Christmas with the boys

As every year, Christmas is a busy time for me. I left yesterday morning for a day trip to go see the kids. Trips to see the kids are usually tough for me, but the ones around Thanksgiving and Christmas are worse. I think it is because I have been running and running and don't get to stop. Any who, Sean and I bought the kids bikes for Christmas this year. This was Christian's first new bike. He had always had Hunter's old bikes. Hunter's bike was several years old, and he could use a more durable bike. Sean took extra care in picking out the bikes for the boys. He remembers how hard he was on his bikes, and it helped a lot in getting the right one for the boys.

We had picked out an orange bike with snake skin wheels for Christian, and Hunter a tricked out blue bike with Mag wheels. I still have no idea what the big deal is about Mag wheels, but what do I know I am a girl. We had gone around town looking for the perfect bikes and found them at two different stores on two different days. Anyways, when we got home and put them next to each other the blue one looked smaller than the orange one. Sean told me he didn't care if the boys switched as long as they were both happy with the switch. No big brother bullying. I will have to say that the snake wheels were very cool.



When I got to Lexington my dad met me right outside of town to take the bikes and get air in the tires. I went on to the house to open presents with the boys. When my dad got back I told the boys that there was a special present outside from their dad. They were very surprised when they walked around the corner of the house.



They of course switched bikes. It took a little convincing for Christian. When he had a hard time getting on the orange bike and the blue bike was a perfect fit, he was more than happy to trade. Christmas night I had asked the boys if they got everything they asked for, and both told me they were upset they didn't get bikes. It worked out great, and all that mattered was they were happy!

Christmas with Mom and Joe

This year everyone did great! We all got most of what we wanted and we enjoyed each others company. Mom, I will have to say, did the best. She had told me about a head board she wanted around August or September. She was very upset that she couldn't get it because it was what she had been looking for for years. It was on sale, and that just made her more upset. Well, I talked to Sean and we went and I got it for her. It was hard to keep it a secret everytime she would talk about how bad she wanted it. Well, we didn't know if it would fit her frame she had so we called Joe and left messages letting him know what we got and if he wanted to get her the frame. (It was over $100 just for the frame) We weren't going to carry the huge box, with the headboard in it, upstairs after driving 15 mph for the 5 miles it takes to get to her house. So, I typed up a note with a picture of the headboard on it. We never did hear back from Joe, but he got her the exact camera she swore he wouldn't buy her. Sean and I look forward each year to the Christmas gifts Joe gives Mom. (He means well, really)


Here are some of her reactions:

1) The moment she realized it was her headboard


2) She is speachless and in utter disbelief


3) Shocked it is her camera

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!

There has been this stray running around the neighborhood for about a month now, and I felt so sorry for him. About a week ago Sean told me to go inside and get him a can of beans or something because he was so thin. I took it across the street to the dog, he had been staying under the house. I asked the guys if the dog belonged to them and they told me he just showed up. As I walked up to the dog he shyed away, so I just put the beans down and started talking to the guys. i was startled by something cold on my hand. The dog had walked up to me and licked my hand. He was saying thanks but no thanks, he didn't eat the beans. I stayed and petted him a while. He jumped up on me once and I told him no and showed him how to sit.

That night we had chicken and so I went outside to try and see if he would eat that. I got him to cross the street and stand at the edge of our yard. I threw chicken to him, when it was gone he ran back across the street.

The next night I took 2 pieces of cold chicken out and this time he ate out of my hand after 45 minutes of coaxing him closer. It surprised me as hungry as he was he had the softest mouth I had ever seen on a dog. Like a gentleman he reached up and gentle took the food from me. As he ate he would let me pet him for just a moment, and then he backed off to his comfort distance. That was fine with me, at least he was eating something.

