Lightning Strikes

We had some pretty bad storms move through the area tonight, canceling Mara's swimming lessons for the second Wednesday in a row. Most of the storms missed us, but I was able to get some pretty neat shots of the clouds as they went by.

The setting sun through some storm clouds to the west of us.

This is a storm that was kind of heading our way but went just east of us.

The back end of the storm that went east of us. The setting sun made for some interesting colors on the clouds.

I was happy that I even caught a couple of pictures of lightning.

Down to Two

We're down to only two butterflies now, so I wanted to get some good pictures of them before we didn't have any more.

And just because, I wanted to post some pictures we took of the kids at lunch today. Mara is finally getting sine teeth back in, and Jack had to show off his teeth as well. :)

2011 in Review

This has been a year of change for us.

John left Home Depot in March and stayed home with the kids for a few months before getting a job in the IT department at a Catholic high school here in Plano. It’s nice that he now works normal hours, including being home on weekends and holidays. He also went back to kung fu after his knee healed and recently received his yellow belt.

I am still a technical writer with Tyler Technologies, but I will be taking on the editor role when I return from my Christmas break. I am in my second year of helping lead Mara’s Girl Scout troop and am a first-year Girl Scout cookie mom. I have also become more involved with the PTA and Mara’s school, serving as a room mom, directory editor, and yearbook photographer/editor.

Mara is now 6½ and in first grade. She still loves art and sea animals (especially killer whales), and our recent trip to SeaWorld made her want to become a whale trainer even more.

Jack finally started walking a few months ago, and now he’s on the go non-stop. He is a total boy, getting into and onto everything.

It's nice to be able to spend more time together as a family. It works out well since John's work schedule is more inline with the school schedule, and I have five weeks of vacation since I've been at Tyler for more than 11 years.

So, that's a brief review of our year. We're really looking forward to the new year and excited to see what it will bring.

Caterpillars to Butterflies

Last month, we bought Mara a butterfly house, and we finally got her caterpillars last Monday. I was concerned how well they would grow since we keep our house fairly cool. I think it's safe to say that they are doing well.

Monday, December 5
We received the caterpillars today. They were much smaller than I was expecting them to be.

Sunday, December 11
Here they are only six days later. I think they're roughly 5 times the size they were when we got them.

Friday, December 16

We took them with us on our trip to San Antonio because they were due to go into their chrysalis state at any time. Here they are before we left.

Saturday, December 17

We're glad we took them because the caterpillars are definitely getting ready to form their chrysalids. Two of them are already in theirs, and the other three are now hanging out at the top of the container.

Sunday, December 18

Here's what they looked like when we woke up..

Saturday, December 24

We finally transferred them to the butterfly garden to await their emergence, and not too soon. A couple of them started to move when we were transporting them, so we may have butterflies sooner rather than later. However, the movement also caught Pixie's attention, and she knocked the garden off the wetbar before we had a chance to hang it up. So, now all five of the chrysalids are on the bottom of the garden instead of just the one that was at the bottom of the jar.

Wednesday, December 28

We have butterflies! Just yesterday, we were wondering if Pixie really did kill them, but I guess at least two survived. At least one of them came out a little messier than we thought because there's what looks like blood on the side of the garden.

Thursday, December 29

The last of our butterflies came out of their chrysalids today, so we now have five butterflies living in our bathroom. The kids are both enraptured with the butterflies.

Giving Thanks, Part II

With today being Thanksgiving, I thought it would be good to take the time and make a list of all I am thankful for like here in 2008. I know that a lot of people have been posting things like this daily for the month of November, but I'm going to list all 30 of them here at once. I'm trying to relate each number to something of significance on the corresponding date.

