We miss you! Even being able to speak with you on the phone is just not anywhere close enough to you actually being here! The house seems smaller and quieter, and definitely less chaotic. I need me some more chaos in my life!
We are still without a second car, so not having anywhere to be during the day except in the house with Breyer seems to make for a quiet week. We’re still unpacking, sorting, organizing, cleaning, playing, or baking. Girl stuff…your sister is a good companion and keeps me plenty entertained and busy. This week we finally got a phone! And internet! And the first thing I did, since I know have a computer during the day, was to look up what a hummingbird would like to sip. It’s just boiled sugar and water, 1:4 ratio. We did not add food coloring. There is a feeder hanging in the backyard already, so we filled it, and have been visited daily by the little birds. Now that they know it’s filled again, they’re here ALL the time! We love sitting down to eat and watching our friends out the back windows and door. The roadrunner isn’t as frequent, but we still have a few tasty grass hoppers in the backyard that ensures us of a few more visits.
Labor Day Monday, the day before I was reconnected with the world, passed unlaboriously. Dad wanted to do something with the boys, and since it’s a little too hot to fish, he went to a neighboring town, Glen Rose, the dinosaur capital of Texas, to visit their attractions. They found Dinosaur Valley State park, Big Rocks Park, and Dinosaur World. They enjoyed looking at all the houses in Glen Rose that are built out of petrified wood (we'll get back to you with one of those pictures!)
(Dinosaur footprints brought out of the river to the park ;-)
(The big rock climbing part of the trip was Miller's favorite part!)
This week we found out how our sewer system works. Or in our case, wasn’t working. We thought the nasty smell in the backyard was from the trash can the previous owner left in less than desirable circumstances ;-) We were really worried about our water bill when we saw the sprinklers kicking on several times EVERY day, even under water restrictions! We had looked for the sprinkler timer…I think you guys even helped to look. The realtor had been asked to check with the owner, but we heard nothing back and could find nothing here. Meanwhile, $$ was going onto the lawn, or so we thought. We actually have four tanks buried underneath the lawn, that cleans the gray water that leaves the house, so by the time it reaches the fourth tank it’s clean enough to be forced out of the tank through the sprinklers! Free water! It’s a great concept until your pump breaks, then the water is not clean, and your backyard smells. Dad even told the kids to go outside and “run through the sprinklers,” not knowing it was toilet water! Thank goodness only Cooper volunteered, and it wasn’t for very long. We had to pay about $250 for the pump, but the backyard no longer smells, and the sprinkler water is much cleaner.
Want another smile? Cooper and his conditioning. This week “planks” knocked him off his feet for a couple of days, very sore in his back. Instead of the old man shuffle, he had the old man hump. He couldn’t stand up straight without it being a great effort. I love Monday and Tuesday afternoons. It’s always some good story about his time in the gym. By the end of the week, and through the weekend he’s fine, but those first couple of days, he’s FUNNY!
We met for closing on the house Thursday afternoon. Dad did most of the signing. But getting there required me to spend FIVE hours on the phone! Nobody told us we needed a cashier’s check (versus a regular check), and since we don’t buy a house every day or every other year, I DID NOT KNOW! Having a bank on Ohio and a need for a check in Texas isn’t a big deal if you know ahead of time, but I didn’t. But after five personal bankers, one manager from wire transactions, and two angels in my home branch, the money made it over with three minutes to spare. And, Dad carried me over the threshold. It feels wonderful to be in a home.
We lost Porter only one time this week. He was moved to a back gym due to a volleyball game, and Dad and Porter did a dance. Dad went back to the high school a second time, and finally found him. We left him in charge of your siblings, and went on a date. We found out how much it would cost to put rug down in the library, looked at a few samples, and brought Breyer home a few squares for her doll house. Your Dad is very funny. While we were at Lowe's, he saw this very large shed. He had seen it last week on other errands, and had the fleeting thought of buying it for the backyard for his in-laws. He thought they would be very comfortable living in their mansion of a shed. And, coming inside the house for the toilet and food would not be a problem ;-) Such a bargain for only $8000!
Want another smile? Cooper and his conditioning. This week “planks” knocked him off his feet for a couple of days, very sore in his back. Instead of the old man shuffle, he had the old man hump. He couldn’t stand up straight without it being a great effort. I love Monday and Tuesday afternoons. It’s always some good story about his time in the gym. By the end of the week, and through the weekend he’s fine, but those first couple of days, he’s FUNNY!
