Labor and Delivery

Where was Leslie on Friday?:
A)Burden Honda Care B)CarMax C)Joe Myers Toyota D)K&J Automotive E)all of them

Labor pains began at 8 a.m. when I took the Odyssey to Burden to have the belt tensioner (& belt) replaced. We waited too long after my temporary fix there three weeks ago, and the squeal was so loud and consistent, it had to be fixed. Another $160 spent on the "Horrid Honda". See previous post for that saga.

Brief stop at home to gather all the necessary paperwork and then to CarMax for a 10a.m. appointment with Jim. While the Honda is being appraised, I test drive a Corolla with Jim. They don't have any manual transmissions at this CarMax location so I drive an automatic. I am very impressed with it's pick-up, handling and ride comfort. After the test drive I find out what CarMax will pay us to trade or buy outright the Honda. It's right at the price I had researched online, so I'm content. I left with the seven day guarantee paper.

Another stop at home to grab some lunch and then over to Joe Myers Toyota because they have a 5-speed Corolla and I want to test drive it and also see what they will give us for a trade. Not only does it drive well, but they had reduced the price from what the web site showed. I call Tim at work to tell him they were letting me take the Corolla home and keeping the Honda to appraise. He tells me to take the car to our mechanic. So without stopping at home (or passing GO), I head to K&J Automotive.

They are the absolutely nicest auto shop and James stops and gives it a look over and a clean bill of health.

I head home to await Tim. He arrives shortly after me and we go for more test driving and decide to go negotiate.

Back to Joe Myers. Lots of talking, phone calls, paper shuffling, and WAITING. They won't give us as much as CarMax for the Honda, even after much back and forth, so we decide Tim will stay there and start the Corolla paperwork, I'll take the car to CarMax to start the selling of it and he'll join me there to finalize the sale and then I'll go back to Joe Myers to finalize purchase. Off down the road to CarMax I head, when Tim calls and says the sales manager ask me to return.

Back I go. It's not that bad as the dealers are within spitting distance of each other.

The sales managers agrees to offer us comparable and so we trade the Honda to them.

We then have to wait for the finance guy. He's a Christian and makes all the tedious stuff as fun as possible. We had pre-approval with the same Credit Union we had the Honda with for a loan, but we were pleasantly surprised that Joe Myers credit union conglomerate beat it by a whole point. We are awesomely blessed with a new loan rate of 4.54%.

Lots of paper signing and then finally off to bring the new baby home. But, they are way behind in the prep area and haven't even started cleaning her up. We decide to have her "detailed" when we go back for tags etc... and leave the dealer at about 7:30.

Twelve hours of labor. We are thankful it's over.

Another New Addition!

We are pleased to welcome our 2nd pre-owned vehicle this year to our family. It's a girl, 2007 Toyota Corolla 5-speed. Adopted into our family as of Friday, July 25 at 7:25 p.m. and weighing 2722 lbs.We are opening up the comments sections for a contest of naming the car. The winning name will be announced sometime in the future.

Explanation of Slide Show Below

Tim's sister and spouse were on the mainland from Hawaii for Lynn's son's wedding in California. They then made a whirlwind tour of Texas to see all their family and some friends here. They started in Austin, then went to LaGrange, on to Sugarland and finally Northwest Houston.

Tim smoked a brisket and we had everyone here on Saturday. Bekah brought some awesome green bean casserole (one of my favorites), Wendy made shrimp dip and Michael supplied some good beer. Since so many of the family had hair long enough for pony tails, we planned a pony tail picture. Since Stephen didn't want to be left out, he supplied his own wig.

We also had fun with water. Bekah totally whooped Nick in a water gun/hose battle and then later Saturday night, Linda and Lynn helped with the cleanup from a broken water supply line under the hall bath sink. It's amazing how quickly water spreads.

I STILL didn't get a picture of Uncle Frank and Wendy for my family fridge gallery, but Mike insist on being unique. Everyone else cooperated.

Sibling Reunion

Bye, Bye!

We've decided to part ways with our 2003 Odyssey but only if it will stay together long enough to get it to CarMax or another dealer.

The air conditioning was replaced less than a month ago and then last week the back vent window motor died ($206.00) and TWO DAYS later, the hood latch broke (AGAIN). We fiddled and fiddled but could not get the hood open.

The 2nd hood latch was put in in 2006 at the dealer but no longer under warranty, so I went to our Honda mechanic this morning at Burden. The belt tensioner is also bad now and so we squeal, especially before the engine is warmed up. He quoted me $289 to repair both. I just about cried. I told him we had decided to sell the van and hated having to keep repairing it. I told him to fix the latch but not the tensioner. He went out and when he came back told me he had put a shimmy somewhere so the hood latch would work, tightened something and sprayed stuff on belt tensioner and no charge. I almost cried, again.

