Merry Christmas 2008!

Here is one of our Christmas card pictures for 2008. Getting the dogs involved didn't go too well! We are having some friends over tonight and will head to Wichita Tuesday morning. My mom and her dog are driving up to KS from Tucson on Sunday. I can't wait for the family to all be together. My brother and his very pregnant wife are hosting Christmas for us this year! My prayer is that God will help us remain focused on enjoying each moment together and that the event not be stressful for my SIL, Angela. We are staying in a hotel (with the dogs), and the boys will be able to swim...which is a good thing because it looks like it is going to be freezing! We'll come back on the 27th. My aunt, uncle, cousin and baby second cousin are coming down for a visit on the 29th...yea! I can't wait for the boys to meet baby Lily. Chris' parents are coming on the 30th from AZ. We are so excited to see them. We haven't seen them since Easter, which is the longest we've gone since having the boys. I know it is going to be a very special holiday season this year. I am so grateful to have this time off so that we can get in some quality family and friendship time!

Meet Hershey

This is our new standard poodle puppy, Hershey. He is 15 weeks old. We've had him for about

four weeks now.

This is good old Midnight, our original standard. She's been great with Hershey and puts him in his place when needed!

Aren't Libras supposed to be balanced?

In an attempt to be more "Libra like," I am going to begin working 80%. I'm hoping that 20% more time each week will balance the scales so that I can live up to my sign. I've opted to eliminate Mondays from my work week. Sunday evenings will be so relaxing now. I plan on hitting the 8:30 cardio class on Monday mornings after dropping the boys off. I'm putting that in writing on my blog so that all of my avid readers can hold me accountable! Seriously, I'm really grateful that the organization I work for is willing to adjust my schedule. In return, they get back 20% of my salary!

"Feast"

Kaleb and Ethan had a Thanksgiving Feast at school today. I got to join in on the festivities. This was the palest Native American tribe I've ever seen. Supposedly my great great grandmother was 100% Native American. Maybe my brown eyes warrant further investigation into our ancestory.

Hardcore Soccer

The boys finished the soccer season as winners. Hopefully their success in the Christian Upward Soccer league isn't going to their heads.

Catch and Release

We have private river access in our neighborhood. The hike down to the river is perfectly rugged. The landscape is littered with fossils and other treasures that nourish boyish curiousities. Right now the path is hidden under oak leaves that crunch under each step.

I love this photograph. I snapped it while relaxing on the bank while my guys patiently waited for that gentle tug of the line.

I was SIOPed in Houston

I've returned from the Sheltered Instruction Observational Protocol Institute in Houston. I've been SIOPed and am now ready to SIOP others. Soon everyone will be SIOPing in Region 12. I will be dreaming of the 8 components and 30 features tonight as I snuggle with my husband in my own bed.

A Day at Home

I stayed home from work today. The boys did not have school because of parent-teacher conferences. I slept until 7:30! We did an art project, watched some TV, played Old Maid, and had some friends over. Ethan is not feeling well so he took nap. I fixed lunch and straightened up the house. The boys went over to a friend's house while I went to their conference this afternoon. The report was all good. Praise God! They are doing really well and the teacher said they are well behaved. As I'm typing this, I can see a steady fall of oak leaves out the office window. I love being home. I love taking care of my family. I'll continue to pray for guidance in my search for balance.

My Favorite Hymn

I love hymns. Traditional music feeds my soul. Here's my favorite.

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower: Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Dal­lan For­gaill (translated from the Irish byMa­ry E. Byrne, Versified by El­ea­nor H. Hull

Thing 1 and Thing 2-Halloween 2008

For Halloween the boys were Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Cat in the Hat.

"Then those Things ran about with big bumps, jumps and kicks and with hops and big thumps and all kinds of bad tricks." Pretty much sums up life with twin boys!

Weekend Update

We had beautiful weather in central Texas this weekend! Team Freedom won the soccer game yesterday (we don't keep score, though). We worked on some chores around the house before going out with some friends on Saturday night. We headed to a restaurant in a small town about 20 miles from where we live. It was wonderful! This is only the second time we've had dinner out with other adults and NO children since we moved here two years ago. After dinner we gathered at one of the couple's home and played cards. We laughed and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This morning the guys woke up at 5:30! We went to church and out to lunch. We also squeezed in Halloween costume hunting. Chris had the super idea that the boys should be Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat. Perfect! They have to dress up as storybook characters for school and I surely didn't want to come up with four costumes. We found most of the pieces and supplies for the costumes at good ol' Walmart. I'll be sure to post pics of the Things! It was a wonderful weekend in Holderville.

