I keep checking the blog and seeing nothing...so I figured 'duh, I should just write something'. I just don't feel like i have much to tell!! This summer has flown by; I've only been in Tennessee for three weeks out of the entire summer. I just got in from Texas Wednesday night so I'm enjoying these last few days before school starts.

Yep, school starts Monday (aug. 3) for me...kids come on the 13th. We are starting an entirely different approach to teaching reading this year (for the better) - even spent a week in New York City getting trained on it by the pros at Columbia University. It was a great week!!! Then we spent a week down here in Chatt getting trained on the different approach to teaching writing (it goes together with the reading). I'm excited about it - it's exactly what we need to be doing. Plus, this isn't some 'fad' 'program' that will be gone when the pendulum swings. But I had a little 'scare' - my principal was considering moving me to 8th grade writing this year. The 8th grade writing is really high stakes due to some major testing in the spring and he had an opening in it. He had to hire a first year teacher and was nervous about putting her in that position with it being her first year and all (cause you know it's hard enough as it is without all that pressure). So he told me he may want me to do it and have her do 6th grade reading this year. At first I freaked out, thinking "Of all the teachers in the school with years of experience that he could have picked, why did he pick me"...but then I realized that's a pretty huge compliment!! But we decided that it was better for me to stay in 6th so that I can do the reading since if I left sixth grade then that left no one in that grade who'd been trained in the reading...whereas lots of teachers got the writing training. So, I'm staying where i'm at for now.

But...Eric and I are considering teaching in Beijing at an International School. Now, when this would happen I don't know. Maybe next year, maybe in five, maybe never. They want experienced teachers, so Eric may not be able to be hired this next year... there's a lot of factors playing in. Like the fact that I'm 30 in August and don't have kids yet. I know it's not really a huge deal, but it does still need to be considered. Obviously returning to teach in China has always been a desire of mine. But the overwhelming student loan debt is a huge obstacle. Then I did some research and saw that we could make nearly double there what we can make here if we taught at an international school, with WAY less cost of living, therefore stashing away lots of money to get rid of the stupid student loan debt. We could possibly pay off $60-80 grand in one year...then maybe stay another year to get rid of all of it. We'd both have to work and scrimp every penny for the next twenty years to pay it off in the U.S., including working all our part time jobs as well. But, there's a lot to consider and like Byrd says, we really really want to be obedient. We both feel strongly that God does not want us living under the burden of debt any longer than we absolutely have to. We're doing the very best we can with what money we have, but the bottom line is that if you don't have the income, you can manage your money like a pro and still not get real far paying down debt. So we're going to pursue it, do the paperwork, etc. and just see what happens and how we sense God leading us. It's something I'd really really really like to do before we have children because even though I know we'll never be 'totally financially ready' to have kids, having them under the burden of tremendous debt concerns me...just having 'some' debt would be a different matter.

I think my mom's coming down Sunday to stay for a week. That'll be good - she can help get my room together for me while I"m in meeting after meeting. :)

I was talking with a friend tonight about sausage -ha! - and I remembered the time I found a sausage in my bed in a bag. (byrd) and the time we woke up to sinks filled up with little hotdog bits floating in them. (liz) :)

Byrd, I trust that you are going to keep us in the loop about getting your third kid! And V and Liz...pregnancies going well?? Bets and Byrd - I have had it on my brain all summer to come in and spend some time in Knoxville and I thought I'd have lots of time, but as I said I ended up spending lots of time out of town. But, I have you on my mind and Jaime Ketchen, too, so soon I"ll be making a trip to Knoxville. I'll keep you posted! Fulton...we need an update on your health as well! Oh, and I sent two books back to Coretha that I saw on my shelf that she loaned me, like, four years ago. Good grief! Liz, how's it going with Eli's new schedule? And happy birthday, Vanessa!!!

Love you all, meows...maybe someday soon we'll be together again!
- Klep

Update

Dont know if you cats were praying or not but today the adoption agency called and told us that there are lots of baby boys in Ethiopia who need homes. She said the wait for a referral can be as short as 2 months for a healthy baby boy. So we will be turning in our application on Friday and watch what happens from here. Please keep us in your prayers. I just ask that God close the door if this isn't one he wants us to walk through. Ness, i just keep going back to something that you said to me back our sophmore year when we were trying to decide whether or not we should go to China. We were talking about not having a completely clear call about it, and you said, "Sometimes i just think God gives you a choice and will bless your decision either way." I can't help but think of that right now. I feel like God is going to bless our desire to be faithful to him whether or not that means another adoption. So, here we go. We will just walk through the doors until they close and pray we are faithful along the way. I do hope that it ends up with us walking off the plane with our new baby boy though. :)

Meow!
Mandycat

Shew!

Well cats, i would just like to report that tonight was my first rowing practice before our big race on Saturday and it was so much fun! I didn't hit anyone with a paddle, didn't curse (at least not loudly), and i have a really great partner named Brandy. This rowing thing is quite a science, i just had no idea, all the counting and drumming and technique. So, anyhoo, we will be racing starting early Saturday morning. There are 49 other teams and we will race in several heats throughout the day. The best part is the whole thing raises money for Knox Area Rescue Ministries.

In other news, Atley woke me up this morning with the words, "Good morning, honey, baby, mine!" No idea where that came from. Ava has begun wearing sunglasses everywhere, and i do mean everywhere, on the toilet, in the shower, when she reads at night before bed, pretty much from the time she gets up to the time she goes to bed. They are both such peculiar little creatures.

My friends Greg and Jess just got a their referall from Tiawan! It it an amazing story. You can read a little on either of their blogs. www.gregadkins.typepad.com or www.ourjourneytoclaire.blogspot.com. Her name is Claire and she is just adorable! I am so excited for them.

We are in the midst of deciding what is best/next for our family right now as far as kids go. We would love your prayers. It is not an easy decision. It is so all about obedience and there is such a struggle in me right now between is doing something what is best vs. maybe not doing anything at all is what is best. I am just severely seeking and desperate for God's voice in this. I can say it is the first time in a long time that i really find my seeking something. But am i supposed to be seeking something? See my struggle! Oh well, at least there is a struggle right?

Well i hope everyone's summer is going okay! I really, really, really miss my lil sister. I have increment breakdowns over it but am overall doing okay. She is really doing well in her position with the choir. I am so proud of her. She is one of two new chaperones on her tour. The rest of them have already chaperoned one tour. Well, even in all that, the tour leader went on vacation this week and still asked my sister to be the one in charge. So she has been doing all the speeches on stage before the concerts. She is also the lead teacher. It is all very cool.

Well, i suppose that is all for now. Just wanted to catch up. Please everyone post a little somethin soon! Love you all.

Meow!
mandycat

Attributes of God

http://www.navigators.org/us/resources/items/Thirty%20Days%20of%20Praying%20the%20Names%20and%20Attributes%20of%20God

Byrdness, this should get you to the list that I have been using. If not let me know and I can copy it in an email. It has been really good for me--pretty short but makes you think. It's also neat to hear songs or other passages in the Bible that highlight the attributes that I have learned so far. I've been trying to get up before the Squeezers and I like to sit out on our patio. I read the passage and reflect on it some--then I pray about what I've learned and really try to focus on that attribute as I pray--praise God for that part of Him. Something profound that has occured to me is that any good attribute in our own life comes directly from Him. He really is our 'Source'.

Plus--your kids are at an age where they can comprehend some of them. I taught Kenna that God is 'immutable'. She knows that God never changes: He never dies, He never gets old, He never changes from good to evil and He never changes His love for us. Those were the four things that never change about Him, among others, that I highlighted for her to understand. She also knows 'holy' and I'm kinda working on 'omnipotent'.

