Dad's visit in September

My dad came to visit us with his new fiance earlier this month. It was a good time and we had fun taking them around to see things in Houston. My dad's fiance had grown up on the SE side of Houston, so she was aware of somethings, but I am sure it had changed quite a bit too. We went to the Downtown Aquarium for fun on the train, ferris wheel, and at the exhibits and then we ate dinner there too. The only downside was the fact that due to another tropical storm in Houston this time, there flight was delayed and then it was scheduled for an earlier flight that we couldn't make it to. So, instead of getting into Phoenix around 4pm or so, they got in around 9pm. A little later than was planned. I think they would both do it again though. :)

Gulfshores and New Orleans

I have to say this trip was not our best. We decided on the spur of the moment to head to Gulfport, MS. The trip was fine, except that we couldn't do some of the things we wanted to do, because it rained all the time. There had been a tropical storm that came ashore a couple of days before we got there, but what we didn't know and the nice weather forecasters didn't tell us, was that the storm was coming back around to make a second hit. So, with that, we didn't do a lot. We did however make it to Cafe DuMonde for beignets and coffee, in New Orleans.

The view from our hotel room. Not bad if I do say so. Jonathan booked the room and it was great.

At Cafe Du Monde, enjoying the beignets. I could eat these everyday, they are so good. If you haven't had one, I highly recommend going to New Orleans, just for these.

Austin for July 4th

So for July 4th we decided to get out of town. We drove up to Austin to stay for a couple of days.We decided to go to downtown Austin to see the fireworks, but honestly, we were a little concerned about the crowds. Well, we found a good spot to park and then started walking with blanket and cooler in hand to the park where the fireworks were being held. On the way, we found this great parking garage that had a bunch of people on top of it. We thought, I wonder if they know something we don't. So we started up the stairs. On the top of the garage it was loaded with regulars who came here every year, because the view was great. So we went down one level, where their weren't all the drunks and craziness and watched. The view was fantastic. The next couple of days we went on hikes around Austin. We had so much fun and it was just the get-a-way that we needed.

Connie's

As is normal in our house. We occasionally head to Connie's, and if you live in NW Harris County, Houston, you know why. It has the best frozen custard in the area. Well, our dog is fully aware of Connie's now too. One time awhile back we decided to head out for just a drive. Well, we decided to take Brownie (dog) along. She loves car rides. You just mention the work ride and she is all over the place she gets so excited. While on this ride, we decided to go through the drive through at Connie's on our way home. The lady who was going to give us our order at the window saw the dog and asked if she wanted a torch. We asked what it was and she said a mini cone with vanilla custard on it. We said sure. Well, we were never to live it down. Our dog now knows the term ride and torch. If we mention them both, she can not contain herself in her seat on the ride over until she has gotten one. This shows her enjoying one not that long ago. She sits patiently, not so much, in the car and waits for Jonathan to come back with her torch and our treats. She then eats it just like you and I would, one lick at a time until she gets to the cone and then she bits it. She is such a silly dog, and we spoil her rotten. So much so that she is now on a diet because she has gained 8lbs in about six months. NO! we do not go to Connie's that much. Usually, one a quarter or so.

Kitten visit

I don't remember when this summer, but it was probably August sometime, we had a visitor. We noticed that our dog and the neighbor dog where barking at the corner of both of our yards. Every time either of them would go outside they would bark. So, I went to the corner to see what I could find. Nothing. Then I sent Jonathan the next day, Nothing. So, finally on the third day we found this little thing sitting in one of the bushes just off the corner of the yard. She was flea infested, so we bathed her and gave her treatment, then we took her to the vet, after we couldn't find a shelter or anyone to take her. She appeared to be healthy and they gave her the first set of shots. After the vet trip, Jonathan took her to Petco to buy more kitten food, since we don't have a kitten anymore and talked to a employee there. She couldn't take the cat, but knew someone who would. So after two weeks of having the joy of a crazy kitten around, we found her a home. This was very good news, because the last thing our house needed was another animal. One dog and one cat are enough for this house. At least right now.

Cody's trip in June

I know that Cody looks bored in this picture, but he was actually playing and goofing off with the dog, while the kids were sleeping.

This picture of Cody in the fire fighter gear was taken when we took a trip to Jonathan's firehouse. Cody thought it was cool and all of the guys were really nice to him. They even showed him the flairs, of which he wanted to take some so that he could take them home with him. He was quite disappointed when I told him that he couldn't get them on the plane without being arrested.