He said, go take your headache and get rid of it. We're researching options and are going to check with my son-in-law's dad who works for a dealer.

In everything give thanks. I'm trying, but somedays....

A Tale of Two Vans

Once upon a time there was family that was growing and they were able to purchase a mini-van. What joy to have all that space after being squeezed into a tiny Ford Escort. But, the mini-van played them false, and even though it was a Honda, it gave them nothing but grief. The family was very glad they had purchased the extended warranty, for repairs were needed time and time again.

Then, a much loved mini-van, whose owners didn't want to scrap it and had lovingly named it "The White Knight", was offered to the family. It needed a new air conditioner, but had already had its transmission replaced and the family gladly welcomed it into their home and had it's air conditioning repaired.

Shortly thereafter, the Honda grew jealous of the new van and decided it wanted a new transmission, also. But, it didn't time its revenge well and there were still 2000 miles left before the extended warranty expired. The White Knight came to the rescue during the time the Honda was being repaired.

But, the poor Knight worked so hard that the very next day after the Honda came home, its transmission got sick. Even though it was out of its warranty for its second transmission, the shop was kind enough to repair it for a nominal transmission service charge.

The Honda gloated.

But once the White Knight returned, the Honda grew jealous again. It didn't even have a cool name. It planned its next attack. It waited until it was 1000 miles out of warranty. It wanted a new air conditioner, too. The White Knight had waited until winter to need it's a.c., but the revengeful Honda, chose the heat of a Texas summer while its master was driving home from work.

Perhaps the family needs to appreciate the Honda and give it a name, but they are seriously thinking it is time to part ways. But don't mention this to the Honda. It's at the shop and we will try to make our decision before it returns.

Broken Glass Theology

I should know after all these years to not put dishes away when I first get up and haven't had a cup of coffee but I haven't learned. I thought the glass was on the shelf but it wasn't and it started to fall and I grabbed for it and it hit the edge of the shelf beneath and shattered.

Broken glass is a reminder that you need to clean all kinds of places you haven't thought of or cared about for a long time. We also know that through some incredible law of physics, glass travels great distances and into spots you never would have thought.

So, how does this relate to my spiritual life? Well, there are certainly areas that I choose to overlook that have gotten "dirty" or need come cleaning up. The flip side is how do my words and actions (thoughts,too) travel much further than I imagine?

The mercy of it is that that goes not only for my sinful words and actions but for those seasoned with grace.

Thanks for the broken glass, Lord.

More Wedding Stuff

I

captured these from Sherry's Kodak Gallery. I really appreciate people who are willing to be in weddings. Think about it- you are asking them to shell out gobs of money to participate in something that last very briefly so that you can have nice pictures. But what photogenic kids they are!

Wedding!

Some Bridesmaids

I forgot my camera AGAIN and so don't have any photos (yet, April will email me the ones she took)from the shower last night, but here are Siara, Jess and Emily in Jess's room which is slowly emptying. Jess went to Intercontinental and grabbed Siara on Tuesday around 8am and then they hopped on I45 and went to Hobby and picked up Emily who arrived at 9:45am.

The shower last night included an awesome game. Rebecca and April interviewed Jason with video and then played the tape, pausing after each question, so Jess could answer. Then we saw Jason's answer. Fun stuff- like the old Newlywed game. They also had prizes, so how can you beat that?

One week to go

It's one week before the wedding and things are falling into place but who was worried about that? As is usual, having little or no control causes me to see so many of my glaring sins. Yes, sins. Being anxious and worrying are really sins. Here's recommended reading for all who struggle as I have: Respectable Sins- Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges.

Lack of thankfulness is a "respectable sin" so here are things I'm thankful for:

• Nick got sick with nasty cold last week and then Jess wasn't feeling well on Wednesday and I had an on again off again sore throat and we're all feeling better now.
• White Night's a.c. is working fine after check (I love my mechanic) and doesn't need expensive ($95) air cleaner housing, and I figured out how to change the headlight- no thanks to Hayne's manual or owner's manual.
• Tam will do my hair for wedding for only $25.
• Lawn mower problem was fixed (ladies, I recommend going to auto parts store and telling the guy or gal at the counter your problem. All the employees came over and chipped in with their diagnosis of probable cause and $6 later I left with everything needed to fix the issue).
• I found green placemats at Big Lot's for $1 each that I've been wanting to buy to tie my southwestern theme together in the dining room.
• Jess has started taking all the shower and wedding gifts over to her and Jason's new home.
• All the water bugs (big roaches) I've seen around house have been dead. My extermination skills are working.
• I got all the beds weeded and put out mulch in front and planted some peonies and it all is so pleasing to look at.