I don't share all this because I think I'm some sort of 'uber-Christian'--I share because I struggle so bad with carving out that special time to learn and pray. I'm just excited to have something that is working right now. Hope you find the same satisfaction.

I'll check out those Darcy books--never heard of them but I'm sure the library has them.

much love

Lizzy

Last Sunday

Hello Felines!

Well, I'm spending my last Sunday night by myself. Eli officially ends his five year stint of patrol officer this Friday. It's a bitter sweet ending to a chapter of our lives. He has no doubt become very familiar with a whole world that we suburbanites never truly experience. And now he's about to enter an even more depraved section of humanity...child abuse. But as scary and dark as this all seems we truly feel this is where we need to be and that God is using these chapters of life to prepare Eli for something amazing in the future.

So, next Monday we're heading off to Florida by plane. I can't even imagine how this trip will go with Duncan. I shudder to consider the possibilities. Don't tell CPS but I'm taking some benadryl to help him chill a little. I'm really looking forward to spending time with Elwood, Tina and Sarah, taking the kids to the beach and just having an adventure of a time.

I'm just about to exit my first trimester and I look about the size I was when I was 5 months pregnant with Kenna. It's not a pretty sight. I'm in the inbetween stage where it looks like I have a fat-gut rather than a baby-gut :( I have never been so tired in my life. Last night I crashed a little after 10pm--which is typically early for us. I also had some of the strangest dreams--one which I briefly shared on FB. I dreamt that I was the missing sixth member of a super-hero team call 'The Knights of Gluenschwander'--I am not making this up!!! Bizarre to say the least. But no more bizarre than Eli waking me up one night whistling a Sesame Street song. Why do we do such weird things in our sleep???

Anyway, this Friday I enjoyed the last of my 30th Birthday gifts. Eli bought me tickets to see Coldplay in concert. We're just now starting to listen to some of their music. They are pretty talented and it was a wonderful concert to say the least. We had awesome seats and were actually bumped up closer. For my birthday Eli also gave me my first diamonds ever!! He had me pick out some beautiful diamond studs and surprised me with a gorgeous aquamarine and saphire necklace. He treated me like a queen--which is what I wanted, of course :) My parents, sister and bro-in-law also surprised me by showing up for dinner and duck pin bowling. It was a great Birthday Extraganza Weekend.

Well, not sure what else to share. Any body want to suggest any good books? I need to find a decent read. Oh, and if any of you are struggling with an idea for something to study from the Bible I have been doing a short study each morning on the attributes of God. You can find lists online with scripture references--try the Navigators site. Anyway, I always struggle with self-study and have found this to be quite profound. It's neat to think about a particular attribute of God each day.

Many blessings to you My Cats

Love Lizzy

Klepper checking in...

Hey Cats! Ness, I love the name for Kiser #3! Liz, congrats (on being 30...I'm soon to follow...and on McAllister #3)!!! Fulton, I am alive...just a crappy Facebooker! Bets, glad all is well with the new baby! Byrd, so proud of you and Daniel and how you are so eager to follow the Lord's will. I am amazed at all the good work you guys are doing.

So...school's out for the summer!!! Had volleyball camp at school this past week, and the week before that my whole family met up in Colorado Springs for Daniel's graduation from the Air Force Academy -I'll post some pics soon (and maybe some video if I can get it to work right). We went up Pike's Peak, met all Dan's sponsor famillies and friends, had Joe Biden as the guest speaker, and the Thunderbirds flew over the stadium at the end of the grad ceremony and then did a show - it was awesome!! Listening to 'God Bless America' by Celine Dion while sitting in a stadium on the side of the Rockies while viewing all of Colorado, and seeing the Thunderbirds perform was definitely an amazing experience and really a chance to see how God has blessed this nation. Now what we're doing with all those blessings is definitely another matter... It was also a great time in the fact that the entire family was together for a whole week on like a real family 'trip' - that's definitely a rare experience for the Kleppers!

The week before that school was done...only to be back in session August 3rd. But I am grateful for a break. One great thing about education is that we are constantly striving towards goals, getting to the deadline, evaluating, and starting over again...it's never monotonous work. We had a big scare there in February when the county made massive cuts and (Our school had to cut eight positions and I am still two away from getting cut) but it's looking up at this point. I had to take another praxis in case I needed to be moved to seventh or eighth grade; also we didn't know if I was going to be switched to the other sixth grade team or not...right now it looks like I'm staying in sixth on my team and - the best part - only teaching one subject (reading) instead of two (myself and two other teachers were the only ones in the building having to do that for the past two years). It'll be great if that is what happens for next year! Also, since we lost so many positions and our entire special ed department was relocated, we have an entire unused room with carpet, kitchen, bathroom, etc. that was approved to be used for an in-house child care facility. Of course I am not pregnant at the moment nor do I plan to be anytime soon, but that definitely presents a WAY better option than just dumping my kid at any old day care...I really need a good 'situation' if I were even to consider still working for a while if/when we had a baby. Hmmmm... :)

On that note about school, the county is flying me and the whole reading department plus principal up to New York City for a week in July to attend some training at Columbia University - and they're paying for all expenses - sweetness!! NYC is somewhere I"ll probably never go on my own so this will be fun. Evenings are our own so we've gotten tickets to see the musical 'Wicked' on Broadway - it's the prequel to Wizard of Oz and getting rave reviews. It was expensive but I figured that since it's a free trip I could splurge to not miss my one opportunity to see a show on Broadway!! I wasn't going to spend the money, but my colleagues talked some sense into me.

I don't know if I mentioned this earlier, but Eric decided to stay another year at Lee instead of half year. He's going to just go ahead and get the rest of the Health licensure and then student teach in the spring instead of student teaching this fall and finishing up the health in the evenings. He really needs to have both PE and Health licensures anyway plus it'll make a lot of transitional things easier by him graduating in May instead of December. On the down side, though, that's still yet one more year of Eric in school and Jenney being the provider. But I feel we're walking in obedience, so all I can do is trust and be patient. This too shall pass!!! I still think Eric is a better student than I ever was - I can't believe how much work he puts into everything he does!

Now I'm heading to Ohio for a big 'ole three week stint with the family. Molly's doing college 'online' and working at the YMCA; plus she's got a boyfriend 'Joe' who is cool and fits in with family really well. My dad had him dig a ditch in the yard a while back so we figure he's 'in' with dad. :)

OK, I just had about 15 minutes to write but I've been thinking about you all today so I figured I should post. Love you, Cats!
- Klep

p.s. Byrd, I am way impressed about the green thumb!!

Hey cats,

I hope all is well! MandyCat I will be praying for you and know God will put someone in your life to help you through this time. Not much new here really, just getting closer to having my third and final biological child!! It is a girl, which for now her name is Andi Josette. Gabe and Elie seem to get larger everyday and Eliana is a little pill. She is definitely more strongwilled and defiant---have to work on my patience as well! I am off for the summer from my little pre-school job and hopefully after this coming school year I will apply for a couple teaching positions opening up in Carmi. It is a big deal when there are openings since it is such a small town. God has really been teaching me the importance of motherhood in the kingdom and I find myself for the first time really enjoying my children. I feel God working in my spirit and am waiting patiently to see where He wants me--maybe just at home for now, supporting my husbands ministry. I will be in K-town June 18-19 on my way to Florida, if anybody is able to get together let me know. I miss you all and think of you probably everyday! Mandy--Atley will love Donna, of course you know that!! Well, talk to you later!
Vanesa

Change of Plans Part II

Hey Cats,

So lists serve me well, and there have been so many ups and downs in the last three weeks that making one is probably the only way for me to make any sense so here you go:

1. As you know my sis went to tour with The African chidlren's Choir. beofre that we went to visit both sides of my family. We spend tomse time at my mom's house over Mother's Day. It was a lot of fun and my best Mom's Day so far. It was so fun to have all my sisters and mom together. I have no idea the next time that will be able to happen.

