*NEW*IMPROVED*DUAL ACTION BLOGGING*

talclopez.blogspot.com

*NEW* Family Blog.  Chris and I will both be posting here.  Thanks!

We are all just growing up around here!

Cakes...and food...that is what I have been up to! I LOVE to make pretty/fun cakes. I am not saying I am really good at it, or that I can make anything special...but I enjoy what I can do-SO FAR! I am reading books and practicing on anyone's holiday who will let me make them a cake. It is becoming one of my many dream jobs!

Alexis is READING! Alexis is also almost a FIRST GRADER!!! EEEKKK!! It wasn't so bad sending her to her first day of kindergarten b/c I knew she would love it. Now, I am kind of sad it is over, it just means that now she will be in school for the most part of every year until she graduates and moves away from us. It is bittersweet! I totally plan to savor the summer. Swimming lessons, picnics, fishing, museum and zoo trips...as much fun and family time as I can cram into a summer! It is amazing what a little almost young woman Alexis is becoming. Sure, she has days she won't listen to a word I say and just rolls her eyes at me. She also has earned a lot of gratitude from her teacher for how well she listens there and how hard she works! Each day they get a smiley face or a sad face in their folder to tell how they did that day-Alexis has only had one sad face. I am soo proud to have the opportunity to have Alexis as my daughter! I really got blessed there!

Trystan is ALL BOY...with a hip switch and a nack for jelwery pairing! If Trystan isn't outside, playing with cars, or eating candy-he probably is mad at me! :) Last week Trystan must have just decided that he must talk always and use sentences, b/c he has been doing it ever since. I can have conversations with my little boy who just turned two. This growing up stuff is happening wayyy to fast for my liking-but they are soo awesome when you see all they can do! Trystan is not potty training yet, but he is showing interest and will sometimes let us know he is wet so we are on a good track here! The way Trystan notices things and thinks these days is truly amazing. He sings songs we haven't sang to him in months and knows to do things like throw things away and clean up.

Chris is still an amazing husband! He is working with the same company and doing a great job I feel! He does have to go out of town sometimes, but I deal with it and we try to use that time wisely to talk more and catch up on reading/hobbies that we don't have time for together. I would rather him be home, but I cannot sit around and gripe about it, so I don't.

Time to go fix the closet! I might update about that later!

~*~Lori Jean~*~

There is a time for everything...

I am a changing woman. and I think I like it. I actually had a group of women tell me that they were interested in my thoughts. They even went so far as to say that some of the things I said had a positive impact on them. And these ladies happened to be more mature women than myself. How did this make me feel you might ask? I felt absolutely amazed and full of gratitude on the inside. Sheepish on the outside. The leap of faith that we made by moving to TX after one week to decide and just going with what we felt God wanted us to do has been the most wonderful thing to happen in our lives. A move like that gives you a chance to become "yourself"....that person that you are underneath all the history that a small town thinks of when they see you...that person that lives inside but is scared to come out because she knows who everyone else thinks you are.

I have been able to do things for others that I never thought I would have the guts to do, nice things, meaningful things, lasting things. It is very amazing! I told Chris the other day that I am becoming a compassionate woman and I don't know how it happened, but I think I like it! My favorite days of the week are Bible study and church days. I love love love my prayer times now and get soooo much out of them because I have a stronger belief now.

In this though, it has made me just reflect, on me, on life, on friends, on situations. We are planning a trip back to AL. In no way do I feel like I am going back "Home". I was asked by a friend here in TX if I had plans to see a lot of old friends, and honestly...I don't. (from AL) I can count on one hand the number of friends that have called me in the year and a half that we have lived here, I can count on no hands the number of friends who have visited, and as for friends to call on holidays or birthdays-let's make that one (love you Kira!). It is kind of a sad thought. Chris doesn't even talk to the guy that was his best friend, or many other friends really-just a couple of them now. I don't know if Weatherford is home, but I don't believe AL is home either. It kind of hurts a little inside to feel that way, but really, it is true. This is not a gripe, it is just something I have noticed. I have made a few pretty good friends here and am weekly making closer bonds with some wonderful women here-and for that-I am blessed! As for life, I am glad to be here, away from any mistakes I have made in the past and with a clean slate to do whatever God needs me to do. I am very excited that a friend of mine will be attending Bible Study with me after the Spring Break. I didn't know many people without a church home or steady belief system or atleast knowledge of it in AL, but here, I have met many and it is a great feeling to know what you can share that knowledge with others.

