puzzle during roomtime today. She took care of it herself.

That is a bookshelf Bryan built for Libby. It's in Addi's room for the time being since Libby's room is much smaller than Addi's room. We wanted to give potential buyers the allusion of more space in Libby's room by removing "extra" furniture.

All the stuff surrounding the shelf is what is usually on it. In Addi's words she, "carefully took everything off the shelves and then I very carefully laid the shelf down without a big bang." I'll say she was careful and there was no big bang! I didn't realize what was going on until tonight when I happened to look in her room on the way to my own.

I tried to get Bryan to build a matching shelf for Addi when he made this one. I don't think he'll be able to get out of the chore now. Or, at least once we move and this shelf goes back into Libby's room.

And, for once, I won't be the one nagging him about it :)

homemade applesauce

I got this recipe from Hollie's blog, Crown Laid Down. It was simple and, I was told, it was delicious. (I, myself, don't care for applesauce)







I, inadvertantly, cut the recipe in half. (After not writing down a list, I bought half as many apples as I needed. I blamed it on pregnancy-brain!) But, this is what we did:

1. Peeled and cored 3 Gala apples and 3 Granny Smith apples.


2. Cut each apple into about 8 slices...and since you only need 5 apples for half the recipe, I gave the girls each a few slices of apple to enjoy.


3. Throw apple slices, 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon into a crockpot.


4. Turn crockpot on high for 2 hours and then low for another hour or so. Or, you could turn it on low and let the aroma fill your house for the day.

Thanks, Hollie, for posting the recipe on your blog. My girls really enjoyed the applesauce!

"...but don't tell Libby"

Addi has been very frustrated lately by her sister. Libby copies everything Addi does. Everything.

A few times I've asked Addi to answer a certain way because I knew Libby would also give me the same answer. For instance, I might ask, "Addi, would you like peas?" And she, obediently, answers, "Yes!" I can almost be guaranteed the same answer from Libby.

Obviously there has to be a little bit of secrecy for this to work.

And, obviously, I realize this favorable situation is not going to last forever, so I'm taking full advantage while I can. I've learned a few tricks over my almost 5 years of mothering.

Now, Addi has taken to telling me her answer to any question in secret, quickly adding, "but don't tell Libby. I don't want her to copy me." For instance, at lunch today, I asked the girls if they wanted some chips with their sandwiches and strawberries. Libby immediately said she did. Addi ran to me and whispered, "No, but don't tell Libby. I don't want her to copy me."

Ooookay.

I've also learned not to point out that while Libby might fall for the pea trick (only because Libby really does like peas), it wouldn't really matter what Addi had to say about say chips or candy or ice cream. Libby knows good junk food when she sees it and any adoration she feels for her sister isn't going to change what's in her blood:

Chips trump peas any day of the week!

watchin' Daddy

Maybe I just smell like a mom

Addi likes to watch tv on my bed while I take a shower. Unfortunately for her, I took a shower last night. So when she asked if I was going to take a shower, I explained that I had taken one last night instead. She wrinkled up her nose and said, "But, you still smell!"

a little planting

The girls and I spent a little time at a nursery this morning. Addi has been begging to get some mums. I let them each pick one out and we planted them together this afternoon.

I feel the need to explain Addi's hair...she loves that neck-warmer/scarf thing and only wears it on her head. It isn't something I ever put in her hair, but sometimes I have to choose my battles :)

photo shoot

Addi grabbed my camera the other day. I was impressed that most of the pictures were in focus. Libby took the picture of the ottoman and the one of Addi. Maybe one of them has found her future career?!

What happened...

I've tried and tried to write up a clear and concise paragraph or two consisting of the highlights of our recent house-hunting trip.

It hasn't worked.

Instead, I'll list the highlights because I know y'all have been waiting with baited breath for this recap.