2. From there we went to my dad's house, land of dogs, horses and alpacas. Again, it was a fun visit. It is so funny to see my little sis pregnant! I sware she never stops eating, it is pretty funny! We found out she is having a girl! Big surprise? Not at all. That is what we all thought it was. We were right. Imagine that!

3. Next we headed to Disney for a fantastic but totally rainy vacation. Much needed time with my sister and my husband and kids was spent over 7 days of much fun. Disney really is magical, even for those who don't care for such or think it is just a bunch of hype. I don't care who you are, Disney is just so much fun with kids. We shared so many laughs. It was the perfect ending of an era with my sister.

4. Over our vacation it was also our anniversary. Daniel took me to the Melting Pot and we had the best dinner i have ever had. It was perfect. During dinner Daniel went to the bathroom and i was checking my email on my phone. Long story short, our birthmom decided to move to Alabama to live with her dad. At first she still wanted to do an adoption from Alabama but then felt and open adoption from there would be too difficult. I totally agree and also felt that when she moved to Alabama 2 weeks earlier that things would probably come to this point. I don't really regret anything, i feel like we were obedient in the role we were supposed to play in the time she was in Knoxville. You probably read the email i sent, but although it was disappointing, i feel like God has something in mind for us and we just need to try to be patient until he reveals it to us. We both want more kids but more than that we want God's hand and timing to prevail.

5. So we came home and then my mom came down to help us see my sister off at the airport. We spent a lot of time together. It was a rough day the day we saw her off. Just a lot of emotion and the feeling that it is the end of a four year run of having my best friend, back up girl and emergency contact literally no further than a mile away. It will be a long adjustment i feel like. I just don't have that kind of relationship with anyone else, i mean i know she is my sister but, it is hard to find someone who can see you naked in more than one way if you know what i mean. So, praying for peace and strength on that subject.

6. We hird a new staff member for TRH! Thank the LORD! I don't know how we could continue to grow and do what we are called to do without some extra help. Our new Family Advocate is amazing and has her Master's in Social Work! So glad to have actually have someone who knows what they are doing!

7. My kids are so much fun right now! I can't believe Atley will head to PreK at CAK in the Fall. Ness, Donna Hardesty will be his teacher! I am super excited about this. He will go Mon-Thurs 9-noon. He isn't ready for Kindergarten but i think this is the perfect move toward that next year.

8. Although my kids are a lot of fun, they are also very exhausting. No napping is definitely a change to adjust to! Ava still is a complete and utter pill to get to bed most every night. Tonight i was at my witts end! I feel so guilty after getting so angry with her, it is like the never ending battle. Lord help me is all i can say. I feel like i have tried everything at this point. But, i hoping that three weeks of traveling is what made things so bad the past few days. Tomorrow we will start the regiment over again and see where we can get.

9. The following is NOT a lie, i promise it is true. I am on a rowing team. It is just a one time thing, we are in a race for charity. It is called Knoxville Dragon Boat Races and the race raises money for Knox Area Rescue Ministries. If you are interested in sponsoring me let me know. :) I am a little nervous about it, i am in the best shape of my life, but a rowing race really? Who do i think i am? Just hoping i have the stamina. We have our first practices coming up. I am looking forward to challenging myself...and maybe praying i don't get pissed and tip the boat or know my opponent out with a paddle. ;)Fun mental image huh?

10. I have also been doing some other things you would never think of me doing like planting a huge veggie garden, making freezer jam and Klepper, if you ever read this I did my flower beds up full of flowers, have a basil growing in it AND drum roll please....have hanging baskets of flowers on the porch! They were a gift but still!

Well i guess that is all for now. Would love to know more about how everyone is doing! Please follow suit. I will try to do better. We should keep up with each other better!

Much Love,
Meow!
Mandycat

Glad you are thirty Liz, so happy you are preggy, and sorry your plant is not blooming! I love you all. I am tired...
Vanessa

5 things to know

Cats,

1.  I'm 30 now--Kleppy, thanks for the card.

2.  I'm preggy and due 12-21-09, Merry Christmas!

3.  I don't understand why the blog has been a flop lately.

4.  I've decided that I could probably kill my own chickens if I lived on a farm.

5.  My peony plant, affectionately named Mrs. Eubanks, is not blooming this year--saddness.

L

Hey kitties--wanted let you know we are having a baby girl!! not sure on any names yet, maybe Lydia. If anybody has any suggestions let me know! Hope everyone is doing well!
Vcat

Plans

Okay ladies, I was talking to Byrd last night about our little get together. Obviously she is extremely busy right now. At this point we are probably looking at a weekend in June- or if everyone is available even during the week. I don't know what commitments everyone has. Ness, not sure of your exact due date and when would be too late for you to travel. I know Fulty said June was probably out for her- are there any days in there that could be a possiblity Fulty? Also a place to meet??? If Fulty was in, I was thinking Cincinnati, if not would Lexington work- not sure how far that is for Ness and Liz?? Okay so if we really want to do this, let's pin down a weekend and place and we can go from there!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying gorgeous weather like we are today in Knoxville!
Love you all, Betsy

Just When You're a Little Bit Comfortable...

Hey Cats,

I am so sorry it has been so long indeed. However, whoo! Hopefully you have been getting my emails and are aware that we are having another baby boy in August, or at least receiving one. It completely threw us for a loop. However, we are excited and things are continuing to look good. It is just a day by day journey, one day at a time. I will say however that we really want what is best for the birthmom in this situation and if that means we have another baby then great, if not, we have two amazing kids. Please keep praying for us on that front though.

I registered Atley for prekindergarten at CAK this week. Ness, Donna Hardesty will be his teacher. I can't believe he will be goint to "real school." But i really feel like this is what he needs before going full speed ahead into kindergarten next year. He will go Mon-Thurs 9-noon. It will also help me get used to having 3 i think. :)

In other news, my sister Shelly has been in the process of leaving to tour and chaperone and teachas a choir administrator with the African Children's Choir. We thought she would likely be leaving sometime in June or even as late as September. We found out this week that she will be leaving in May!!! We are all shocked and in turn scrambling to try to find time to spend all together with my mom and then also with my dad.

We also had a Disney trip planned for Sept. When we found out about the new baby, we decided that taking a one month old to Disney sounded more like hell than vacation so we moved our Vacay up just a little to like one month from today. With going so early we decided to Shelly should go with us. THEN she found out that she was leavin the week after getting home from Disney. Just a little nuts! But we are very much looking forward to it!

So that is some of what is going on with the Watson fam in the nutshell. With all that said, Cats i just dont think i can handle planning or even leading the planning for a cat get together. I think i am out of the picture unless we decide to plan something for the summer. I will be not at all offended if you plan a get together without me. Just decide something together and i will see if i can make it.

I love all the new photos of memory lane being posted. Good times. That's all for now.

Love you cats.
Meow.
Mandycat

Happy Easter

Hello Dearest Kitties

Klep--thanks for the sweet memories and the pictures.  I love to see pictures that you guys have because they offer a fresh perspective.  If we all end up getting together soon I'm going to make a mandate that we bring old pictures to share with everyone.  

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter.  We did.  Eli has been off since Friday.  This morning we went to the church we've been going to recently--the same place where Scott and Mindy Heller serve.  It was such a joy to sing my little heart out.  The church was so alive with praise and song and I truly knew that it was a place filled with worship for our Lord and Savior.  I could have sang all day.  And the sermon was packed full of truth, conviction and passion.  It was a blessing from God to be part of such a vibrant service.  

