Our Trip to Dallas, TX

Last Wednesday Jade and I prepared to leave to go visit our good friend , Jenny, in Dallas , TX. Since Papa Bear was out in D.C. taking over the world, Jade and I decided to arrive over two hours early to our flight...to make sure we didn't miss it.

To our dismay, but not discouragement, our flight was then delayed an hour. So we got lunch. Once on the plane we sat on the runway for an hour until being told there was something wrong with the plane. So we came back to the gate. At the gate, we sat for an hour while they tried to see if they could fix it for us. Needless to say our connecting flight would be missed. This was very discouraging. Sitting on a non-moving plane for two hours after sitting in an airport for over three...with a small baby, is tough stuff.

We got off the plane and were told to go to another with the same destination. However, that flight was nearly booked full...so Jade and I didn't get a seat. Options: they could send us to Chicago and we could stay over night there and get a flight sometime in the morning to Dallas, we could go to Baltimore and do the same thing, Denver and do the same thing...or we could take a red eye at 11:40am and make it into Dallas at 5am. "We'll take that!" I said. The optimist that I am.

By 6pm Jade was asleep in her stroller and I was walking up and down the airport trying to pass the time. At 10p.m. the voice on the loudspeaker told all passagers leaving on the 11:40pm flight to go the ticket counter. I ran to the ticket counter praying that we were leaving early and they just wanted to make sure we were all cool with that. Nope. Delayed. What was I thinking? So I did what any sensible mom with an overly tired baby and a simple destination would do. I started crying. lol! So, they rebooked us, same time, different airline. Thank the LORD! Jade slept and I prayed my body wouldn't move so as not to wake her. We arrived in Dallas at 5am. Nice. I was beat.

To make things even more glorious they had all my bags but no baby seat. And since I switched airlines there were all these stupid requirements that meant the airline that lost my bags couldn't help me. The airline that never touched or saw my bag is who I had to file a claim report with and wouldn't you know, they had no extra baby seats I could borrow. So I went back and yelled at the airline who lost my baby seat and with the help of a sad baby, a sad mom, and a very tired friend...they finally agreed to break the rules.

This is a pic of me and Jade after a long day at the airport, a red eye flight, and two extra hours at the destination airport fighting to get a baby seat. Fun stuff:)

After a few hours of sleep we all left to go visit Jenny's school to see where she goes and let her have a quick meeting. Then it was off to get pampered. Pedicures all around. Well, Jade didn't get one, but she sat on my lap and enjoyed watching them give one to mommy. After a long day and night on my feet I really needed that pedicure!

I didn't take lots of pics of all the fun things we did, but here is Jade and her new best friend.
Jenny has three doggies at her house. Jade LOVED it! She laughed and laughed at them and let them lick her face and hands.
In the mornings their old cat CIB (cat in black) would wonder in and Jade would forget about breakfast to play with CIB.

Jenny and Jade, new best friends.
Here we all are at the comedy club where a group called "Four day weekend" performed. SO funny!
We shopped, played, watched movies, ate out, ate in, went to church, played some more. All the while having a fabulous time. But all good things must come to an end. I was nervous when Monday morning rolled around and we had to get back on a plane, what drama would we have this time?

I am happy to report: None whatsoever! Here is Jade happy as a clam playing at the airport playground. She is quite the driver in a non-moving car...and proud of it.

Goodbye Jenny, see you next time!

Jade's first time in the pool

This past weekend our family headed down to Sacramento, CA to celebrate my Grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary. I would have a TON of pictures of this trip, however, my camera battery died as soon as I got there (forgot to charge it) so I only have a few random pics.

The pic below is during the 14 hour car drive to CA, Jade got a kick out of the fact I put her favorite teddy bear on her head. We played this game a lot.Once in CA and at our hotel Jade and I suited up and headed for the pool. Jade wasn't to sure what to think of the water at first.
But after a little bit she warmed up and even kicked her legs and did a little splashing around.

Here is Devin, Chris, Jo, Chris and JB chilling by the pool

Devin, Nic, CJ, Li, Chris and that is Anthony's stripped shirt:)
Hurray for a fun time in the pool. It may have been a long drive, but it was worth it! Hopefully...more pictures to come!

Happy New Year!

Here are a few pics I took of Jade New Years morning.

Where is my nose?

"Jade, where is moms nose?"

*jade smiles and touches mom's nose*

"Hurray! Good job Jade!"

*Jade starts clapping for herself*

Mom life is sweet at times.

A few pics from Christmas

Jade's 1st Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning came with glorious blue skies and a nice cool wind. I was so happy to see we got such a beautiful day. However, poor little Jade woke up not feeling too well. We think it may be a combination of a cold and teething. Poor little Jade, sick for her first Christmas. I gave her a pickle to suck on, she really liked that. I think it was soothing to her gums...and she likes pickles.

