I made a commitment to my blog that I didn't keep; but for good reason. ALL summer we were living out of suitcases like vagrants. And vagrants don't have computers of their own. We made the decision to stay in Corinth, living with William, Heather, and soon-to-be-born Lilly, until further notice. So since we are staying, we moved up stairs and out of Lilly's room, and set up shop. We don't have enough space for our clothes, so we aren't completely out of suitcases...but it's better than it was!

I'm driving daily to Arlington to work. Without traffic, it's about 50 minutes...with traffic, it's about 1.5 hours. I have done pretty well with leaving early enough as to avoid traffic, but it physically pains me to leave the house in the dark. It pains Katie too. She has started going to daycare in Arlington, so she makes the commute with me. This is only a temporary thing. As soon as she is 18 months old (Nov.19th!) we will be moving her to somewhere closer to home. Neither of us enjoy being in the car together for a minimum of 2 hours daily. It's just not fair to ask her to be strapped to her carseat for that amount of time; however, Denton/Lewisville are lacking when it comes to childcare options for those under 18 months old.

The job is a job. This is my first year teaching that I've ever felt that way. The school is a charter school, and in theory, is great! They work on an accelerated curriculum...not so great for the special ed kids! The teachers are great teachers for accelerated kids...but they don't like to be bothered with my kids. Each day feels like I'm fighting a battle that only I know about, much less does anyone else care about it. I'm trying to keep my mind open and my goal in place (teach my kids the most possible in the shortest amount of time) and know that the application process starts again shortly after Christmas for the 2011/12 school year! I know God put me here for a reason, so I start each day fresh...but man, I haven't dreaded Monday's like this since I worked for MHMR!

Even when moving where you really wanta be—moving STINKS! This is the first time I’ve ever done it myself—well, I didn’t *actually* move it myself—but Vic and I didn’t hire anyone to pack/move for us. It has been pretty terrible. The fact that we are still married, haven’t had any ER visits, AND have 90% of our stuff already in storage in Lewisville is a little amazing to me. The biggest issue has been that Vic’s mother and 80 year old grandmother (from NY) came for about 10 days to help us pack. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate the effort—but having a garage sale while I’m at work and selling random things that were my Mom’s doesn’t do much for strengthening our relationship….it’s just stuff though—at least that’s what I keep telling myself every time I get mad all over again! Another speed bump in our process was my A/C going out in my car on the drive to DFW on Sunday--car loaded to the max, including a smelly poodle and a little Katie that doesn’t like to be harnessed to her car seat! We drove the last 3.5 hours with the windows down. Katie and I had matching ‘fros by the time we arrived. Anyway, it’s a fitting way to top off our 2 year layover in Pampa. I’m SO glad that in only 72 hours we will head the road and head back to DFW for the final time. Home, Sweet Home!

I've decided to start blogging again on a more consistent basis. I've chronicled our lives since 2002 and we FINALLY have the baby we've dreamed of and I suddenly go mute? Not acceptable. So I'm back. Gonna aim for at least 2-3 times a month.

Since last time, Katie is growing faster than I'd like. Seems like she just completed our family a month or so ago, but really it was 9 months ago and now she's almost a year (next week!). But she is the most precious baby--I can't imagine a better daughter. She is seriously the happiest person I've ever met!

Moving home is just around the corner! We sold our house (Praise GOD!) and I've been interviewing for jobs in DFW. Vic completed his first online class in seminary with a 98% and starts on campus (Southwestern Baptist in Ft. Worth) on June 1st. We will be living with William & Heather at the house in Corinth. We will be adding another person late October because they are expecting! Can't wait for baby Matthews!

12 more days of school and I've pretty much checked out. After TAKS testing pretty much everyone is spent. Seems extra bad this year because I am dreading packing my classroom so I'm just procrastinating....

Feels good to be back in the blogosphere....encourage me to keep it up! Love.