Now, I am not a great, happy, totally christian acting woman every day-I will admit that, but, I have a longing to be that. I apologize more, bite my tongue more, and act harsh less. This is a HUGE step for me since I have been known to be the first one to give you a piece of my mind. I don't need to do that anymore, it isn't my place-just gotta love people!

Ok, enough of my gush fest, Life is Great! Kids are Great! Chris is an Awesome husband! I honestly couldn't ask for any more-I could ask for less and be truly blessed still!

~*~Lori Jean~*~

2009

Well...I did have a complaint for my lack of blogging...so here is a new one!

2009 was a fantastic year for me. Chris and I are steadily growing as individuals, parents, christians, and spouses. The children have grown leaps and bounds. 2009 had us in the best place we had been since, well...forever!

Chris is working as a Surveyor and learning soo much. He really enjoys his job and maybe one day he will go back to school and get his certification for surveying. I am soo proud of all he does for the family. He does have to go out of town on occassion, but in comparision to military families or jobs where the men are constantly gone, it is not too bad. I think he plans it b/c he is usually gone right after we move in somewhere and he gets home and the house is unpacked and all set up for him! :)

Alexis has been doing great in Kindergarten. She gets smiley faces every day in her folder and has been learning to read basic words and is moving up to level 3 reading books when she goes back to school tomorrow. I cannot wait for her to be able to read some of her favorite books herself. I used to love reading so I am assuming she will love it also! :) Alexis has made a lot of friends and is a real social butterfly usually. We have not put her back into any dance/gymnastics classes yet b/c the scheduling is always off for us but that is something she may do this year if I am not too late for it. That or maybe cheerleading next fall when it starts back.

Trystan is a totally different kid than he was even the last time we visisted Alabama. He talks...all the time! He walks, runs, climbs, etc, etc. He is all boy but still appreciates things that Alexis likes-ie-Tinkerbell and Barbie. Right now his favorite things are his Cars toys, Elmo, Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse and books. We like to think that he is much smarter than any other kid his age...we think both of our kids are! We know everyone else might not agree, but it is a parent's right to be partial right?? :)

Me...I have been busy. Weatherford still feels like a new place and I am not completely settled but it is ok. Staying home with Trystan has been a real blessing and has allowed me to experience many things I never got to before...like required cuddle time during my work day. I did apply for and get a job at a local middle school as a special education aid-however-due to timing and childcare issues I won't be taking it unless there is some sort of miracle before tomorrow. I like to think it was an accomplishment to get the job though. Just don't see how it would work out having to pay $700 right now for shots, enrollment fees, and weekly tuition to pay for both kids to have all day(trystan) and afterschool (alexis) care. Still proud that I got the job...totally disappointed that it all fell through with the childcare. God has his reasons though, just waiting to see the reason for this one.

Well...the first three days of 2010 have been such that I would like to skip the whole year and start on 2011 so send a little prayer up for the Lopez family and maybe things will get better with each passing day. God has a plan...just gotta wait for it.

~*~Lori Jean~*~

*crawling out from under my rock*

Wow...sooo much has happened since my last blog...

To pick up where I left off:
Thank you to everyone for all your prayers for my mother back in April...THEY WORKED!!
She did go through a tough time. Her heart stopped 3 times and she spent a LONG time in ICU on a ventilator, dialysis, sedated, and then in long term care. (totalled a few months) She had open heart surgery to fix a valve. We did go see her thinking it would be the last time, but she pulled through and is at home now. All she has to do is heart medication and regular post heart surgery care.

Back to the future:
We are moving out of the apartment and into a house on the 21st of August. It is a cute brick 3/2/2 house in a very family oriented neighborhood. It is also around the corner from our new friends and walking distance to them!
Alexis starts school on August 24th and will get to go to school with her cousin and new bff!!! I am excited and sad about Alexis starting school. I know she will do great, and it will probably make her a happier kid to be around more kids her age and to learn.
Trystan is walking, running, screaming, babbling, saying a few words (nu-uh, uh-huh banana, eat, hello, out, up, push, etc!) He is becoming this wild little boy that is very set in his ways and knows what he wants...not sure where he gets that! :)
Chris is working with the same company and though the work was slow for a while it has picked back up now which answers soo many prayers!
I am chilling! I have really enjoyed all of the summer activities they have here for the kids. We have done swimming lessons for Alexis, free movies at the theater, Six Flags, the splash pad park, lots of playing and sno cone making! It has been really great! I have applied for some jobs doing aid work with the special education department of the Weatherford ISD but have not heard anything back. With Alexis starting school and Chris and I wanting Trystan to get more kid interaction-we have prayed about it and if I can work with the schools I will work, if not, I won't. The school system is the only place I can be there for the kids still. Trystan could go to a church daycare and I would mostly only miss a few meals and a nap, they have great benefits, summer/weekends/holidays off, and the hours will fit greatly for me to spend time with the kids and work! Pray with me for that one! There are 9 open positions and I have submitted my resume so we will see how it goes!

