4 years ago

It is crazy to think back on how one decision we made 4 years ago has affected our lives almost everyday. I have come to believe that God knows the big picture for each of us and we have to trust him and it will all unfold like he has planned.

On Saturday August 27, 2005 I was planning to go wedding dress shopping with some of my bridesmaids. The plan was to meet up around noon and go to New Orleans to a couple dress shops. That morning one of the bridesmaids called and canceled on me. I went to work and a few hours later Tory called to let me know that he was on his way up to Baton Rouge and had all of our stuff in his car and we were evacuating New Orleans, Katrina was coming her way. Once he got to Baton Rouge we tried to find a hotel room North and West and had no luck. His Uncle Scott did have a hotel room in Houston so we planned to leave on Sunday morning and take the back roads to get to Houston. Tory's sister and her family were going to Shreveport to her brother-n-laws, and the other uncles were going across the lake to wait and see what the storm did. Tory and I left Baton Rouge on Sunday morning and took all the back roads and made it to Houston in about 7 hours. Lets just say the hotel was not a Hilton Brand and it was terrible but better then nothing. 4 adults and 2 kids in a small hotel room gets very tight, and one of the kids does NOT like Tory. On Monday Tory and I went to play golf at this golf course we had been wanting to play at, Tour 18, just north of Houston. We loved the course and loved the area. When we returned to the hotel, we then learned what was happening in New Orleans and really could not believe the damage. Tory's parents house did have some damage and his sister lost her big oak tree. (it feel on their car that they had just made the last car payment).







In March 2006, Tory received a call from a recruiter about moving to Houston. The economy had taken a hard hit after Katrina and we had started looking for a house and had not come up with anything. I thought that we were crazy not to even explore the possiblity. Not knowing anyone in Houston, I got on the wedding board, the knot, and asked where to live and work and we keep coming back to the area were Tour 18 was located. We had 3 days to decided on a job and find a house. The last house we walked through was the house we are in today. When we walked through where the front door would be, we both just knew that this was our house.
It was very hard for us to move away from our family. Most of Tory's family all live within a 5-10 mile radius with the exception of one uncle that lives across the lake. The move did make us closer to my parents and we have been thankful for being able to call them when we need a babysister. We do wish that we were closer and the 5hour trip is alot longer now with 2 kids and 2 dogs (one still gets car sick).I am so thankful now how things have turned out for us. We have made some amazing friends here in Houston and I can not thank them enough for all that they have done for us. They are amazing rolemodels for us as parents, and husbands & wives.

Bath Time at our house

Its been a while since I took any pictures of Tanner in the tub. Well as you can see, there is not much room for any more toys. Tanner has never taken a bath in the upstairs bathroom. I think he will be in shock when he no longer takes a bath/swims in the big bathtub. I was lazy tonight and gave Morgan a quick bath with Tanner while Tory got these great pictures of the two kids.

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma

Today is my mom's 46th birthday and what better gift then to drive to Lufkin and go to lunch. This was the first trip that I have taken with both kids and no help. Our morning started with Tanner brushing his teeth 3 times so I could get everyone ready. If it keeps him occupied and does not make a big mess or hurt someone, I am all for it.




Before we could leave, I had to take Tory his skycaddie (golfer's gps) and that was 30 minutes in the opposite direction. I also had to stop back by the house to pick up my camera, yes I do not go anywhere without it. We were finally on the road. Morgan slept almost the whole trip and Tanner took a good nap. All in all, they were both pretty good. After lunch we went to the mall to walk around and for Tanner to burn off some energy. Tanner loves playing in the play areas.









Tanner was in his seat and playing with one of Morgan's flower headbands and was just having a fit with it. At a red light, I took it from him before he destoyed it and he had a total melt down. Since we were stoped I took this cute picture.

100% All Boy!

Tanner is really going through a totally cute stage. He is growing up so much the last couple weeks. Next month he will start a Mother's Day Out program and I am very sad to take him out of the daycare that has watched him since he was 6 weeks old. His new thing is to hold Morgan, call Morgan "sissy" or "baby" and is starting to get his independence.





Yesterday was a fun day for the 3 of us. Tanner had a few timeouts in his bedroom after he threw his sippy cup at Morgan's head. This happen twice. I think I need to find a helmet for Morgan. It rained most of the day so we took a walk to get the mail. Afterwards Tanner had fun playing in the stroller and Morgan's carseat. He also took a sharpie marker and colored the screen of my new Blackberry. Thankfully the plastic was still on it. He is also learning how to open doors. He has not yet master how to open any but sure loves to try.








And then today! Tanner and I slept in till 8:30 and at 10 had to wake Morgan up. This child loves to sleep. Tanner talked to Grandma and Grandpa on the phone and I was trying to get him to make his monkey "Moe" talk. He put the phone up to Moe's ear. It was too cute but I was not able to get a picture of that. This is also the second time I have seen him drink out of the dogs water bowl. I just wonder what the afternoon will bring. I hope the twins can come over and play today!

Chunky Monkey

Morgan has a new name... Chunky Monkey! Lets just say this girl loves to eat. I think she dreams about eating in her sleep. I had a doctors appointment and they weighed Morgan and she is up to 11 lbs. 2 oz and is only 6 1/2 weeks old. She might not run true to size.




Not much went on this week after I took the kids to see the Disney Train. Tory was off again this Friday and it was nice to spend a 3 day weekend together. Tanner was picked to be Student of the Week at Day Care and got to bring home George for the week. I got some cute pictures of him playing with his new friend. Our neighbor's son had a birthday party and it was cute to see Tanner play with the big kids.






Tanner also got a new toy box. At first I thought it would go outside to hold his outside toys but I think I really like in inside. Tanner of course had to check it out and give his approval.