What a week...

I can't believe it's been a week since we weathered the storm of hurricane Ike. Last Friday night we hunkered down in the master bedroom closet, downstairs, and spent the next 8 hours waiting for day light.

At 4:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, September 13th, we lost our power, and listened to the wind and rain rip across our home. Somtimes the wind was blowing so hard, you felt as if the walls were shaking. At 6:00 a.m. the back end of the hurricane came through. This can sometimes be the worst part of the storm. Around noon, it was still raining, but the winds had finally lightend.

We had no electricity, phone, cable, or even cell service. We were isolated from the rest of the world. We decided to venture over to our friends, who lived about a mile from our home. We could not believe all the debris around our subdivision. Trees were down, fences blown over, shingles blown off, and homes water-logged. Thankfully, our house made it through with only a blown down fence.

As the days wore on, the community started cleaning up, and we came together to help each other out. Thankfully, we had a generator, so we were able to run the refridgerator and offer space to friends and family who needed to "save" some of their food.

By Wednesday we still did not have power, so Barry put Emma and I on a plane and flew us back to CA to get a break from all the hurricane aftermath. Although we miss Barry, it's been nice to be away and rest.

We finally got power back Friday afternoon (9/19), and Barry put a new fence up today. So life is getting back to normal for us...school will resume next Wednesday, swim will start and soon we won't see the effects this storm left behind, except for the ones that cloud our thoughts.

When we get back to Texas I will post pictures so you can see a glimpse into our week of hurricane Ike.

Quick Hurricane Update...

just wanted to let everyone know that we are o.k. after Ike hit. We did not get to much damage, just our fence blew over. It's pretty amazing to go through this kind of experience...one which I would rather not have to go through again.

Please pray that our electricity will go on. We're going on 4 days without it, although, we do have a generator. Some parts of our subdivision are already back up and stores and gasoline are coming back to "life."

I will post more later and also add some pictures.

Can't wait to start blogging again!

Teeth Cleaning...

On Thursday Emma had her teeth cleaned for the first time! She had been to the dentist last year, but it was just a "Happy Visit." I had to do some coaxing to get her to sit back, but the hygienist was really good with her and Emma did great. She got a whole bag of fun stuff and then got to pick something out of the treasure box.

I'm also happy to report she's got great teeth and no cavities. The dentist said she could even start loosing her baby teeth. Apparently girls can start loosing them as early as 4 years old. In fact, one tooth on the bottom is ever so slightly "loose." So, now Emma walks around telling everyone she's got a loose tooth.

They give the kids sunglasses to wear so the big, bright light doesn't blind them so much. Now how thoughtful is that.

1st day of the last year...

last Wednesday, August 27th was Emma's first day of preschool , but it also marks her last year before heading off to kindergarten. In Texas you have to be 5 by September 1st to start kindergarten, so one more year. I can't believe it!

Well, I was a little nervous the first day, more for Emma than me, well maybe for me too. You see, I have a child who doesn't get very excited about many things. When she walks into an environment, even one she's familiar with, she needs to take a few minutes to warm up and observe what's going on. So, I think the first day will be a little tough. She had been asking me to pick her up early (she goes M,W,F from 9-2:30) and I told her since it was the first day there will be many fun things going on and I didn't want her to miss out.

2:30 p.m. - "Mama, thank you for not picking me up early. I had so much fun. We painted our hands and, and, and"....whew. Thank you Jesus for a good start to the school year.

Friday at 2:30 p.m. - "Mama, thank you for not picking me up early again, I had so much fun playing with my friend "B." Another yeah for Jesus, she's made a friend.

Monday - Holiday

Wednesday (today) at 9:00 a.m. - "Please pick me up early"...crying, crying, tears, more tears. "One more hug." Tugging on my shirt, death grip around my neck. Where did this come from?

Her teacher had to come over, prior her off my neck and as I turn around to run out the door, I see the line of parents waiting to get their child dropped off while they watch this moment unfold.

9:10 a.m. - Mama in tears all the way home. I struggle with having a child who does not drop off easy and wonder if it will ever change. It's really not comforting when you leave while your child is crying and screaming and then wondering what all the other mommies are thinking...

So I pull the shades over my eyes and walk quickly (no running in the halls) to the nearest door.

Got the Itch...

The last two weeks have been a little crazy for us. Two weeks ago Emma started itching everywhere and then broke out in a rash and tiny bumps. Creams didn't seem to be working and we were having to give her Benadryl so she would sleep at night. After a week, it did not look as if it was getting better. When your little girl says, "Mommy can you take away the itch," and you watch her scratch all day until her skin bleeds, it breaks your heart.

I had gotten a couple of recommendations for a pediatric dermatologist but found out, very quickly, it's not easy to get into one, and there are not many of them around. One out of Texas Children's Hospital said they could not see her until February! Thankfully, I got her into one for a week later, which we saw this past Monday. I really liked her and although Emma's itch and rash was gone, the doctor felt she had a reaction to something she came in contact with.

I'm very thankful it was nothing more and it has cleared up. We've not yet figured out what caused it, but we are suspicious of a new bug repellent we used a few days prior to the outbreak.

So, other than the mosquito bites we frequently get, all the itches are gone. Thank you Jesus.

Summer comes to an end...

The beginning of August Dave and the boys came for a visit. While they were here we did a couple of fun things and below are some of the pictures of what we did...

The kids at the Space Center Houston.

The Space Center had a special visitor that day...they were excited!

On another day we visited a fire museum...this is not the best picture but they were on a very old fire engine. This place was small and didn't take much time to go through, but was still interesting.

D getting ready to slide down the fire pool.

Back at the Space Center...C is being shown how to hold onto the trapeze before he climbed the stairs and swung high above. Then they let go and fall on a BIG blow-up thingy-ma-jig. He did a great job!

Emma and D climbed through the Spider Web. D did really well, and Emma did great herself. She kept at it and D even helped her.

This wraps up our summer of activities. Now we're getting ready for Emma's last year of preschool to start next week. I can't believe next year I'll be filling out paperwork for Kindergarten!

Pictures of California...

Cute Kellen. We just love her!

Emma and Jay enjoying their Popsicles

Daddy, Emma and her friends

Barry, Emma and her cousin at the Discovery Science Center in California

Cousin climbing the rock wall

Emma's got strong arms!

Kids being kids at the park

Emma and her newest cousin Kellen