Three Tens, Nine Ones

I'm beginning my final year of my fourth decade. Let me reflect on each decade just a bit.
1-10:
I spent most of this decade in Wichita, KS. I loved spending time with grandparents and my Aunt Peggy & Uncle Wally. My brother Scott invaded my world when I was 4 1/2. My parents divorced during this decade of my life. We moved to Topeka for one year and then to Tucson.

11-20:
This was a HUGE decade for me. It is for everyone. When I look at the age span and developmental stages contained within this period of ten years it overwhelms me. Prepubescence through early adulthood. This entire decade of my life was spent in Tucson. I attended six different schools and met my oldest friend, Dawn. We met at the pencil sharpener in 8th grade algebra class. That was 25 years ago. She's still in AZ but we remain the closest of friends. Our oldest children are in kindergarten. She has two younger ones, too! She knows EVERYTHING about me, which is sooo comforting. I graduated from Flowing Wells High School and attended the University of Arizona. My mom and brother moved back to KS to be closer to our extended family. I managed to fall in love more than once during this ten year span...

21-30:
This decade brought me back to Kansas. I attended and graduated from Wichita State University. At 21 I met some amazing friends who I can't imagine living without. Stacy, Lori, Nicole, Heather, Angela, Vanessa, and Annette filled these years with memory making adventures. It was also during this decade of life that I lost grandparents and a cousin. These were my first experiences with death. I graduated from college and briefly returned to AZ for my first teaching position. That lasted one year. I missed my friends and family too much and had to go back. I quickly found another teaching position and began the most rewarding season of my career in education. I met Chris and we were married two years later. It truly was love at first sight. We built a house, completed our graduate degrees, Chris got baptized, and we decided to start a family.

31-current:
Starting a family proved to be a challenge. Infertility was one of many great challenges and seasons of sadness during this decade. My dad was diagnosed with cancer. We had a distant relationship, but were drawn closer through his illness and his need for my help. After three attempts at IVF were blessed with a twin pregnancy. My dad was still fighting cancer and the residual effects of radiation and surgery. My grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. My friends were all experiences similar struggles and I realized what it meant to be an adult. I was experiencing the cycle of life. My faith deepened. At only 15 weeks into my pregnancy my water broke. The emergency room physicians offered no hope. The specialist I saw offered me an abortion. I was frightened beyond belief, but was not without hope. I found another specialist who agreed to care for us. He admitted me to the hospital where I would remain until the birth of the twins. Baby B (Kaleb) never accumulated any amniotic fluid and was essentially stuck in a collapsed balloon. He could hardly move and couldn't change position. Baby A (Ethan) was in an intact sack and developing well. I was closely monitored and received IV and oral antibiotics daily. I also was given anti contraction medication daily. 24 weeks is considered viability. Each day past 24 weeks improves the odds for premature babies. We were told that Baby B's chances for survival after birth were very slim due to poor lung development. Lungs are developed by the amniotic fluid, of which he had none. He also faced possible deformities due to compression and lack of movement. I made it to 27 weeks 3 days. Kaleb weighed 2.1 and Ethan weighed 2.6. It was a journey, but the boys are both doing quite well today. I'll share more about that journey in another post. During this premature journey, my grandmother was going through chemo and dying. One night she traded places with Kaleb. That's another special story for another time. My mom and aunt were there for us while caring for their dying mother. Sometimes the story seems unbelievable when I start to really think about it. Also during this time my brother lost his job at Enron and moved in with us. I'm sure he had no idea what life would be like with premature twin infants, around the clock in home nursing care for Kaleb, and a lactating sister. One of the nurses who cared for the babies has become one of my best friends. Kacy and I are like the sisters we never had. Needless to say, my teaching career came to an abrupt halt. The boys developed into toddlers and then my dad died. My faith deepened. We built a new house, I was doing consulting work for a software company, and the boys got healthier. Then...Chris's dad fell off of a mountain and was seriously injured. It has taken awhile, but he has rehabilitated. After just two years in our newly built home, we decided to accept an employment offer for Chris from a company in Waco, Texas. At times I wonder what we were thinking. Sometimes I question my sanity at that time. Was it post traumatic stress disorder? Why did we think it was a good idea to leave our friends and family in Kansas? I can only say that God uses all experiences to draw you closer to him and to each other. When I look back over the past decade, I certainly can recognize the stress we experienced in Kansas. I think we felt that God was giving us an opportunity to enjoy new surroundings that don't carry reminders of so much pain. We have met some of the most generous and loving people in Texas. Believe me, I've been on my knees more than once since moving here, but those times have again strengthened my faith. I'm not going to give up on TX yet! We have great jobs in a weak economy. We have a beautiful home in a safe neighborhood. We are making friends and those relationships are growing each day. Our boys are happy at school. We are near my aunt and uncle in Dallas, which has been a real treat! We think we've found a church. God is at work. I just need to let him do his thing. He always pulls through for us. So, on this 39th birthday I humbly pray for peace in my heart and peace in our world. I also offer unending thanks and praise to my wonderful, awesome God.