1. My wonderful husband of more than 13 years. I don't know what I would do without him.
2. My beautiful daughter who is growing bigger and brighter every day.
3. My handsome son who is such a total boy and loves to give hugs.
4. Being able to witness the milestones my children reach.
5. Long-time friends who are always there even if you don't talk to each other for a while.
6. Our cats who are sometimes more of an annoyance than endearing but still an integral part of our lives.
7. Our house where we've lived for more than 10 years now. It's definitely our home, and I don't see us moving anywhere in the near future.
8. Books and our family's love for books (paper or electronic).
9. Hot soup and grilled cheese sandwiches on a cold day.
10. Mara's love of art and sea animals and how she loves to combine the two for her homework.
11. Veterans, including my dad, father-in-law, and various uncles, and people currently serving, including my nephew Robert, who put their lives on the line to ensure our freedom.
12. Re-learning CPR but hopefully never having to use it. 
13. Our health. While we might not always feel 100%, we don't have any major health issues. 
14. My job where even thought things aren't always smooth sailing I really like where I am and the people there and can't believe I've been there for over 11 years now.
15. John's new job where he's now been for five months. I feel like it's the perfect fit for him, and the people are great. Hopefully he can stay there for a long time.
16. Our marriage that has its ups and downs but is pretty solid because of that. 
17. Being able to volunteer and be a part of Mara and Jack's school lives even though we work full time.
18. For my time at OSU and all of the wonderful friends and memories I made there. And for the way that community stands by each other and pulls together in the face of tragedy, both over 10 years ago and again this week.
19. The great year Oklahoma State football is having. On the 20th anniversary of the 0-10-1 season, the Cowboys had the best start in school history at 10-0 before suffering a heartbreaking loss to Iowa State in two overtimes on an already dark day for the university. Here's hoping they can beat OU in a couple of weeks to top off the excellent season.
20. Cold, rainy weather that makes it feel like fall.
21. The color bright orange and all that it means (updated version four posts down here and another variation here). Also, that it is an "in" color this year so it's easier to buy the right color of orange to wear in remembrance of last week's tragedy even if you don't live in Stillwater. It's also nice that it becomes popular in a year when OSU is doing really well in several sports.
22. Girl Scouts and the friends both Mara and I have made because of the organization. There's nothing like a girl coming up and giving you a random hug just because you're her troop leader. 
23. Mara and Jack's daycare that we found almost by accident but feel like it's where our kids should be.
24. Both of our families. Sure things may be crazy from time to time, but they're always there when we need them.
25. Celebrating the holidays, my favorite time of the year, with family and friends and all of the things that this time of year means.
26. Being able to watch Jack grow and learn new things even if they are an annoyance, like being able to unzip and take off his PJs.
27. Technology that allows us to keep in touch with family and friends near and far.
28. The freedom that we have in the U.S. to believe and say what we want.
29. Being able to travel to see family or go on a vacation and having a husband and kids who like a good road trip just as much as I do.
30. Where I came from. My hometown has become more endearing to me as I get older even though I haven't been back in almost 12 years. And without it, I wouldn't be where I am today.

500 Posts!

When I started this blog 4.5 years ago, I really didn't know what I was going to do with it or what direction I would take. Now, here I am posting my 500th post.

Even though I am a technical writer, I feel like I don't write for fun that much. I try to use this blog as an outlet for my writing, and I'm hoping to start doing that more from time to time. I'm not sure exactly how I'll do that, but at least I know that this is here for that.

As most of you know, I have always loved taking pictures, which is why it hasn't been too hard for me to keep up with Project 365. The only problem is that I've been posting a lot of pictures lately, and I've run out of space on my photo hosting site, which is why I keep getting behind in my weekly posts. So, I guess I'm going to have to find an alternative. That means you might be seeing some slight changes to my pictures in the near future, but hopefully you won't be able to tell at all.

Thanks for reading, everyone! :)

2010 is way too similar to 2001 for me

2001 was not a good year for us. It started off with a series of deaths within five days in January, including my great aunt, John's grandpa (mom's dad), and friends and former co-workers at OSU who died in a plane crash. That year also included several trips to ERs and hospitals in general, including John's trip to the ER after his car accident and my dad's trip when he was hit by a car when walking and then again for a TIA.

There were several other minor events that year that affected us, but the one bright spot was buying our house on September 10. Of course, the following day will live in infamy worldwide. Ironically, 2001 was the last time we got a new (to us) car.

This year seems to be mirroring 2001 a little too closely for my tastes. So far this year, we have lost John's grandma (mom's mom), his grandpa (dad's dad), and his former brother-in-law. On top of that, we've also had to go to the ER for my dad (broken arm). Then last Wednesday, Jack started not feeling well thanks to teething, and John dislocated his kneecap during kung fu that night. Now, we find out that John has to have his knee scoped on Thursday because he has little pieces of bone fragment in his knee because of the dislocation.

However, I wouldn't trade 2010 for anything because it's also the year our son was born. Jack came at a time when there was a lot of sadness in the family, and I am so thankful that Jack's great grandfather (and namesake) was able to meet him before he died in September.

I have really been struggling with a negative attitude these past couple of weeks because it seems like if it's not one thing, it's another. I know God doesn't give us what we can't handle, but sometimes I really wish he would stop testing us. :) But after all that has happened, I am so ready for my 18-day vacation that starts this Friday.

One Expensive Summer

This is turning out to be one expensive summer. We finally got the camera, outdoor play set, and patio furniture that we've been wanting to get for a while, and now we need to get a new air conditioner for the house. We've known that we were going to need a new one pretty much since we bought the house, so it's been on its last legs for almost nine years. At least it lasted us this long. That being said, our week has been a little messed up because there's no way we can stay at our house. (The a/c can't be turned on because it started burning the last time we had it on.) Luckily, my dad offered his house to us. It'll be an adjustment trying to get the kids to and from school, but we'll make do. I look forward to having a new air conditioner in our house and hopefully the lower energy bills that go with it. :)

Have I ever?