I think that is about it for now, maybe I can find some fun/funny things to post later since I had to spend this post catching up!

Praises! and more Prayers!

Thank You to everyone that has been praying for my mom. They prayers are really helping! Today I talked to her and she sounded a LOT better. She is eating now, walked some today, talking better. Things are getting a lot better. She does still have a tough road ahead though-so don't stop praying now!

I found out more details on the infection and treatment. She has infection in her heart and lungs and a small leak in her heart. They are doing atleast 4 hrs of IV antibiotics split into 2 hrs of IV every 6 hrs. They want to keep her in the long term care for 6 weeks, but insurance may only cover 3 weeks. If they only cover 3 weeks then she will go stay with my grandparents for the other 3 and there would be a home health nurse to help.

Keep on praying! It is working!

I will update about us and the kids one day when this isn't pretty much all that is on my mind! :)

The News.

I talked to my Grandmother and my Mom today. The final diagnosis is endocarditis with infections in a few other places as well. They have started iv antibiotics for 2 hrs a day. Yesterday she did not react well after the antibiotics but yesterday morning and this morning she was a lot more alert and sounded much better. If she can handle the antibiotics then she should finish up the antibiotic program in 6 weeks. She would still need care afterwards, but she will be feeling pretty good by then. Please keep praying for her, her husband, and out family. Even though they know what to do now and what it is, it is a battle still and she needs to be able to handle the medications for it to work, and so far she is not reacting well.

Thank you!
Lori

Update.

They did the test. They said the infection is in her heart. My grandmother says the doctors think they can treat it b/c they found where it is. My sister, she does not agree. I am going to believe that the doctors would tell us if it was fatal so we could be there. That is what I will believe. Still...Keep Praying. We can have a miracle here!

The prognosis...

Well..for anyone who has found me moody or out of sorts lately...this should explain a bit.

My mom is sick. We are not sure what is wrong. It is to a point that my grandmother is explaining what needs to happen if they say it is critical and they have people at the hospital chapel praying for her. She has been sick almost 2 weeks. Upset stomach, weakness, swelling, severe pain. They have her on a lot of pain meds and have done ekgs, scans, tests...yada yada yada. As of yesterday they were saying it is a staph infection in her blood. We do not know if it is "self inflicted", from the last infection (before teen challenge), or something that has just occurred. They are doing a heart scope today to see if it has gotten into her heart valves. If it has...we may be on a timeline and need to go to Bama asap. If it has not...then they should be able to treat it in 4-6 weeks with iv meds. For now, we cannot even really talk to her, she is on a lot of pain medication. I am trying not to worry until we have definite answers...but really...there is surely a great internal battle and fear going on here.

Please, pray for her. Today we will find out more about what is going on. Until they do the heart scope we will not know a lot. Even the scope is dangerous and with her being so weak, it could end up badly. Just keep her in your prayers. and our family. This is a hard time. Her husband is also having to do a lot of soul searching these days-he is not much of a believer, and he is an alcoholic. He has been putting aside his habit to be there with her. He said he did not know she was that sick and he had refused to take care of her at home so she had been with my grandparents before they took her to the er and stayed until she got admitted. He needs a lot of prayer too.

Just pray a lot, and I do not mind if you add her to any of your prayer lists. I personally do not really feel like talking about it...makes it seem too real...but I do request prayers.

Thanks,
Lori

Thank April for This!

I got this from April, who got this from her friend!

To the first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me! Lucky you!
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a mask. I may sew or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Spring time! Woo Hoo!

I am not good at blogging regularly these days, sorry!

Chris is working close by now so he is home every night and even gets a few days off here and there. We all like having Daddy home soo much!

What have we been up to??


