Monday, April 27, 2009

Moving Personalities

Derick and I rarely fight. Sure, we have disagreements, as does anyone who lives in the same home. But we rarely yell and scream at each other. When we first got married, I wasn't sure that was going to be the case.

We experienced our very first move as a married couple only two months and 16-or-so days after our wedding. We learned then that we handle moving very differently. Derick was totally happy letting the movers take the big stuff and literally throwing the rest into the back of the Rodeo on the morning of departure.

I was not so excited about seeing my brand new Ralph Lauren china being treated so harshly. Just like I am now (and have every time we moved), I began preparing early. I thought he should do the same. We clashed. The only thing that kept me from driving to my parent's house was the fact that I had already made that drive at least twice. I figured that somewhere around Victoria or maybe Houston, I would calm down and then be stuck driving all the way back to Corpus.
 
Instead, I make some quick-paced loops around the apartment building, sucked it up and went back inside. We got through it! And guess what, we've gotten through five other moves since then. So that gives me hope that we will make it through this one, too.

'Cause I am here to tell you that moving is stressful. 

And we still view moving through two very different sets of eyes. The only difference now is that we know what to expect from the other.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Science, Technology and Economics

Today was a great day. Except for the wind and the moving-related cleaning chores!

We have been watching the National Museum of Nuclear History be constructed near our house. It has finally opened and today we went to the museum. It is very well done and we mostly enjoyed the exhibits. One was sort of loud, so Mattie spent a lot of time with her jacket over her head. Somehow that protects her?

After we toured the museum, we headed to Wal-Mart. The girls received gift cards for Christmas and Valentine's Day and we had been waiting to spend them. Caroline selected an assortment of princess dress-up shoes, 4 pair in all: Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Cinderella. She has been wearing them all day long. Mattie bought an I-Tunes card and this brings me to the most exciting part of my story!!!

Derick bought an I-Pod Nano with part of his Christmas money. Mattie immediately fell in love with it. She asked us to buy her one, but neither of us were crazy about the idea. We knew that it would be super-handy for her to have her own because we travel so much, but let's be reasonable--she is seven. Besides, I want a Nano, too, but I chose to spend my Christmas money on something else.

So we made a deal with Mattie. We told her that she would need to earn and save enough money to pay for one-half of a Nano. She was already doing chores around the house & receiving an allowance. We knew it would be a good lesson to teach her how hard you have to work to save money. So she has worked hard and saved all of her allowance, tooth fairy money and gift cards. Last summer, I had lost her allowance purse while we were in Florida/Georgia. My mom found it earlier this year. Because Mattie had been saving that money, too, she has been able to raise her cash in an incredibly fast amount of time (4 months).

Today she bought her Nano! I am so proud of her and she is so excited.  


Mattie with her new pink Nano.

Caroline with her shoes (finally, I have a child who chose to buy shoes!)


In front of the new museum. Mattie was especially happy to be here because, as she explained, "I want to learn everything about everything."


Saturday, April 25, 2009

Little Red Boots

Zoo Field Trip


Big Girl in a cute outfit!

I have dedicated the greater part of the afternoon to cleaning out the utility room. It is true, the movers will come & move all that stuff--even if I never go through it. However, all of that "stuff" shows up at your new house & then  you have to go through it there. I hate that. When I am unpacking, I want to put everything away & be done with it. Impossible if I am trying to figure out what paint is dried out and which artwork I should keep or toss.

Along the way, I glanced at the stool where we keep our winter boots. Sitting there were Caroline's red cowgirl boots. A friend gave them to her right after we arrived here. She wore them once a day last year. Now they are too small. I put them out in the yard sale stuff & felt disbelief at how quickly her little feet are getting a little bigger (not much, she has extremely small feet).

The zoo trip was fun, though we were exhausted by the time we got home. The weather was beautiful. Low 80s with a light breeze. I am so glad I went--the zoo here is really nice & I will miss living so near it and all of the other museums and the aquarium. 

Enough procrastinating...back to the utility room!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

Caroline has rediscovered the giraffe costume. Both she and her teddy bear wear it frequently.

We have decided that Mattie is too big for the cozy coupe! BTW, she lost a tooth at school day before yesterday. And it is still lost! She wrote a note to the tooth fairy & the tooth fairy came anyway.

Caroline LOVES to make muffins with me. I am so glad.

The mountains after a freak snowstorm last week. 

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Moving Mania

Well, it's not quite manic yet, but the build up has begun.

Movers are scheduled, temporary lodging is scheduled, housing inspection scheduled, yardsale scheduled, going away party scheduled, Caroline's graduation scheduled, last dance class scheduled, soccer practice starting...wait!

Yes, in the middle of the chaos, Mattie has just started spring soccer. I love watching her play, but I am NOT looking forward to maintaining her game & practice schedule. Especially while sitting out in the whatever-it-is that is blooming that makes me not be able to breathe through my nose! I must say, though, she has a really cool jersey this time around. Also, she put on those cleats with NO complaints. I guess I should count my blessings because next year they will both be playing & then we will surely have a schedule to maintain!

Gotta go--want to watch Derick trimming the honeysuckle in the back yard!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jog

Ahhh. I love to visit, but I love a return to normalcy.

Today was perfectly normal.

I spent quality time in my office-closet and enjoyed flexing my writing muscles. I have updated my Emerging Author blog, so feel free to bounce on over if you need a little more pre-bedtime reading (Dena). My spring schedule has become crowded with responsibilities, so it felt really good to have some time to concentrate on my business.

Mattie went to school. Caroline went to school. Derick left work early & joined us at gymnastics and we topped off the day with carry out from India Kitchen. Folks, it doesn't get any better than this.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Pictures From The Last Two Weeks

More than one of you has mentioned displeasure with my blog delinquency. It is a pleasure to know that so many of you read it.

So much has transpired since my last blog two weeks ago that I dare not try and write it all. Hopefully, a picture really is worth 1,000 words. Please check the three latest post to see all of my pictures and read the captions underneath.

Highlights of the last two weeks: 58SOW Egg Hung, Field Trip with Mattie to Aquarium and Botanical Gardens, trip to Georgia (including a visit with Grammy & Grampy and the surprise of a new bedroom/playroom at their house for grandkids), visit with my great-aunt Dot in Birmingham (and another egg hunt), trip to North Carolina (including another egg hunt, wedding, and Easter Bunny visit), visit to Uncle Cope and Aunt Tara's house (and another egg hunt), visit with Nana and a visit with Grandaddy. The girls were absolutely perfect for all of the flights and behaved very, very well in the car and especially at the wedding.

The last two weeks have been fun! Enjoy the pictures...



Posing with Grandaddy
Wolfie Surprised Us At Chic-Fil-A 

Easter Bunny Loot
This One Got In Here Twice...Can't Figure Out How To Delete!

Wedding Ready

Fun With Ramsey



Lake Junaluska Easter Bunny

Girls with Aunt Dot

Mattie's Field Trip to the Botanical Gardens

58 Special Operations Wing Egg Hunt--Brrrr.


Caroline at 58 SOW Egg Hunt