A New Way to Watch TV

They are sitting BEHIND the couch on laundry baskets.

Trades

I've had the opportunity to make a couple Etsy trades.

I traded my white stocking for this adorable kitty hat from here

and 2 pairs of mittens for these earrings from here

Scavenger Hunt

Really, you never know what you might find on a scavenger hunt. Even just in your own backyard. Here's what I found. Trachemys scripta elegans, or red eared slider. Isn't it ADORABLE! It was about the size of a silver dollar, maybe 2 inches long when its head was out. It was far from the water, up by our sidewalk. We briefly considered keeping it for a pet, but soon decided, due to the fact that Isabel would not stop touching it, to let it go closer to the water.

I marvel at the beauty of God's creatures.

The Great Escape.

We took it down to the water and set it free.

BOO

Fall Activities

I know it's been awhile since I posted updates. Sorry about that-I've been really busy with Etsy and other things. Last Saturday we had a church social event at Alan and Tim's house to carve pumpkins and play and eat. It was a beautiful, 70 degree, sunny day. The kids each had help carving a pumpkin and learned how to play bocce. We already had to toss Clara's pumpkin (the big one) because he was full of mold. They looked really cool all lit up in our fireplace. We saved the pumpkin seeds for roasting, using Damian's recipe. They are fantastic. Did you know that whole pumpkin seeds are a complete protein? Awesome! Also last week, our new pastor arrived in Dallas. Damian helped with the moving. I've been busy communicating with Ryan(our pastor) and others about church office stuff, etc, etc. My job officially ends after this week! I'm excited that I don't have to worry about the bulletin, etc, but the extra cash each month will be missed. Ryan is coming tomorrow evening for supper. Damian is super busy as it is that time in the trimester when the tests are frequent and difficult. I'm busting my butt trying to keep up with housework and still get things made and listed on Etsy. Now is the buying season, so it's now or never. By the way, FREE SHIPPING right now!!!

A Stressful Day

I've had an easy life, very little pain and suffering, no tragedy. Maybe this is why yesterday was such a difficult and stressful day. We took Clara to school early so we could take Isabel to the Texas Pediatric Surgery Center to have her cavities filled. Because she is too young to want to sit still for treatment, she had to be put under general anesthesia. This is what terrified us, but her teeth needed to be taken care of. I don't know how parents with seriously ill children keep it together. The day was filled with overwhelming feeling of guilt and emotions. Damian had to miss a test, even though Isabel's procedure was an hour late and he could have taken the test before she ever went in. Things like this are especially frustrating because now his make-up test will be extra difficult. Of course, everything went well and Isabel is fine. She was very upset when she woke up from the anesthesia, but then she fell asleep in the van on the way home. She slept all afternoon and woke up in very good spirits. She seems to be herself today. She pretty much ate non-stop after she woke up yesterday and had a large lunch today. Ollie was an angel at the hospital. He got some chicken fingers at the cafeteria and was, in general, a good distraction for me. We vowed to never do this again.

The 80's are back

Today was 80's day at Clara's school. She was excited to dress up and have me help her with her hair. I wonder how long her bangs will stay up?