I love to buy books for Jackson. He enjoys books as much as, maybe more, than his mommy did when she was little. I was shopping through my Scholastic book order this morning and remembered this happening last time they were here...

Jackson was busy in the kitchen, playing with some kind of stick (I can't remember exactly what it was) and he was trying to attach something else to the end of it. He was working so hard and talking all about it while I was doing something else nearby. I heard him say "I need scotch tape" several times. I wasn't sure at first that I heard him right, but he was trying so hard to get his creation put together, I couldn't imagine what else he was saying. I asked him if he needed scotch tape and he nodded his little head and said "Yes!" Cracked me up. What does a 22 month old know about Scotch Tape?

His mommy said he must have gotten it from the book If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.

He's such a cutie!

Angela has encouraged me to join the coupon shopping craze that is going on. I'm not as good at it as she is, but tonight I went to Walgreen's (on her advice) and saved quite a little bundle. I'm working really hard to be sure I buy only things that I really need and/or will use, because spending money just for the thrill of saving some money isn't fun to me. I want to make sure it's stuff I need and want. Well, I bought about $40 worth of cleaning supplies, batteries, ecotrin, and a bit of chocolate (yes, I consider that a "need"), but ended up paying only $25. I also will get a $3.50 rebate from Walgreen's. Mostly, I only bought things that were already on sale and that I had a coupon for; maybe with one or 2 exceptions.

In other news, Jackson just keeps us laughing all the time. I'm going to have to sit down and type up some of the cute toddler sayings he has said lately. Andrew is getting cuter by the minute and gives us the best smiles. He has the best belly laugh ever and will laugh at almost anything! I know Angela and Josh are getting tired of living in 2 places and going back and forth, but I am sure enjoying (and getting spoiled by) seeing them so often. I love coming home and getting all the hugs and kisses and having a great excuse to go play at the park for a while in the evening. The weather has been wonderful for that and Jackson's company couldn't be better! I hope they enjoy knowing they can have date night regularly to help compensate for the other inconveniences of living in 2 places.

Happy Fall to all, surely the cooler weather isn't too far away. I'm ready for some spiced tea on the back patio on a cool morning.

The Hudgins family fared relatively well during the storm. The only damage we have found so far is the fence - the back and one side are down. That was a strong wind - it pulled the fence posts and their concrete completely out of the ground! We lost a great many large branches and limbs from the front sycamore tree, but none broke windows, thankfully. As of today, we are still without electricity and phone service. Larry hopes to check the roof for damage, though we guess it won't be significant since we didn't notice any leaks. We did find a couple of shingles on the ground while raking and picking up branches - not sure if they are ours or a neighbors though!

Ross and I came to College Station for a few days, but Larry wanted to remain home. We are especially grateful to the Garvin family for sharing their food and home yesterday so we could worship and visit with A/C!

The school district has closed for the rest of the week, though employees are told they can come to assess damage Thursday and Friday. I heard that some schools in our district have it much worse than others, so we will see later this week how my classroom made it through the storm.


The prayers are appreciated and it seems we will all still need prayers as we wait to see when electricity will be restored and the grocery and gas situations develop. Larry told me he did find ice and propane today - too bad all our food spoiled so there's really nothing to cook yet! But we will be ready when the stores are open!

In the meantime, I will enjoy the company of the babies and their parents here and appreciate the distraction from the mess that is home!

Well, school has been cancelled for Friday due to the impending arrival of Ike. I guess I'll sleep in a little and then do whatever it is I need to do in case we get the strong winds and heavy rains. I think it might be a really good excuse to clean out at least one closet?

Angela, Josh and the babies headed home since Josh's office closed for the storm too. I think Angela was a little worried about the giant sycamore tree in the front yard...truthfully I'm kind of worried about it too. Wonder what it takes to knock something that big down crashing into our house?

I miss the sound of those babies, it's very quiet here when they are gone. Jackson continues to make me laugh very hard almost all the time. There is really nothing in the world like a little nearly 2 year old boy, and my little Jackson is one of the best. Ross, Larry and I smile and laugh the whole time he's here. Andrew gives us the very best smiles and my heart melts...I know that's an overused expression, but I can't think of anything that comes quite as close to describing the feeling of that nearly 4 month old's smile. His whole face smiles and those blue eyes are incredible.

Kindergarten is going well...the first 2 weeks I was ready to quit or at least move to a higher grade next year, but by this 3rd week they are looking pretty cute. Angela found some tadpoles for me and you would have thought I brought in...well, I don't know what to compare it to, but they were so impressed and excited - I think only 1 or 2 of them actually knew what they were. I don't kinow if it's because they are mostly non-English speakers or just haven't had a chance to ever see live tadpoles. So, that will be fun to watch in the next several weeks as they grow and change. All you mommies and daddies out there, find some tadpoles, bring them home and watch them grow! We did it for many years and I guess Angela has never forgotten it, she still looks for tadpoles in every puddle! Jackson thinks they are pretty cool.

Please keep all of us South Texas people in your prayers as we weather the storm. I heard the Houston mayor (or was it the county judge?) on the radio this morning telling the ones who aren't evacuating to "shelter in place, or as we say in Texas - 'hunker down!'" I thought that was funny.

Yesterday was a great day. The "big one" I always thought I would dread was actually quite nice with lots of cards, calls, and well wishes. Things are working out nicely and there are many, many things to be thankful for!

Have a blessed day!