Texas Evening

I miss the beautiful fall colors and brisk air that Oregon has to offer but I really don't miss the rain. One thing that Texas has is nice fall evenings. We went to a gathering for Hailee's soccer team last night. We sat by a pool visiting with other parents while the kids jumped on the trampoline and played golf on the putting green. It was a beautiful evening, no coats needed! The days are starting to cool down a little, highs in the 70's. I still miss the changing leaves but this is nice too.

Feeling Down

I'm just having a down day today. It is so hard to not have any friends and family close by. I just miss everyone so much! It was nice having my parents here but it also made me sad to see them go. I'm so glad that my mom is doing better but I just wish I wasn't so far away! I know that it will just take some time to adjust to everything. I just want you guys to know how much you mean to me and how much I miss you!

Hailee's 6th Birthday

Hailee and some of the girls enjoying our swing.

Mia taking one of her sister's presents.

There's the birthday girl!

Check out the cake! The class payed off!

We had Hailee's birthday party on Sunday, which is her actual birthday. I can't believe she is already 6 years old. Time certainly flies on by! Hailee wanted a Strawberry Shortcake party, I also had the same theme when I was 6th birthday. How the different toys stand the test of time! We had 10 kids, include my two girls, over to our house. They made necklaces, had a cake walk, broke a pinata, ate lots of cake and opened presents. It was two hours of crazy but everyone had a great time! She is already preparing for her 7th birthday! She is one that likes to plan in advanced (I wonder who she gets that from?).

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween this year. Hailee was a fairy and Mia was Raggedy Ann (which was Hailee's costume when she was 2). They both looked adorable! There was no need for coats while trick-or-treating, I think the temperature was around 65 degrees. A little different then our Halloween nights in Oregon.

Happy Birthday My Sweet Girl!

I can't believe that my baby is 6 years old today! Where has the time gone. She is becoming such a beautiful, confident, intelligent and spirited little girl. I have adored every minute she has been in my life! The lord has blessed me and this world with her presence. I am excited to see what He has waiting for her future! Today we are going to be having a Strawberry Shortcake party with a few of her friends from school, the neighborhood and Lucy from Newberg. She and her family moved down her at the same time we did. She is a sad that she can't celebrate with all her friends but we are trying our best to make this a special day for her. My parents flew in to surprise her. She was so excited to see them! I'll post a birthday picture as soon as I can.

I Can't Wait!!!

I'm so excited, my mom and dad are coming to visit us this coming weekend for Hailee's birthday. Hailee has no idea and I know she will be floored when she sees Mimi and Papa at the door. It has been so long since we have seen them (the end of July). We all miss them so much! My mom is doing much better now and it will be good to see her with most of her energy back! They are only staying for the weekend but they will be back at Christmas for a longer stay. This is our first guests here in Texas. We would love to have more!

Pumpkin Patch 2008

We visited the pumpkin patch this weekend. We went to The Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls, Tx. It was a little different then what we are used to but still fun. Instead of rain and cold weather we were more concerned about staying cool and whether we got enough sunscreen on. Hailee couldn't resist a pony ride which Mia would have nothing to do with. We also went on a hay ride and picked out some nice pumpkins. The girls also enjoyed a fresh strawberry Popsicle, the pictures show. I do miss the changing leaves and the brisk air but a good time was had by us all.

Our Toothless Girl

The photo in the leopard PJ's is after Hailee lost her first tooth. The other tooth is just hanging on by a thread. The second is just two days later when she lost her second tooth. What excitement! Two visits from the tooth fairy is one week. I threw the picture of Mia in just because it was cute!

It's Been A While

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. Things have been a little crazy around here. We are still trying to get settled from our second move in two months. Our things from Oregon finally arrived about a week ago. We are still dodging boxes in every room but we'll get finished someday!! The girls are doing great! Hailee lost her first two teeth a couple of weeks ago (I'll post a picture soon!). We had her parent/teacher conference and she is doing very well in school! Mia is as spunky as ever. She is quite a monkey, making it very difficult to get much done when she is around! It's still quite warm here, high 80's - low 90's in the day. I keep wondering when it will cool off but I don't know if it will for awhile. We miss all of you and would love to here from you! I'll try to do better with updates!

Changes

As we come to a close of our first month in Texas our free temporary housing is also ending. Which means we have been frantically looking for a place to live. We had to decide if we wanted to live in an apartment or lease a house. We came to the conclusion that leasing a house is about the same amount as an apartment would be once you add in a storage unit to store all of our extra furniture. So, we began looking at houses. You can definitely get more for your money down here! We found an empty house that we liked a lot and the owners are willing to lease to us until our house sells. The ironic part is that the owners relocated to Lake Oswego.

The changes are that I have decided to get a job to help with out while we are making two house payments. I found a position at a nice Child Development Center as the 3 year old teacher. Mia is able to come with me while Hailee is at school. I started on Tuesday and by Thursday Mia already had her first cold. I guess we need to build up her immunity a little. She is having a blast! She has been a little lonely since Hailee started and is excited to be going to "Mia's School". She had been painting, singing, dancing and playing lots! On our way home she is so excited to tell me all about her day! Hopefully we won't have too many more sicknesses. Wishful thinking!

Welcome to Texas!

So I went to make Mia lunch this afternoon and notice something move on the floor. To my complete horror there was a nice big scorpion in between my feet. YIKES!!! So let out a nice loud shriek and tried to keep the dog and Mia from investigating what it was. I grabbed a shoe and did what any other freaked out mom would do. I whacked it! I don't think I have ever seen a scorpion in person before and don't really care to again. Somehow I think that is wishful thinking on my part!

The Big Yellow Bus!

Hailee took the school bus for the first time this morning. This has been something that she has been waiting to do since she was 2 years old and at last the day came. She was so excited! I can't believe how confindent and independent she is. I think I was more nervous than she was. The other little girl in the picture is in her class. It was a little reassuring that she had a friend to sit with and to walk to class with!

My Baby Goes To School

Today was Hailee's first day of Kindergarten. I can't believe she is old enough for school already! It seems like yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital. Where does the time go? She was brave but I know deep down she was a little nervous! She won't have any trouble making new friends with her outgoing personality. She is in Mrs. Leicht's class at Steiner Ranch Elementary. There are 20 kids in her class but 7 classes of Kindergarten. The school is huge! About 900 or so students attend. She will be there all day (7:30 - 2:30). I am so excited to see how she develops this year. She is very bright and I think going to school all day will be so good for her. I will miss her so much but I sure am appreciative of all the time have been able to spend with her during the last 5 years! She is an amazing little girl and God has a lot in store for her! The first picture is in her class, they have their own locker to put their belongings in. The second picture is outside her school.

Howdy y'all!

Well after 3 longs days in the truck with 2 great kids and 1 sedated dog we made it to Austin! The girls did so good, just a little bickering and a couple of tears! I truly have been blessed with awsome girls! We spent last week getting our temporary house set-up with the essentials, registering Hailee for school, getting school supplies bought, attending Kindergarten Round-up, trying out a new Church and a little swimming. I'm exhaused! We miss everyone sooooo much! We would love to hear how everyone is doing! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers while we make this huge transition.