Family History

Do you remember last year when Abby did a report at school on her family history? She talked about how the Herrold clan came from Germany, yada yada yada. Well, it's EG's turn to have this school project. I asked her if she wanted to do the same thing Abby did (which would make it sooo easy for Mom) and she said no. I asked her if she wanted to talk about how my side of the family came from Italy. She said no. She wants to talk about how she is from Oklahoma (said in her thickest Texoman accent!)

So, after I got approval from the teacher to focus on Oklahoma as our "country" of origin we set to work. It actually ended being pretty cute. She told about how her (use fingers to count) great great great great grandfather Hiram Herrold was in the Oklahoma Land Run. She explained that some people cheated and they were called Sooners. She also talked about how much our family loves the Sooners. A girl with true Sooner Pride!

Party of Five

This was the first Thanksgiving ever that we didn't spend the day with either of our parents. I have to admit, I was a little worried. There wasn't a bone in my body that felt like making the drive to Tulsa (since we will be doing it in 3 short weeks), but I was worried that the actual day would feel lonely and sad.

On the flip side, I was determined to make the most of it. This might be the only time in my whole life that it's just my little family of 5 celebrating Thanksgiving. With our impending move to Tulsa, we will no doubt be spending Thanksgivings to come with both of our families.

The first thing we did was hit the Sugar Land Turkey Trot Race. They had a kids mile race for 12 and under and a 5 mile race for adults. Hannah and Abby decided to run in the kids race. EG said that would make her legs tired (good point, EG!) I was so proud of these girls. They did GREAT. Oh yeah, and Big D ran with them for moral support!

Here they are at the start line:

Hannah finished at 8:10 and Abby right at 10 minutes. They ran so hard and never stopped to walk!

My turn was next. I didn't have big expectations for this race. I have been running, but not fast at all. I would be lucky to crank out a 10 minute mile. But, if you know me at all, you know my competitive side. As we are waiting on the gun, I think, "wouldn't it be nice to run a 9 minute mile?" Seriously, I haven't run a 9 minute mile since I've lived here.


Love the way that number accentuates my belly. Very nice!

I did it! I finished at 44:57..just under a 9 minute pace! What a great feeling!

After the race it was time to come home and get cleaned up for lunch. Lunch that I was not cooking. We decided to go to our country club for Thanksgiving Brunch. It was really enjoyable. It's always a plus when you eat a fancy meal and your kids have good manners! Best part of this decision was no dishes!!!

Oh, and the next best part was coming straight home for a nap! We took a 2 hour nap and then woke up and on to the next activity. We headed to Post Oak/Galleria for their version of "Lights On" with a spectacular fireworks display!

It was seriously a GREAT day! What memories we made with our little family that I will cherish forever. Tonight I am cooking a turkey and green bean casserole because we just couldn't get enough! It's a bummer when you don't have left overs!

Trixy Turkey

Abby's class was charged with making a persuasive speech from the voice of a turkey. "Why you shouldn't have turkey for Thanksgiving dinner."
Abby's reasons: 1) it has something in it that makes you sleepy and you will sleep all afternoon (sounds good to me!); 2) her family and friends would miss her; 3) there will be none left for the zoo; and 4) she wants to run in the turkey trot race.

She was pretty persuasive, but I'm counting down the days till turkey day!

Take Me Back To Tulsa

Some of you may have already heard, but it's official: we are moving back to Tulsa. Daniel has had a lot of fun and success building the Houston office and will now be charged with heading up Business Development at his company. It is an opportunity we are thrilled about professionally and personally.

This move is bittersweet. We have made so many wonderful friends in Sugar Land that we hate to leave, but Tulsa is home. We are anxious to be back with parents, siblings and nieces and nephews! We knew ultimately that we wanted to get back to Tulsa and God opened a door and so we are walking through it.

As to the timing of the move, that all depends on how quickly we can sell this:

Friends

Today I am just feeling so blessed by friends and the power of friendship. My friend Joli's mom was suddenly very sick and near death last Thursday. On Friday morning I received a text at 4:15 saying that she didn't have much longer. Her organs were failing and her breathing was hard. I got up that day preparing to come to Tulsa for a funeral.