Plus, I've been hanging out a lot more with Mindy and that too is such a sweet blessing.  I have felt for a long time a deficit of sweet friendship and I'm glad to be able to spend some time with her and find some things in common.  The new year and new life of spring have truly brought around some new blessings in my life and I am thankful.  

Please let us all know the blessings that you guys are experiencing.

Love

Lizzy

The Memoir

The next generation of badness...

OK, the Silky is wadded up in Liz's butt...I especially love V and Bes in the background.

In Carmi @ Prin's...dang, we all look good.

I have a picture of the hairball cleaning every year @ Johnson Hall.

In Indy with Lizzie.

Left: V airplaning me. Remember i used to always say, "V, will you fireman carry me!?"


Right: V and Scott's trailer after they got hitched. Notice the little rat thing

on Byrd's shoulder.

Remember Todd Balmer? If memory serves me correctly, this is Betsy's poofy thing for under her wedding dress.

Yes, this is from Mrs. Dickinson's 'media' class sophomore year where we made puppets. Go, Bets and Ryan!!

Memoirs of College Badness...& more to come

I added a pic for our blog...hope you all like it. Also, enjoy the memoir. Some of you may hate me for posting these, but you'll laugh your butt off and perhaps cry a little, too. :) -klep

Put it to a Vote

Alright, enough pussyfootin around! Let's put it to a vote! Can you do June 3-6 or something of that nature? Vote via the comment box with your name beside it!
Meow!
-mcat

Hello Cats!

I am up for a weekend in May or June as well. Somebody pick a weekend for goodness sake!!! I am in definite need of some cat time! My children are sick, one with an ear infection and the other with the flu---wonderful times of screaming, crying, and fevers in the Kiser home. WE made it through the winter without any sickness, but Spring has not been so good so far! Don't know much else, I finish teaching my pre-schoolers in May and am glad. I have enjoyed just working part-time, but am ready for down time and time to prepare for baby number three. I hope everyone is doing alright during these interesting economic times, I have heard of a few friends who have lost jobs or been laid off. Well, guess I need to clean my house, does it ever end??
V

"we'll get together, we'll nosh, we'll tipple, we'll dish, dish, dish"

Ok, well I just read a Dean Koontz book--I'm still not sure why.  He is such a strange writer.  Anyway, he dedicated this particular book to a bunch of lady friends of his including his wife.  In the dedication he wrote, "we'll get together, we'll nosh, we'll tipple, we'll dish dish dish."  I'm going to leave it up to you girls to figure out what each of those words mean.  All I'm going to say is that we need to get together, eat, drink and chat!!  I miss you all so very much.  Can we truly pull of getting together in May or June?  Sounds like Bets is available anytime other than Memorial weekend.  Please post what you could realistically do...please!!

I just finished a round of clomid and the fun starts tonight and everyother night, Baby (say it with a swanky Austin Powers voice!)  I know that Fulty swears by the fact that twins are wonderful and not that much harder than having one--but I have to admit...I'm really hoping that I only end up with one baby!  Maybe it's kinda counterproductive to hope for the clomid to work but not produce twins--but I truly don't know what I would do with twins at this point.  Have mercy!!  So keep us in your prayers.

We're taking the kids to see Sesame Street Live this weekend.  We're going to Louisville and will be staying in a uber nice hotel thanks to Priceline!  I bought the kids a Sesame Street shirt each to wear the day of.  I hope they enjoy it.  I also hope it's not too cheesy.  I truly love Sesame Street and could watch it all day.  It must be the nostalgic memories that I have wrapped up in it.  

Eli still hasn't started the detective position and they haven't been very forthright about giving us information until we absolutley have to know.  Could be in a couple weeks or could be in a couple months.  Who knows.  So we continue on with our little lives until we're told otherwise.  

Not much else exciting is going on in our lives.  I will say that it is nice to finally be present in a church that is healthy and vibrant.  I actually look forward to Sunday mornings!  I think we got out of our old church just in the nick of time.  Sounds like things are getting kinda ugly there.  I can't imagine how this breaks God's heart....

On that note I depart.

Please fill us in on your Catty lives

L

Hello Strangers

Sorry I haven't posted in a long time. We have been busy around here. Brevin was in Disney for a week at the beginning of the month with my mom and sister and then we went up to Ohio last week for spring break. Now I am counting down the days until summer break!! Not much longer. I don't know if we have plans made for getting together- I am going to be in Cincinnati Memorial Day weekend with my family. But other than that most of my weekends in May and June are free.
I don't know if any of you would be interested in this but I thought I would let you know. There is a website called blurb.com that makes books. From this website you can make a book from a blog. So I decided every Christmas I am going to ask for this book as a present and then I will have my blog printed out in book form. It is a great way to have memories and pictures without doing all the work (like scrapbooking). I recently received my book from last year. I just did a small hardcover book and it ended up being about 60 pages and cost I think about $30. You can also do softcover which is cheaper. It is really easy, you just download the free software from blurb's site and it finds your blog and automatically inserts all the entries and pictures- then you can rearrange, edit, add, or erase anything. It is simple and easy. Plus my family likes to look at my blog to keep in touch and see recent pictures and knowing I am going to put it into a book helps me to try to remember to update it often. Just thought I would let you all know in case you were interested in something like that.
Mia's 2 month appt. is Thursday- hard to believe she is that old already. She does well. Gets a little cranky in the evenings but is only getting up once at night so that is great. Hope you all are well and getting ready to enjoy this nice weather- I am hoping it stays!!

OK, who's the 'comment button' smart ass?

QUIT WHININ' I CHANGED IT!

Now you can SEE the comment links. They were just invisible until you ran the mouse over em. Blast!

Watch this!

Cats, you'd better empty your bladders before you watch this. Since most of us have been to China and the others have heard all about it...please watch. unbelievable.

http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/7540766/20090302/av_yugc/_goodmorningyahoo_yugc_subway_sardines

Klep is cool with end of May.

Um...why does our blog look different? I'm not sure I like it...I can't find the buttons! Is anyone else having that problem? Maybe it's just my computer.



Sorry I've been a stranger...not much to say: school, volleyball, school, reading Harry Potter and loving it - does that spark any controversy?, school, and did I mention school?



Actually, Eric and I flew out to TX last weekend to see my brother Rory's graduation from ENJJPT (EuroNato Joint Jet Pilot Training) - along with my whole family. It's a very prestigious fighter pilot school and it seriously was like being in 'Top Gun'!! Rory got his assignment and he'll be flying the F15-E Strike Eagle. Darn sweet. Good weekend; we are all very proud. It's interesting to see how we all are turning out to be; Rory I know still believes in God but really doesn't want much to do with Him. Also, he and Mom had a issue in high school and I think he still harbors some resentment towards her for it...and it still shows which is sad when we all get together. He comes off as a major conceited ass (I guess it comes with the fighter pilot territory somewhat) sometimes, but I know deep down he still wants our approval really bad and it meant tons to him that we spent a lot of money to fly out there and see his big day.



Daniel is graduating from the Academy in May and we're driving out for that...had to save up for this year! He is also going to a fighter pilot school in the fall in Columbus, GA. Rory may be going to North Carolina to learn how to fly his plane; and it looks like East may try to go active in the Marines (instead of reserves) and may end up in North Carolina as well. So, I told my parents they needed to retire in Tennessee since we're all here except Molly now.



And there's Molly... :) Not sure what she wants to be - she says psychologist but I think she's a teacher of small children through and through. She'll figure it out. She's got a boyfriend and working at the YMCA and going to college (entirely via the internet - we'll see how long she thinks that was a brilliant idea). I think we're getting closer as we get older, which is cool.



Hmmm...no fun stories of children that are my own, but I do spend 6 hours a day with 12 year olds and i really really enjoy them!!