We met for closing on the house Thursday afternoon. Dad did most of the signing. But getting there required me to spend FIVE hours on the phone! Nobody told us we needed a cashier’s check (versus a regular check), and since we don’t buy a house every day or every other year, I DID NOT KNOW! Having a bank on Ohio and a need for a check in Texas isn’t a big deal if you know ahead of time, but I didn’t. But after five personal bankers, one manager from wire transactions, and two angels in my home branch, the money made it over with three minutes to spare. And, Dad carried me over the threshold. It feels wonderful to be in a home.
We lost Porter only one time this week. He was moved to a back gym due to a volleyball game, and Dad and Porter did a dance. Dad went back to the high school a second time, and finally found him. We left him in charge of your siblings, and went on a date. We found out how much it would cost to put rug down in the library, looked at a few samples, and brought Breyer home a few squares for her doll house. Your Dad is very funny. While we were at Lowe's, he saw this very large shed. He had seen it last week on other errands, and had the fleeting thought of buying it for the backyard for his in-laws. He thought they would be very comfortable living in their mansion of a shed. And, coming inside the house for the toilet and food would not be a problem ;-) Such a bargain for only $8000!
Saturday during the day the kids went to the Home Depot kids’ building projects program. This brought me fond memories of all six of you boys visiting together. How much wood have we been given from these major hardware stores? Love their aprons and pins, and bird houses. And that was what today’s project was, and Breyer LOVED it! She made a “Wizard of Oz” bird house, complete with feet under the house instead of the usual bird perching peg.
We had planned on loading up the pipe in the backyard, as I found a metal recycling plant, but it was too long – twice as long as the van, actually! The previous owner worked for a fracking company, and brought the pipe home from work to build a fence. I can’t even imagine what kind of fence it would have been, as those LONG pipes weigh at least 150 pounds each! We plan on renting a moving van next weekend, and making a metal run.
Cooper led the kids in a big rock painting party again on Saturday. He found a flyer advertising an arts and craft show in October, with a $25 entry fee. He plans on selling his painted rocks there, and hopes to make some money! His newest creation has a space theme:
Saturday evening Dad’s department had a little get-together. He drove us all down to Stephenville and arriving a few minutes early, gave everybody a quick tour of his campus and downtown square. Breyer loves parties. She chose her party dress early in the day, and eagerly bathed when asked. When we arrived, there were lights wrapped around all the trees, and tiki torches burning brightly. She thought she had arrived in heaven, and it was all for her. Of course all those stuffy professors loved her sweetness and happiness. It was a success all the way around. Besides your two youngest brothers being a little rowdy in the double hammock, and playing a very robust game of lawn volleyball, oh, and eating all the s’mores, it’s all good.
I probably shouldn't mention what I made to bring to the party, but it was a success. I guess nobody makes pies any more from scratch. Two of them sitting next to one someone bought from a store, it was like a super nova competing with a flash light, burning brightly on the table. Cooper thought you might like a picture, Hunter! Your favorite!
Today I had to play the organ for church. They asked us to rotate, so I have the first Sunday of the month. It's always harder the first time, as you never know what kind of organ you'll find, or if you'll have time to figure out what all those stops mean! This one I think, if I remember correctly, is similar to the organ in Marlboro, but I could be wrong. I'm not going to lie, I was a little sweaty by the time I finished! Oh well. It's good to share our talents!
We spoke about Jonah today in Sunday School. It's a good story. I appreciated today the fact that in the midst of his affliction, he said, "I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple." Remember, remember my sons. Look towards the temple!
That's a wrap. We've enjoyed walking our loop at night. It's very dark, although this week the moon has been waxing. We read our home association newsletter, which informed us that keeping lights out around your house at night will keep the crickets away. At least we know now why it's always so dark over here! But our lights will always be on for you. Stop by any time!
Love,
Mom
P.P.S. Did you take extra sheets to school? I have a few mismatches here I can't figure out!
P.P.P.S. Your Maverick and Goose friends updated their blog with fun stories and pictures of your adventures! http://duncanchaos.blogspot.com/2014/09/taking-lou-to-byu.html
2 comments:
So funny, running in the sprinklers, if the boys only knew what they know now!
Congrats on closing--what an obstacle course it took to get there, but glad it happened!
I saw my two boys last night, but not yours. (Eldon brought a GIRL with him...oh my...) I hope to entice them all back here on Saturday for pepperoni pizza pasta!!!
(Send me your phone #!!!)
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