But as Joli will tell you, "God is good all the time; all the time God is good!" Miracle of all miracles, her mom is still alive, and although on dialysis and a ventilator her prognosis is positive. She has a very long, long road ahead of her and I know the family would covet your prayers.

I was able to fly to Tulsa on Sunday so I could spend some time with my good friend, but only made possible by good friends. I had a good friend on standby for any school emergencies, a good friend offered to cart them to activities and another good friend is on standby today in case my plane is late.

I don't know what I would do without my girlfriends. I am so thankful and blessed to have so many wonderful friends!

Turkey In Disguise

This is the third and final time that one of my kids will have the "Turkey In Disguise" project at school. The assignment is to disguise their turkey any way they want. They are then displayed through the hallways. Last year, Abby disguised her turkey as Hannah Montana. This year, Ellie Grace decided to make her turkey into an angel. So fun...

Mary Poppins

My friend, Joli, told me she was getting tired of reading about Art Ala Carte and I needed to update my blog. I have been trying to figure out why I haven't been blogging. Is it because life is not exciting right now or because I'm tired of blogging? I think it's more of the latter. When I get a few minutes I'd rather play a few rounds of Bejeweled than blog! How pathetic!

Daniel's birthday was on Halloween and for his present the girls surprised him with tickets to Mary Poppins. Most Dads probably wouldn't think this was a great present, but Big D loves watching Mary Poppins with the girls and was thrilled to go.

Last night the big night finally arrived. The girls got all dolled up in their new holiday attired.

The show was simply amazing. It might be the best broadway show I have ever seen. It was fabulous. The girls were in awe the whole time. It was a great family night out in the big city! Next stop- Sound of Music!

Art Ala Carte

Our PTA sponsors this great program called Art Ala Carte. It was originally brought into the school when art funding was cut and K-2nd didn't have art class. Now, thankfully, we do have art back in all grades, but this is such a great supplemental program and the kids love it.

Last year I became familiar with it only because my kids brought home such great projects. Honestly, the things they did in Art Ala Carte were more impressive than what the did in regular art class. (hope the art teacher isn't reading this!)

This year, I decided to volunteer. I am so thankful that I am able to stay at home to be able to do these things with the kids. My girls absolutely love it when I volunteer in their classroom. They think it's so neat!

Yesterday was the first session of Art Ala Carte in 1st grade. The children learned terms such as: mood, cool colors, warm colors, shading and tinting. They used oil pastels to create their own version of Van Gogh's Starry Night. Here is EG super proud of her creation:

Designer Shoes

Hannah used the remainder of her birthday money to purchase these Coach Tennis Shoes. When did my baby get so big that she knows about designer labels?? She is so proud of them! She even wiped down the white leather toe with a Clorox Bleach Wipe after school! She has better looking tennis shoes than I do!

A Girl and Her Shoes

I am not one of those Moms that goes out shopping when the season changes and loads up on clothes and shoes for all my girls. I try to buy things constantly and rotate whose turn it is. I can't afford to do a big shopping spree. It's less painful this way.

This weekend it was Ellie Grace's turn to get new tennis shoes. And, boy, did she need them. We went to Dillard's and she immediately spotted these cute brown Sketchers. She was smitten!

The only problem with this type of shoe is that she has a very narrow foot! Shoes that you slip on just don't work well for her. They are too loose across the bridge of her foot. Coincidentally, these are the shoes she is always drawn to. I always let her try them on, crossing my fingers that this time they will fit. After trying them out in the store, she decided these were the shoes for her. She loved them. She was so proud she lugged that big bag all up and down the mall. She even slept with the box in her bed.

This morning Ellie Grace popped out of bed so excited to wear her new shoes to school! (such a girl!) When she finally made it downstairs, tears were streaming down her face. The shoes didn't feel so good. They just didn't fit right. We tried them with a different pair of socks. Now tears combined with snot. She was devastated! This might be an understatement. I told her we would go back tonight and exchange them for a different pair, but she just cried, "I don't want a different pair. I love that pair!"