*We did make a SUPER FAST trip to Alabama to get Chris' Impala. It was short notice, and we were only in Alabama for one day-so if you missed us, we will be back in May. Thank Amanda Reagan for our May visit b/c she and Devin are getting married then!! :)
Anyhow, we did make the trip. Trystan can have snacks and juice now (in contrast to our November trip when he was 7 months) in the car so he was a LOT happier! Alexis-she watched movies so she did not mind. Other than a chunk of the Escalde taillight being chunked off by the Impala in Chunky, MS at this creepy gas station-the trip was ok. I have decided that I really enjoy staying at the Hampton Inn. We stayed at one in MS on the way home to treat ourselves-and rest b/c the pace we had been at for the prior few days. They have white blankets-which they have on the maid carts-which means they wash them (they were also lumpy like frequently washed blankets!). They also have cribs, excellent night staff, and really comfy mattresses. I think we are going to save up and try to stay at the Hampton in Enterprise when we go back to visit.

*We went to the Ft Worth Stockyards a few weeks ago-the family and Chris' cousin Steven (sp?). It was a lot of fun. We were passing Mexican stores and then it turned into old tyme Stockyards with brick streets and old stores. We had a snack at Risky's. The stockyards are old stockyards where they do still run the cattle twice a day and have a train that goes around it on a neat track that rotates since there is not room for it to turn on its own. The train station has been converted into stores (candy, food, wine, tx items). They have a human maze, mechanical bull, restraunts, horses, a hotel, and a lot more. There were even men in cowboy outfits riding horses down the road. Trystan got to see his first horse and really enjoyed it, Alexis got to feed goats...and we got to park next to the manure pile!! ;) It was a lot of fun though. It helped me enjoy living here more.

*Yesterday we went to the local market downtown and got some tomatoes, zucchini, limes, plums, and jalapenos. It was Chris' first visit-he said he really enjoyed it. There is also a really cool Market in Ft Worth-it has all the fun special foods that you cannot find in your local Walmart, Winn Dixie, Etc. They also offer cooking classes there, which I really want to go to a few. It is the neatest place but I will not bore you with the details. Their website is: www.centralmarket.com

*Trystan has 7 teeth now, he stands up really well holding onto things, babble and real talking, eating like a pro, playing on his own a lot more, sleeping more or less through the night-(most nights, not all of them though!). He is just growing too fast.

*Alexis is having a hard time not being around friends like she was at daycare, but she makes a new friend everywhere she goes it seems. I think we will put her back in gymnastics the end of this month when the new session starts if she has a better attitude about it. She is making friend with the daughter of a lady from mops and the library.

We are about to start birthday prep for both of the kiddos. The good news is-both are in April so we can have one party for both of them-atleast this year while Trystan is too young to care if he has his own boy themed stuff and attention. Later on I am sure they will request seperate parties. We are also probably going to get our first family photos together in April-also, getting to get both of their stuff done at the same time. I am enjoying the close birthdays! Gonna save some $ for us! :) And they are both after tax times! Double good!

Chris is really enjoying his job, which makes him happy-and me! I am soo proud of him. He is such a good man, husband, father! We are enjoying the church activies here, unfortunately Chris has to work a lot of Sundays so he does not always get to go with us. (hey April-we may visit with you guys at your church on Saturday nights some so Chris can still go to church with the family)

Well...this has gotten long! If anyone wants pics that is not on facebook then leave your email or email me ( LoriRoks@hotmail.com ) and I will link you to the pics. I have some from the Stockyards, AL trip, a trip to Chuck E Cheese with the Jones family, and more posted on facebook.

Good Day All!

Ho Hums to WOO HOOs!

So, yeah, I have been down in the dumps lately. A little "home" sick, a little lonely, a little stressed.

Today was a good day though. I caught part of a Joyce Meyer show this morning. It was good-made me sing...made me feel better. After that I got to see some of my favorite In (out) Laws! :), storytime at the library, new friends for Alexis and I came over to play until 1. Trystan is napping and has been for an hour, Alexis is having tag time, I am doing laundry and cleaned the dishes some. Today is good. It is good b/c I chose for it to be good. God loves me, so I can have good days! Every day should be good. I just gotta keep this up. The nicer weather will make it easier since we can head out to the park or pool or somewhere fun whenever the weather is nice!

Just wanted to let everyone know I ma having a good/positive day!

I am watching Fireproof-Chris has been working late so we cannot see it together, but so far so good.

And a special thank you to a special lady-Mrs Jones...I am still singing Mr Jones in my head...you have made this move so much easier. I will be making your bff contract soon! :)

Lori Jean Jelly Bean!

Love is D-Vine!!

We went on a DATE!!!

