Where For Art Thou Good Mexican Food? and Elephants in the Room

I really miss Texas and I haven't found good mexican food here yet. A lot of the stuff up here is authentic and strange (at least to me.) Once we get to Texas, that is all we're eating! I have never eaten at Qdoba before and we figured since there are a lot of them, it had to be good. We were so disappointed and it left me craving good mexican food even more. Oh, Texas, how I miss you! Three more weeks and I will be with you at last (for a few days.) 

Thursday was our first Thanksgiving without family so I sharpened my culinary skills by cooking a turkey, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, and pecan pie...without any help. I didn't use to, but since the kids were born, I have developed a love for cooking. My family used to give me a hard time about making the kids' baby food. Fact of the matter is that I loved doing it. Thursday was also my mom's birthday so we skyped with the rest of the family to say hello. It's tough being away from family for long periods of time. It's even tougher being in a new place without anyone you know. I can't wait to get back to Texas for Christmas and enjoy the kids' first plane ride!

Thanksgiving meal pictures (pardon the mess...we still have not completely unpacked):

Update on the kids...

K2 is getting really good at mimicking me. I stick my tongue out and she does the same. I looked over today and she was cleaning a plastic cup with her paper towel. Awww...a clean freak, just like mommy! That's my girl. She's wearing 12 month clothes now. We've tried a few 18 month outfits but they're too long on her or the shirts look like a dress. She's wearing size 4 diapers, although I still think they're a little big on her. Unfortunately, they don't make in between sizes.

B is really running and he has been tackling K2 lately. I'm not sure if that is any indication of what sports he may get into when he's older. I hope not. He is still in size 3 diapers and wearing 12 month clothes. 9 months still fit him but his waist is so tiny that 6 months still fit. He's a skinny boy like his daddy.

Here are a few pictures:

Temper tantrum after waking up...

Carrying the grocery store sack around the house.

She doesn't like vaccums, so she's hiding from them.

First "boy" haircut.

Hiding in the box and shredding all of our papers.

Things are tough with our family right now. Religion is a big elephant in the room, if you will. I love God and I enjoy going to church. My husband HATES going to church; although he will go sometimes. Even then, he takes his time getting ready and we're always late. K1 is a scientist and he believes in evolution. It makes for very interesting conversations around here. He basically told me that my tithing would come out of my own paycheck and not his. I'm not so sure what to do here. I am trying to be strong for the kids, but as time passes, I worry about the kids. I want them to go to church and as they get older, they are going to start asking why daddy doesn't go to church with them. The religion issue is usually the main topic of all of our arguments.


We did manage to go to church today (for the first time in about a month because someone ends up hurt or with a temperature) and we made it through cradle roll...running late, of course. They really like Sabbath School because they're doing something. Once we made it out of there and headed to the main church, they started screaming and wiggling. So, we put them on the floor in the lobby area to get a little energy out. One kid runs one way and the other goes another. By the time we gathered up the children and sat down in the church, K1 and I were sweating. The thermostat in the church had to be as high as it would go. After a few minutes of singing, the kids would not stop squirming and screaming so we left. I'm not sure when they get out of this temper tantrum stage, but I hope it's soon. I'm not sure what to do with them. Was leaving church early the right thing to do? They do not have a family room off to the side like most of the churches. The church is in a mansion, so we tried another room and they still echoed into the sancutary. I'm at a loss here.

That is all I have for now.
Good night!

Dancing Machine

It amazes me everyday how much B and K2 have grown. K2 somehow has learned how to do "the robot" dance and shake her booty. She likes her music loud, so she'll go up to the stereo and turn it up. Only then can she dance. It's hilarious. B stomps his feet as he stays in one spot. They both kiss us with their mouths open and K2 likes to bite my nose.

I cut B's hair this weekend. He no longer has a mullet or curls in the back. He looks so grown up now.

They're both still in size 3 diapers, although K2 is starting to outgrow them. She'll probably be in 4's here soon. They love it when I read to them...especially the Dr. Seuss books. B and K2 have learned that they can back up to something and sit on it...including Mommy and Daddy. B still loves yogurt but he's become a little bit pickier about everything else he eats. The babysitters have to add yogurt to most of his food to get him to eat it. He eats everything I give him, though. I don't have to add yogurt. Maybe it's the mother's touch.

Since the kids are walking well on their own, they don't really need their walker anymore...well, for walking anyway. They figured out that if they take the insides out, they can sit in it. So, that's what they do. The bathroom is their favorite room of the house. Anytime we go in there, we'll close the door, only to find little hands and feet peer out from under the door. They love bath time. We bought a rocking lion for K2 and she loves it! She goes wild when she gets on it and rocks like crazy. They are both so smart. They generally pick things up rather quickly. We got a Little People playground set for their birthday. On the top, it has a flag. B saw me put the flag on, so he took it off and tried to put it back on. When he couldn't, he put his finger where the hole was so that he could figure out where the flag needed to go. He is a very focused and determined little boy. K2 just loves to copy people. If I brush my hair, she does the same. Kids are so funny. I love them so much.

Reliability

I absolutely love my husband. He drives me crazy a lot, but I love him. K is the one person in my life who gives me stability. He balances me out by being laid-back, understanding, and logical. His quick wits amaze me everytime he comes up with a clever comment. I seriously must have the perfect man. Our family or chores never get pushed aside because of a sports game. I did not once show him how to change a diaper or do anything with the babies; he took initiative and did it all on his own. I don't ever have to tell him to do anything around the house. Although, I have tried before and he has had it done by the time I mentioned it. He doesn't expect me to do everything around the house or with the kids. We both cook, clean, change diapers, etc. I've met a few guys since we've moved up here who don't help a lot around the house. It makes me appreciate my husband even more.

On top of being just an awesome all-around husband, he is reliable. I never doubt that what he tells me he is going to do will get done. I trust him completely. B and K2 are lucky to have him as their father.

Soggy Shoes

K2 had 102.3 degree temperature last night so we gave her some ibuprofen. It was 101 this morning so we decided that I would stay at home with the kids since K1 has only been at his new job for a little over a week. She has a runny nose, so she might have a cold. I'm just not sure why they all of the sudden are getting fevers since we moved up here. They never got them before.

B just figured out how to take the lid off of his sippy cup and dumped its contents into my shoes. After completing his task, he looks up at me and gives me the biggest grin ever. I can't get mad at such a cute little face. I will just walk in my soggy shoes with pride.

I made B a peanut butter sandwich today. He liked it until he expelled a huge chunk of peanut butter-bread combination out of his mouth. He has been rather picky lately on foods and he's not eating as much as he used to. K2 is getting there, but she's not as bad as he is.

K1 and I are exhausted; we could really use a break. Not having famliy here is really taking a toll on us. I feel like a terrible mother by leaving the kids with other people while I'm at work. I struggle with the thought of my first ministry is a mother and teacher to my children. I want to be with them all of the time. At the same time, I love teaching other kids, too. I'm afraid that I will look back on this time in their life and regret that I didn't stay home with them. Decisions, decisions...