I'm Working On It

Postings have been pretty sparse the past few weeks. Sorry! But "my life got flip-turned upside down..." (anyone remember where that line comes from?) Taking a full course-load this semester has been quite the experience, I didn't think I could spend MORE time in the library than I did over the summer but apparently anything is possible.

As a result things around here have been pretty staid. Monday and Wednesday I have class, Mondays are also MOPS days. The rest of the time I spend morning, noon and night studying. David is awesome and gets Sam going in the mornings while I study (or unfortunately mainly sleep if I went to bed too late, but it's because I was studying!) , I study during Sam's afternoon nap, and I study after he goes to bed. I still don't feel like its enough.

In other news, some of you may have been following my Rhyder updates and I'm sorry to say that he went to see Jesus on September 19th. His memorial service was this past Saturday and couldn't have been more perfect. Especially poignant was the 25 butterfly balloon release (one for each day he was here) done at the exact time of his death. His family is healing but please remember them in your prayers. I've been blessed to never have to know what it feels like to lose a child but I can only imagine that the pain never fully goes away.

I'll try to get new pictures/video uploaded soon. Sam has grown so much! David and I were saying just a few days ago that something happened recently and Sam looks changed. We can't quite put our finger on what. Still no more words really, but his interest in things with wheels has picked up and in addition to a spoon or ten in his hand he'll be holding a car, tractor, etc. He still loves books as much as ever, as well as being outside. They've been doing construction around our place this past week and he's been fascinated by the workmen and their tools. (And our house isn't pistachio green anymore! :( I'm a little bummed, it had really grown on me.)

UT Weekend in Port Aransas

Every labor day weekend since perhaps the early 18th century, David's UT buddies all get together in Port Aransas. It started out with just a few of them (still single) all in one condo and this year there were 28 adults, 22 kids and a pregnancy. Wow.

It was our first year to attend and we've been planning for it since May. We got down there on Thursday afternoon and stayed through Monday morning. In our condo were the Rener's and Brown's...their kid's Ava and Josh were great playmates for Sam. According to Ava the schedule while we were there was, "beach, pool, eat, beach, pool, eat..." she was very accurate. I'm part iguana so 4 days of being in the sun was perfect! Even the weather cooperated and it was never overbearingly hot, nor were there mosquitoes out en masse.

Friday night we all grilled out near the playground. Zach made some great fajitas and grilled veggies and we had lots of fun watching the kids slide instead of eat. Sam went down a few times but really enjoyed clapping for everyone else who went down.

Saturday night the guys all went to a local joint to watch Texas beat LA Monroe, despite the win the real highlight of the evening was OU losing to BYU. HA! :)

Sunday morning I finally bucked up and decided to go running/walking. My roommate Alison is marathon training and got up and out before I did. Since I don't have a pedometer and didn't look at my watch to see when I left I thought I would just turn around when she passed me on her way back. I didn't see her. Once I finally realized I had gone W-A-Y too far, I turned around...when I got back she told me that I had gone almost 10 miles. Ouch!

Since the guys had a night out, we ladies thought we deserved some time alone too. Sunday night we got together for drinks, sweets and dominoes. No Nonnie and Bubbie, I didn't lose my temper this time...though I almost didn't play because I was worried that I would.

Heading home was a little sad, but Caspian spent the weekend in Katy with his Aunt and Uncle and we missed him. At least in just a few months we'll start planning for next year which is sure to be bigger and better...enjoy the pictures!

We had a little bit of luggage, and yes...we brought our KitchenAid.

The ladies chattin' on the beach.

We had a great setup.

Sam and his friend Diego, just hangin' out.

The annual shot of everybody in UT garb.
22 kids + organized photo = meltdown!

Sam and Dad at the start of the annual toddler race.

Ready...set...go! (Sam just turned around and ran straight back into David's arms.)

Greenley Stirman and Joanna and Rebekah Blaisdell. I LOVED those tutus!

Playing dominoes on girls' night.

All the (nicely tanned) girls!

An update on Rhyder

I'll try and post pictures/a blog about our vacation this past weekend in Port Aransas tomorrow or thursday, but in the meantime here is an update on Rhyder Anderson. Please keep praying for him and his family.

Posted by his parents today: "Well, at 3:42 PM RHYDER LEFT US... He stopped breathing and had no heartbeat... then 8 to 9 minutes later he came back (completely on his own)! ...Another MIRACLE! The nurse nor his doctor could explain it... only he and God know what happened. We are so fortunate and grateful to have him with us! Please keep believing... for our little BIG miracle son who is 14 days old today!"

That ought to pretty much sum things up. He is home, released into hospice care. He has a feeding tube now to try and help him gain weight. He has a hole in his heart which can be fixed surgically when he is bigger, and some other cardiovascular/urological problems. I haven't been able to go and see him or help out in person since between Sam and I there are too many chances we'll accidentally make him sick(er). He already caught a cold from one of his brothers, poor little guy.