i love this face

Gotta crawl before you walk? Who said!

I really think Nate is about to stand up. All he does is push himself up. He is even pulling his feet up under him and putting them flat on the ground. I am not really ready for him to crawl and certainly not ready for him to stand. He is scooting all over the floor. He has found the Crocs this week. It is unfortunately his favorite chew toy. Actually he has a shoe fettish. (Ella does too. She likes to sleep with shoes.) I quickly take them from him and try to move him out of his reach. He is pleased with his new found freedom.

Three Amigos

My Boys

This was taken at the Southeastern Homecoming game last weekend. Chip and Streed go to most of the games. This was the first time we had all ventured to a game since Ella was still in the carseat carrier. It was a last minute decision but turned out to be a good one. I packed a big bag with everything we might need. Once Nate got used to all of the cheering and he cuddled up with his Mommy he did great. We actually made it till 2 minutes from the end. We decided to leave when Streed said he had to go to the bathroom and then Ella decided she wanted to go too. I wasn't up for the family trek to the public restroom so we decided to call it a night. Of course my camera died after this picture was taken. It is pretty standard for our batteries to die once we are away from the house. But, I am pleased with this one.

Cheerios

I can't believe it is time for Nate to be picking up food. I started Ella and Streed on Gerber Puffs when it was time to try solids. I have not bought any yet but do have Cheerios on hand. I needed to occupy him the other day and decided to put on the high chair tray and give him a few Cheerios. He did great!

The gym

Here is the website to the gym where I work. You will see why I am willing to get up two days a week at 4am. It is so nice and I really love the people I work with. One man died last week of a massive heart attack. Everyone is still in shock that he is gone.

Here we go again

I have not written about this previously because I really did not know what to say. But, we are moving. That is right. Our house is for sale. The house that is right by campus that we were so excited to find. Here are the details.

In August, we along with some other staff members, decided it was time to move all of the Louisiana Campus Outreach staff to Baton Rouge. For the past few (7) years we have had two small teams at Southeastern & Lafayette. We realize that your campus movement is only as healthy as your staff. With our hub church being in AL they had little to no interaction with us here in LA. The director in LA was constantly traveling the two hours between the two schools while still having demands here at Southeastern. So, we will have more teamship and oversight if we are all together. More staff=more impact.

We are all excited about what the move means, although we are sad to leave the places that have been our homes for the past 7 years. Please pray for our home to sell quickly and for us to find a house in Baton Rouge in a safe area that is affordable. We look fwd to watching God do this.

Our church here is excited about taking on the leadership role in the lives of our students here.

Clinique

I got a new job! My friend Jill has worked for Clinique for 6 years. When she started I had other jobs in Hammond. She only works weekends. At the time I did not want to work during the week and on weekends. But, now I am only working two mornings a week so it was more appealing. Plus, I will only be working at the gym until we move. The job with Clinique is not at one particular store. I work for Clinique, not Dillards or Belk etc. I will travel to different stores when they are in "gift" and do consultations with clients a few weekends a month. I am excited about this and of course nervous at the same time. This weekend we are working the Macy's re-Grand opening in New Orleans. I will working with Jill, Jamie, and Leanne so it should be a great introduction.

Our crazy life

Like everyone in America, we are extremely busy. Here is a run down of the next few weeks.

M-train to work with Clinique from 11-4
T-work at the gym from 4:30am-10:30am, take Streed to speech, fix lunch, show house with a 10 minute notice, go train for Clinique, play in the yard with the kids, cook dinner, in bed by 9!
W-lunch appt in Baton Rouge as a family
Th-work at gym 4:30-10:30, take Streed to speech
F-meeting in Baton Rouge
S-work in New Orleans for Clinique 10-6 (that is with travel time)
S-wedding shower in MS

M-NOTHING (unless i choose to go to bible study)
T-work for gym
W-work for Clinique
T-work for gym, take streed to speech, afterwards head to Mobile for the weekend for staff meetings and golf tournament

This is just my schedule. It is just for a season. This is a weird time in our lives as we are trying to transition, get our house ready to sell, yet still live a normal life until we do move. Chip still has his regular responsibilities on campus. Thankfully he is more busy at night and can help me with the kids while I am working and training.

gums and grins

Still working on those gums

7 months

Streed wore this in his 6 month pic!

I did not think it would fit

Sucking his top lip. I think it felt good.

He must have lots of teeth coming in.

He loved swinging this afternoon at the park.

He was so content in there the whole time.

That's why we love you Nate...and that sweet smile that makes your cheeks go up.

Lock down

Ella just locked herself in her room. I can hear it now, "Not Ella, she wouldn't do such a thing." I had to talk her through unlocking it from the other side. She is at the stage where if you ask her a question she will nod her head rather than answering. This form of communication does not work if you are on the other side of the door or telephone. So, I would say, "do you see the little piece that sticks off the door knob?" Silence. "Ella, say yes". "Yes". "Turn it". We did this several times. Eventually she was free and decided she was hungry. I ignored this request and put she and Streed to bed in my room. Why? I am tired and trying to get a few minutes on the internet. It is 8:55pm and they are now in the den. Nate occassionally makes noises. Hence the hiatus from the blogging world. It is too frustrating to post or read other blogs. So, maybe sometime this month I will post pics from their party.

too busy

this blog will be unmanned for a while. too busy. too tired.