Chris and I went to Granbury, TX to go on a Wine & Chocolate riverboat cruise. It was really fun. Sure, over half the people there were on SS, but it was still fun. There were 5 different wines that we tasted and 5 yummy chocolates! I did not know they had chocolate, cherry, or almond flavored wines! Then there were great tuffles that were made by a kind of local bakery. Oh yeah...the wines were all from a local winery with I think 4 locations here! We learned some neat things about wine and got to learn a lot. www.granburyriverboat.com
This was soo much fun!! www.dvinewineusa.com www.blacktiebakery.com

Then you ask...did the kids go with you?? No. We got a babysitter. It was the first time we have ever had someone we did not already know keeping the kids, but it went well. She was referred by a lady from the Weatherford MOPS group. The girl works at the church's children's day out and MOPS meetings and also babysits for many moms at the church. The kids were both happy when we got home and safe. That is all you can really ask for right!

This is the first Valentine's Day we have gone on a date other than just going out to eat...and it was awesome!!
This is what we needed! Chris has been working 7 days/wk right now and we have not had Any us time. We also think we found a babysitter which means more dates, and I can take the cake decorating class at the college!! :) Fun times to come! I will put up photos of various things sometime!

We love you all, the kids are good, we are good...we hope you all are good!

"Nu Uh" and "Yeah"

How to tell that your 9 month old understands the meaning of "nu uh" and "yeah":

While he is standing up and opening bathroom cabinets you tell him "nu uh", then he responds with "yeah" over and over and over again!

It has been very uneventful and yet eventful around here. Almost every one in the house has had some sort of cough, runny nose, stomach virus. For now *knock on wood* no one is sick though. It is unfortunate that we have been sick b/c it has hindered our ability to get more into the new church. Last Wednesday I had made up my mind-I was like "We are going! That is it! Chris can take care of himself if he gets home before we do." (I have not gone on Wed b/c Chris would get home to an empty house). After I made up my mind, I get a call and email from the church that they are closed b/c the ice storm! Ehh. New bible study and kids Awana tomorrow night here we come! So that is that...

My boy is growing too fast! He is learning how to share. If he is eating something (ex: his socks, plastic toys, cheerios that fell out of his mouth) then he will try to put some in your mouth too! He is working on walking. He holds on and walks around his play yard, he also tries to stand up without holding on a lot-usually falls, but that is ok! He got his 4 top teeth now so he has 6 teeth!!! He is talking more (mama, dada, yeah, uh oh) and he shakes his head "NO" if he does not want something-he always wants bananas or pancakes though! Cutest of all though-he LOVES music and dancing! If a song with a good beat come on he shakes his whole body or stands up (if he isn't in the car) and shakes his butt! It is adorable. Alexis and I often have little dance sessions with him and he just laughs and smiles soo much!

Alexis is reading 1-3 letter words!! We do flash cards during learning time. We are working on making friends not on TV. She has played with April's kiddos more and our new neighbor has 3 kids and we have had some playtimes with then. I really hope she gets close to someone! She is super intersted in cooking now! Wonder how that happened??!! ;) She has her own cookbook now and has picked out some recipes for the week!

I am getting a little less hairbrained these days! I started doing two week grocery shopping and making two weeks worth of meal plans to go with it! It really cuts down on the dinnertime stresses, the shopping stresses, and the desire to go out to eat! I am trying to learn how to bake also! I know!! Chris got me a stand mixer for Christmas and it does make a big difference when trying to mix up yummy baked goodies!

Chris is still the awesomest! We got to go out for my birthday (thanks April and Jason!) and that was a lot of fun! Being able to talk without kid interuptions was awesome! He is working hard and unfortunately is on 7 days a week 11 hrs a day with 2 additional hours of drive time! He gets pretty tired but we knew it would come with the job.

Good to be back folks! I will try to update more often!

The Lady of the Lopez Home!

This is where it all happens...

Wow...we are a total of 9 days into 2009 and I already feel it is entirely eventful!

Lets break it down:

Alexis: We are not doing gymnastics this session. We want to get her into more things to really make friends for now. We are checking into some preschool and mom's day out things to see what we like. She is still learning very fast. She is reading 1-3 letter words, doing simple math, some telling time...lots of neato things! Makes a momma proud!

Trystan: Crawling, pulling up, says "dada" all day long, tries the bye bye wave sometimes, babbles to you and his toys, gives big wet kisses, had his third tooth break through (2nd one to the right on the top if you are looking at him)...what is he not doing these days really??!! He was 22 lb 10 oz and 28" at his last doc visit. Other than teething and the general change of weather cough and runny nose he has been doing really good. Makes a momma proud!