As the week went on he would let me touch him for longer each night, and he started laying down near me. However, if Sean came out he would head toward the house across the street, but less and less every night. Then one night we were putting the kids' bikes, we had bought for Christmas, in the garage and I heard something behind me. I'm not sure who was startled more, the dog or me. He had heard us pull up and was only about 2 feet behind me when I turned around. I was shocked!

The next day Sean went with his mom, Kym, to run some Christmas errands. They were at Sam's Club when he called to tell me to find the dog something to eat, and to go buy a very small bag of dog food. I was one step ahead, and had already fed the dog. So I was off to Wal-Mart to get a "very small" bag of dog food. Little did I know that Kym was giving Sean a hard time, and told him he might as well buy a dog bed and food. Sean told her we were NOT bringing "that dog" inside. While I was looking at the dog food, and trying to figure out if I should get puppy food or dog food, I get a call from Sean. I answered,"Hello." "He let me touch him!" came Sean voice over the phone. I smiled I knew I had a dog! I still bought the "very small" bag of food and came home.

When I pulled up the dog came running from across the street and I put the food in a bowl. He ate all of it and hung around for several hours letting Sean and I pet him. He was so thankful that someone was feeding him. I don't know if it was the first time he didn't have to hunt for food his whole life, or since someone put him out on the street. Sean told me before he could stay he needed a bath. I ran back to the store to get a collar, leash, and shampoo. The bath was going to be the test for me. Strange dog, me, water, and shampoo in a very small bathroom, it could get ugly fast! He passed with flying colors, no agression at all, even though he hated the bath. This was December 23.

Sean wanted to name him Achilles because he was my achilles heel. After his bath we went outside to play, and I started to call him and Hercules just came out. I think it was a combination of our other dog, Harley, who passed away and Achilles. The name fit perfect, everytime I looked at him I just thought about the Eddie Murphy movie where the lady chants, "Hercules, Hercules, Hercules."

He is so smart! The one and only time I had to show him how to sit was the first time I met him. He is picking up everything so fast, after only showing him once or twice. He has not had an accident in the house yet, knock on wood!

Then yesterday Sean, Kym and I took him to the beach. He loved it. I'm not sure who had more fun. We are going to have to work on the come when he is called, but he has come a long way in a short time. He follows me around the house, andI love it!

Life in Glaveston

Hello all:

I guess this is the best way for our friends and family to keep up with us. Never thought I would be doing this, but I guess it is about time.

We have been in Galveston for 9 months now. Sean and I moved here after we graduated with our Associates degrees from Temple College. We left some great friends, and we miss you guys a lot!

I am attending the University of Houston in Clear Lake (UHCL). NASA is in our back yard, and there are strange things flying in the sky on different days. It is about 40 miles from the house, but is the closest school that offers a degree in Mathematics. I do enjoy the drive, and the time to myself.

Sean is attending Texas A&M!!!! I knew it was just a matter of time before he saw the light! He is majoring in Ocean and Coastal Resources. I think it is a degree that will fit him. We have found thins aren't as easy as they were @ TCAT. (Temple College at Taylor)

As for what pays the bills...Sean has an interview at Academy today on the Island. I work at UHCL as a student worker, tutor through Galveston College (GC), and then work at Fisherman's Wharf on the weekends. Working at the Wharf I get to see great things. I see the Cruise Ships leaving, dolphins daily, and just the scenery of the water.

We live in a great little duplex that has great character. It is located 11 blocks behind the San Luis Hotel, and almost center of the Island. We are just 1 block either way from our routes to school, work, and off the Island. The neighborhood is quite, except for the cars that drive through going boom, boom.

God has been great to us, and continues to bless us. In September we got our second car. We now have two cars that are paid in full. Wow, look where we have come in just a year and a half, from walking to 2 cars. We are members of a small church "Speak the Word of Faith Church." It is nothing close to Harvesting Ministries, and Bishop Moore, but it is where God has put us for this season.

We will keep you updated and hope you are all in good heath and high spirits. May God pour his blessings out on you, and your families.

Kristi