Change is GOOD....isn't it?

 

Well, friends, I have some news: The Royals are making a change.  A BIG change!  I have accepted a new position and the family is moving to South Texas.  I will tell you that although this has been brewing for awhile, I am still struggling with it a bit (if we're being completely honest).  It was not planned, but one thing led to another and the next thing we know, we are changing everything about our lives.  I am beyond excited about this new opportunity to expand my professional experience.  See, one of my clients hired me!  Talk about a compliment!!  But, I was hired to do something other than be a lawyer.  I may not be the best lawyer I know, but it is what I know.  No worries.  It's not like it's 10 years down the drain.  My legal training and specialty area will serve me very well in my new position, and is in fact, what makes this such a great fit.  There have been so many tears and prayers as we have come to this decision and I will undoubtedly cry every single day until (and probably even a lot after) I am there because our life here as been enormously rich with amazing friends, co-workers, neighbors, schools, and activities.  We will miss our College Station life so very much.  When Kidd and I moved back here in 2003, we never intended to stay.  Everything just fell into place for us, but even then I was hesitant about being a late 20's/early 30's adult living in my college town.  Almost everyone we knew here before had left.  Life would definitely be different.  I joined the local Junior League (which is, regrettably, not available in our new location), we got involved in church, and we've made such a wonderful life here.  Our kids were born here, baptized here, schooled here, loved here.  It will always be a special place for us, and for an entirely different reason than  because I'm an Aggie.  This truly is a great community in which to live and raise a family. 

 

As I mentioned, we didn't have kids last time we relocated.  If you haven't had to do it, let me just tell you that even though ours are very young, the idea of taking them from everything they've ever known is heart-wrenching.  People keep telling me they will adjust, and I have every confidence they will.  It's just different when your professional aspirations potentially impact little lives in a way you had never even considered.  Always at the forefront of my mind is "Am I screwing them up by doing this?"  I know military people do it every few years, but I am not military so I am not used to it.  It's HARD!  Having said that, if you happen to see my kids, particularly Justus, please speak highly of moving and our new adventure.  He has moments of excitement, but the realization of leaving his friends, school, activities, babysitters, etc. is starting to hit home for him.  Also, our tentative plan is that I will move to start on October 1st, but because of potential daycare wait lists and the fact that Justus just started a new school year here, we intend to hold off on the rest of the family relocating until Christmas Break.  If we manage to stick with that plan, it will be an incredibly difficult few months for our family.  Please send up all the prayers you can manage for us.  We would definitely appreciate it!!

 

So, new job--Check.  New town--Check. New friends--Sort of a check because I know some people.  New house--no check yet.  New schools--no check yet.  New doctors--no check yet.....you see where my anxiety has begun to set in about this whole thing....

 

Although I have no doubt that everything will fall into place again and that this will be a great adventure for us, I still have such mixed emotions about it.  I kind of wish I was a guy--Kidd is not at all as emotional about this as I am.  I so much as look at a friend these days and I start crying.  God help me when we take the kids to their doctor for the last time, or to school.  Ugh, and now I'm crying again!  This is going to be a problem.  It should be him going in October to allow me until December to be here a little longer...  Stay tuned--I'm sure there will be much to write about along the way and during this transition period!

 

Quick Kindergarten wrap up

 

 

I know this is a bit late, but what else is new with me these days...

 

First Day of Kindergarten

 Last Day of Kindergarten

(disregard the pink writing...my printer is out of color ink...)

 



This kid learned SO much this year in Kindergarten.  I am amazed at how he has grown in the 9 months.  He's always loved books, but now he can read on his own (when he focuses).  He learned math and science, music and art.  He is so much more independent--walking from the crosswalk all by himself, managing the lunch line with no problem, etc.  He participated in programs, went on field trips, and made a bunch of new friends.  I know this all seems like common sense, since we have all been through it.  But, it was an enormous growing time for us as he transformed to more a little boy than my baby.  We were so blessed with a wonderful teacher and fantastic school.  Yesterday, he asked me why he can't go back to school until August.  I think it's more than just missing his friends.  He really liked it!!


He was even patient enough on that last day to let me get a few pictures of him...and, then he stopped paying attention to me because he was excited about going to a swim party and I was keeping him from that.

Watch out, First Grade! 

Here comes Justus!

Wednesday's Winning Words: Life as we know it

So, my morning (once I got to work) went a little something like this:

As a follow up to something that happened late yesterday, I call client university president.  He isn't there, but I'm told he will return my call shortly.

Wait patiently in my office so as to not miss important call from said university president, who I know is an incredibly busy person.  If I miss the call, it may not happen again today.  And this call must happen before I leave town this afternoon.

Cell phone rings.  It's the daycare.  My thought:  "Crap, Delaney bit someone again and is about to get kicked out of daycare..."  I answer anyway.  Just as I hear Katy say "Hi, it's Katy," the office phone rings.  "Katy, can I call you right back? I've been waiting for this call that just came in. Mkay, thanks, bye."

