Video of Luke belting out "Ride On, King Jesus"
And here's one of our nightly rituals. Jason has downloaded some fun songs Luke likes, among them "Charlie Brown" and "Runaround Sue"
I have other pictures to upload, but these videos take nearly an hour each to upload, so they will have to wait for another day. I'm out of energy!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Back to School
Luke has been back at school a week already and he seems to be doing well. Despite some anxiety when we leave in the morning, he's adjusted to Leni very well. I'm pleased as can be with her, too. The house looks great, I hardly have time to wear an outfit before it's washed, ironed, and hung in my closet, and she's even beginning to cook for us this week! Also, she's very playful with Luke and often takes him to ride bikes and plays basketball with him outside. So far, so good!
Jason and I have been in staff development for a week. The school has been great about giving us time to work in our rooms. We've had at least 1/2 a day each day in our rooms. That would've been plenty to get me started, except I had an art closet FULL of supplies that were all just sitting on tables. The teacher before me had, on several occasions, requested shelves to be built for the closet. She'd told me about the shelves before summer, so when I go there on Sunday and there were no shelves, I was pretty disappointed. I talked to enough people until it happened, though, and Tuesday afternoon the shelves were installed. I spent Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday dusting off and taking inventory of the supplies. Wednesday and Thursday I loaded the closet back up. Now it's super organized (YAY!) and I know every single thing that's in there. I'm pretty happy with it. I did have to go in over the weekend and then again today, which was an optional work day, in order to be prepared for tomorrow, the first day of school. I am pretty confident that I'm prepared for tomorrow (and the rest of this week) but beyond that, I'm on less sure footing.
Everyone at the school has been wonderful--very friendly, welcoming, encouraging. It's been great NOT to be new to Cairo! I recognize myself in the dazed looks of the newest newbies. I've enjoyed helping them out when I can, too.
I am looking forward to meeting the kids tomorrow. I have never had so many students, so remembering names may be difficult for me, but I know we'll get there.
Jason is excited about teaching his IB classes. They're small classes, too. One of them only has 3 students so far! He has enjoyed having me at school with him, and I've enjoyed being there. It's been nice having colleagues again!
Jason and I have been in staff development for a week. The school has been great about giving us time to work in our rooms. We've had at least 1/2 a day each day in our rooms. That would've been plenty to get me started, except I had an art closet FULL of supplies that were all just sitting on tables. The teacher before me had, on several occasions, requested shelves to be built for the closet. She'd told me about the shelves before summer, so when I go there on Sunday and there were no shelves, I was pretty disappointed. I talked to enough people until it happened, though, and Tuesday afternoon the shelves were installed. I spent Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday dusting off and taking inventory of the supplies. Wednesday and Thursday I loaded the closet back up. Now it's super organized (YAY!) and I know every single thing that's in there. I'm pretty happy with it. I did have to go in over the weekend and then again today, which was an optional work day, in order to be prepared for tomorrow, the first day of school. I am pretty confident that I'm prepared for tomorrow (and the rest of this week) but beyond that, I'm on less sure footing.
Everyone at the school has been wonderful--very friendly, welcoming, encouraging. It's been great NOT to be new to Cairo! I recognize myself in the dazed looks of the newest newbies. I've enjoyed helping them out when I can, too.
I am looking forward to meeting the kids tomorrow. I have never had so many students, so remembering names may be difficult for me, but I know we'll get there.
Jason is excited about teaching his IB classes. They're small classes, too. One of them only has 3 students so far! He has enjoyed having me at school with him, and I've enjoyed being there. It's been nice having colleagues again!
Best o' the Summer
I went home as early as I did to be with my friends Bill & Cheryl. I think they ended up ministering to me in Jason's absence as I did to them. Bill kept us busy by thinking of fun stuff for us all to go do. He rented a pontoon boat one afternoon and took us out on the lake.
Pretty much as soon as Jason got home from Egypt, we went to Wisconsin to visit relatives. Luke got to do some really fun things, like go to the fair...
catch his first fish...
(look how beautiful the lake & reflection are)...
He also got to drive more construction vehicles and tractors with Uncle Bob:
Back at home, Mom taught Luke some yoga poses. He learned to do ball, happy baby, cow, cat, downward dog, and flipping the dog, which Luke called "flipping the Luke." He and Mom had fun together.
