Changes

This is the post I have been dreading to write. People say change is inevitable, and while I agree, I just wish there wasn't so much change happening all at once. On April 1 we found out we were going to be parents (yay! So excited!). We were finally getting things in place and getting really settled in our house, careers, life. Then seemingly out of nowhere trouble came looking for us. In June, Tyler found himself out of work and I at four months pregnant became the breadwinner. I am so proud of my husband, because it took him about two days to get his resume in order and start pounding the pavement looking for another job. But jobs in his line of work are few and far between. There are exactly three companies in the metroplex that use aerospace engineers and none were hiring. So, we waited. He kept looking every day. Every. Single. Day. It was hard, very hard. It was hard for him to not be able to provide for his family. It was hard for me to watch him struggle. To not do the things we like to do because we have to buckle down and save for this baby coming. Then in September he got the call we had been praying and waiting for. A job interview. Two, actually, for the same company. But they weren't for jobs in this area. We prayed about it, learned more about the company and packed our bags and headed to Oklahoma City for his interviews. They loved him, of course, and he accepted a position. This was a bitter pill for me to swallow, I'll admit it. I am not enthused about moving to Oklahoma City. They have HUGE tornadoes! Who is going to help me with the baby? I won't be able to just have my mom come over and hold her so I can take a shower. We had to tell our parents we were moving. Tyler's parents were really happy for us, we are actually going to be closer to them and his sister. My parents, well, they were shocked. It took them a little while, but they are coming around. They had known since June that this would be a possibility and have been completely supportive because they know what it's like to have to pick up and move so they can have a future for their family. They moved 1000 miles from home when they were newlyweds so my dad could make a good living to support a family. But, I will admit, I have cried many tears over this move. Mostly because I'm afraid. Tyler kept saying that this move would be the adventure we crave. Let me be frank. We will be moving shortly after the first of the year with an newborn, this is not an adventure I want.  I'm afraid of getting there and being truly on our own. It is true that Tyler (and I) have friends near "the city" (that's what the locals call it) but it is not the same as having your mom or one of her stand-ins nearby. But, I can't sit here and wallow in my fears. So instead I intend to count my blessings, literally.

Did I tell you that I am proud of my husband? Yesterday he left for "the city" and the journey began in earnest. He left his very pregnant wife in the very capable hands of her family and went to pave the way for us. Today! He started his new job. When I talked to him earlier this evening he said he felt great about it. To quote him he had an "awesome first day." Even though this new job means we will be apart during the week, we are blessed. His benefits are much better at his new job. His boss is an actual human being who seems very much to value life outside of work. Tyler told him today about the baby coming in December (they can't ask/talk about it legally during the interview process) and his boss told him not to worry because they would work it out some way for him to get the time off he needed to be able to be here to help me and to bond with our daughter. We are blessed because his company is going to pay to pack us and move us, which was one of my requirements. We are blessed because a friend of Tyler's very graciously offered to let him stay rent free in his apartment while we transition. We are blessed because we DO have people waiting anxiously for us to arrive and to help us unpack and get our house in order. We are blessed because we have people here to help me get our house ready to go on the market and to look after me while he is gone. We are blessed because our parents are supportive and although we dashed some dreams they are willing to come help us. We are blessed because we will once again be a two income household and the burden has been lifted from me so that I know that we will survive should I have to stop working early. We are blessed because God has kept me healthy as I am, according to my doctor, a "high risk pregnancy." We are blessed because we were faithful and God provided for us a way. He opened a door. I'm not sure where that door leads and I'm afraid to step through it, but I know that as long as we are faithful he will provide for us. This journey we are on is not over yet, this is just the second chapter. "But that which does not kill you makes you stronger." We will land on our feet. We always do. Our little family and our marriage will be stronger for it. It's funny. If you would have asked me even just a year ago if I ever thought we'd be moving to Oklahoma, I would have told you "no way."

A Year In Review

Wow.....I didn't realize that it has been almost a WHOLE YEAR since I posted last. It's been a wild one.
Last December we went to South Dakota as a family, which in and of itself is a feat. As our family gets older we all get married/engaged/jobs it becomes more challenging to get everyone together at one time. We had a good time and got to experience LOTS of snow.

We took a day to go sledding at the Larson Snow Hill. We had so much fun! Both Dad and Lynelle wiped out, but we all had a good laugh over it! 

Dad (barely smiling) and the boys after landing a triple somersault. 

We also took family pictures with my mom's side, because why not?

Grandparents and Cousins!

So, after South Dakota, the next big thing in our wild year to happen was that we found out we were pregnant on April Fools Day!

Then in May we took her on a cruise!

       

In June we participated in the Grand Prairie Relay for Life in Honor of my Grandpa LaValle.

In July, my sister got married and I got a very tall brother-in-law.

In October was my 10 year high school reunion. Look at that, my senior jersey still fits over my pregnant self! It was good to see everyone there, weird to see how much my school has changed. 

The last several months have been filled with preparations for the baby and LOTS of doctors appointments. (Really, I think I'm about over this white coat phobia thing.)

I hope you enjoyed this quick, year in review. When Tyler comes back with my computer, I will upload some more pics from our adventures. :-)

Tulsa Trip!

