The Texas winter is beginning which means outdoor activities become downright miserable. The clay ground does not absorb the water quickly enough so the rain stands in large puddles across the yard—our own little lake. The clay does soften so that stepping in it is like stepping in warm chocolate. You would think the idea of a chocolate yard would make Tamme very happy—think Hansel and Gretel—except that the mud doesn't taste or smell anything like chocolate and sticks like molasses. If I remember correctly, Tamme mentioned renting a jack hammer last time she cleaned mud off Kael's shoes.
The other crazy thing about Texas winters is that they are cold. I figured they would stay somewhat warmer than Utah winters. By direct temperature comparison, Texas winters are generally much warmer than Utah winters. This direct comparison, however, ignores several key factors. For one, most homes are heated by heat pumps instead of pilot lit furnaces (which don’t warm nearly as well). Another key metric is the wind which constantly blows the humid cold through your clothes.
This year I am going to work harder to stay effective on the miserable days. Last year I feel I let the weather outside get me down and I became unproductive.
I am on a stake young men’s committee responsible for planning a stake-wide high adventure activity for next summer. It is looking like it will be a great activity including: canoeing, camping, hiking, rappelling, shooting, archery, orienteering, horseback riding and several other activities. One of the families in the branch owns several properties that are within a few hours. I scouted out some of these properties and believe I have identified two properties where we can host these events. The properties are 3 miles from each other and total 1000 acres of private land. One of the properties has 3 miles of shoreline to a recreational lake in the area.
When I initially presented these properties to the committee, the major drawback identified by the committee was how small the property was—yes, I said how small. At one point, one of the men who had just moved from Utah mentioned that they had done several activities (like the one we were planning) in Utah on 50 or fewer acres and felt that was plenty. I am taking the Stake YM President and committee chair to the property this weekend for show-and-tell. I guess things really are bigger in Texas.
Tamme continues to make our home run like a fine-tuned instrument or at least like a well managed goat rodeo. Dentist appointments, orthodontic appointments, doctors appointments, grocery store runs, meals, cleaning, kids “doing” chores and that doesn’t even start on the stuff she has to do to keep me out of trouble.
We have been feeding the missionaries three and four times a month lately because no one else seems to want to sign up. It is a great blessing to have them in our home. Unfortunately for Tamme, I think I am just too cute and funny when they are here because I am constantly telling them about all the boys Tamme kissed before our marriage. Well about that and about her drug and alcohol problems—all in good fun. It has gotten to the point where the missionaries are pitching in. Don’t worry about Tamme though; she knows how to send zingers across my bow to put me back in my place.
Kloey is getting glasses—she has had a hard time reading the board in school. I think she is excited. Dad can’t express how excited he is to see her pretty pink glasses. It’s a good thing she has some taste because Dad obviously doesn’t. She is a book worm. She won an award at school for reading—she gets her own personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
Kael got the best haircut in the world! He looks just like his Dad—shaved bald. He was excited when we started. Dad cut the top off first which made him look like an old balding man—i.e., me. That made him change his mind—he wanted to stop! We tried to snap a photo but he wouldn’t have it. I made him come up and finish. When we were all done he looked really good—and he really likes it now.
I am still dropping them at school most days. I love dropping them and seeing them every day. I am so thankful the fact that my job allows me to do this. Kloey always wants me to walk them in and hold her hand. Kael always wants me to drop them in the drop-off lane. I think he would additionally appreciate it if I would sit low in my seat so that no one could see me when I drop them. If I walk them in, not only does he avoid holding my hand, he also generally tries to ditch us. Tamme asked him the other day why he tries to ditch us and he explained, “Dad always walks Kloey to class first which is a BIG waste of my time!” I love that kid. I do have to point out that he is committing social suicide. I am the coolest guy in his class since I took them on the field trip. All of the kids know my name and stop me to ensure I see them to say hello. Kael doesn’t realize that in his attempt to be cool he is running from the in-crowd. I have several young women waiting in the wings if Tamme ever decides she is done with me!
Galilee. . . what a crazy little girl. I am still her remote control. I don’ like tat’—I like tat’. When she brings me the remote I generally just turn the TV off—which she doesn’t like. Tamme and I were talking about how Gali (and the rest of the kids) won’t ask Dad for anything. Mom this and Mom that. The other day, Gali was sitting on my lap when she decided she needed a drink. Instead of asking me to help her, she slid down walked outside into the driveway where Mom was busy with something and asked Mom to come in and get her a drink. All I can say is our goat rodeo has just one effective hired hand and one clown—I am obviously the clown.
Sadee has Mom whooped! Mom has to have the baby monitor next to her ear every moment Sadee isn’t physically there. Tamme seems to have gone back to the first child worry stage. I am learning to send Tamme to bed and sit with Sadee. Once Tamme is out of ear shot I put Sadee to bed and let her cry for 5 minutes until she goes to sleep. Generally, Sadee just sits and laughs and smiles. She likes her Dad—I love that!
Well, I have gone on and on this week. We love you all and hope all is well!