The Mad Scientist

Kaleb got to bring home the science backpack from school. Inside we found a lab coat, safety glasses, and a book of very cool science experiments. Kaleb's charge was to choose one to conduct at home so that he could demonstrate it in front of his class on Friday. He chose Woody Dough. This experiment requires the following materials:
1 cup of sawdust
1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of liquid starch

I had to go into the office this afternoon, so Chris was in charge. When I came home I found what looked like oatmeal in the shape of animals. They used cookie cutters to shape the Woody Dough. In two to three days it should harden. At that point sandpaper is used to finish the shapes. I'll keep you posted on the results of this experiment.

Number 3 and Number 8

Yesterday, after a very busy and fun filled Saturday, Ethan developed an upset tummy. He threw up a few times before bed. Then when I checked on him at 10:30 he had thrown up IN bed, but didn't wake up. I carefully picked him and laid him on the floor while I changed his sheets. He slept all night with no additional episodes. This morning Chris took the boys to the local donut shop. When they returned Ethan shared that now he had number 3. I asked what that meant. He matter-of-factly stated that number 3 was diarrhea. I asked him what number throw up is. He quickly responded, "number 8."

Making the Most of Saturday

8:45 Soccer Game (Kaleb drank 3 juice pouches and threw up)
10:30 Exercise at the gym
11:45 Lunch at home
1:00 Cameron Park Zoo (ice cream treats were devoured by the twins)
3:00 Drive around town
3:30 South Bosque Park
4:30 Early dinner out (sports grill, some customers were cussing during the football game)
6:00 Country drive
6:30 Playing in the yard
7:00 Relax inside

We decided to stay away from "house" projects today so that our attention would be devoted to our children. We are exhausted, fulfilled, and residing in a very messy home.

All things ESC and ESL

I have been in my new position at the ESC as the ESL Specialist for about eight weeks now. I'm keeping busy and am settling in. I manage the implementation of an online assessment product that we offer our co-op members, conduct state mandated English language proficiency assessment training, design and facilitate district requested professional development pertaining to K-12 ESL strategies, plan and present a three day ESL Academy at the service center, design and deliver training on sheltered instruction, serve on the turn around team for academically unacceptable districts, am a member of the Effective Schools Audit Team, am responsible for drop out prevention support and professional development, and am a PIT leader. I wonder why I can't find a balance between career and personal life? Luckily I'm surrounded by incredible people who are in the same boat!

Soccer

We have entered the world of organized sports. The boys have started playing soccer for a Christian league called Upward. We practice on Thursdays and games are Saturday mornings at 9:00. Our first game was on the 4th. Ethan scored the only goal. We don't keep score officially. Our "star" was out of town. He also is the coach's son. We have a female coach named Molly. She is awesome. Girl power! Luke is a prodigy. Kaleb is not. Ethan has potential. Kaleb is looking forward to basketball. Chris is the unofficial assistant coach. He can't stay off the field. I'm not sure if he is supposed to be out there, but luckily it is a Christian organization and he is treated with love. This is just the beginning.

