lost

well, in one fell swoop, i've managed to lose almost all of my personal information--everything from pictures of my daughter's ENTIRE LIFE to YOUR phone number. on thursday of last week, i felt like i had lost a dear friend. by sunday, i had no friends left and now, i'm simply lost.

you see, on thursday, i happened to have my coffee on the counter. nolan and i had just finished "elfing ourselves" when he accidentally tipped that mug of cinnamon coffee goodness. while i lunged for my cpu, it seems i did nothing to save my poor mac mini. it gave me 3 really loud beeps that could be translated into, "bad mother-bad mother-bad mother." i didn't MEAN to leave the coffee so close...
all of my babies pictures, Christmas gifts just waiting to be made, dvds dying to be birthed...i NEED my iphoto and idvd people. it's December 10th for crying out loud!!!!! with directions from the computer savviest people i know, i left my mac mini to dry out and prayed. honestly-is that wrong?
when we plugged that baby in today, nothing but the same 3 bad mother beeps. y'all, with what happened on sunday, i should have waited to try the computer. i just couldn't take the bad mother beeps today.

i spent sunday cheering on the houston texans in reliant stadium. my first texans game--and we won. it was nothing short of wonderful. until we were almost to the car and i realized that my beautiful new motorola razr was missing. i only tell you it was a razr b/c i've never had a nicer phone. in fact, i have had the simplest, cheapest phones by CHOICE. i'm not a huge phone gadget kind of girl. i prefer things like iphoto and idvd. and so, ever since i got one, i pretended that my razr was just too much phone for me. but the fact is, i secretly loved it. i kind of felt like i had arrived in the phone world. so what that my husband has an iphone that can do amazing things that i don't even know about. i had a RAZR!
either way, i left it. somewhere. i had it the entire game. something went awry when i stood to leave and thought it made it in to my bag. i made a really honorable effort to retrieve...fought my way into the stadium after the gates were closed (ever tried that?), ran several ramps as fast as i could (actually not too many--we had amazing seats...thank you LIsa), fought the workers to allow me to get back to my seat, and talked with the lost and found people for a while.
but it's gone. all the numbers, all the alarms i had set, the CUTEST pictures of my children. there's this one where lori is wearing her winter hat...a fluffy dog with a bow...

and so, in a weekend, i am lost. how sad ( i can't think of a better adjective) that my life is so attached to my technological things. but it is, and i admit it.

if you are reading this...would you email me your phone number? but don't expect a reply any time soon with my computer dead and all.
i love you-and hopefully i will talk with you soon.
maybe i'll go spend my time doing some things that really are representative of what Christmas is about--maybe all of this is to keep me focused right now. i don't know...just thoughts.
y'all take care!

Let's try something else...

If you've got kids, I know what you're doing these days. Maybe even if you've got grandkids. Your camera batteries are charged, ready at a moments notice. Or maybe you're a little more planned. You've convinced your husband to drive you and the little, adorable ones to the perfect spot, sure to snap it. The perfect picture. That's what we're all going for right now. Yep, because it has to go in those Christmas cards that, really, you need to write and address soon. Time is running out and so far...all you've gotten are pictures of the backs of heads, somebody crying, or blurry action shots.
So here's my proposal. Let's try something else this year...Let's just send the pictures that tell the true story. What the real world looks like. You down? So far, here are the Armstrong options!

more in the series, "This is Yoakum"

I haven't done a great job of introducing you to our home town as promised. I just kind of threw the benefit dinner at you, hoping to draw you in, but then left you waiting for the next course of giblet rice (which, by the way, my genius father-in-law figured out how to make! Woo hoo!).

This is just a quick tidbit but a morsel nonetheless...our back yard friends.


Meet Blondie. The adorable, blonde cow who visits our backyard occasionally. I'm actually zoomed in a bit. We do have a fence. See?


I'm standing closer to our back door here. It's a wonderful back yard. Nolan gathers acorns, throws balls, rides in the wagon, and most importantly, has a little b.p. each day. (non-baseball fans, ask a friend)

This back yard and Blondie are two more reasons we love Yoakum. I think Nolan loves Blondie and her friends. Perhaps that is what he is contemplating here.




