Visitors

When we first moved into this rental and had to battle cockroaches I was a little nervous about the bug issue and wondered if it was worth it to live right by the creek.

I am now officially disturbed by the creek. Earlier this afternoon, I looked outside just in time to catch a glimpse of a dog-like creature on the other side of our back fence. At first I was worried that the poor, lost dog outside needed help or water. It's hot. Luckily, I didn't bring Emory to go check on it- nor did I check on it at all. I realized it was not a dog. It looked a little fox like, but too big. It was a coyote. But it seemed to disappear into the woods.

Then, a few hours later, the dogs next door were barking like crazy. I thought I should check on the noise and see if the coyote had returned and low and behold there was a VERY long snake trying to go swimming in Emory's little pool. (See pic below). After a second of internet research I confirmed that it was a water moccasin. Grrrrreeeeaaaat. It was about 5 feet long and about 5 feet from the back door. 

Okay, what to do? What to do? Bang on the door and tell Mr. Moccasin the creek is just 30 yard away. My banging seemed to only make him feel the need to hurry closer to the pool, and to stick his little tongue out at me.

What is it about the instinctive need to call my husband and get him to FIX IT despite the fact that he is 7 miles away and on the 20th floor of a building and busy?????? He advised me to get a shovel or pull the hose around the area where the snake was and spray it. Both sounded like BAD ideas. All things that included me sharing the backyard with a snake sounded like WRONG. So I threw everything within reach in short spurts while I quickly opened and shut the door and held the phone: a pink Minnie Mouse cup, two teething rings, a small, soft basketball, but I think it was the plastic piggy bank that did the trick. I don't know how the piggy survived. The snake moved along to our flower bed. Then I got really brave and stepped outside to throw a large plastic ball, hit the intended target (it took a big ball to do that) and the snake finally slithered under the fence....I think. I'm not going to check. Not getting a shovel. And probably not going in the backyard for a month. The coyote and the water moccasin can share it.

Easter pictures

We had lots of family over for an Easter egg hunt this year. It was a blast and here are a few pictures from the scene. 

Jack, Uncle Ryder, and Aunt Kitty!!!

Haven and Emory....so cute to see them chillin' in the Jeep now. Will be TERRIFYING in about 14 years.

I think "Buddy" must have forgotten about the ears because he had them on for about 4 hours.

There is something precious about a little boy wearing a basket. Maybe it's just knowing that he won't be willing to do that for very long so we need to enjoy it while we can.

Thankfulness

Have I gone on and on enough about how happy I am to be in Austin??? I'll speak for myself because Emory is happy anywhere, and decisions about feelings take Brent much longer. But I am elated. For one, the people are so nice. Even the guy that inspects your car for the sticker couldn't be friendlier. Texans really seem to think that other people are good (despite the fact that all of the Dateline psycho wife killer reports seem to come from Texas). People here want to know how your day is going, and they want to talk about it for at least 5 minutes. Not to say that North Carolina, New York, or Colorado weren't nice, they just weren't as excited to interact.

Of course, this characterization of Texans is thrown out the window when you're on a highway. The sweet, mini-van mom next door may throw the finger out the window on Mopac if you change lanes before she's had a chance to zoom around you. Texans seem to have two distinct personalities: Friendly Conversationalist and ANGRY, Narcissistic Driver. I'm sure my crazy driver personality will return soon out of sheer necessity.


Running on Easter Sunday

Hiking (mostly with eyes open)

Patioing

I'm reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp with a neighborhood book group, and that has encouraged me to be thankful for all the blessings God has given me. Austin seems to make that easy as Emory and I go for a hike, play with new friends, get a glimpse of the rolling green hills, and have great Mexican food on a patio with other mommies while I sip on a yummy margarita on a Thursday at noon (that's an exception to my usual stay-at-home-mom drinking policy, but exceptions are so fun).

Bluebonnet time

It's wonderful to be in Texas for bluebonnet season. Some of my favorite memories are of my mom taking me to get my pictures in the fields of bluebonnets. I've learned that with a toddler the side of a highway may not be ideal for scenic pictures.

We went with some friends to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for some guaranteed flowers and were not disappointed.

Emory's "CHEEEEESE" face.

BUprise!!!!!!

She in TIME OUT

First hair cut and first...I don't know what to call it

We went with Brent to watch him get a haircut. Emory got a lolly pop, and must have said, "Daddy, you getting a hair cut?" thirty times. She eventually declared, "I gettin' hair cut, TOO!" Brent's stylist, Clauselle (pronounced kloz'-el), was thrilled to give Emory the first one. Emory was able to sit still in Brent's lap for all of 2 minutes, but it was enough to get the dead ends off. No before/after picture, though. It's pretty much the same.

Emory went shopping with me. First I shopped for a rehearsal dinner dress at Anthropologie. She insisted on taking off her shirt and shoes. She put my shirts and jewelry on one item at a time in coordination with the amount of things I tried on. She walked out to the big mirror and pranced around for the sales ladies. THEN we went to buy Aunt Kitty a lingerie shower present and WOW. I took forever to decide, and apparently there was no rush. Emory LOVED the "intimates" section.

I was distracted with my shopping and turned around to see this. Her explanation, "I pretty."

"I want to buy this for my cousin, Taylor (a girl)."

"I go pay for this dress."