With about 10 minutes 'till the bell rang she finally put her old shoes on and hopped on her bike. She cried the whole way to school. I walk her till the school is in sight and then wave her on. She made it almost to the crossing guard when she threw her bike down and came sobbing back, "I think I need another hug!" Man, this is a girl who has emotionally bonded with her shoes.

I surprised her at lunchtime by checking her out of school and racing to the mall. She was thrilled. Here is the pair she picked out:

Upon returning to school (we made it back in time for class), her teacher asked her if she had a doctor's appointment. Ellie Grace responded, "No, my Mom took me to get shoes." I asked her what the teacher said, and she answered, "Well, those are cute shoes!"

You gotta give it up for a girl who cries over shoes!

Happy Birthday Sweet Hannah

I cannot believe that Hannah turns 11 years old tomorrow. It seems like just yesterday that I was holding her in my arms, tears streaming down my cheeks, so excited to be a Mom. Hannah is becoming such a delightful young lady. She is a hard worker, she is sweet, helpful, respectful and a great friend!

This year for her birthday we actually had friends in Sugar Land! HOORAY! Last year we celebrated in the summer before we moved and then just had a family party here. This year, she wanted to have a bit more of a grown-up party. She invited her 3 best friends to Benihana (Japanese Show Cooking). It was really fun!!! Big D and I thought we looked like a reality show walking in with 6 girls. Someone asked us if they were all ours!

After dinner we came home and the girls went for a swim. Yes, Tulsans. They went for a swim in an unheated pool. That's how warm it has been here!!

She wanted an ice-cream cake this year and it was yummy! After we sang to her she got to add up all of her loot! (all she asked for from everyone was money.) This afternoon she and Dad are off to spend it on an I-pod Touch.

Labor Day

Whew...long time no post. School is in full swing and with that comes homework, activities and early bedtimes!


Last weekend we broke away for a short trip to Austin. Daniel's brother and his wife (David and Amy) were traveling to Austin for Labor Day weekend and to watch a UT football game so we drove over to meet up with them on Friday night.


We are really trying to embrace our time as Texans and experience all that Texas has to offer. Hannah studied Texas history last year in school so we planned a trip to see the Capitol.


I interrupt this post to tell you a story from my childhood. On the way to Destin one summer when I was a teenager, my Mom wanted to stop at Bellingrath Gardens in Alabama. Needless to say, Allison and I thought this was a bad idea. And, I'm pretty sure Dad wasn't too thrilled either. But, Mom won and we stopped. To let her know how displeased we were with her choice we complained the entire time. I don't think she enjoyed one minute of that visit and to this day it is a standing joke in our family.


Well, I have come full circle. Visiting the capitol with my 3 kids and their 3 cousins brought back terrible memories of Bellingrath Gardens! They did not seem one bit interested in all this culture I was trying to give them. All I could do was call Mom to apologize for Bellingrath Gardens!


We enjoyed yummy Mexican food and margaritas while celebrating David's 40th birthday. The next day we hit the outlet malls before heading home to watch the OU vs. BYU game....maybe we should have watched UT instead!!!

First Day Of School

How long does the excitement for a brand new school year last? How long will my kids pop out of bed and be eager to face the day? How long will Abby wish she had homework? How long 'till they start complaining about bedtime? When will it no longer be fun to lay out clothes the night before?

I don't know the answers to these questions, but I am enjoying it while I can!

We're Complete

The most exciting thing that happened this summer was that Ellie Grace decided to invite Jesus into her heart. We were thrilled. All of our kids have now come to a point where they understand (to the best of their capabilities) that Jesus died on the cross for their sins so that they can live forever in Heaven.

This past Sunday Ellie Grace was baptized. She was very excited. Daniel's parents even came in town to be a part of it. Our good friend and Minister of Music baptized her.

