I can help!

Cole asked me to sleep with him. I told him I couldn't because I go to bed after they do and wake up before they do.
"Why, Mom?"
"Because I have work to do, like clean the kitchen, fold the laundry, dust."
Alex says, "I can help! That way you can get some more sleep. I can bathe Randi."
"O.K. That would be great!" I say.
The boys are upstairs bathing Randi. I hear a little fighting, but much more giggling. Best of all, I got the kitchen clean.
I am so happy I could cry.

Picture not taken tonight. Only Randi is in the tub now, I think. I should go check.

9 Foundations of a Happy Family

1. Commitment: All in, all the time.
2. Love: Appreciation shown.
3. Time: Decisions about time are decisions about values.
4. Encouragement: Recognize what makes each other special.
5. Communication: (L) Listen (U) understand (V) validate
6. Adaptability: Be flexible in handling what life throws at you.
7. Faith: Consistent Values.
8. Connection: Be involved with extended family, church, community, etc.
9. Responsibility: Every member of the family takes ownership.

I love Fall!

Our scarecrow family. Randi hugs the purple one every time we come home. Cole worries the short one, standing by himself on left, might get lonely. Alex just says, "Cool, Mom."

GEAUX TIGERS!

We brought the kids to LSU hoping to find a good picture spot. We never found one.
But on the bright side, we did find these...



SCORE!

Don's 35th Birthday

Don had his 35th birthday party at the Texas Rock Gym, last night.

It was fun! I'm hooked. Rock climbing is harder than it looks, but I just love a challenge.

I think Don had a great time, and most everyone climbed, even Don's Mom. Great job, Mary Bell!

Happy Birthday, Honey.

Still, No Power.

12 days and counting...

Total customers with power: 1.72 million (76% of total customers)

Total customers without power: 541,000 (24% of total customers)

You guessed it, we are in that 24%, that special one of every 4 customers.
We were supposed to go home tomorrow, but we just got power-restoration pushed back till' Sunday, 4 days from now.
Mom comes home Sunday and will most likely want her house back. Don has his 35th birthday party Saturday. We have family flying in Friday. We might just have to buy a big generator or cancel everything.

WARNING - SOAP BOX:
Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for all the crews that are working long hours to restore power, but it does make me think. What if there were no crews coming to save the day? Would people really be this severely handy-capped without power?
Our ancestors, even as close as our Grandparents, lived happily without electricity for most of their lives. I am sure with a little creativity and sweat, we could do the same. We could start a garden, barter with the neighbors, get to know our families again, and sip lemon-aid on the porch at sunset.
Alas, we don't live in the 'good ole' days.' The kids will have to return to school, Don will have to go into the office, showered, and I will have to buy my vegetables at the grocery store. It just scares me, though, to think of how dependant we are on something we can't provide for ourselves.
Maybe I should pack it all up, move to some far off place and live off the friuts of the land. But, then again, how the heck would I blog from there?

LSU

Did you see this picture?
It is the headline on Yahoo. Yahoo understands me.