This Thanksgiving and Christmas season, when blessings are at the forefront of our mind, the simple, just-plain-fun things we've done in this great back yard are definitely included.
Y'all come visit soon.

So much fun...here are the babies pre-costume and getting ready to go downtown. And look at my girl getting what she wants. Having her lick the lollipop was not what I intended but at least Nolan is sharing. Pick your battles, you know?

Alright, now we may not have pizza delivery but Yoakum nailed it in the trick or treat department. Everyone, and I mean all 5731 of us, were walking the streets of downtown, stopping at every business and group that set up "shop" to hand candy to begging, but very cute, children. We walked up and down the streets with our friends--Nolan held his pumpkin so that sissy couldn't get it and delved into sugar haven. Poor guy, it's all new to him, this sugar thing. I've been withholding and now I'm not sure there's any turning back. I couldn't stand it though...looking this cute, he can have anything he wants (and so can that sweet ballerina you see)!

Nolan attended his first fall festival at the Methodist Church where he attends mother's day out...aptly named, "Happy Hearts"... I'm not sure if they're referring to the kids or to the mothers but we're all pretty darn excited about the program. He liked games as long as there were prizes, he may or may not have drank water in dog-like fashion out of the "duck pond" and he ate sugar cookies until his tummy just couldn't take it anymore. Oh yes, he discovered stamps. And here's another reason to love Yoakum. Around here-you just don't mind if someone else picks up your baby just to hang out. I see this mom all around town and my friends know her well so it was fun when she picked up Lori and toted her around for a while!

And now, the children

Alright, as promised...pictures of kids. Lots of 'em. More than you want to see but only a fraction of what I wanted to share!
They go from most recent to right before we moved so SCROLL DOWN!
I can't communicate how much I love these babies. Despite the expected craziness in having them 14 months apart, there is more joy in the days we spend together than I thought possible. And the adult communication I'm supposed to be missing? Well, sure, but hearing Nolan run to his sissy's side when she's crying and genuinely asking, "Matter sissy? Matter sissy?" (what's the matter sissy, for non-baby-speakers)...c'mon...that's just good stuff.

These are just for fun...
Mornings at Doc and Doe's looked like this.
We tried to capture a shot with all of the grandchildren together. :) hmmm...

Most recent...

These are the most current pictures...Lori dressing up and just being silly and Nolan , the studious one, refusing to look at the camera! By the way, that's bed hair...he just woke up.

Sweet, Sweet Lori

With every fat roll that adds to her adorable baby thighs, Lori's happiness increases. This baby girl is joy!

Nolan and the boys

Nolan spent some serious energy the past few months. He LOVES the "wheeler" (4-wheeler) and the hammock. Thanks to "Doe" and Uncle Gary for supervising some serious entertainment in these photos.

Mid summer *july-ish*

This was just before we left for Yoakum (Lori's photo) and then shortly after we got there...
Lori's just hanging out
Nolan enjoyed his first play date in the rain with cousins and then running through the sprinkler

This is Yoakum

So I was about to meet my husband in the next town for a dinner preceding a golf tournament in which he would participate when I had the thought...man, I really have gotten it together tonight. My friend helped me find baby sitters at the last minute, I got ready, shower and all, in about 20min., the babies were ready for bed, and I had a notebook of information in case the sitters had any questions. Lastly, and remarkably, I remembered to leave cash for the sitters so they could get a pizza. The empty pizza box I saw in their hands when we returned was even more affirmation of my sudden "togetherness." Then I noticed the pizza money still sitting on the counter. I asked why they didn't use the cash and sweetly they explained that their mom had to bring them dinner and finished with, "Um...this is Yoakum. We don't have pizza delivery."