Chris and I are doing good. He is working hard as usual. I am truly blessed to have Chris. He is a truly amazing man...I mean...he does put up with me...and love me! :)

Goodness...I am getting tired...we shall pick back up later...maybe I will find some funny stories to tell...

Chrismas!

Well...it is Christmas Eve! "Santa" just made his visit here at the Lopez Residence. This is an exciting Christmas because it is Trystans First Christmas and Alexis' Bicycle Christmas!! We did open the gifts from my grandparents, my mom, and Chris' sister already b/c we usually open gifts from family on Christmas Eve and from one another and "Santa" on Christmas. We did open a few from one another tonight, but mostly just for fun. :) So far Chris got me the Rachel Ray Big Orange Cookbook and a CD! :) oh yeah, and an Escalade! (He Loves Me!)

It has been nice not having anywhere to go yet. Today we just hung out. We had a ham, sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole for lunch! (Yes, I baked the ham myself!!) Then tonight we had GOODIES!! We had hot cocoa, smore cookies, candied citrus peel, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered oreos, and pecan pie! And yes, I made it all lovingly with my two hands!! Just call me Betty Lopez!

The only real set plans we have for this holiday is going to Chris' aunt and uncle's house tomorrow night to eat with all of his family here. We had Christmas with my sister and nephew last weekend and also had a small get together with part of Chris' family to eat goodies and give the kiddos gifts! That made for a really great weekend!

Well...we will have an early morning here! Merry Christmas!! and to all a goodnight!

~*~Lori Jean~*~

Christmas Presents!

We have a small deep freezer in Alabama that we could not bring with us. It is about 2 yrs old, white, purchased new from Badcock, and was only used by us. I will need to find the information on it for anyone interested. We are asking $75 for it, but that is negotiable. Let me know if anyone is interested!

December has come!

Soo, it has only been about a month, but I am back again.

Chris has been home and that has made me happy. They have work lined up in TX so hopefully there will be no away time during the holidays!

Trystan has started crawling, and stopped wanting to take his morning nap-hence the lack of updating! He keeps me very busy now. He has been eating anything he can get his mouth on! We only feed him pureed food and I did let him gnaw on an apple for a little while the other day. The kid loves food! He also likes his toys, which he is talking to right now. When they do not work like he wants he talks loudly to them. Trystan learned how to clap! It is very cute! He says the MaMa and DaDa and when he wants his diaper and sees it he says "DDDD". He is growing up soo fast!

Alexis is doing very well in her gymnastics! They have an expo on the 13th to show off what they have learned. We are still doing pre-k at home. We have not been able to keep a good schedule since Trystan doesn't nap well now, but we are still doing a good deal of learning. She is getting pretty good at telling time, spelling and reading 2-3 letter words, recognizing larger words, handwriting, and counting! It is really cool to watch the children learn and grow!

I am being mommy and wife. I like it. I am still doing pampered chef, just have not done any shows here with Chris being gone and trying to get things settled in. We have been putting out Christmas this week and should be getting a tree this weekend to put up! I am really excited. We went to Bama for Thanksgiving. It was hectic. We were tired. We are NOT driving that far again for a LONG time, do not care what the occassion, not gonna do it!!! 18 hrs in a vehicle...Trystan doesn't like riding in the car that long, he is a mover and a shaker. So saying it was not a fun drive is an understatement. We did do some shopping for the kids without them so most of their Christmas is done! We just need to help "santa" and pick up some stocking stuffers. We did enjoy seeing our families though! I do with we could have seen more ppl but the entire family was so beat from going all over the place, the only way anyone could have seen us would have been to go where we were.

Glad you all got updated on our life!

Merry Almost Christmas!

Lori Jean

Teefers!

Look at these two beautiful Teefers!!! The road was rough, we were weary, but we came out of it two teefers richer!! He is growing up too fast!

Happy 6 Months!

Today is Trystans 6 month birthday! In celebration he got to eat some Baby Food-Turkey Flavored! Woo Hoo! He has had some rice cereal, but his pediatrician suggested we wait until 6 months for solids since he was doing soo well on breastmilk alone. We did the rice about once or twice a week, but now he is headed down dinnertime alley! Poor kid, he had it figured out a while ago I think. He is in fact feeding himself in the pics-he didn't like eating when I tried, but if I haded him the spoon he was happy to eat the "lovely" meat! His two teefers are looking good. We also celebrated by using a baby gum brush on his teefers tonite! I wish Chris had been here, but we talked about it and both agreed it was a good time to go ahead and start. Enjoy the photos!