1. Yesterday I found a cigarette in the girls bathroom (unsmoked) and a student named Jessica said she knew whose it was. Today in fourth period, another student knocks on my door and says "Jessica's in the bathroom and she said to come get you - it's an emergency." I go in and Jessica's bawling and says she was up all night (we all were wondering why she literally was sleeping in all our classes) because she was so upset...she confessed to being the one who had the cigarette and said she had to tell me because she felt so guilty. I hugged her - her family totally does nothing for her and I suspect she's abused in numerous ways. Then of course we had to 'deal' with the issue.



2. We read an article about the underage drinking law and they had to write about their opinion of it. One particulary sheltered student wrote, ""I think American soldiers should be trusted with beer with the exeption that they can only drink 3 bottles. They can't drink it before and when they ride in their tanks...but they might win a battle or war and want to celebrate. If they don't get to drink, they will feel left out and might quit the army."



3. This is the same student who wrote in response to a sentence in that article about how one effect of binge drinking is underage pregnancy "You can become pregnant from sex?" !!?!



4. Apparently, to "irrigate" means to get on people's nerves according to Edward in 5th period.



I don't have much to add to the current issue Liz has brought up besides that I have totally felt that same way around those kinds of people - the gal Rory used to date being one of them. Totally not Christian, but spunky and gorgeous and had everything going for her. I wasn't sure deep down if I was 'cool enough' for her if I just acted like myself and sometimes I even struggle like this with Rory. He's got a sweet car, a sweet job, handsome, lives in a sweet house, has no student loans...and here's me and Eric - haven't bought a new piece of clothing except maybe once in the last four or five months, live on a budget, work with children which is the antithesis of glamorous, and just wondering how we're ever going to pay off our debt and maybe not live in an apartment our entire lives.



I struggle at school because I see children every day whose lives are in shambles and their parents don't care enough to help them. I'm on the phone with parents constantly, "Have you gotten your child to a doctor yet?" "Have you found a time to come in and conference?" and they say, "well, no, his doctor just can't get him in for two months, so..." I mean, if my child may possibly have a learning disability or ADD that's causing him to have straight F's, I'm pretty sure I'd be driving up and down the road and dragging him into every doctor until someone would see him and give me a diagnosis. I mean, duh!


And I so desperately want to share some truth with these mothers and children...but I don't know how to ride the line since I am employed by the state and I'm really not 'allowed' to say much. ?

Everytime I get on this blog, I am cracking up and reading everything to Eric and we crack up together. I have such great friends and I love hearing it all.
You're all in my prayers - klep

OOOOHHHHH!!! Byrd...when I read #7 on the list I was ranting to ERic for like five minutes - I can't believe he reads our blog!! I've said some personal stuff! Mr. Robinette!!?? What? and then i read #8 and cracked up. wow, you'd think we all spent some pretty major years of our lives together or something to know each other this well . :) (really, I don't care too much! I love Ryan, too!)

Alyson, the neighbor

I've been thinking all afternoon about Fulty's prayer request at the end of her last blog--about her desire to have more non-Christians in her life.  So, I'm going to turn this into a little forum...a time to ponder these things.  Obviously we need to be present in the lives of those who do not know Jesus.  I have a handful in my life but could certainly stand to extend outside my social bubble.  I was forced to do so today when an out-spoken, Children's Place clothes-wearin' six year old came bounding into our yard and wanted to play with Kenna.  Her name is Alyson.  She moved next to us with her mom and stepdad right around fall and it is only now that the weather is getting nicer that we are finally starting to meet them.  

Many things about this new family make me shrink back to the mousy junior higher that used to be nervous and intimated by the 'popular kids'...their brand new BMW suv, nice clothes, she works at a hospital and a bar, he apparently makes enough to pay for a BMW suv (or atleast enough to go into debt for one) and they lived together before getting married.  Then there was the time I watched her rake her leaves while smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer one glorious late morning.  This family, in so many ways, couldn't be any more opposite than Eli and I--yet we are called to put our hand out, speak to them and be part of their lives.  

So I made small talk with the pretty new neighbor while all the time being self-conscious about my brown helmet or my untweezed eyebrows, or the fact that my children wear second hand clothes and I drive a secondhand minivan.  And also not forgetting that I believe in a God that everyone wants to put in a box, dismiss, judge as intolerable or outdated, or shape into their own patsy go-to god.  

Why do I do this??  Why am I intimidated by people outside the Christian social circle, by people whom, measured up to the world's standards, have a lot going for them.  Why is it hard to proudly be me, the Christian dork who is pleased with her life.  It's not that I want these things that they have--I think I'm just so weary of being labeled, judged and considered odd--all of which I have experienced with my own family in some way--and I'm tired of it.  I think we get to a point where we have been saturated so long in our Christian circle that it's hard to step out and see that we're actually the minority and not the majority in society.  

Then there is the whole issue of the little girl.  She really likes to play with Kenna but she is such an only child--speaks whatever she wants, asks for whatever she wants and bosses whomever she wants and I cringe at the idea of what she could teach my dear sweet Kenna.  But isn't this where the rubber meets the road.  For many years I've talked about wanting my home to be the home where the kids come to play--but now that it's here I get nervous, self-conscious and want to hole up because I don't want to be seen as the weird, different ones.

I definitely need boldness and confidence with my stance on my faith.  I have no problem confidently believing in Christ.  I loose confidence though when face to face with others who are clearly different.  Am I alone in this???

Well, we'll see how things go with Alyson this summer.  I have a feeling this won't be the last of her :)  Time to hike up my skirt, stand proud and plunge forth!  

Keep your eyes open Fulty--your non-Christian just may come bounding into your yard one day!

Murray and Ovejita

I just finished watching the little section Sesame Street does with Murray and Ovejita--surely those of you with little ones know who I am talking about.  Whenever Murray comes on Kenna calls for me to come watch it with her because she knows that I like it.  That about sums up my life right now!

The McAllister's have been battling the flu for the past week.  I think it is the first time I have ever gotten it as an adult and it has not been fun.  So we've been slumpin' along trying not to hack on eachother.  Today I was relieved to wake up to some warm air outside so I quickly opened  windows to air out our sess pool of germs.

For those who aren't keeping up with Facebook Eli got the detective position!  It was two VERY long weeks as we waited and questioned whether or not it was going to happen.  But as it turns out he was their first pick and he'll start as soon as all the transfer paperwork goes through.  So our family will be transitioning into a new pattern of life.  Eli will probably have to give up his cruiser (which I secretly love having in our drive way) but he may possibly get a new Toyota Camry!  We'll see...

We have officially moved on from our old church and have been attending the same church where Scott and Mindy Heller serve.  We're still not sure where we will settle but for the time we don't mind blending in with the crowd.  With spring upon us and all the new changes that we are experiencing it seems like our family has shed some old skin and are entering into a new chapter of life.  I hoping in the next couple months to get pregnant again--I still feel like there in one more little face for me to love.  I only pray there are no snags like last time--I don't think my soul can handle it.  

One little kids story to share...yesterday right before nap I asked Kenna when was the last time she pottied.  She thought for a moment and then looked up at me, "um...about 6 years ago."

Very matter of fact!  

Oh, and I caught her in her first official lie this week.  I asked her to drink her milk and then left the room to get Duncan ready for bath.  She came into the bathroom and I asked her if she'd finished her milk.  She said yes and I went in to check.  The cup was empty and on the counter by the sink.  When I looked into the sink I saw milk residue!  The little stinker poured it out!!  So we had a talk about truth and lie....hmph! Nobody said they would be perfect!

My sister-in-law is in labor as I type so we'll be welcoming a new nephew to the McAllister side hopefully sometime today!  His name is Jonathan.  So that's pretty exciting.

