No Money :(

My child comes up with the craziest things! We were in Palestine the other day and stopped by a realtor's office to check on houses. Chris went in while the rest of us stayed in the car. I explained to Caleb what his daddy was doing, and he told me that it would be a long time before we could get a house because a house costs "lots of dollars." I asked him why he thought it would be a long time, and he replied, "because we don't have any money!" WHAT!? I asked him why he thought that; did I tell him that a lot or something? His reply: "Yes, Mommy, every time I ask you for a gumball you say you don't have any money!" How funny! True, I rarely have a quarter in my wallet for a gumball, and obviously, one could deduce that I just don't have any money! The way kids' minds work....

In other news, Chris and I are both hard at work (sort of!) this week. My students start back tomorrow, but my first class isn't till Thurs. Caleb starts preK next Monday. I'm a bit anxious about that, but I know he'll do great! I'm just ready to get settled into our routine (as if that'll ever happen)!!

The beach, the zoo, and pirates, too!

It's been a happening week! We went to the beach last Wed. with my parents and grandmother and stayed through the weekend. Such a relaxing, fun time! We stayed on the west end of Galveston, and it was the first time I'd been to Galveston and actually could see my feet when I waded in the water! The sand was even white! Pretty beach, beautiful sunset on the bay side. The condo we were in had a big pool with a waterfall, a kiddie pool, and another big pool with a lazy river. We had tons of fun in those too! The kids had all kinds of adventures in the pool, and I loved watching them run around in the ocean and knocking over their sandcastles as soon as we built them. It was a great time with the fam! Even got to have lunch with a great friend in Houston on the way home!

When we went shopping on the strand, Mom bought the boys pirate hats and swords. So cute! They're still playing with them! Joshua only knows Veggie Tales' The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, and he would come up to us with his hat and sword and say "Pi-at Yang-yang!" (His version of the pirates who don't do anything!) So precious!

Yesterday we made a trip to the Waco zoo with Rebecca and kids. The new orangutan (did I spell that right?) and kimodo dragon exhibit was open. Caleb and Kellen had a big time together. We saw lots of great animals and had a fun picnic in the park afterwards. Great ( but HOT!) day! It's nice to be back in TX where we can spend time with friends and family again!

I started my new job @ UT Tyler-Palestine campus today. I think I'm going to love it. I meet my students tomorrow, but I got to know the faculty/staff a bit today. Looking forward to a great year!

Texans Again!

We made it! Chris and I traveled all day yesterday....what a long trip with no one in the car to talk to! I made it OK once I found a great 80s station to sing along with (and dance to a little when I got really tired!). The kids had come in the day before with Chris's parents. That was a great load off for us not to have to travel separately and with the kiddos! It's nice to be home. We're hanging at Mom and Dad's for a few weeks until our house is ready. That should be interesting!

On the kids' trip home (that included 3 of the other grandkids, also), my nephew Nathan asked Caleb why we were moving back to Texas. Caleb looked at him and seriously replied, "Because God wants us to!" What a great answer! We've talked some about our reasons for coming back here, but I'm so glad he realizes that we truly did consider what God wanted for us in making this decision.

He's really starting to question about all this God stuff. The other day he asked me where his little sister was. What??? He asked why God only gave us 2 boys; where was the sister?? I asked him if he really thought he needed another brother or sister, and he was adamant that we needed a sister! Don't know that that will happen, but it's nice to know that Caleb would like it!
Joshua, on the other hand, would probably be completely jealous! He doesn't even like it when I share my lap with Caleb; how would he take a little one?

My little Joshua is one fearless dude. He'll try anything, especially if his big bro does it! Today, he and Caleb were jumping off the couch onto one of those kid sized foam fold out couches. Screaming super heros, the whole thing! So fun to watch them! Then the other day, Chris and the boys were wrestling, and Joshua climbs on my chair and jumps onto Chris! Thankfully, Chris saw what he was doing, and there were no injuries. Anyone see this move on WWE or whatever that wrestling stuff is??? We don't watch that, so he came up with that all on his own!

So much fun having boys.....

Too much time on my hands...

I'm monitoring my students in an NCLEX review right now. Still don't know why I'm really here; I just make sure they're here and put in the video. But hey, I'm getting paid to be here! I'm now on my second novel (since yesterday!), and I've played LOTS on the computer. And, I have 2 1/2 more days of this! It's nice to have time to read and relax, but my brain is on all the things that need to be done at the house to get us ready to move by Fri!

We had our last Sunday at church. I did well and didn't cry too much! I have made lots of good friends here and will miss them, but I know it's time for the next adventure. The house is basically packed except for the few things we needed to keep out for this week. Of course, my sweet sons like playing in the boxes instead of packing them! We had to give them a couple of boxes especially for them! My in-laws are here to help with final cleaning and packing and helping with the kids. They brought some cousins, too, and it was a madhouse last night! It's like the kids know when you don't have much energy (after my 4 hr sleep the night before!) and they go crazy! I must say, it was hilarious watching Chris wrestle 4 kids. They wore him out!

It's really starting to sink in that I only have 3 more days as an Arkansan. It's kind of weird! Caleb is ready to be a Fairfield Eagle! Time to readjust to small town living....