Life Under Calico Skies

BFF

Did I mention that we're in Mississippi?   Guess who we have been getting to hang out with!

Anabelle!  The girls have been having a great time together.  Oh my goodness (Zoe says this ALL of the time), they are hilarious.  Lots of giggles, lots of holding hands, being sweet to one another, and just having a good time. 

The first day that they saw eachother, it was like one of those cheezy love story movies, you know the kind where they run in slow motion towards eachother?  Well, Anabelle came running out of her house towards Zoe and Zoe ran straight from the car towards Anabelle.  And Mary and I did the same...only slower, you know.  Hah! 

I have pics of them together, so more to come. 

Zoe and Anabelle Again

Zoe and I got to visit with Mary and Anabelle today.  Gosh, Anabelle has grown so much since we saw her just a few weeks ago.  Her mannerisms are older.  Of course, she is still gorgeous, smart, and sweet as can be.   Oh yeah, and she is hilarious, I need to add the bit about how funny she is.  Take a look for yourself. 

Anabelle with Mr. Potato's lips. 

Zoe thought that Anabelle was on to something. 

Best Friends Forever! 

I just realized that we got to hang out w/ Anabelle and Mary last year at this same time.  And I was looking back at the pics from that time and oh my gosh.....they were so little!  You can see more images from today if you click on the photo album in the upper left corner, as well as pics from this time last year. 

Zoe!

Zoe does this for camera now. 

See, here she is again. 

Zoe is walking!!  And she can get into standing position without using something or someone!  She is so cute and so amazing!  I know, I'm biased.  I can't help it, I'm so proud of my girl!   

We've been really busy these days.  Playgroups, toddler class, and just living life.  I have several more people to contact about the ornaments for Mary's family, so if you've not heard from me yet, I've not forgotten you and I swear you will hear from me this week. 

Mary, the kids, and her father had to evacuate to Biloxi for Rita.  I talked to her a day or two ago (I've lost track of time) and they were unsure about when they were heading back or how her father's house made out.  The address I am giving to y'all for the ornaments is Mary's father's house, so until I hear from her that everything is okay there and what their plans are it would be best to hold off on the ornaments until I hear from her.  I'll let you know when I hear from her next.   

Ornaments, Colds, and 20lbs of Zoe

I started emailing info for the ornaments and fabric tonight and will start back again tomorrow.  So if you haven't heard from me yet you will soon. 

We attended our first playgroup today.  It was a lot of fun.  Zoe didn't want me to carry her, she wanted to walk like all of the other big girls.  Unfortunately, because our group was moving faster than Zoe can walk, I had to carry her part of the way which did not make Zoe happy. 

Then we went straight to the doctor's because I was worried that she had an ear infection.  She screamed from the moment they weighed her until we walked out of the building.  Oh my!  Turns out she just has a cold.  But we did find out that Zoe weighs 20lbs! 

On A Personal Level

I have talked to Mary a few times.  She and the kids are in Texas staying with her stepfather.  The kids are in a new/temporary school and Mary is taking care of "business."  She has vehicles to buy, home/car insurance to take care of.  There is a lot to do.  Eric is still in MS working. 

I'm sure it is difficult for all them not being able to be together, but hopefully, in a month that will change.  Once schools open up back in their area, Mary and the kids can go back to be with Eric.  This family has been through through a lot. 

If you'd like to do something for Mary and Eric's family, I know of two things you can do.  All of their Christmas ornaments (they managed to save two) were lost to Katrina.  Like a lot of us, Mary collected an ornament/s to celebrate each year and now they are gone.  It would certainly lift their spirits to receive ornaments from all of us. 

Also, if you'd like to send fabric, my mom and I are going to make quilts for Pollard and Frances.  We'd love to include fabric from all of you in the quilts.  I made a quilt for Anabelle (my mom helped me finish it) that I gave to her for her birthday. 

If you'd like to send an ornament and/or fabric for the kid's quilts, then please leave a comment here (make sure you fill in the email portion) or send me an email at bionic.valentine@gmail.com and I will give you the information you need. 

   

Updates

I heard from Mary's sister, Pam and Mary's friend, Laura.  Mary and the kids are staying at a neighbor's house two doors from where their home stood.  Right now they are working on getting Mary and the kids out of Biloxi, but this is easier said than done.  Getting in Biloxi is tough and obtaining gas near the coast is impossible or a nightmare.  The goal is to make it to Bridge City, Texas so they can stay with family. 

What are they in need of?  Drinking water. 

As always, keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  May they get out of there soon. 

As for my parents. I don't know their plans at this time.  Maybe tomorrow they will have a plan in place.  This is a frustrating time for them because they don't know what to do or to expect.  My dad is needed at the hospital, but it is probably not a good idea for my mother to go back. 

I will update as soon as I hear more. 

 

 

Nothing to Update

Zoe and I are back in Austin. 

My parent's, Michael, Bob the cat, and Jake the dog are still in Alabama.  They don't know when they will return to the coast. 

No real news yet.  We did talk to someone who works for the city of Biloxi and she said that she heard that eastern Ocean Springs was not damaged as badly as the rest of the coast. 

I have not had any communication with Mary since that text message.  I hope that they have been able to get out of Mississippi.  As soon as I hear from her and find out what kind of help they need I will pass it on. 

Will keep you updated. 

They've Got the Power

 

Anabelle at lunch in Mobile.  Zoe sat across from her.  The two of them would wave and clap in unison.  Ohhhh, and Anabelle started doing the "power" move.  The power is spreading. 

Can you see her runny nose?  Here, let me help you get a better look at it......

Her nose has been like two waterfalls. 

In the pool. 

Anabelle and Zoe, The Reunion

Zoe and I were lucky enough to be able to visit with Zoe's best friend, Anabelle, and our wonderful friends Mary, Eric, Frances, and Pollard today.  I have to tell you it was pretty cool seeing the girls together again.  I don't know if they actually remember each other or not, but they sure did act like pals.  They acted like old buddies, the kind that thinks nothing of beating the crap out of the other one.  They were really cute together, following each other from one room to the other, waving at eachother, eating cheerios side by side, and of course, slapping eachother. 

It was wonderful hanging out with Mary.  Unlike the girls, we didn't pummel eachother. 

If you have a fast connection, you have to check this video out.  The big payout comes at the end...it is hilarious.

Download picture_246.mpg

Click here for pics of Anabelle and Zoe!

Happy Birthday, Anabelle!!

Happy birthday, sweet girl!  We love and miss you and can't wait for the time that we see you next. Please tell your mom to send us some new pictures of you! 

The Birthday Girl

That smile! I love that smile!

Anabelle and Zoe

Best friends, indeed.  These two have known eachother since the beginning.  One of my favorite memories from China is the time that Zoe and I were in Mary and Anabelle's room.  I had been lifting Zoe by the arms and dropping her back on the bed.  Well, Anabelle was watching and she laughed and laughed at this.  So I put Anabelle on the bed next to Zoe and I took turns doing the same thing to both of them.  I'd lift Anabelle up and drop her back and Zoe would giggle.  Then I'd do the same to Zoe and Anabelle would burst into laughter.  It was so sweet.  And finally, one time, while both of them were looking at eachother and laying on the bed they erupted into the sweetest giggles.  It was great! 

Love you, Mary!