Well, Girls

Stay connected

Lizzy

Have we settled on an official weekend?   We need an event planner--I don't mind doing it but we need to settle on a weekend and know that everyone is committed.  Perhaps I'll give Klepper a ringy-ding since we haven't heard from her in awhile.

bye

Hey cats!

Hope everyone is on the road to healthiness in your homes. Just wanted to say I miss you all! Kiser -bun number three is growing healthy and strong so far! TAke care and let's start making plans for a get together!

Get with it, Ladies!

What's the deal??? I know we're all busy, but that's not a good enough excuse. Most of us still have the time to check/update our Facebooks several times a day. C'mon!

I have been doing well. I was very sad to miss Homecoming, but I found out that (drum roll please...) life does go on.  I was a very sad girl for the better part of the last week as Steve was out of town. It had nothing to do with having 3 kids under the age of 1 1/2 by myself, the kids were great. I was just a pitiful mess with out the love of my life, (I know, it's sappy and ridiculous, but I don't fare well without him.)

He is back now, and all is well.  It has been insanely cold and snowy, and I am so tired of hearing people anywhere south of mid-Ohio complain about all the snow on Facebook. We have already reached an all-time snowfall record in the Cleveland area this year, and that takes a lot! 

I had a slight pregnancy scare, (please spare me the obvious comments, I do know that I have 3 very small children and have been pregnant for the last 2 years, and I do understand what causes pregnancy) but rest assured, I am not pregnant.

I am enjoying my life right now, great group of girlfriends, am part of an awesome moms' bible study, love my family, love my church. I would like the opportunity, however, to have more contact with non-Christians and the unchurched.  My circles are not made up entirely of seasoned believers, but I don't really get access to people until they've at least worked up the nerve to walk through the church doors, and I fell like this something that's missing in my walk right now. I would appreciate your prayers for more opportunities to be a light in the darkness.

What are you all up to?

-Fulty

OKay cats, I am up for the fourth weekend in May or whenever!!

1. I like the listed post by Mandy so I am following in her footsteps!
2. I just spent the past four days on my death bed with the flu, not the stomach flu, but the flu. They finally gave me prescription for nausea that people going through chemotherapy take. It is all worth it for another Kiser bun right??
3. My son has decided that he will give "Jesus a chance!"
4. My daughter threw her pacifier in my son's poop/pee toilet water and then put it in her mouth and laughed!
5. THe fire department came to my house last week and in Carmi that will make front page news!
6. My mother cut Eliana's hair, no let me re-phrase a block of bangs without asking.
7. My son also asked me why my butt is growing bigger?
8. It is snowing.... again!
9. I still love Jesus and wonder when He will return!!! Also, digging being a baptist..
10. Desperately miss you all and hope to see you soon!
TAke care, God bless, and please try to be good! LOVE- V-cat

Little pokes and Big pokes

I was giving Kenna a bath the other day and noticed her examing her chest.  She looked up at me and said, "I have little pokes"  and pointed to her little boobies.  Then she turned back to me and said, "And you have big pokes, Mommy."

I couldn't help but chuckle...

A List Should Suffice...if it doesn't too bad.

1. Yesterday Daniel went to JBC to meet with a new professor who wants him to be involved in the devlopment of the new Urban Missions program. As you may know, it is Homecomeing this week. Well, as he went to make the left turn to drive onto campus there was an man with an even more enormous, and i mean gigantic sign standing at the gate. The sign read in bright red, "Shame on you Weedman." Indeed. So it seems that this is over some sort of labor dispute and the new building. I think it is sort of humorous that they chose Homecoming for such a display. Steph, i know your blood pressure is likely rising right now. Stay calm. This too shall pass.

2. The other week i texted Liz during church b/c THE ONE AND ONLY David Palmer was sitting two rows directly in front of me! He has gained a bit of weight, but same guy that's for sure. Moment of silence for Lizzy. :) I been good all day.

3. Ava made a big announcement at dinner last night. She waited for complete silence, " A baby is growin in my belly...and his name is baby Jesus." A short theological disscussion followed.

4. My children have a new thing for trying to snap bugs around the house with salad thongs.

5. My middle sister is pregnant, finally! A spawn of Chadwick is on the rise. It's name however, will not be Baby Jesus.

6. Ryan Molden showed up to church with facial hair and i swear he was the cutest thing ever! He looked so much older and genuinely handsome. I told him so. He grinned. I love that boy. Can we make it a cat mission to find him the perfect woman?

7. Speaking of Ryan, evidently he enjoys reading the catblog and introduced a certain teacher ed staff member to it, just at the time that a certain someone's bubble picture was plastered for the cyberworld to see. I hear Mr. Robinette found it hysterical.

8. I still love being bad and would pay money to see Jenney's face at the moment she reads # 7, because it really is T-R-U-E

9. Ava's birthmom is doing really well at her latest rehab facility in Nashville. She is sending us letters almost weekly. It is really really cool, she says she's had a "spiritual awakening." I pray it is true. For awhile i was afraid that Ava would never see her again.

10. My little sister is likely going to tour with the African Children's Choir beginning in June. She will likely be touring all over Europe. I am supremely jealous.

11. Marriage is a lot of work isn't it? Shewwee. Nuff said.

12. So we keep talking about getting together in the spring but we haven't really put our money where our cybermouth is yet. April is out for me. What does everyone's May look like. Let's get the ball rollin'. If we really ALL WANT to do this then we need to ALL MAKE EFFORT to actually do it. My vote is a long weekend Thurs-Sun. or Friday-Mon. Is it unreasonable to ask for us to take a workday off? I don't think so since we seemingly only do this once a year. May is a bit away. So what does everyone's 4th weekend in May look like? Chime in or lose out. Bottomline.

Okay, that's it for now.
Meow. Love yous.
Mandycat

The Earth Is Just A Dead Thing You Can Claim

MEOW!!!

Where is everyone!!

Well...I'll just have to blab on about my boring self.  I was watching Pocahontas today and thought of Klepper.  There was a line in one of the queer little songs the little indian maiden sang that went something like this, "...the Earth is just a dead thing you can claim"--and I remembered that time that Kleppy got some sort of cutesy Chinese stationary with the same sentiment printed on it--and how odd it was that the words and cutesy picture didn't really fit together.  Whoever made the stationary must have been moved by Pocahontas poetic lyrics.  

The kids have been puking!  It's disgusting and I wretch everytime I have to clean it up, uhh!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the puke-bug doesn't bite me.  

I just looked at my belly button and decided that it probably could stand a cleaning.  Does anyone else ever do that?

As you can see I have NOTHING to share with you guys so I expect you all to spare me having to write about the disgusting and medicore minutia of my life and post your own exciting blog enteries.  

I will share that Eli has an interview next Tuesday for the detective position.  I think he is really excited to take this next step. 

Well, I better hear from some of you.

much love

lizzy

Brrrr!

Hey Friends,

I’m going to try this again.  Kenna climbed under our desk while I was typing and something shorted the computer out.  I lost my whole blog!  Is it too hard to get a moment’s peace to myself?

Well, the last week or so has been eventful.  It all started last Wednesday when we woke up to nearly a foot of snow.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven.  We played, shoveled, marveled and cozied-up all day—it was glorious.  The only unfortunate part was that Eli had to go to work that day—crime doesn’t stop for snow!  He managed through most of the day and just as his shift was ending he hyper extended his knee and had to go to the occupational health center.  The doctor put him on ‘light duty’ which in our case turned into ‘spending time at home with your family’.  He got to be home for the Super Bowl and is in fact home most of this week.  I’m thankful for how well the department takes care of its officers.  It’s not a bad injury but one that will take some time to heal.