Talk to university president about very important university business.  I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.  And then I'd lose both my job and my freedom, so it's not worth it.  Sorry.  We had a good 10-15 minute talk, and solved all the world's problems (or so I thought).

Called daycare back immediately because I can envision my either ill or troubled child sitting in Ms. Katy's office:  "Ok, Katy, sorry.  Had to get that.  What's up, is everything ok with Delaney?"
Katy:  Yes, Delaney has some good new she wanted to share, so let me put her on speaker..."

Delaney (in a very unlike her soft, whispered voice):  "I tee tee potty, Mommy.."

me: YAY!!!!!  My big girl tee-tee'd in the potty.  I'm so happy..."

The celebratory conversation of the event (with details you don't want to hear) with Delaney and Katy continued for a couple of minutes...

As soon as I hang up, with a huge smile on my face because Delaney FINALLY went on the potty at school, I click that I need to get down the hall to my boss to discuss my previous conversation of the morning.  Not the one about the potty.

This is my life....giving advise to high level administrators and celebrating potty successes all within the matter of five minutes.  And, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I know so many women who engage in this dual life of outside the home work & parenting, and we don't think anything of it because it truly just is life as we know it.  But, every now and then, something like this morning happens that when I step back and look at it, I gain a little more perspective of how fortunate we are to be able to both do what we love and have what we love at the same time.  It is hard.  Every day, it is hard.  But the rewards from both adventures are bountiful, and I am so thankful to God for my many blessings which include both work and a family.  It's easy to get frustrated in the day to day of either (or both) work and/or life, but I aim to focus more on celebrating the good fortune of having both and for being a better person because of both.  Every woman has to do what is right for her when it comes to deciding whether to be a stay at home mother or work, and I don't judge.  We are not all cut from the same cloth, and the world needs us both.  I am a better parent because I work.  I also think I'm better at my job because of my family.  At this point, I could not imagine giving up either.  I am truly blessed and look forward to many more days of this life as I know it!  I just hope that more strike me as being as humorous as today did.

How have SIX years gone by???

Dear Justus,

Six years ago today, about this time (lunchtime, the day before my due date), I had a strange-yet-inappropriate-to-describe-in-a-G-Rated-blog feeling, and told my secretary I was going to head to the doctor's to get checked out, but assured her I would be back shortly because I was sure it wasn't labor.  It was twelve of my most life altering weeks before I would return to the office to work.  The night before, you had been attempting Olympic style gymnastics in my belly and sprung a leak.  Not so much to send me into labor, but enough to make me wonder what was going on.  I learned then that mother's intuition is a real thing and I shouldn't ignore it.  Although you seemed to want out, you were in no hurry.  Again, for the sake of everyone else reading, I will spare you the details of the hours of hard labor amidst an epidural that didn't work, the nasty wintry weather that almost kept your dad from making it to the hospital in time (this was the only time I was really happy you were taking what seemed like forever to do something), what became serious concerns about your safety, and all the other "fun" details of your special day.  At 11:48 that night, Dr. Smith finally drug you out, literally kicking and screaming and a little blue in the face.  You changed our lives forever, in that moment.

Day 1

1st birthday

 

2nd birthday

3rd birthday 

4th birthday

5th birthday

 

 



6TH BIRTHDAY!!!

 

In keeping with our traditional milestone blogposts, your stats:

 

Weight: 49 lbs. (69th percentile)

 

Height: 48 inches (90th percentile)

 

Clothes Size: 6.  As has been the case your whole life, you are long and lean.  Size 6 pants are too baggy on you, but you have to have them for the lenght.  Some thing with the tops.  The 5/6 tops are usually long enough, but a plain 5 is definitely not ok.  I'm pretty sure you'll still be wearing your size 5 shorts this summer.

 

Shoe Size:  1W.  You are officially a big kid in the foot department, and I think you can ALMOST tie your shoes.  We all got lazy with this one, thanks to the fabulousness that is velcro, but we must conquer the tying.  I refuse to send you to high school and college in velcro shoes.

 

Loves:  Your Sister!!  You also love Angry Birds (all three varieties--regular, space, and Star Wars), Ninjago, Skylanders, your Leap Pad 2 (which you call your "iPad for kids"), your new taekwondo class, talking, pretend play, KidsKlub after school program

 

Food:  You still love blueberries the most, hands down.  I'm pretty sure you could eat them at every meal.  You definitely still prefer fruits over veggies, but will eat broccoli and peas.  Sometimes you eat what we eat for dinner and sometimes you don't.  It varies, but is getting better.  You are still pretty leary of anything that looks like a "plant." (i.e.--is green and is not aforementioned broccoli or peas).

 

You are an amazing kiddo and we love you more than words can describe.  We hope you have the best 6th birthday ever.  We are looking forward to celebrating with you tonight and this weekend!

 

I LOVE YOU, BIG KID!!

Wednesday's Winning Words: Picket Fence

Picket Fence Teeth, that is.

 

That's right, the FIRST TOOTH!