• We had a fairly uneventful flight from RDU to DFW last Thursday. I even arranged it so that I sat with Addi while Bryan sat a row up and aisle over with Libby. With a laptop and a few movies, traveling with Addi is almost as easy as traveling alone. Of course, when Libby was about to begin screaming because she was so tired, Bryan forced me to switch places with him.
• We had a delicious lunch prepared by Nana and a surprise visit from Bryan's Meme and Aunt Ginny when we arrived.
• The rest of Thursday was spent looking at houses for Bryan and me and playing with Ethan, Rachel, Aunt Lisa, and Nana for Addi and Libby.
• Thursday night was our first taste of yummy Mexican food at La Hacienda Ranch. We can't wait to move closer to that restaurant.
• Friday we woke up to spend the day looking at house after house after house with a break for a great lunch at a cool shopping center that I will surely spend lots of time window shopping. And Friday evening brought more Mexican food.
• After filling our bellies, we drove to Bryan's parents' house to visit a little and transfer the girls to my parents' house. We were reasssured to find that we were neither needed or missed during their stay at Nana and Poppa's....well, except for Thursday night when Addi couldn't find the pajamas I'd packed her and Bryan received a phone call with a plea to "come quickly" and bring more pajamas. We knew the same would be true while the girls spent the rest of their trip doted on by Grammy, Grandpa, Uncle Brett, Meme, and PaPa. And, fortunately for me, I found Addi 2 pairs of pajamas in her suitcase.
• Saturday was more relaxed. We only had a few houses to look at, so Bryan and I decided to search out someplace good for breakfast. While on the hunt, we were honked at by a friend from A&M. We didn't even know Jenny lived in the city we're planning to move to. It was wonderful to see her and such a blessing. She will surely be a wealth of information and a friendly face a little closer to our new house than our family will be.
• After breakfast and checking out some houses, we drove out to a neighboring city in search of dill popcorn. We found an adorable downtown and I'm already planning on meeting Shana for some shopping and more popcorn.
• Of course, we had to take an afternoon break for the Aggie game. That's really all I can get out about that since I'm fearful if I think back too long, I'll end up throwing this laptop through the window. And, the blame for that unfortunate incident would also be poor coaching!
• We spent the evening learning the area and ate at Razzoo's. I'm wondering now why we didn't eat Mexican again that night.
• Since we didn't need to be at the airport until 4, we slept in on Sunday morning and then ate an early lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. It was there over my fish tacos and Bryan's (whatever it was that he ate?!) that the house we were pretty sure we liked the best became our all-out favorite.
• We made it to my parents' house with a couple hours to spare before we had to load up our rented van and head to the airport. At about 15 till 4, we waved goodbye and noticed it was raining. This is almost where the fun really began.
• As we walked into the rental car building we looked on the monitors to find which terminal our flight would leave from. But, our flight wasn't listed. We noticed the flight to RDU before ours was delayed and started to feel the dread of spending countless hours entertaining 2 children (past their bedtimes) in an airport.
• By the time we walked all of Terminal A to find someplace the entire family could agree upon eating at, our flight was delayed by 2 hours. Leaving then would put us back home at midnight. It wasn't looking good.
• When the flight was delayed another 30 minutes, we decided to ask about moving our flight to the next morning. We got on a 9 am flight, but our luggage would go on to Raleigh without us.
• My parents picked us up and ran us to Wal-Mart for some essentials we didn't have in our carry-on luggage. If you've every traveled with children, you know that your carry-on bags are filled with markers, snacks, coloring books, snacks, books, snacks, a laptop, snacks, movies, snacks, diapers, snacks, wipes, snacks, no more than 3.4 ounces of hand sanitizer held in a quart-size plastic zip-top baggie, snacks, blankies, and more snacks.
• The next morning, we were more prepared. Bryan checked our flight information before we headed out for the airport, which really wasn't that early considering we didn't have any bags to check and didn't have to check-in and my parents live about 15 minutes from DFW.
• But, after only spending 10 minutes in line to go through security, we found that our flight had been canceled. We practically ran to the closest counter and were told we could be put on a flight at 8 pm. Or, we could possibly fly stand-by on the 11 o'clock flight. We decided to take our chances with the stand-by flight and found a playground the girls enjoyed. Although, I don't believe the people still sleeping there enjoyed the squeals coming from Libby. But, it was almost 9 o'clock and I was in whatever-will-make-you-happy-and-thus-make-my-life-easier mode. Plus, they were sleeping in a playground!
• It seemed each time Bryan obsessively checked the monitors for flight information, he returned with news of another delay. So, after about an hour, and a confirmation for all of us on a 6 pm flight, we decided to grab a taxi and head to Bryan's parents' house for the day.
• I'm sure you can imagine how often Bryan checked the flights throughout the day. But, everything went well. We did notice tons of other flights being delayed. Ours, however, remained at 6 and we even got both girls to take a good nap. Everything was going great.
• Until about an hour before we were planning to leave for the airport. The 6 pm flight was canceled.
• We consoled ourselves with more delicious Mexican food.
• Our trip was finally completed on Tuesday, September 11. It was a very uneventful flight...Libby even slept, so I was able to spend almost the entire time reading.
• I'm sure I would've thought about the significance of the day, but flying on that day really made me think about it. I can still remember (I'm sure I always will) what I was doing when I heard about a plane hitting the first Twin Tower. I was buttering some toast to take with me on my way to a staff meeting at school. I sat there and watched the plane hit the second building. I can still remember driving to school, listening to news on the radio, wondering if Bryan would hear about this out in the field, and thinking "this will directly affect our life". And, it did. That was a hard day for everyone. I remember wanting so badly to hug my family. This September 11 found me flying in an American Airlines plane with a family that hadn't completely exsisted on that September 11 and praying for all the families directly affected by that September 11.

So, in a recap of my recap, we had a great trip with lots of great food and found a great house that we hope will still be available when our house finally gets a contract. We know this is all in God's hands and so we are trying to remember to pray when we begin to feel anxious. I keep telling myself that in a year everything will have worked out...I'll be holding a 6-month old and walking my 5-year old to kindergarten while my 3-year old begs to go stay with her sister. And, we'll walk home to a house that is perfect for us.

Do you agree?

Since I should be packing, I decided I would spend a good amount of time on this instead. Worthwhile, don't you think?! Especially since the results are less than exciting. It is just as I've always suspected...we all look alike! I'm wondering if the results would be altered by different pictures? Probably. The Look-alike Meter doesn't seem too scientific. Maybe the next time I really need to do something else I'll test out that theory.

If you want to see who your children look like, go here (myheritage.com).