I saw this list on someone else's blog last week, and thought I would do it here too. I bolded everything that I've done (or have done something very similar) sometime in my life.

1. Started your own blog – right here :)

2. Slept under the stars – yes, when staying at a state park/camping with the youth group in high school

3. Played in a band – Does high school marching band count? ;)

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland – not yet, but I have been to Disney World

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo – for church youth group in high school

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris – haven't been to France (yet)

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch – Depends on what you consider "art." I have taught myself several desktop publish and graphic art software programs, including Photoshop.

15. Adopted a child – only at Christmas through an angel tree or the Headstart program

16. Had food poisoning – I think so...

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty – need to go to NYC to be able to do that. ;)

18. Grown your own vegetables – I helped my mom in her garden when I was growing up.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France – see #12

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight – many times

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill – Who hasn't? :)

24. Built a snow fort – we don't get nearly enough snow to do it now, but I did build a few growing up.

25. Held a lamb – Kind of. I've petted one and it was kind of jumping around on me. :)

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse – yes

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset – yes

31. Hit a home run – I believe I've hit a triple before, but no home run

32. Been on a cruise – Does the Missouri River Queen count? ;)

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person – I really want to someday.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors – since my family has been in America for a while, I guess I can say yes to this one. :)

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language – I've learned both Spanish and sign language over the years, but I never taught myself those languages.

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung karaoke – yes

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt – Would be really neat to see, but no. :(

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris – See #12

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain – yes

53. Played in the mud – yes

54. Gone to a drive-in theater – yes

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies – yep, several times

62. Gone whale watching – Does SeaWorld count? :D

63. Got flowers for no reason – yes

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check – Sadly, yes, but it was when we were moving to DFW and transferring banks

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy – yes, I have several stuffed animals and other toys at our house

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial – yes

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt – no, but we have a few that my sister has made for us. (Thanks, Diane!)

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job – thankfully no :)

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone – yes, both of the lower bones in my right leg. Needed surgery to repair the damage (all from walking in the rain!).

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person – yes

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car – yes, my Malibu

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper – many, many times, but that's what happens when you work for a newspaper. :)

85. Read the entire Bible – close, but not all of the books

86. Visited the White House – yes

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox – yes

89. Saved someone's life

90. Sat on a jury – yes

91. Met someone famous – several basketball and football players that came out of OSU and many college coaches

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one – yes

94. Had a baby – yes

95. Seen the Alamo in person – yes

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone – yes

99. Been stung by a bee – I believe so.

100. Read an entire book in one day – yes

Pictures!

I downloaded pictures from our Sony camera, and there were a bunch of random ones on there that I wanted to share. So, here we go. :)

Pictures from the Dallas Stars game against the Wild on October 29
We celebrated Mike's birthday by going to a Stars game. It was fun and helped me forget about what was going on with me for a little bit.






Flowers from my staff after my miscarriage last month
My department has come a long way this year. Losing half of my staff earlier this year was one of the best things that could have happened because now I have a really great staff of four. From what I can tell, these are bamboo orchid. The bee has been on my whiteboard for a while. It was coincidence where I placed the plant in conjunction with the bee. :)


Emily's fourth birthday party
Our friends Paul & Michelle had a pony named Blue at Emily's birthday party last weekend because Emily loves horses. It's the first time Mara rode a pony, and she loved it.






Mara's new haircut
This is only Mara's third haircut. She's been asking to get it cut shorter for a while now, and we finally did it. The stylist cut about three inches off of her hair.




See her gray front tooth in the last picture? That's from when she hit her mouth on the coffee table last month, but it will probably fade and turn white again. Her mouth has pretty much healed aside from that tooth and a little bit of her gum that still needs to grow back.

100 posts!

Wow. I can't believe that with this post, I'm hitting the 100-post mark. I started this blog over a year and a half ago, but I didn't really start posting to it until January of this year. Looking back, I kind of wish that I documented my thoughts and feelings about my mother those five months she was in the hospital because I know it has been very therapeutic documenting my miscarriage, Elf's passing, and our trials and tribulations with trying to get pregnant again. Oh, well. I've learned from that, which is why I now have 80 posts for 2008.

I hope you guys have enjoyed these glimpses into our lives, and here's to another 100 posts! :)

Blog header

I finally got around to creating a header for our blog. It's pretty basic, but it's fairly easy to change it. :)

Enjoy!

Happy Fourth of July!

I couldn't decide on just one. Plus, Mara loves Mickey :)