Ephesians 5:20- ...always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father...

Ben's Graduation

May Things

May slipped up on me and is so incredibly packed with events, I need to follow Elizabeth Elliot's adage to "Just do the next thing."

Here's an overview of the month:

May 1- Visited with brother and his wife who were in town from Utah
May 2- Having dinner with friends
May 3- Graduation banquet for Benjamin
May 4- Church; Another bridal shower for Jess
May 6-8 Boy's working at Tim's office
May10- sister-in-laws b-day
May 11- Mother's Day
May 12- Tim turns 50
May 17- Nephew's b-day; friend's graduation and party
May 18- brother-in-law turns 50
May 20- Jess's NC bridesmaid arrives
May 21- friend's b-day, Jess's Baltimore bridesmaid arrives,last bridal shower for Jess
May 22- my birthday, maybe wedding rehearsal
May 23- Probably wedding rehearsal
May 24- J&J Wedding
May 25- Likely taking bridesmaids to airport
May28- 4H end of year Awards Meeting

There are "regular" things, too. So, from all you blog readers I expect sympathy :) but more importantly your task is to leave a comment that encourages not only me, but all who need to be reminded of the absolute sufficiency of Christ.

Here's my own admonition to myself: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
2 Corinthians 9:9

And: Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:31

Probably Last Post of Shower Pictures

Well, I still haven't spent the time to know how to add captions. I have, however, been using my Complete Idiot's Guide to Paint Shop Pro 7 to help with cropping, etc... Something else I need to practice.

Few More Shower Pics

I need to learn how to put captions under or next to pictures in Blogger, but since I haven't figured that out I'll have to just mention things and you can figure what picture they go to (not dificult).

1. 1. The Gifts waiting to be opened
2. 2. Table Decorations
3. 3. Jess in cool hat from her Aunt T.A.- Cowgirl Princess.
   

Details

I didn't take pictures at the shower and hubby's didn't turn out too well, so I might blog some more if I can get pictures from a friend who was snapping away.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the hall was decorated with Japanese umbrellas and other cool thingamajigs. The food was delicious and we had a big turnout of both ladies and men. The ladies of Mills Road Baptist Church did an awesome job and we felt so loved and honored.

Our side of the family was rowdy so I hope Jason's family doesn't think we are uncouth (but we are so...).

Pastor Larry read a beautiful devotional that can be applied to us all and Jess and Jason both simultaneously opened gifts as there was an overwhelming amount.

We took most of the presents home and Jason took some as well. The kids didn't even get to opening the cards that weren't with gifts and did that Saturday night.

April Showers

The Happy Couple, Displaying the Cake, The Wall of Gifts

Tuesday Tales

1) Still waiting to get the White Knight back. After having the Honda out of commission for two weeks, we finally got it back from dealer on Friday, March 28, with new transmission, new left front wheel bearing and strut and then on Saturday, March 29, the White Knight's transmission died. The place that rebuilt the transmission last year is working with us to rebuild it again.

2) Jason's mom came over this past Sunday afternoon and she and I addressed wedding invitations while Jessica folded stuff (response cards etc).

3) Bridal shower brunch is Saturday, I see on Bed,Bath & Beyond's registry that two toaster ovens and two everyday dishes have been purchased. I had to call Target about four days after I bought some stuff to say it wasn't showing up as purchased even though I handed the print-out to the checker and she scanned the bar code. She manually entered things and now it registers.

4) I'm weepy thinking about the wedding. Anyone know of any anti-weepy medicine :) ?

5) Pulled out twelve years of portfolios for Ben and assembled two display boards for his graduation banquet. More weeping.

6) Headache today-probably from all the weeping.

7) Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss is recommended reading.

8) Also, The Beautiful Fight by Gary Thomas.

9) Ordered suit from Amazon for Ben; bought one from VegSource (swap board)for Nick; went to dry cleaner/alterations with hubby to have his tux fitted; bought myself a dress from GoodWill Select store for bridal shower.

10) Am thinking of using nursing pads as dress shields as anticipate 'flop sweat.' I know, I'm too "practical."

They're Here!

In a remarkable display of efficiency, the Government issued our passports in only one week and two days. I'm speechless!

Comforting Thoughts

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Knowing He is sovereign, and I won't always understand His ways, allows me to trust Him with it all as He knows so much better than I.