In case anyone has wondered if my dearest brother, William, is a trend setter...here is proff:

First time eating cereal--9/15/09

I saw an outfit today on the Babies R Us website that said "Someday I will get trashed at prom." I SO don't think that's funny. What kinda parent actually thinks it would be cool/funny for their kid to get trashed at prom? I kinda secretly hope that Katie would rather stay home and read or do a science experiment than go to some worthless prom. But that's just me. I'd rather her be on the chess team than a cheerleader.

My shower from my church is this weekend. It's a diaper & formula shower. I'm excited to get those things. They are NOT fun to buy. I would rather spend my $ on things like bows and all things pink. Her room is coming along perfectly. So much so that Vic walked in there tonight and said "she is going to grow up and HATE pink." I think it's just the opposite. She will LOVE it! Her signature colors will be blush and bashful! Not really, more of bubble gum and raspberry...with a little lime green!

Have I mentioned that I am addicted to Mafia Wars? I play it on my facebook, my myspace, and on Vic's facebook. I've been considering playing on Vic's myspace too, or making Katie a facebook so that I can play on hers. I don't know why I'm addicted to it. It's kind of like the Sims, only simpler and darker.

Welcome Katie Victoria! Birthdate: 5/19/09, home to us: 8/9/2009.

Vic has decided to go to seminary. It's not like it's sudden--the first time he talked to his dad about it was 1994. He mentions it about once of twice a year to me. We finally came to the conclusion that God is calling him and that's probably why he's not happy in any job, ever. I don't think God makes compromises "Ok, Vic, you wanta be an x-ray tech--never mind what I want--you do your thing..." We are now researching schools. There are lots of distance programs. There is also one at Southwestern in Ft. Worth that just has classes once a month. Another, Waylon, in Amarillo that he is looking at too. He is planning to do Christian Counseling--meaning he's not looking to preach as much as be a spiritual advisor. He's also interested in possibly being a chaplain for a hospital. SO, things are pretty exciting around here--this is such a huge, life changing decision for both of us!

We also had an IUI yesterday, so we could possibly be prego. Given our track record, probably not, but God is workin' in our lives right now...so maybe! :)

I got a new rocking chair for outside. As you can see from the not-so-pretty picture, I can sit indian-style in it (is that politically incorrect to call it that?). I LOVE IT. I just sat and rocked while Vic grilled us some chicken. First time in YEARS that I've sat outside and not imbibed anything other than some good ol' fashioned iced tea!

Have I mentioned that we are in the process of changing our eating habits? Probably not, but we are. More grilled, less butter, you know the drill. I'm feeling really motivated this time--like I ever do this--but anyway. I'm ready for a change. I'm not trying to be smaller as most people who make food changes, but I am trying to be healthier and if I happen to shrink, I'll live. I think I'm also going to bite the bullet and start swimming at the only indoor pool in town. I went and checked it out and it's a good size and not very busy. I've also been thinking we'll start walking some too--since my feet don't hurt anymore (because I had them lazered last summer!) and the same place that has the pool as an indoor track. Wouldn't want to get any sun, ya know!

Thirty-one. 31. It's really only a fun number if it's tied to Baskin Robbins. But anyway, it was a good lazy day--which is just what I needed! We slept late, grabbed lunch at Sonic, got ready, and headed to Amarillo. We had to get Vic's glasses adjusted, and I found some cute Earth shoes at Dillards that got to come home with me:


We went to look at headboards--we got new mattresses so now we have a spare set of (old) king mattresses. We are looking for an inexpensive headboard/frame for it. Didn't find much we liked that was not too expensive.

Then we went to Pei Wei for dinner. We were going to eat Japanese food, but it was SO busy that I didn't wanta wait. So we are going to go back on Monday night and eat there and continue looking for a bed. After some mongolian chicken, we went to Biti Pies and I had the best mini coconut cream pie! Here's a pic of it 1/2 eaten:

I also got a german chocolate cake to go too! Vic got a cherry pie and a chocolate one to go!

So now we are home and I'm looking for something to wear to church that would accentuate my new shoes! Thanks for all the birthday wishes it was a good day!