Jason and I got to go to Canada so he could attend IB training. We went a few days early and took a trip to Niagara Falls to celebrate our 10th anniversary.
It was a great summer, filled with many happy memories. I was glad to spend as much time as we did with friends and family, but there's never quite time enough to see everyone as much as I want to!
Pretty much as soon as Jason got home from Egypt, we went to Wisconsin to visit relatives. Luke got to do some really fun things, like go to the fair...
catch his first fish...
(look how beautiful the lake & reflection are)...
He also got to drive more construction vehicles and tractors with Uncle Bob:
Back at home, Mom taught Luke some yoga poses. He learned to do ball, happy baby, cow, cat, downward dog, and flipping the dog, which Luke called "flipping the Luke." He and Mom had fun together.
Jason and I got to go to Canada so he could attend IB training. We went a few days early and took a trip to Niagara Falls to celebrate our 10th anniversary.
It was a great summer, filled with many happy memories. I was glad to spend as much time as we did with friends and family, but there's never quite time enough to see everyone as much as I want to!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
We're back.
We arrived safely back in Egypt tonight--2 AM Cairo time--with only one lost piece of luggage this time (they know where it is and it will be here tomorrow night on the same flight). We got back to our apartment to find it clean and neat (Thanks, Leni!) and we are now all going to bed! It's 5 AM here now.
Luke has already pulled out all his favorite toys he's missed this summer--first the big Mustang, then his fire truck and trains. Jason's started unpacking (very unusual) and I've just been trying to get the computer set up to get on and post this blog so I can go to bed.
The next few days will be busy unpacking, preparing for the beginning of school, etc., so I will probably not post much, but there are loads of great pictures from the summer to put up--I'll probably do a "best of" post sometime soon. Thanks to all of you who were able to spend some time with us, thank you. And to those we missed or didn't get to see much, please know that we enjoyed the time we had with you and hope to see more people next time. It's always hard to work out schedules, vacations, transportation, naptimes...etc. We had a busy, fun-filled, exciting summer. I'm rooting for a calmer summer next year, but am not too optimistic! ;)
Now I'm off to sleep!
Luke has already pulled out all his favorite toys he's missed this summer--first the big Mustang, then his fire truck and trains. Jason's started unpacking (very unusual) and I've just been trying to get the computer set up to get on and post this blog so I can go to bed.
The next few days will be busy unpacking, preparing for the beginning of school, etc., so I will probably not post much, but there are loads of great pictures from the summer to put up--I'll probably do a "best of" post sometime soon. Thanks to all of you who were able to spend some time with us, thank you. And to those we missed or didn't get to see much, please know that we enjoyed the time we had with you and hope to see more people next time. It's always hard to work out schedules, vacations, transportation, naptimes...etc. We had a busy, fun-filled, exciting summer. I'm rooting for a calmer summer next year, but am not too optimistic! ;)
Now I'm off to sleep!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
And if all that other fun stuff wasn't enough...
Luke LOVES tractors and construction vehicles of any sort. We look for them all over Cairo as we walk and drive around, and I've been telling him for months that we need to ask Granddad about the different types of construction vehicles, because he knows a lot about just about everything. Well, Daddy took Luke yesterday to an empty lot near our house where there are several types of tractors parked, and Luke got to get up in them and pretend to drive. Daddy took so many great pictures I had a hard time choosing. 
There's another construction site where they're working on roads near our house. Daddy took him there, too, and he got to learn about maintainers and graders and haulers. 
They came home and Daddy had made Luke promise not to say anything until they showed us the pictures on Granddad's big TV. Once the pictures came up, Luke talked 90 miles a minute. Needless to say, he had a great time.
There's another construction site where they're working on roads near our house. Daddy took him there, too, and he got to learn about maintainers and graders and haulers. 
They came home and Daddy had made Luke promise not to say anything until they showed us the pictures on Granddad's big TV. Once the pictures came up, Luke talked 90 miles a minute. Needless to say, he had a great time.
The Actual Fourth
A fun morning...
No matter how loudly Luke and I yelled, "Jub Jub! Jub Jub!" George did not turn our way. I was bummed. Anyway, there were some neat old cars and trucks in the parade, including this old fire truck.
