Cousins Cousins

Ella loves Taylor! I think the feelings are mutual. I found these and thought they were too cute not to share.

Running for cover and comfort

Once Gustav jumped to a Cat 4 hurricane I decided that the 60 mile northward evacuation we had planned was insufficient. We knew we were welcome to go to our friend's parents' home but it was against my better judgement to waltz in there as a family of 5, knowing they would lose power. So, we decided instead to inconvenience my sister and brother-in-law for 8 days! It was great to be able just to relax, enjoy A/C and television. We watched the hurricane updates as well as the RNC. Our home was fine and our power returned about 30 minutes after we returned home. That was the Lord's goodness! Of course we took lots of pictures.

Here are a "few".

Ella and Taylor watching Praise Baby

Nate trying to crawl. They all loved the carpet. We have laminate.
Loving the Johnny Jumper to the point of exhaustion.
Sweet Baby Tay

Passing the time.

Making potato salad. I think we are laughing because some fell on the floor

and Streed put it back in the bowl.
Keeping them contained (mainly Ella)
Mama brought over a tricycle. Robyn stuck a flag in it. My mother, the former preschool teacher, title this passtime "The Gustav Carport Parade"
Loving on each other

A great time was had by all...I think!

thought process of a preschooler

I just walked in from the gym. The conversation is as follows:

Streed: What did you work on?
Mommy: My whole body!
Streed: Why?
Mommy: I want to be in shape.
Streed: I don't want you to be in shape.
Mommy: Why?
Streed: Then you will be a triangle.

I just laughed and hugged him...and decided it was time to update the ole blog and chain.

Change of Plans

Category 4 means we get the heck outta here. So, as of now, we are heading to some friends' parents about an hour or so North in MS. My guess is that if it continues to strengthen, shift or get larger we may change them again.

Be Impressed

It is nice to be proud rather than totally embarrassed of your government officials. Bobby Jindal is our new Governor. He ran for Governor in the previous election. Unfortunately he lost to Blanco and was not in office locally when Katrina hit. Ironically, she was not re-elected. Early in the week he had buses ready and National Guard in place and on stand-by. He is already evacuating people who have no transportation. Buses are lined up as are the people. Be prepared to see his face at some point for President.

Gustav

We think we are staying put in Hammond. As of now, 8:55am Saturday, we are farthest enough East to where we really feel safe staying at our house. Looks like it will hit about 2 hours West of us. We do have a few options for evacuating North if we need to. We can get to these places via the highway and should not have to get caught up in contraflow on the Interstate. Of couse, all of this is subject to change as the direction of the storm changes. But, since we have been in LA we have had to decide about at least 6 storms. We did evacuate for about 3 of those. So, I say that to say, we are not being stupid or uninformed. Our television has been on the Weather Channel or local news for about 36 straight hours.

another funny

I love it when I have my blog up when I hear the kids say funny things. Streed was just asking for coke. Relentlessly. Chip kept saying no. It went like this.

S-Daddy, can i have coke?
C-No (these lines were repeated about 5 times each)
S-But I didn't have any last night!
C-I don't care if you had any in three days, you're not getting any
S-Daddy, I don't like you all the time.
C-Well, sometimes I don't like you either.

Flying By

Nate will be 6 months this Thurs. I introduced squash this week. He isn't too impressed. I did something differently with him than I did with the others. I put applesauce or sometimes a little hit of juice in his rice cereal. Why? Good question. I think I messed up.

Yes Streed wore this shirt when he was 2.

See Below

I know things shrink but not that much. It is 18m.

With his arms raised it is as if her were saying...

"Why am I so small?"

"Better yet, why are they so big?"

My answer to all three of them will be:

"I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are His works!"

An update on Streed...

He is into all superheroes and power rangers. I am not quite sure how this happened. He saw Power Rangers once while flipping through the channels. A co-worker of my mom's passed down some clothes again this year. Believe it or not this cute Power Ranger shirt was in the pile. He loves it. I love how it fits his skinny little body.

He loves his Ella and Nate. He is so good with both of them. He is getting a little bit tattleish when it comes to Ella. We have been talking about not delighting in others' misfortune/punishment and trying to spur Ella on to love and good deeds. He then tries to help her obey by reminding her of the rules, mainly staying in her seat during meals. He was pushing Nate's feet and swinging him a little too high here.

He is loving our new nightly routine. He and I have been "cuddling" on the couch doing flash cards before bed time. He is loving the one-on-one time, as am I. And he is actually going to bed easier after we have that time.

He loved the olympics. I think mainly because he got to stay up a little later to watch. He always cheered for the chinese. Once he knew it frustrated us he did it even more. He started eating his meals fast and saying he won the gold medal.

He shares mine and Chip's love for fixing up houses. Once Chip put down the base boards he kept saying how pretty it was. I must admit it is really pretty. A nice change from not having any for about 7 months.

Who do you love?

I love my brothers and my brothers love me!

She was shaking her hips back and forth when I took this picture.

She is a little bit tom-boy and a little bit prissy girl.

She loves purses and shoes.