On Thursday we headed down to Bloomington to visit with some friends.  The kids stayed with my parents for the evening.  Eli and I went out with our friends and didn’t get home until 2:00am!  It has been a long time since I’ve had such a long carefree, kid-free evening.  No sooner had we got home and hit the bed Duncan woke me up crying at 3:15.  I went in to comfort him and discovered that he was laboring in his breathing and not doing too well.  I woke mom up and she told me that he had croup.  We tried several home remedies and when they didn’t work she suggested we go on into the ER.  I woke Eli up and we got ready.  Now, remember where my parents live?  Well, we had parked our van in the neighbor’s drive that night because not even my Dad’s Expedition could get through the snow-piled driveway.  So, at 3:30 in the morning, in my pajamas and shearling boots, through the woods and 12 inch snow, carrying Duncan, we headed into the hospital.  The doctors gave him some treatments that helped his breathing, we went home, slept for a few hours and then I got up with Kenna when she awoke from a restful night of sleep.  Sigh…it was a long night.  We have successfully lived through our first ER visit and I’m not all too surprised it was because of Duncan.  I feel it will be the first of many for that boy!  He is a maniac. 

Speaking of Duncan—the other day we were at Scott and Mindy Heller’s house and I discovered him sitting on top of their kitchen table!  He loves to climb.  Then the other day a friend came over and he was lifting up our coffee table—essentially showing off his muscles!  He was so proud of himself. 

Kenna is doing well too.  She loved the snow and has a little boy at BSF that she talks a lot about, Blake.  Her teacher says they play together a lot.  It’s pretty cute.  She’s also starting to get into her bossy, tattletale stage L  Not fun!

Well, it’s a new week, more snow and colder than a witch’s tit in a brass bra (we can thank Terry Quillman for that lovely simile).  Since Eli is off we are heading to Abe Martin lodge tomorrow.  It’s in Brown County State Park and there is a small indoor water park that we think the kids will enjoy.  It should be fun to have a little get away. 

Eli is doing well.  He is applying for a detective position—in the child abuse unit.  It sounds like a sad and dark position but we feel like it is a stepping stone for Eli.  There is an organization that he is really interested in, International Justice Mission.   The detective position would be good step should he want to pursue working for this organization down the road.  We’ll see where the Lord takes us.  The nice thing is that if he gets the position it will probably be 8-5 with weekends off.  That would be a nice change of pace. 

We have also left our church that we have been in for the past 5 years.  Things are simply not healthy there.  It was one of the hardest decisions we have made in our married lives together but one that we felt was necessary for the health and growth of our family.  It’s almost as though Eli and I are entering into a new chapter of our lives.  I’m eager to see where things go.

Well, I feel like I could go on but this is getting to be quite long already.  I’ll keep you all posted as things unfold.  I miss you all dearly and hope you’re staying warm.  Don’t let cabin fever get the best of you!

Keep posting!

Lizzy

Hey cats,

Hope everyone is doing well. Bets-you are in my prayers, as you know I too am a breastfeeding "delinquent" according to some. I remember feeling a lot of guilt, even with Eliana, when I made the choice not to before she was born. Even to this day, the thought of a bruised nipple makes me shudder! I have been my usual sick self with this pregnancy. I have been on prometrium for my low progesterone and am about to lose my mind. I go to the OB on Thursday so hopefully I will be finished with that! I miss you all and really hope we can get together this spring!
V

Therapy Session

Well Cats, thank you for all the wonderful comments. We made it home yesterday after a relatively short hospital stay. I was glad to get out of there and be back in my own home. Mia is doing well, pretty much just slept and ate yesterday. Speaking of eating- I decided to breastfeed her, even though things didn't go so well with Brevin. She was doing really well in the hospital- she would nurse for about 20 minutes on each side. We got home and she did well- of course my nipples were getting sorer. By the 7:00 feeding it hurt so bad for her to latch on and even continue to nurse. I noticed she had cracked both of the nipples so apparently I didn't have her latched on right at some point. So of course I had told myself I wouldn't stress about it- but that is what I did- the thought of her having to nurse again would just bring tears to my eyes. So I just made the decision to stop. I feel I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but I guess not when it comes to my nipples : ) So that was a struggle for me last night but hopefully I will kick out these guilty feelings and just not worry about it. I know everything will be okay it is just hard right now because I feel like I "gave up." Anyways, she slept pretty well last night which was good and we are ready to start another day. I love you all!

Another Update

Hey Cats,

If you want to pics of new baby Mia Jane, check Betsy's blog. www.theswartzfamily3.blogspot.com. She is of course, absolutely beautiful! I think Brevin is slightly proud of his new little sis!
Mcat

A Kitten is Born...

Hey Cats,

I just got a text from Bets. Mia Jane was born this morning at 8:10 am. She is 20.5 in long and weighed 6lb 12oz. What a little baby! How exciting!
-M

the hotel had an awesome whirlpool tub with jets and i accidentally put WAY too much bubble bath in it. so in the spirit of the cats, i made a dress!

this was our 'dress up and go to a fancy dinner' night. of course E can't just smile and be normal :)

I want a cat reunion!!

Hey, it's Klep here. Holy cow, if ya'll don't stop having children for just a small interval, we'll never be able to get together!! No, really, V, I"m so excited for you! And Bets, I"m praying for you these final days! Oh, and Fulton, I've shared your throwing up story with about five people who also cannot believe it is for real. :)

So...is a cat weekend possible once Bets has a newborn and V is in early pregnancy? I say lets do it. March or April-ish?

Our holiday season was busy but grand. I took 1/2 day personal day the Friday before break and Eric and I headed to Charleston, SC for our three-year anniversary trip. Eric found a sweet deal through a time-share company to listen to the spiel but get three days/two nights plus some extras for only $75! It was great...except for when we saw the crappy hotel they had put us up in and Eric killed a GIANT roach right next to his head that night. So...we saved the roach in a bag and went in and told them this wasn't going to work for us so we would get our own place. Of course, they apologized profusely ...and then put us up in a 5 star resort hotel and let me tell you, it was plush. I kept saying, "Thank you, God, for the roach!" It was great fun and romantic. We went on a haunted prison tour ( the jail there is 200 years old) and the guide was literally trying to call up the spirits. I just kept saying "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" over and over again, so I think that's why none of them showed up. :)

Welp, then we headed to Knoxville for Christmas Eve, then up to Ohio that night. All my brothers were in and it was wonderful. We got to stay for a week and a half. Eric helped Dad finish building his garage outside and loved every moment of it. It was so great to chill out with family. If you think of it, you can pray for our little Molly. OK, she's 18, but she's decided to withdraw from college (she was going to one nearby and living at home) because 'she hates class'. She's planning to take all online classes to get her degree...but we're nervous she may chuck college altogether, which isn't the end of the world but when FOUR people in Eric's family lost their jobs in this past month because of the economy and they have no other options and no skills, no degrees, nothing but high school diplomas, the future doesn't look real bright for them. I just really hope she gets the importanc eof just having that piece of paper that says 'degree' in her hand or her future is seriously limited.

School is good - we got our first day off last week for flooding. Then we got yesterday off because of 'extreme cold' - (9 degrees). So now I've got a four day weekend including MLK Day Monday. Yippee!! Volleyball season is up and going so this past week I was at school until at least 7, sometimes 8. Then, even though I teach sixth grade, they pulled all Language Arts teachers in the building to teach 8th graders in an intensive writing workshop (um, yeah, I've never taught writing either) for 3 hours. So I had 13 eigth graders and I was SO nervous...cause, um, I just don't really like 8th graders! :) I prefer the little baby 6th graders. But, it went really well and I feel good after overcoming a challenge.