This, my dear friends, and other discoveries like this, are the culmination of our life unfolding in Yoakum,TX, USA.
As if you couldn't tell, I have not entered a blog in about 3 1/2 months now. This particular move (in comparison to the previous five) has definitely been about letting the details slowly unravel, breathing each moment one at a time, mostly because it's SLOWER here, partly because of existing in survival mode, and sometimes just because. Instead of making one big migration southward, getting settled, and jumping into life, things have happened in stages. Maybe it's that way when you don't automatically move into your own physical home.
To get you up to speed (which is just not that fast) let me briefly describe July, August and the beginning of September.
After moving to Michael's hometown, and while living with Michael's parents, we had the privilege of getting to visit with Michael's sisters' families. At one point this summer, there were 7 adults and 8 children under the age of 5, except for a token 7 yr. old, under the same roof. At any other given time between July and August, there were always at least 4-5 adults and 5 children. We had a blast and I'm THRILLED Nolan and Lori were able to get to know their cousins and aunts and uncles so well. This made sitting down to the computer to load pictures and share my thoughts seem a little less priority. Oh, and not to mention trickier due to dial-up internet because DSL just doesn't always reach country folk like us. It's SLOWER here, have you heard? Then, finally buying our own home only added to the hectic splendor. After a mom-and-dad-only vacation to Mexico and our poor, sweet Lori getting terribly sick at home(IVs at the hospital and everything), we're still unloading... Either way, in the midst of our personal chaos, God, Yoakum, and moving here tugged at the reins of general life and slowed it to an unrecognizable crawl. I think I've mentioned that. All at once, I learned that my timeline for anything was (is) irrelevant. Actually, that, and many things I once knew were (are) irrevelent. Like the fact that just because there is a Pizza Hut in town DOES NOT mean that there will be pizzas delivered.
And mostly, without having time to give proper credit, I'll just say that remarkable spiritual things are happening as other things slow down. Think God had the slowing of life in mind when things started working in our lives? I'll say. Talk about getting us focused on what He would like us to see...
Anyhow, if the Pizza Hut discovery tickled you at all,
I'd like to enlighten you with more ponderous discoveries and general ways of life with which we've been re-acquainted. Some of these ways of life are unique to Yoakum, some simply to South Texas. I am back in my childhood a little at a time (I know Michael is) and y'all...it's good to be home. There are many already but I'll start you off slowly (that's how we live now, slowly)... as long as you promise to check back in and read some more! I'll also add some fun pictures from the summer so you can see how our 21 month old and our 7 month old have grown!

Okay, the first major entry in the, "This is Yoakum," category:

THE BENEFIT SUPPER
I remember suppers like these when I stayed with my cousins in El Campo. In fact, you can find them all over surrounding towns. They start with an ad in the paper and tickets sold at local hotspots...like the bank.

Next, you follow the signs to get your food. Along the way, you pass the men who've been cooking all day so you just don't have to...



Hand the sweet girl your ticket,
get your food,
say hi to a few people because you certainly know the families of everyone in the serving line,
and then get home to bbq chicken, beans, and giblet rice, y'all!


Thanks to Carolyn for humoring me by driving (slowly!) so I could take pictures to share with you!
More soon! We love you all the way from Yoakum!

hey there folks. a new message from the farm.

Yea! Something to blog about that doesn't require a picture! I have been holding off on posting adorable (and I mean adorable) Yoakum photos due to the fact that my computer, though set up, does not have internet access. My gracious mother-in-law lets me use hers but my happy little pictures are not available here. So keep waiting anxiously. Because I know you are :)
Okay, Jen J., you're a doll for giving me something to write! Here goes. Oh wait, just as a side note, I think this would also be fun if other people got to comment on what habits they thought you had. Let's really stir up some fun.
Alright, read on.
I have been "tagged". If you find yourself "tagged" like me, here are the rules you must follow...
The Meme Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Oh yea, babe--here's the dish.

