Meanwhile in Missouri...: December 2008

Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas Aftermath

Reagan bellied up to the bar for a drink after losing a tough match of ping-pong. (Relax...we serve kool aid to the kids.)

I don't know about you, but I'm Christmas'd out. I'm used to having all the celebrations at someone else's house. The hosting gig can be tough.
Things went well and it seemed as though everyone had a good time. Don, who plays ping-pong like Forrest Gump, played against all the teenagers. The food turned out well and we all received more gifts than necessary.
I am enjoying the kids immensely, but still missing Sage.
There's no time to rest...we're spending New Year's in Branson and taking the kids trout fishing at Lake Taneycomo...and I must prepare.
That should be a memorable trip for all!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

BowFlex Baby

Reagan joined me and Bridgette for our work-out this evening. I thought she was too small to use the BowFlex, but she showed us all up. You should have seen her on the treadmill. I think Reagan is secretly Ashley's kid. That athleticism doesn't come from me.

new trick

The kids have arrived!

Here I am on my way to pick the kids up from the airport. I was nervous, as this was the first time I've navigated the St. Louis airport traffic and parking by myself. Bridgette was a huge help.

They arrived safe and sound. I am so proud of all of my kids for having the ability and courage to fly without an adult and really take care of each other. Reese said he and Reagan argued on who would have the window seat while they were waiting in Dallas. When they boarded the plane there weren't any window seats left. An argument wasted!

We picked up their luggage and then rode a shuttle to the parking lot where I'd parked my car. Reese kept saying he'd never ridden the bus in a city before. Funny. I told him that a shuttle was different than the bus. He said...nope....this is a bus.

Reese and Reagan were so tired that they slept on the drive home.

We're so glad they're here.

Friday, December 19, 2008

The youngins are coming!

Reese and Reagan will be arriving in St. Louis around noon tomorrow, as Jon and Lee were gracious enough to pay for them to fly. I am soooooo excited!!!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Ice

This is our driveway covered in ice. I'm standing behind my car just outside the garage.

Thankfully school was cancelled. Today was a nasty day with temperatures in the teens.

I attempted to get out of the driveway and ended up sliding backwards down a hill toward the woods. I called Don in near hysterics. My foot on the brake was the only thing keeping me from hurling down the hill. He had me cut my wheels all the way to the right so I ended up sliding into the rock wall which brought the car to a stop instead of sliding down the hill and into a tree. Pretty scary stuff...I even cried. Guess I'm going to have to toughen up to survive the winter...or at least have enough sense to stay home.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Crazy Woman

This time of year is sooo busy. In addition to getting everything ready for Christmas...Ive been working out like a crazy woman so I will be able to eat all the holiday food. Now I'm sore as hell. Go figure.
This year, instead of buying lots of different and pretty wrapping papers...I bought a 50 pound roll of brown craft paper. Yeah...really. This is what I will use for every occasion of the year. It sounded good at the time, but I'm struggling to make the presents look festive. Pretty ribbon helps...but still...what was I smoking? I'm going to use it, though. Gotta save face on that one!
Today an ice storm is going to hit the area and last through Tuesday. I hope it's mild. We have a funeral to attend tomorrow and the kids have finals at school, although there is a good chance school will get canceled.
Only six days til I get the kids. I'm soooo excited!!!!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Falling in place...

Yesterday was a terrific day. Everything seemed to fall into place effortlessly...which really means to me that it is God's Divine Plan playing out naturally.
I also see how experiences in my life have led up to this point...such as my experience at Caprock. I am basically doing the same job...just not for someone else.
Don and I met with so many intersting people: the mayor and bank vp for lunch; a man that has a ph. d in economics and is the CEO of the state's largest winery, which we toured; and the Dean of Agriculture at MU. Needless to say, I am extremely excited about the upcoming projects.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Don turns 50

We went to dinner to celebrate.

Max tries to avoid the camera.

Don's mom, Vi, and her friend Paul.

Bridgette is ready to go to a fancy restaurant. She looks so grown up.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Full Blown Depression

I returned late last night from Oklahoma, where I met Jon and Lee to drop off the kids. It was absolutely gut-wrenching to be leaving them...even though I'll be seeing them again in a couple of weeks...it didn't make it any easier.
We had a wonderful time together...and it's always sad when it ends.
So...in addition to being exhausted from the drive...missing my kids incredibly...and having the holiday blues...
I want to call in sick from my life today and just mope.

NOT A CHANCE...
Tomorrow is Don's 50th birthday, so today I must clean and shop and prepare and clean some more.
My pity party will have to wait for another, more convenient day. Too bad, so sad.