Eric will graduate next December if all goes well. So we actually have to start thinking about what to do next. We haven't had to do that our entire married life! I'll be honest, cats, I am sometimes sad that I am nearly 30 and have no children. I mean, you all have at least two, some have three. And nearly all our friends here just had a baby. I find myself worrying over what to do if/when we are blessed with a child. We have so much school debt, and I"m really enjoying teaching and I don't know that I want to leave it anytime soon right when I'm getting good at it. But I"ve always said I wanted to stay home with my kids. Any job Eric gets will be significantly less than what I"m making. ?? I know it's senseless to worry about any of that because God always lets me know what to do right when I need to know and not a moment earlier. Bottom line is: If we both worked for jsut one year, that would pay off massive amounts of debt. But then that pushes off babies even longer...and I'm nearly 30. So, that's just the kind of stuff I find myself thinking about a lot recently. Especially when I get around our parents and realize that they're not getting any younger and I sure want them to know their grandchildren.

I'll try to dig up a picture or two to attach. I'm so thankful for all of you and thankful that we can keep in touch this way. I love hearing about everyone's blessings and struggles, moments of joy and of sadness as well. meow, cats!
- klep

Delinquent

Hey Cats,

I know i am delinquent in updating. For this fact, i apologize immensly. However, i will say that truly this is the first moment in a very, very long time i have really felt like i had the actual time to blog without 30 other things taking priority. Usually, January is a relatively calm month--not so this go around! I cannot believe how insane it has been, between family and friends visits, TCTC and then the ever increasing amount of TRH stuff we just are not coming close to being able to take a breath.

At any rate, i feel like there is so much on the horizon for my family and one thing seems to depend upon the other. It seems like forever now Daniel and i have been weighing our options and desires for adding to our family. I really thought back before Christmas that Ethiopian adoption was definitely our next move. The financial part of it all was very worrisome but, as with all things Watson, when God is leading we just felt like things would fall into place. Then a bunch of stuff started happening that has made us reconsider:
1. Van transmission went out
2. Waterheater went out
3. I had a talk with Atley's MDO teacher who confirmed my suspicions that instead of kindergarten next year Atley needs a really good full time prekindergarten program next year
4. TRH will likely hire a new staff memberin the next two months, taking a HUGE amount of stress from me as i will move from Family Advocate to Program Coordinator (which is much more my speed)
5. It looks like TRH will be breaking ground on a huge building project of 15 condos and a community center in June. Going through the motions of an international adoption is just a little too much to add to the plate; particularly for Bo.

So now what? Well if Atley goes to school full time next year AND my job load is lightened this frees up some time and stress in a major way. So, i THINK we might be back around to fostering to adopt. I think we are just interested in the one year and under age group where there is generally less background of trama. We have also heard that people don't like to foster infants b/c they don't like all the attention they require, like feeding and sleep schedules and such. All that to say we are still hoping to adopt from Ethiopia at some point. It is truly a dream of mine, but i want it to be in the right timing. Maybe number four.

I also think there is a good chance Atley might get a scholarship to go to Maria Jenkin's montessori school-which is also super exciting. I am going there week after next to observe and talk with Maria.

Overall, i just appreciate your prayers so much is up in the air for us and like i said it seems that one thing depends upon the other. I am confident that God will continue to reveal himself to us, if we will slow down and listen! Ugh! So that is where we are...nothing major...just life. :)

A&A are doing well. Ava is so ornery but has moments of sheer hilarity that generally save her life. Atley has become one of the more well mannered kids i know. Four is a whole lot of fun! I will start documenting our stories a little better. They say funny stuff all the time.

I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry for the somewhat boring post. Just an update...

Love you all!
Meow!
mandycat

Hey Kitties!
I am glad everyone had a good Christmas and judging by the lack of posts by all of us--a very busy Christmas. Bets, I will be in prayer for you and baby and hope all goes well. I know you are definitely ready! I also wanted to share with you all that another Kiser-bun is in the oven! Yes I am preggo! Looks like early Sept. if all goes well. Please be in prayer as with Elie my progesterone levels were a little low and I had to take hormones the first trimester. Hopefully, I will get in to my OB quickly, as I have yet to find one! This probably means my kick-boxing class is on the outs--yes kick-boxing! I love you all and hope you are well!
V

Let the Countdown Begin...

Well ladies, it sounds like everyone had a wonderful Christmas season. Ours was good- different since we had to stay in TN but nice also. Brevin was very much into tracking Santa on the internet- Swartz showed him how to do this and he continued to try to do it for a few days after Christmas. It was the first thing he wanted to do Christmas morning. My parents, brother, sister, and their significant others arrived at our house about 11:30 Christmas evening. Then we got to open gifts again on the 26th with them. Which also was the day I turned the big 3-0. Kind of hard to believe, but just like any other birthday, I really don't feel any different. Our house was definitely packed with all those people and my sister brought her puppy that she received as a gift- Brevin enjoyed that, but Denali not so much. The next weekend we were to meet Randy's family at a cabin in Pigeon Forge. Well, that Friday I woke up not feeling too well and a few hours into the day Brevin was complaining that his stomach hurt. He ended up puking twice- once on the chair but the second time he did make it to the bathroom. I tried to lay as still as possible on the couch so I wouldn't throw up, but at about 3:00 I got up to help Brevin get to bed and up came everything else. So we didn't join his family that night, but ended up going down on Saturday and spending at least one night. We were feeling back to normal by about lunch time on Saturday.

They have set my c-section for January 26th! Only about 2.5 more weeks- it is hard to believe, but I am so ready. I have two more doc appointments where I am lucky to get an ultrasound each time and hooked up to the heartrate and contraction monitors for 20 minutes. I guess because of my blood clotting condition- they just want to be on the safe side. The last ultrasound estimated her weight to be 6 lbs 4 oz so if that is right she will probably be close to 8 lbs at birth. I have switched over to taking 2 shots a day now- I am kind of getting nervous for the c-section with the added risk of taking these shots (I guess it can increase chances of blood getting into your spinal fluid and causing paralysis) so you all can be praying for my safety during all this. And if my platelets are below 100 they will have to put me completely under- at my last appointment they were 104 so we are bordering on the edge here. Oh the c-section is set for 8:00 that morning. In the mean time, I am still babysitting and trying to stay busy to make the days go fast- I just can't wait to hold this little one in my arms!

Can't wait to hear from the rest of you- Vanessa I hope things worked out with your MIL!
Love you all!
Betsy

Let's get back on track

Happy New Year Kitties--It's time to start blogging again! 

I'm sure you all had eventful holidays and we want to hear about them.  

To start--Eli took 3 weeks off during the holidays and 15 of those days we were either in B-town or Tennessee.  We enjoyed the time with family as well as a brief visit with the Watsons.  Byrd, Daniel, Eli and I got to have an evening kid-free thanks to Aunt Shell--so should a little surprise arrive in the mail it was because we were together and feeling quite free-spirited!

My feet have been dragging as I try to get back into the swing of things.  Not because I don't want my break to end--we had a nice long time together--more because I'm in need of a little change. Maybe a new haircut or some new faces in our lives.  Eli and I may make a change in our church lives--time will tell.  I'm not sure what 2009 will bring us.  I'm turning 30 soon!  Good gracious that is crazy to consider--Betsy how is it?  I think we're the oldest cats.   Baby Byrd just turned 29 and Fulty is sometime this month.  

Eli and I celebrated our 8 years of marriage!  Hard to believe it's been that long.  So, does that make it the Politte's 5th or 6th year and the Frazier's 3rd year? 

Well, I'm kind of at a blank as to what else to share.  Duncan put a nice stink in his pants so I should go take care of that probably.  Actually--he's not wearing pants but a pair of Kenna's black stockings and a black turtle neck because we went out in the snow and I put them under his pants.  He looks like a little black  nymph scurrying around.  Too cute.

Please, please, please blog!

Make time even if it is just a line or two.

liz