Sooo when are you moving?

Soon.
Have you sold your house?
Not yet, but we are moving anyway. I've always found that I actually like living the the same city as John at the same time.
It's fast it's quick, but we've really been at peace. We will be living in an apartment for 6 months to get used to the city. Email me for the new address.
I actually just realized that when we last moved from Austin I said I would never live in an apartment again. I also said last April that I would never move again. I've since learned that I will never say never again!!!! Ha!!!
We will keep our vacation home in College Station for now!
Going to keep Austin weird with our crazy crew!

The Day You Became a Big Girl

Today marks the day that you became a big girl. Elizabeth and Cosette are the same age as you were when they were born.
I will never forget that feeling as I watched you come in to meet your new baby sisters. You became so big in just a few short hours. I was shocked at how that could happen and wondered what life would now be like with three little ones as we all tried to adjust to life with preemie twins!


You are such a good big sister.


You are the ring leader, the director of play, the color of plate decider, and loved and copied in every way possible.


These little babies...


Are now these big babies. I suppose they always will be as no one will come after them to displace them.


You nursed your babies right along with me as I nursed mine. You cried when I could not hold you as much as you wanted me too. You were so helpful and mostly potty trained yourself.


I love you so much, my G-Joy. My oldest, my first, and always my big girl.

Piggy Tale Cuteness!

I piggy tail, Mommy. Yes Cosette, you have piggy tails.


You have cam-ra Mommy.


Internal monologue ( I'm so working this look)


I kiss Li- bth.


Mommy, I could eat you up Cosette. Love me some Piggy Tails!!

Monday Musings

- The critter in my bed was a cock roach
- John said he thinks I have not fully forgiven him for the night. I laughed until I cried and then I admitted he was right. I'm still praying on that one.
- Austin seems doable.
- There is a lot of traffic even on weekends in Austin
- August is really really really hot.
- I've decided that instead of wallowing in my sadness over leaving we will get out and do something every day! Today we grocery shopped and I had to tell Marcy and Stacey that we are leaving. I almost cried. I love my Kroger ladies.
- I've not been to boot camp in 2 weeks. The last 3 times I've tried I've not been able to go. From John going out of town, from an alarm not being loud enough, to a foot injury, I'm full of excuses, but still have the desire to go. I actually miss working out.
- I bought regular barbecue lays today.
- I'm going to boot camp in the morning.
-All the girls are in Gymnastics. It is super cute to watch 2 year olds try to do a forward roll.
- That reminds me I need to take photos of said gymnastics. We only have 2 classes left. Poor second babies. No pictures of absolutely everything for them.
- We played in the backyard this morning before 9. It was nice. And no sign of skunks.

The Menagerie

It has seemed a little like a zoo here recently. With the house showings, wrangling two 2 year olds and trying to survive the turn or burn heat wave that is a Texas summer. Some of you real life friends know this about me, that I am a professed, "Not a critter person.". Creepy crawly things are just not my cup of tea. I know, I know, I've lived in Texas since I was five and you would think in those less than 20ish ;) years that I would get used to them. But reader, I have NOT.
My marriage is so strong because of the bug guy that comes bimonthly, to render peace and kill at things critter like. There was one time when our marriage was not going to make it. The time I felt a creepy crawly thing on me. In. Bed. Sweet, dear, not innocent, husband felt no such thing and he told me to go back to sleep. The second time it happened I screamed to wake the neighbors in Florida. He got up and tended to the killing of the critter. The phone call that saved our marriage was made the next morning.
From his spot on the couch.
So to sum up so far. Charissa does not like critters.


Last time the bug guy was here he mentioned that we had an armadillo hole by our air conditioner. He told me- All you had to do was poke a stick down there and see if anything hisses at you and then you know if it is occupied. I literally laughed so hard I cried. Me. Stick a stick down a hole just to see if something hisses at you? No way. No way at all. I thanked the kind marriage saver for his advice and kindly showed him the door. Ain't no way. So now for a chance for the hubs to redeem himself.






We/he cemented the hole as I stood back and waited for armadillo of death to come flying out of the hole as I documented it all. Because I wanted to see what would happen but I also knew I would push him out of the way as I ran screaming for safety with arms flailing if ANYTHING came out of that hole.
Critter-0 Us-1

I saw a family of skunks prance across the yard today. It was before I had my coffee. Really? Why must the critters come before coffee? Every cartoon of Pepe Le Pew came rushing to my mind. At first I thought it was the cat that comes and visits. He's black and white too. But no, this skunk family was indeed skunks. I have never seen anything like it. A family of skunks prancing in my yard. Much much later, part scared and part fascinated the girls and I walked all around the backyard to see what we could see. I did kind of feel bad, because I was with my children, and yet I knew I would totally run with arms flailing and might leave them behind if a skunk did appear. Thankfully Elizabeth wanted to be held, so I felt better I could save one if we saw the prancing skunks. The other two-on their own.
No skunks were found, but goodness it's a menagerie here.

It's SO hard!!!!

I'm talking bout the move today.
It is hard!!! I'm having a hard time with a few things. Some of them are waiting, some are frustrating because we are not moving on the conventional school year time line. And that is VERY VERY difficult in this very highly motivated by the school year calendar town that we live in.Things are not lining up in an easy way, and it effects several other people. That alone is hard for this people pleasing second born child. Some are relational. Ah the ocean of emotion in those three words alone. So I deal with hard by laughter.
It's not so hard as world hunger, or poverty, but it's more like this:


Sometimes I feel like moving is too hard why try?
Thanks Friends, for words of encouragement, and words of truth. Because, I've also fallen WAY off the health food wagon and FILLED a cart with junk/comfort food. Ice cream, Pringle's, frappachinos, and bar-b-q lays. (Except that I got the baked kind of lays and that my friends was no comfort of all. Eating more of the blue bell did help though.)
I'm watching the video again and remembering how truly blessed I am.
And maybe tomorrow I'll not be so consumed with my first world problems.

The Best Dance Partner...

... Is Daddy of course. Ah, how mommy loves his first 15 minutes home. He gives her a kiss a hug and a smile and the gets down to wrestle, dance or dress-up with three little princesses. Mommy escapes, unwinds and starts dinner without all three little helpers. Or she gets a Margarita. Depends on the day.
We love our Prince Charming. King of the Castle.