Habit 1: FIRST AND FOREMOST...requires only four words.
raw
chicken
salmonella
bleach wipes (or a various assortment of cleaning products)
Must-haves in my house or I wig out needlessly. Or my family starves because I just WON'T make chicken without the proper clean-up.
Habit 2: Clean out the car as I'm leaving--don't you just hate getting into a car filled with old sonic cups? Unless they're full of iced tea with a lime on the side. Did you know Yoakum DOES have a sonic? Oh yes, across the street from dairy queen.
Anyway, habit 2 makes a smooth transition into
Habit 3: I cannot go to bed without a CLEAN SINK. Not just free from dirty dishes...free from debris of all kinds, sparkling from the use of the aforementioned bleach wipes (or a various assortment of cleaning products).
Habit 4: I am way too literal. I spent the first years of our marriage trying to understand why, when Michael said he'd be home in a minute, he wasn't there in the next 60 seconds or so. Be careful what you tell me-I'll take you a little too seriously.
Habit 5: Sonic tea...with lime on the side. You can't really run errands without it. Did you know?
Let's see...I'll try to get creative so that you keep reading...ummm...i'm thinking...it's not working...
Habit 6: I'm really horrible at getting back in touch with people via phone, email, card, or thank you note. ESPECIALLY when it comes to birthdays. Boy, I really stink at birthdays. If I've remembered yours, consider it a major feat. (that's really kind of sad isn't it?)
Habit 7: Pick the sides of my nails too much.
Habit 8: When I'm alone with Nolan or Lori, I have conversations with them and answer my questions for them. For instance, "Hey doll, how are you? Good? Of course you are...oh, you think I'm the best mom in the world? I make the best food? I can fold clothes like no one else? Oh that's wonderful. How about my cleaning? I'm so glad you approve..." and so on and so forth. By the end of the day, when I realize just HOW much my children adore and appreciate me, I feel great :)
Okay, I'm tagging Chasity, Mandy, Andra, Kim, Angie I., Angie M. April, Jeffie, Stephanie, Elaine, and Molly, and Julie P. That's more than 8 but I'm trying to break out of my way too literal shell.
There you have it. Just some of the silly stuff I can think of. There is more dirt, of course. Email Michael and see if you can get it out of him. That would provide lots of entertainment.
Until then...
Come visit the farm!

MISSING: the month of JUNE

The Armstrongs are currently looking for the month of June. It was just here--we know we saw it somewhere...just can't remember where we left it. There are a few highlights from the month that we've run into but we're thinking the rest is gone forever. Y'all have any hints?

With our loss, then, we've welcomed July with open arms and have included a whole new life in our embrace as well! That's right. It's an official announcement. The Armstrongs have news.

For those of you who don't know us well, "news" means only one of two things: babies or cities. We like to keep it simple, you know. (hey now, sneering isn't nice!) Well, I can assure you that we are NOT expecting at this time. As far as children, we are enjoying learning about raising up a boy into a man, and learning about loving on a girl. We've just decided that we're going to do all that learnin' and raisin' up in the country. Hence, our "news." Yes, my friends, Nolan might actually have an authentic reason to wear his cowboy hat one of these days. We're talking "cities" this time and you can now find us in Michael's home town of Yoakum, Texas. God's country...south Texas. My amazing in-laws have taken us in until we find a nice little spread (forgive me as I convert to "southern" on the language option on my keyboard (what? not a language?). We're about a week into our move so there are no current pictures to accompany this little note. I promise to show you what it's like down here when I can get my camera and computer completely operational. In the mean time, did y'all ever see "A Tuna Christmas?" :)

No, really, it's lovely down here. We are so close to all of our families. We love the wide open, running in to old friends (that's for Michael!), watching Nolan on the four wheeler--it still seems like a vacation. Except for the bins of our STUFF bulging from every corner of the house. Have I mentioned how WONDERFUL my in-laws are yet? The Armstrongs have come in like thunder. No wait, that is real thunder. Is it still raining?
Okay, so now you know. Keep up with us here-pictures coming soon. Or, just check some previous posts! Until then, stay dry. We'll be thinking of you from way down here!

By the way, our phone numbers are the same and we actually have service so dial away.

More of Scenes from the South... (see previous post)

So, like I said, we were there for "Tom Tom" Festival and enjoyed a parade and "Polka in the Park." For those of you who know me, did I marry in to the right family or what???
We don't have pictures of the polka but we did get some of the parade. Check these out!