The baptistry at our church is up high above the choir loft area so that everyone can see. Behind the actual baptistry is a little landing where the family can come and stand with her without getting all wet. As we walked out to witness her baptism, Abby was so excited to be up so high in front of all those people that she gave her best royal wave to everyone. Of course, everyone was chuckling. Grandma tells us that she had a big grin to match the wave. Leave it to us to provide amusement during a baptism!!

We are so proud of Ellie Grace and were so blessed to have been a part of this day!!!

Meet The Teacher

Tonight was Meet the Teacher at the girls' school. I have to say, I think God was smiling on the Herrold family when He made teacher assignments. I am so pleased with all of them. They are all darling, sweet women who hopefully are good teachers too!!!

This year was so much different than last year. Last year we had been here only 1 week. We felt like aliens in this place. We walked into that school not knowing a soul, all of us a little nervous. Tonight we were veterans! We had friends. We knew our way around the school. We felt comfortable. It was a much better place to be!!!

Here are pictures with the girls and their teachers. They are excited for school to start! Wonder when the enthusiasm will wane???

Houstiversary!

This past week we celebrated our one year anniversary in the Houston area. I won't lie, it was quite an adjustment. But, as Big D and I were talking last night, we feel like we are really starting to get in the groove here.

Hitting the one year mark means no more "firsts"!! No first day at new school. No first doctors appt. No first holiday out of town. No first hurricane! We've experienced it all and we are prepared.

As the girls got their teacher letters in the mail I was reflecting on last year when we received the teacher assignments. It didn't mean a thing. We didn't know ANY teachers. We didn't even have a single friend to call and see if they were in our class. I love that my kids have friends now to call. I never thought I could love Commonwealth as much as I loved Darnaby, but I do!

So, in honor of our Houstiversary, I wanted to make a top ten list of things we love about Sugar Land. These are in no particular order!

1. The beauty- Sugar Land is absolutely beautiful. The zoning helps the aesthetics so much, but the green lush landscaping is wonderful to drive through on your way home.

2. The weather- Yes, it is VERY hot right now. But, I love it from October thru April. I love that you can eat lunch outside in December. It's great.

3. Fort Bend Fit- My running group. It took me a year to discover it, but I am so glad I have!

4. Our friends- I'm so blessed with the friendships I have made. Daniel and I have commented that our friendships are deeper here because we don't have family. When you have a car wreck and your hubby almost dies, you depend on friends!!! Love 'em!

5. Our country club- It's in our neighborhood. It's for the whole family. It's a gym, tennis and social club all rolled into one and we have helped keep them in business for the last year!

6. Our church- Again, I never thought I could find a replacement church, but we absolutely love Sugar Creek Baptist Church. Do you know we never even visited another church? We walked into Sugar Creek on our first Sunday here and they made us feel so welcome we never went anywhere else. This year, I am teaching Sunday School to fifth grade girls and Daniel is involved in missions!

7. Walking to school- We live super close to the school and Big D and I walk the girls each morning. It's great family time!!

8. Access to a big city- Sugar Land is small, but Houston is a hop skip and a jump. It's a 20 minute drive to get into the heart of Houston and I love that it as at our fingertips. Big cities can offer so much more! (shopping, restaurants, museums, etc.)

9. Time in car- When we set out to move everyone warned me how much time I would spend in traffic. I can't lie to you...I am hardly in my car. In fact, I was in my car more in Tulsa than I am now. It's great!! I am out here in Sugar Land in a little bubble and everything is in arm's reach.

10. Daniel's office- In two weeks Daniel's office will pack up and move to Sugar Land. Right now he has a 25 minute commute and soon it will be about 10 minutes. We can't wait. it will improve our quality of life so much!

Don't get me wrong, I miss Tulsa and I miss family, but life here is pretty good!