Ever have one of those days where you just need to get out of town? Well, we did. So we did. We were originially planning on going deep sea fishing, but were told that fishing was not good. So, we re-vamped and decided on Tulsa and going to see the Tulsa Aquarium with Tyler's parents. After the Aquarium we went to Kilkenny's Pub for some authentic Irish food. The next day we explored the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Whispering Vines Winery. Here are the pics! Enjoy!

 

Tyler and Dennis at the Mexican Restuarant for lunch before the aquarium!

 

Vickie and I feeding the turtles. For a dollar they give you a few slivers of carrot and a close pin on a pole. It was fun!

 

Cool pic of a star fish

 

Nemo in the anenome

 

More Nemos

 

Silly Vickie!

 

Father/Son

 

Tyler loves the touch tanks! (I think they are gross)

 

Ty petting a sting ray

 

I think this is the closest he will ever get to his dream of cage diving with great white sharks.

 

Vickie and Brittany at the aquarium

 

Crab Hat in the Aquarium gift shop!

 

Tyler and Momma on the gator

 

I decided to wrestle the gator!

 

Nice pic!

 

Dennis and Brittany at Kilkenny's Pub, a real Irish Pub in Tulsa! So much fun!

 

Vickie got a beer. It was good, we all shared it. I should have gotten one too.

 

Ty and Dennis got Cottage Pie. Pot Roast in a rosemary gravy topped with mashed potatoes. It was good, although too much rosemary for me.

 

Vickie and i got Boxties. They are an Irish potato pancake, sort of like a crepe, stuffed with stuff. Mine had the best corned beef and cabbage I have ever had in it.

 

Ty and I outside Kilkenny's Pub

 

Of course, if we go out of town and there is a casino, we have to go for Dennis. Let's just say we left a small deposit. Intereting though, I'm used to boats in Shreveport that have card games too. This casino only had slots and Poker.

 

Tyler in a plane at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum.  We also got to sit in an F-14 Tomcat, which was the plane they used in Top Gun. Sooooo cool!

 

 

Tyler playing astronaut, using the space arm at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. Definitely gonna bring our kids back when we have some!

 

Ty living his dream as an astronaut!

 

After the musem we ate lunch at Hideaway Pizza and then journeyed to taste wine at Whispering Vines Winery. It was good! Vickie and I are posing next to the grape vines.

 

Tyler and I at the Winery gate.

September Birthdays!

It's been a while......I think I've been procrastinating. Well, really we have been pretty busy. September has been a month for birthdays! Dennis, Tyler's Dad, and Granny had birthdays at the beginning of the month, which we celebrated at Red Lobster in Wichita Falls with Tyler's parents, grandparents and aunt and uncle. My mom, Grandpa LaValle, Uncle Russ, and cousin Stephanie had birthdays at the end of the month. All within a day of each other. Well, the birthday line up goes like this Russ, Gramp and Stef, and then Mom. Last year mom turned 50 and she said she didn't want a birthday party. She actually made me swear to not have a surprise party. This year, my dad told me she was disappointed we didn't do anything last year (she told us not too!) and thought we should throw her a surprise party this year. And, as an added bonus, her parents would be here too. Mom was born the day after her dad's birthday. So commence to planning we did. In August we found out that Gramps cancer is growing again and since we are not promised a tomorrow I decided that since Stef and Gramps share a birthday that she should be here too. Of course all of this was a huge secret and we are absolutely BLESSED that Stephanie could make it work to come as well. So we had a small gathering at my house (can we say... CHRISTENED!) with some close family and friends to celebrate three wonderful people. Enjoy the pics!

 

 

 

Dennis and Granny in their birthday hats and ribbons!

 

Cupcake building for the big party the day before!

 

Homemade marshmallow!

 

Bri thought it was tasty!

 

So did Eve!

 

Each birthday person had their own small cake and the guests could have the cupcakes, which were the same flavor as the cake. This one was Gramps. He likes chocolate on chocolate. The cupcakes were chocolate with marshmallow topping dipped in chocolate ganache. I know....they were good!

 

Momma's cake was pumpkin with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Double yum!

 

Stef requested white cake with strawberry filling and burnt orange frosting. This is as close as I could get to that in a Sooner Household!

The whole table scape. There were also lemon merengue cupcakes too. I know, I know. I don't know how to do anything small. ;-)

 



 

OF COURSE the day of the party it POURED down rain the ENTIRE day! Hello Mr. Bill! Glad you could make it in the monsoon!

 

The guests of honor arrive! Surprise!

 

Mom and Grandpa. Mom is uttering her obligatory, "Holy Shit" whenever we surprise her. ;-p

 

Mom found Stef hiding in the crowd! Surprise!

 

Stef made Gram cry. They didn't know she was coming.

 

Gramp and Gram eating a brisket dinner. We set up tables in our garage.

 

Cake time!

 

Best smile we have gotten of Gramps in a pic in a LONG time! Ain't it pretty?

 

Blowing out the candles

 

Cutting the cakes!

 

Mom and Stef goofing off. Sorry it's sideways, couldn't get it to be upright.

 

The hostest (that's me) and her friend Ebb.