 

Justus was so excited, and has been talking for days about this first tooth coming out.  It's been loose for some time.  The one right next to it is loose too, but that's only almost as exciting.  This morning (since I was gone last night), he tells me The Story of How it Happened.

 

Justus:  Mommy, I was at lunch and was eating my orange skin...

 

Me:  Wait, why were you eating the orange skin?  You know that's not to eat.

 

J:  Well, because I wanted my tooth to come out.

 

M:  Oh, ok.  So you've just been going around chewing on hard things the past couple of days in effort to get that tooth out {reflecting on the fact that I noticed he packed a fruit roll up for his snack on Monday}?

 

J:  Uh huh.  THEN, when it came out, I went to the nurses office and she put it in a special case, and took my picture for the tooth wall, and was really excited for me too! (Kudos to the school for making a big deal over lost teeth!)

 

It was precious how excited he was.  So, the picket fence teeth begin in the Royal household and we have one very excited little boy.  Thanks for the input on Tooth Fairy's current payout, Facebook friends!  Some of you have a VERY generous Tooth Fairy.  We settled on a note from the tooth fairy, sugar free chewing gum, and $5.  First tooth only, the rest will each earn $1 gold coin.

 

*  For those that can't see the picture enlarged, the note from the tooth fairy says:

"While you were sleeping, I came in the night.

Under your pillow was a marvelous sight.

Your very first tooth had come unstuck.

Keep it forever, it will bring you good luck."

 

Thank you, Pinterest.

Last summer weekend, then Kindergarten Bound

On the last official summer weekend, we got to go to Waco for a cousin's wedding!  We decided to make a stop at the Cameron Park Zoo in the afternoon since the wedding wasn't until evening.  Kidd hurt his back, so I had to single-parent the adventure.  Note to self:  Keep the husband around, even if only to assist with child management. 

Sorry the picture is so far away, but I was trying to get the whole sign in.  It's one or the other, right?

For being a fairly small zoo, we saw ALL kinds of great animals and creatures---fish, bears, monkeys, alligators, birds, bison....the list is endless. We did skip the giraffes and elephants to go to the Splash Pad.  I'm pretty sure it was their favorite part of the trip!

Then it was time to get ready for the wedding.  Aren't they the cutest?! I'm not biased, or anything. The picture below on the right is from the photo booth at the wedding.  My cousin, OJ, his holding up the kids so they can peek through.  Isn't that a fun idea?!

So, Monday was the big day.  Kindergarten!  Never have I seen a kid so excited about going to school (and probably never will again). 

These two are sure going to miss seeing each other on the playground and around school for the next few years! (and mommy is going to miss one drop off stop...)

With all the hustle and bustle of everyone arriving at the same time, Mrs. Kellen was wonderfully organized with things for the kids to do when they got to school on Monday, so there was no confusion.

In his seat and ready to learn!!

 

 The sweetest Kindergarten teacher ever, Mrs. Kellen! 

This pic is from Meet the Teacher night, which I did NOT make.

And this little gem is courtesy of Miss Sarah Giles of Butterfly Chaser Photography!  We took pics in June, and she made this and posted it to my Facebook page the night before Kindergarten started. I LOVE it and can't wait to see the rest of our pics from that shoot!  Of course, I will share when we get them...

Day 4 of Kinder and he is loving it!  Today was the first day I had to drop him off and wasn't allowed to walk him in (his rule, not the school's).  Nobody told me that would be harder than the first day!!  He was just mad that I insisted on dropping him off at the building rather than across the street so he could do the cross walk.  He did great, and we may explore the crosswalk option next week.  He's got plenty of time for that, since he'll be at this school for five years. 

We are so proud of him, and love hearing his daily adventures in Kindergarten.  May he always be so willing to share his daily experience in the evening when we get home (with some pointed questions).  I hope he continues to have such a love of learning, that school is always enjoyable to him.  I know it probably won't be, but I think this year is off to a great start and we can just hope for the best!

It's a good news kind of day

In my attempt recently to do some catch up blogging, I failed to share the good news we got Tuesday about Justus' ear.  We went back to the ENT for his hearing test, the first since his surgery this summer (had to wait for total healing).  You may recall from an earlier blog post that the doctor told us he expected that a normal loss in Justus' left ear would be about 50-60%.  So, we were all anticipating that.  We have not been *as* hard on the boy about not listening to us because we haven't been sure yet about how much loss there is, and therefore, how much he is actually hearing us clearly.  We've had lots of discussions about "Did you hear what I said?"  "Ok , tell me what it was."  to verify that he heard us when giving directions.  Let me just say, that boy is in some serious trouble!  The doc told us that even he is surprised by how well the results came back.  Justus' hearing in his left ear is almost in the completely normal range.  Hallelujah!  He said he almost never gets results that good, and he was just as thrilled.  So, the truth is that he's just been ignoring us.  For now, I will take that happily because that means my baby is doing great!!  Aside from living with a tumor in his ear that will require fairly regular attention, all is well and the result is pretty outstanding.  Everyone's prayers are so appreciated!!

In other great news....we have a walker!!!  Sort of.

We are so thankful for our blessings!