Presbyterian

Finding the right church for us in Waco has been difficult. We attended a Congregational church in Wichita. It was formal, traditional, loving, simple, thoughtful, and intellectual. We've been attending a Baptist church in Waco that is many of those things; however, the children's program wasn't a good fit for us. I have some history in the Presbyterian denomination so we decided to visit First Presbyterian in Waco. We really liked it. It is very formal. More so than UCC in Wichita, but we appreciate formal worship very much. They have a children's chapel time that the boys loved. We enjoyed being able to focus on the sermon and message while the boys were in chapel. The liturgy, hymns, and history of the church fed my soul. The message of Christ's love was moving. Chris really loves it. I haven't seen him react like this since we've been in TX. We also like that the denomination will honor Ethan and Kaleb's infant baptisms. I think it is a good match. I've joined a casual Bible study on Wednesday nights. A friend from the other church we've been attending is going and invited me. It turns out that the organizer of the group attends First Presbyterian. Waco is small. The girls in the group are younger than me, but we had a great first evening together. I'm excited to get to see my new friend Kristin on a regular basis since we will no longer be attending the same church. Did I tell you how much the boys love First Presbyterian? The actually use the words "love it" when talking about the experience. I know we really worship against the grain of modern churches. Screens, worship teams, and media just don't appeal to us. We appreciate ritual, liturgy, and simplicity in worship. God is so good to provide differentiated worship for His followers. That's a big education term we use to describe "instruction designed specifically for individual students." It fits, doesn't it?

School Update

Three weeks into school the boys have managed to get written up on the bus. At least they were fighting with each other. Kaleb squeezed Ethan's privates because Ethan was hitting him. I got a call from the Asst. Principal and notes in the mail. Serious business. Other than that, things are going well. Kaleb and Ethan love school and love Mrs. Decker. They earn popsicle sticks and get the treasure box after ten. We send 75 cents on Friday for ice cream. They go to centers, PE, and Spanish. This is about all we get out of them. We have handwriting homework over the weekends.

There's No Place Like Home

We went to Wichita over Labor Day weekend to visit family friends. We had a wonderful trip. We spent time with my brother and his wife (who is expecting a baby cousin in January). We got to meet their new dog Lilly. We also saw the Fishers, all of whom we love tremendously. We spent time with all of our closest friends. I had dinner at PF Changs with friends....ahhh...so nice to eat at a great restaurant. We played with the Bogue's, Orth's, Vas's, and Collinsworth's. We drove by our house...which is for sale and empty. We peeked in the windows and recalled the many good times we had there. We found E & K 2004 carved in the porch. I cried for two hours on the way back to TX. Ethan cried, too. It was pathetic. I want to move back.

First Day

Today was the first day of kindergarten for Ethan and Kaleb. We arrived early. I've never seen so many parents and children. It was crazy! We made our way into the cafeteria for breakfast. They have a few choices. I'll definitely be joining them this week until they get the procedure down. We ate and then made our way down to Mrs. Decker's class. What a journey! The kindergarten classrooms are way at the end of the building. I walked the boys in, took a few pictures, and make my escape. I ran into several friends who had also just dropped off their kiddos. A few had tears. So far I don't.

The boys will ride the bus home and Chris will meet them each day. We decided to start the bus on day one. I left work early so that I could see them get off. The bus was over an hour late. I sat in the driveway for over an hour. It was HOT! I tried not to worry, but had to give in and call the school. They informed me that the bus was running late...obviously. Finally they arrived. Red cheeked and smiling they hopped off the big yellow school bus. A dream come true for them. A definite beginning to a new season of life for me.

Landscaping Before and After

My husband is amazing! When we purchased our home almost 2 years ago we had NO idea how much work this nearly 1 acre yard would be. I realize that the pictures are from two different seasons, but it doesn't really matter because there wasn't a lawn...just bare dirt with weeds, cedars, and unkempt trees. It is still a work in progress, but Chris has hand planted thousands of plugs to create this beautiful lawn! We chose to go with a buffalo hybrid turf grass called Turf-Tech. It was developed at Texas Tech and is supposed to require less care and water than other grasses suitable for our region, but after last month's water bill I'm not convinced! We also removed all of the cedars, and about 15 other sickly trees. We've put in huge planters around the trees and have enlarged those around the house. The trees have all been trimmed and are loving having more space to grow. It is really coming along. I honestly never thought I'd see green out there. It got to be depressing at times... just looking at dirt and weeds. Thank you Chris! You've once again made your wife a very happy woman! Now...on to the backyard!

Meet the Teacher

Today was meet the teacher at China Spring Elementary School! Oddly, the event was held from 1:00-3:00 for kindergarten. I took a much needed afternoon off of work and we picked the boys up from their daycare/pre-k early. The boys have been overflowing with excitement about meeting their kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Decker. Ethan drew a picture of a palm tree with red flowers for her. Kaleb wasn't interested in wooing her with pictures. I guess he is pretty confident that he'll win her over with that toothless smile.