Our Sea World trip in April

 Right after we entered Sea World, we decided to have a little snack to get us through until lunch. We didn't eat breakfast because we left our hotel early to get to Sea World when it opened. Well, when we sat down at some picnic benches, this little guy decided that he needed some breakfast too. He was none to shy about helping himself to our muffin if we would have let him.

This of course was the Shamu show. All of the shows were fantastic, and yes, we sat just outside the splash zone. We didn't really want to get soaked, since it was already a cloudy and chilly day. We saw others that were soaked and freezing after the fact. I know we are wimps. Deal with it.

Six months since my last...

Ok, so it has been six months since my last post. I know, I am totally slacking. Things have happened in the past six months that honestly, I would like to remember and forget all at the same time. Lets start with April shall we?

April - We had a great time, Jonathan and I went to San Antonio for his birthday. We spent an entire day at Sea World. What a fantastic place for both kids and adults. Since Jonathan loves marine life, we went there. Actually I surprised him and took him there. That was a fantastic time and I will post pictures soon. Well, let's change that to later today. This gives me a deadline.

April - Jonathan also finished replacing the columns on the front of the house. We found out that we had termites in the columns, so we demolished all four of them and rebuilt two of them. Not an easy task, but Jonathan did it, with I have to say only a little bit of help from me. Again, pictures will come soon. 

Middle of April - We found out that we were chosen to foster two little ones. We were so excited because they were 4 months and 14 months. So they were great ages, although, lots of hard work. We spent as much time with them as we could and got them healthy again, although some thanks goes to the first foster parents for getting them healthy. We just continued what they had already started. This was a fun time to learn about how Jonathan and I interacted as parents to each other and to strengthen and learn from each other during this time. I will say that our marriage was truly tested during this time.

May - Was my birthday, and as much as Jonathan wanted to surprise me with something like I surprised him with, we had two children now, so we couldn't do that. He did however, find a babysitter for the night and we were able to go out to a nice quiet dinner without the rush of getting babies fed and down for the night. It was a very sweet night.

Beginning of June - My nephew Cody came out to visit us for two weeks. What fun that was. Unfortunately because we had the kids, we didn't get to do as many cool things as we had hoped to do, but he was willing to go along with whatever. We did make it to the beach one day, I think this will become tradition when he comes out. We were able to also get to a couple museums, but I think the best thing that Cody liked was the fact that he got to build or at least start to build a model car with Jonathan. Cody took it home with him to finish because they were not able to get it all done, due to kids, trips, and all that stuff.

End of Jun - We continued on, but what we didn't know was that things were working behind the scenes to move the children back to their first foster placement. We did not find out that the kids were going to be moved until the night before they were moved. This was hard to take. We thought we had our family through the CPS System, only to find out that the case worker didn't like us. It was difficult, we felt that we had just lost two of our own kids. We were becoming attached to these kids. I know as foster parents you are not to become as they say "attached" because at any time they could leave, but we were being told over and over that it was a pretty clear case. In the end, the kids went back to their first foster parents, we grieved for them. Then we praised God that they did go back to people that at least they knew. We pray continually for their safety, as the case is ongoing at least through December of this year.

July - In order to get some rest and to get out of a now way to quiet house. We left. We went to Austin for a couple of days. We spend fourth of July up there and just relaxed, hiked, and got a new perspective on us. In this time, we prayed and decided that we would wait to decided to continue the adoption process. This wait time will give us the prayer time to listen to what God is telling us with regards to our family. We will be waiting and listening through December. This will also allow us to decompress and travel without the worry of missing a phone call for kids because we are out of town.

August - Was spent pretty much just doing normal day to day stuff. We didn't go anywhere, we really didn't do anything, but that was okay. We focused on us, on our ministries at the church, our small group Bible studies. It was good.

September - I am finally up to this month. Whew! This month we had my dad and his fiance come visit us. It was a good time. We were able to go to the Aquarium downtown and see the exhibits, which again, was one of Jonathan's favorites. We were even able to get my dad's fiance on the ferris wheel which she claimed to be afraid of. She told us later, that it was the old type ferris wheels that she didn't like, not these knew ones. So it wasn't so bad. We had a good time, although the time went by very quickly. We will head back for their wedding next month and then they will be out here in November. Then it is a quiet December month, no traveling, well, except to do a quick visit to Jonathan's parents place early in the month. Then it will be a quiet December and Christmas.

Ok, I am done, there are the updates. Now I need to go find some pictures so that you can see that we actually were busy through at least some of these months. Thanks friends for reading this far, provided you actually read it and didn't just skip to the bottom.