Camp Wrap-Up

I can't believe I haven't blogged about camp. Where have the days gone? The girls had a fabulous time at camp. I think Abby might have even had more fun than her big sister! She said she missed me at night in her bed when it was quiet (aaawww). Hannah came running to us when she saw us. Abby just waved! We took Ellie Grace with us. We wanted her to check it out to see if she had any interest in going next summer. The verdict: she's in! Believe it or not we are already enrolled in Kanakuk K-Kountry for next summer and our term is almost completely full. That should tell you what an awesome camp it is! I feel blessed to be able to be able to send our kids.

Here are some snapshots of us picking them up from camp.

Reunited with Dad after 2 weeks!

Hannah and her cabin mates.

Abby and her cabin. Abby made a friend named Kate. I think she's the girl in the blue shorts. I said, "Kate, you are very cute!" and she said, "I hear that all the time!" (She did not say it snobbily, just honestly...very cute!)

Hannah and her counselors. Hannah received the "faith on fire" award. Could a Mom be any more proud of an award?? This girl has a good head on her shoulders and a great walk with the Lord. She spent her own money on a devotional book that she will complete daily. She mails in a form with her parent's signature each month saying she completed that month and she will get a little prize. I hope she can keep it up!

Abby and her counselors. Abby received the "gentle in spirit" award. This is so perfectly fitting for Abby. She has such a sweet spirit and is very tenderhearted towards her friends.

What a great week, but glad to have my family back together again!!!

Do You See What I See?

Big D and I took the neglected labs on a walk tonight after dinner and look what we saw:c

Can you see it? Look closely. It's a whole family of deer. Our neighborhood has not been in existence too long. Before that it was just woods. We are invading their homes, but they are taking it in stride. They are so tame. Here we were with these big labs and they didn't even run from us. Just beautiful! Thank you God for letting us get a glimpse of your creation tonight!

Hi Ho! Hi Ho!

It's off to camp they go! Today was the drop-off at Kanakuk. It was the first year for either of my girls to go to Kanakuk. Hannah has been to New Life Ranch twice, but this was Abby's first year to "sleep away camp". They were so excited.

I know riding the bus is supposed to be the thing to do, but Big D wouldn't have any part of it. His main concern: How would Abby make her bed up all by herself? So, my Mom and I drove to camp today and helped get them settled.

What a camp! I am so thankful that we are able to provide them with this experience. It looks so fun. We both thought it looked just like The Parent Trap - I hope they don't find their twin sisters!!!

When we got there they immediately swooped them away and put them on stage and announced their presence. It was precious! "This is Hannah. Hannah, we have been waiting for you all summer. The counselors have been fighting over you, but you are going to this cabin!" Cheers everywhere.

"This is Abby. Abby we have been waiting on you all summer. On a scale of 1 to 2500 how excited are you?"

"Um, what's the scale again?" She was too cute!

We took them to their cabins and helped get them unpacked and got their beds made.

After a quick tour of the camp it was time to say goodbye. I am so thankful they have each other!!! I know they will have a wonderful time!

Swim Party

My sweet friend Trina invited some of our Darnaby friends over today with their Moms so we could see everyone. I appreciate it so much. Even with being here 2 weeks it is so hard to work in visits with family and friends. Time just flies by!

It was amazing how much some of the kids have grown this last year. They all looked so big and so grown up. They all had fun swimming with each other and we Moms had a great time catching up on each other's lives!

Thanks Trina for a great day!

Daniel's Family

Last night Daniel's parents had me and the girls over for dinner, as well as David and Amy and their three boys. What a treat!

It was sorta weird to be over there without Daniel. I know it's morbid, but it did cross my mind that this could have been my new normal had Daniel not survived the fire ant fiasco! Thankfully, he will be with me in a few days. But, in the meantime, it was fun to torture him by e-mailing him this picture of the ribs they cooked while he ate his frozen t.v. dinner:

It is always such a pleasure to watch the girls get together with the boys. They all match up in age perfectly and they truly love each other. I hope they always stay close. I'm not looking forward to the day when it's not cool to play with your "boy" cousin simply because he is a boy!

Grandma and Papa let the girls spend the night and I know they had a fantastic night playing air hockey, board games and even red rover! Thanks for a great night Don and Mary!