The CHS band played, too, and even though the music was definitely summertime, non-practiced, end of the parade in 100 degree weather quality, the band still brings tears to my eyes every time I see it!
This was probably Luke's favorite parade float, a red Farmall tractor. I thought it was neat that it was a Farmall, because I'm pretty sure that's what Jason's grandfather used to have on the farm.
The last thing we did before going home for lunch and naps was talk to this clown, who also happens to be a paramedic. I was shocked that Luke was not scared in the least of him.
We went to the Coppell Fourth of July Parade yesterday morning. It was hot as blazes out there! The first time I've really minded the heat since we've been here. We parked near the fire station and walked over to the parade route. As we passed the fire station, we decided to go in so Luke could have a look at the fire trucks. He even got to sit in one and pretend to drive for a few minutes! 
After we dragged him away from the fire house, he whined and moaned about not getting to still drive the fire trucks, until we heard the band playing on their way down the street. We sat in the median on Parkway to watch the parade. The grand marshal was George Dunham of The Ticket. 
No matter how loudly Luke and I yelled, "Jub Jub! Jub Jub!" George did not turn our way. I was bummed. Anyway, there were some neat old cars and trucks in the parade, including this old fire truck.
The CHS band played, too, and even though the music was definitely summertime, non-practiced, end of the parade in 100 degree weather quality, the band still brings tears to my eyes every time I see it!
This was probably Luke's favorite parade float, a red Farmall tractor. I thought it was neat that it was a Farmall, because I'm pretty sure that's what Jason's grandfather used to have on the farm.
The last thing we did before going home for lunch and naps was talk to this clown, who also happens to be a paramedic. I was shocked that Luke was not scared in the least of him.
Happy Fourth (but it's actually the 3rd)
Oreo cookie face....gross, huh?
Walking to the park with the Whitthornes, our fireworks watching buddies.
This year we sat across the lake from the fireworks. There was lots of room to spread out and to let Luke run around.
Luke gets a flag etiquette lesson from Granddad.
On the way to the park Luke said, "Mama, I am so excited to see these fireworks!" We got to the park just before dark. Luke got a little nervous when they turned the lights off at the ball field. Then the fireworks began, and though they weren't too loud, Luke was very apprehensive. He had to be convinced that the fireworks were not going to come all the way to him and burn him. As the show went on, he kept saying, "no, Mama, no! I don't want these fireworks. I want to go back to the house."
About five minutes before the show was over, Luke decided the fireworks were okay. Pretty cool, actually. He sat by himself, ears unplugged, to watch the finale.
Walking to the park with the Whitthornes, our fireworks watching buddies.
This year we sat across the lake from the fireworks. There was lots of room to spread out and to let Luke run around.
Luke gets a flag etiquette lesson from Granddad.
On the way to the park Luke said, "Mama, I am so excited to see these fireworks!" We got to the park just before dark. Luke got a little nervous when they turned the lights off at the ball field. Then the fireworks began, and though they weren't too loud, Luke was very apprehensive. He had to be convinced that the fireworks were not going to come all the way to him and burn him. As the show went on, he kept saying, "no, Mama, no! I don't want these fireworks. I want to go back to the house."
About five minutes before the show was over, Luke decided the fireworks were okay. Pretty cool, actually. He sat by himself, ears unplugged, to watch the finale.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Playing at Caleb's
The Lakeway Lane crowd got together for some wild and rowdy playtime last week. The kids have all grown so much, even since Christmas! Luke was a little overwhelmed, I think, and he wasn't sure quite how to join in the fun. He found a fire truck, a tractor, and a truck in Caleb's playroom, though, and he was pretty happy for several hours! It was good to see everybody and watch the kids play.
Boat Ride
We got out in the boat this week on Lake Grapevine. We put in about an hour before dark and had a nice ride around the lake. Luke even got to drive for a while! I can't figure out how to get Blogger to keep my video rotated the right way, so I guess you'll have to turn your head to the left to watch.
Swimming Lessons
I pretty much videoed everything he did at swimming on Tuesday. He did much better (more going under the water and swimming by himself) on Thursday. We will practice more today in Mimi's pool!
The first time he went off the board he wasn't scared till the girl in front of him TOTALLY freaked out. Ever since then, he's been very wary of the diving board, but each time he goes off he's so proud of himself afterward.
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