Anniversary

Don't faint. I know this is the third posting this month. Soon life will be crazy and I will have to take a sabbatical again.

Last week marked the third anniversary of our arrival in Texas. It's amazing how fast the time has gone by and yet we still feel like newbies. Since we have been here, our family has grown by one (well two if you add the arrival of Wally's t.v.--we all spend plenty of quality time with Vizio). We have survived torrential rain, tornado warnings, summer heat, and ice storms. We have experienced loneliness, a few unexpected tragedies, and amazing growth. We have endured two road trips to Utah and have gained a greater sense of gratitude for the Pioneers. We have learned why we are told to "become as a little child" as we have watched our incredible kids grow and flourish. We have developed a deeper gratitude for our families. Oh yeah, and we have become Cowboys fans.

Since we have now been here for three years, here are three things we love about Texas:

• Winter, Spring, and Fall
• The people! We love our neighborhood, community, and ward.
• The schools.

Three things that we could really do without:

• All the creepy, crawly things (fireants, really big spiders, lizards)
• Having to pay to drive on the roads
• Year-round allergies

When we moved here, it was with the intent to stay for a couple of years and then go home. I never expected that this would become home, but as the years go by the roots go deeper. I still get homesick and miss my family, but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

Retraction

Remember when I posted that Chloe hasn't hit the terrible two's and that she is just a happy, fun-loving, energetic girl that brings joy to our lives? I need to retract that.

This week Chloe developed a major attitude. It all started when Wally came home from work on Monday. Chloe took one look at him and said "Daddy, I don't like you." (Time out for Chloe). Two days ago we were all eating dinner-- except for Chloe. She was spinning. I told her several times to sit down and eat her dinner. With a pout on her face she climbed up in her chair and yelled "You're ruining my life!" Last night she exclaimed that she was NOT happy. "What's the matter princess?" I asked. She angrily muttered something about her magic wand and then added "BUT I CAN'T WORRY ABOUT THAT!" Maybe she skipped the terrible twos and landed in the terrible teens. Any suggestions?

Our Little Goblins

Halloween is not Wally's favorite holiday. Why, you ask? First, he does not get the day off from work, therefore, Halloween is not an actual holiday. Second, he's not big on neighborhood kids coming to our house begging for candy. But seriously, how can you not LOVE Halloween when your kids are as cute as ours? (I admit that I am a little biased.)

This year Kelsie and her friends chose to be beauty queens, tiara and all (what can I say, we live in Texas!) Jackson was a clone trooper (it's a Star Wars thing) and Chloe discovered her true identity as a fairy princess. (If you ask Chloe what she was for Halloween she wil tell you "a pink dress." Then she will go into a long story of how we don't have a Tinkerbell movie because she has to go pee-pee and poo-poo on the potty first.) Before we hit the pavement to do our trick-or-treating, we went to our neighborhood's Fall Festival where the kids got to decorate pumpkins, play games, go on a carriage ride, and eat warm peach cobbler and hot chocolate in 85 degree weather! Aaahhhh...Halloween in Texas! At the end of the day, everybody was tired and happy, even Wally the Halloween Grinch.