We loaded up our 6 sacks of school supplies (seriously) and headed to the school. We made the LONG walk all the way down to the kindergarten wing (there are 8 classes) and found their class! The wonderful Mrs. Decker was waiting at the door. She showed the boys their lockers (which were marked with their names) and they put their nap towels away. They "checked" in by indicating "school lunch" or "sack lunch" with magnets marked with their names. We dropped of the 10 bottles of glue, 4 boxes of Kleenex, 2 bottles of hand-soap, 4 glue sticks, 4 boxes of baggies, 10 boxes of crayons, 8 dry erase markers, 3 packs of construction paper, 2 binders, 10 plastic folders, 2 scissors, 2 paints, 2 packs of washable classic markers, 2 rolls of paper towels, 2 packages of plastic cups, and 2 large towels while they explored the room. Ethan asked where all the toys were. The classroom is really inviting and is decorated in a fish theme. It was a great visit. Mrs. Decker gave each boy a book about Froggy's first day of school and a little plastic fish. Too cute! She also sent them postcards last week, which put big smiles on their faces. Of course we had to check out the playground and the cafeteria before leaving. Monday is the first day of school, so look for a new post!

Wierd Science

Ethan chose to use the Toys R Us gift card from Nannie to purchase a science kit. The kit provides all of the necessary tools and chemicals to create goo and slime. I assembled the machine and Chris was in charge of assisting the scientists. They chose to create slime, which is more slimy than goo. What fun! This was a big hit and the slime came out just perfect! Thanks Nannie!!!

What a birthday!

The birthday weekend began at Uncle Charlie and Aunt Terri's in the "Big D." The boys explored Uncle Charlie's desk and tools. He always puts special things in his drawer for the kids to find. What a treat! We ate lunch together, had cupcakes, and then the boys opened up their gifts. Terri and Charlie got them robots from the Smithsonian. They loved making them crawl on Aunt Terri's glass table. Navigating through the cut glass was a true adventure! Daddy surprised them with REAL tools and cap guns. The guns are a huge hit. We've put off guns. We've deliberated over guns. We've now purchased toy guns for our sons.

The Great Wolf Lodge. What a concept. What a FABULOUS time! After our visit with Uncle C and Aunt T we headed over to Grapevine to the wildly fantastic Great Wolf Lodge. We tubed down slides indoors and out. We rode the waves and got splashed by every possible contraption. The arcade, which Kaleb kept calling "the game lounge," was a popular spot. We traded in 160 tickets for 8 Twizzlers and 2 Air Heads. That's not bad for 10 bucks. Dinner and breakfast were both wonderful. We will definitely return. If you plan on going, 1 night really is plenty. You can check in and begin using the park at 1:00 and can stay until it closes the next day. We had birthday cake, complete with magic candles that don't blow out (thanks to Dad), in our room. Each guy had his own cake. Fortunately, we did not set off the fire sprinklers. We slept like wolves.

Six

Did you know that I used to write poetry? When I was younger I often turned to writing when I was "dealing" with life. I miss it. At best, I'm a novice. Here are some thoughts to celebrate Ethan and Kaleb turning six.


Six. 6. Sicks. Sticks. Snicks.

Our twins turned 6 today. Six years ago they were born too soon. Tubes, ventilators, monitors, wires, hushed conversations, fear, fear, fear, and endless tears. Our first months were defined by sorrow and survived by faith.

Our twins turned 6 today. Tonight they ate sweet, vanilla birthday cake. Tools, cap guns, bicycles, sticks, outloud laughter, joy, joy, joy, and endless smiles. Our days are defined by grace and lived by faith.

Little Blue and Yellow

On the eve of his 6th birthday, Ethan has bid farewell to Little Blue and Yellow. On his own, he simply laid them on the floor beside his bed and stated that he "wanted to be a big boy." Immediately after this statement of independence he decided they needed a hug. He picked them up and gripped them in his soon to be 6 year old hands and said, "Guys, you're going to have to go to someone else now, but I love you." He climbed back into bed and stuck that thumb right in his mouth. He smiled and declared that he will still need to suck his thumb, though. I remarked that I felt that he had accomplished enough for tonight and that the termination of thumb sucking could be addressed on another evening. With great relief, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Am I ready to say goodbye to Little Blue and Yellow? They've been with us since birth. Little Blue is no longer blue and Yellow is....well...not yellow; however, they will remain vivid in our memories.