Trooper

Our good friends, Ben and Liz Strot, have moved to Flagstaff, Arizona. They could not find a house to buy so they had to rent, and the house they are renting does not accept pets. They have a cat named Trooper. They originally got her from a State Trooper's office. She is a pretty calico and is declawed. She has stayed with a couple times before when they have gone out of town. Well now we will be cat-sitting for a while, until Ben and Liz are able to buy. (They are going to still pay for her food and litter.) She has made herself right at home, sleeping on our dresser. Only her and Ranger get into it when she sits on the chair in the dining room and he gets too close. Wriley ignores her and walks far around her. It is pretty funny to see how quickly she became in charge. Hallister is learning to be gentle and wants to give her kisses. Preston likes to play with her ID tag but she has been sweet about letting him touch it. It will be fun to have a cat again and hear the sound of a purr. Plus she has already rid of our house of geckos. I think they are scared to come out now.

He's Walking!.....and 13 Months

Preston started taking steps July 29th. For about a week he proceeded timidly, holding one hand out.....just in case he fell. He now walks confidently and is proud he can easily travel from room to room playing with toys. (Sorry, videos still won't upload to our blog.) One day I dusted the fans and he enjoyed walking around with the swiffer stick. It entertained him for about two hours. He also loves to walk around with a balloon from HEB, occasionally pulling on the ribbon so that it hits something or himself. It cracks him up.

13 Months - His personality is really coming out now. He has a fascination with tires. Any toy car or tractor with tires he will pick up, carry around, and chew on the tires. He is learning what"No" means. When we give him bread or pancakes he will hold a piece over the floor from his high chair. We will say, "No Preston, do not drop it." He looks at us and drops it. So we swat his hand and say "No, do not drop food." Those eyes well up with tears and his bottom lip pops out. It is hard not to want to pick him up. He apparently likes to see Ranger eat what he drops, so we are working on this. Something that gets Preston belly laughing is seeing Jonathan do a hand stand. Or if Preston hurts himself Jonathan will do a hand stand and he will go from crying to laughing. He now eats yogurt, bananas, and strawberries for breakfast. He loves to snack on graham crackers. For lunch/supper he will have baby food - Sweet Corn, Squash, Sweet Potatoes (that I make). He also loves to chew on pizza crust. His hair is coming in more and seems to be a strawberry blonde. One day while playing in Hallister's room he grabbed BB (bunny bear - Hallister's lovey) off of Hall's bed and snuggled up to him. Hallister now likes to sleep with tractors or Lightning McQueen so I let Preston take BB into his crib. We will see if he transitions into becoming Preston's. If Hallister sees him with BB then of course he wants him back. Preston is very good about falling asleep for nap time and bed time, usually without crying at all. He plays with his light up music box and then drifts off to sleep, with one pacifier in his mouth and 2 or 3 in the crib with him.

Job Update

Two months ago we thought we would soon be moving to Amarillo. Jonathan had a job opportunity come about through his best friend Thomas, which would be working on and installing portable pump systems. We were sad to think of going so far from family and friends, especially since we found out we were expecting our third child, but we knew that Jonathan needed to find a different job. He was not getting respected at Curves by his supervisor, and it is very important for a man to enjoy his job. We visited Amarillo, which was a VERY LONG road trip, with the kids and checked things out. After a month of not hearing back about an interview Jonathan continued the job search. Jonathan left TSTC to go to Curves last year because he got a pay raise, and that helped us out financially so I wouldn't have to work.

Two weeks ago Jonathan noticed on TSTC's website there was a job opening for an aircraft maintenance instructor, the same job he left from. Due to him being miserable at Curves we decided he should apply for the instructor position, even if it would be less pay. A week later he was offered the job without even interviewing. Last Tuesday (August 2nd) Jonathan handed in his two weeks notice. TSTC was wanting him to start this week (August 9th), so we prayed that his supervisor would tell him he could go ahead and leave, which he did! Here is where it gets interesting - last Tuesday night Thomas calls because his boss wants to interview Jonathan for the job in Amarillo!!! God worked it out so that Jonathan would already have a new job and be able to say no to Amarillo. We are thankful He is keeping us here in Waco for a little longer. Jonathan is going back to a job where he will be encouraged and doing something he will enjoy. I am currently looking for part time work and hoping I can find some freelance graphic design to do from home, to help us make up some of the income we are losing. We are so thankful for God providing in all the many ways He has. I am so happy my husband will be coming home happy from work now!