After dinner Daddy said Jade could pick out one gift to open. Then he opened his old, childhood, "Precious Moments" Bible and read us all the Christmas Story.
Jade seemed to catch on pretty quick to the whole "opening presents" concept. Halfway through opening she tried to play with her new toy.
She loved her new toy piano, she wouldn't put it down till bedtime. She would shake her booty when the music would play and get very excited.
While she and Jonathan played with the new piano, I finished decorating the gingerbread house.
If this video works (I took it with my camera), this is a little while after Jade opened her gift. Not sure if you can tell, but she is bouncing to the music.

Jade in the morning

When I start work, Jade is always right there with me. I put her in her excersaucer and she stays until all her cheerios are gone. Then I let her out to play. Today, I followed her.Here Jade is pushing her mail cart around.

And here she is practicing her ballet.

And this is just her smiling and looking cute

Smile while you work

Jade was in a fabulous mood today. Every few minutes she'd come up to me, while I was working, and give me a big toothy grin. Not bad for a Monday.

Strange Happening.

The other day, I was baking in my kitchen with a friend. I looked outside and was surprised to see some odd looking, old women staring at my friends car. The women had a pen and paper in her hands and she was writing down what I think was my friends license plate numbers.

Finding this very odd, I told my friend and had her go out and see what was up. She did. I followed. The old women just was like "I'm checking the neighborhood out" she wanted to see if there was anything there that shouldn't be, since people have been breaking the fences and such. My friend was like "Well, I'm just visiting my friend".
The old women didn't seem to care either way, I'm sure (as she began writing) she wrote something down like this:

"car. parked on the side of the road. reddish color. suspect."

Whatever. The lady started to walk off, so we went inside. Back inside with our fun cookie baking...the women returns. She looks at our house and starts to write stuff down. What the heck? I can just see it now, she writes:

"two good looking girls, alone, together, during the day. Baking. Very suspect."

Needless to say I was very annoyed by this women writing stuff down and looking at my home so oddly and my friends car. I opened the blinds and waved at her with a goofy grin. As if to say "Hi odd person! Yes, we can see you starring at us". This seemed to throw her too, she began writing again. I'm sure it went something like this

"Girl. Opens blinds, waves madly. Smiling. very, VERY suspect."

Any way, the old, odd looking women did finally leave our home and car alone, what she was really doing I'll never know. But I found this to be a strange happening that I should share.

Going to the Doc and fixing the roof

This weekend poor little Jadey woke up with a very blistered looking sore thumb. Poor Jade. On Sunday (pic below) in the snow and wind, I took Jade to the doctors. Turns out, she has a skin infection. *sad face* poor Jade. She is a thumb sucker and from time to time thumb sucking children can get skin infections. It doesn't seem to effect her mood much, but please pray for a fast healing of her little baby thumb.During last weeks rain and windstorm, we got a tiny leak in our roof. We called the roofer right away, but apparently we are so far down on his list he can't get to us for more then a week! Lots of homes were effected by the storm, since ours isn't so urgent...well, anyway. That being the case, my husband decided to fix it himself. I took pics to prove it:)
I asked him to pose like "Spiderman" but he refused. Some men.

Did anyone else do something exciting this weekend?

An Update

My work computer is being fixed right now. Normally I am working this early in the morning. But today, I am surfing. I love to check out what's on the web. Friends, food, family, clothes, more food. I love the internet. :)

Okay, so I bet you all are DYING for a Bechtle family update. So here goes.

JB is doing good
Jade is doing good
Missi is doing good

However, I will add that my super long finger nails, which were looking fabulous...now have a little snag. One of the nails is about to break. NOoooOOOOooo. With such drama like this, I am surprised I was able to get out of my bed this morning. It just goes to show you what a strong and powerful women I am. That I am able to rise above the horrors of broken, nasty, nails and still attempt to live my day to the fullest. For those of you out there who are down and discouraged, take heart and read my blog. The words on this page should lighten your spirits and help spread a smile on your face.

Let's see, what else. Oh, a weather update. Have you seen the devastation of our land recently? Brought on by great winds and LOTS of rain, as well as rising rivers? Man, it was really bad. Praise the Lord we were not effected by the storm. And today, right as I speak (er...type) I see out yonder window, sky. BLUE SKY! *the choir stands and starts singing*

I'm so excited about Christmas. I LOVE Christmas. I miss my family. Waa! But I LOVE Christmas! We have presents wrapped and Christmas cards sent and lots and lots of cookies to bake. Tis wonderful

Well, perhaps this is all the update I have time for. Farewell my friends!

A story of a fence

There once was a fence in despair
It was weak and needed repair
With just a kick of their shoe
Young kids could get through
This fence that sat in despair

One day a new fence appeared
Built strong so it would be feared
All the kids that would try
would look to the sky
And their eyes would fill up with tears

But then while counting out cents
I looked and saw our new fence
And to my dismay
The kids got their way
Again, I saw an old broken fence.

Helping Dad file

Small mouth, big tongue.

Jade discovered her tongue yesterday. I'm not quite sure what was up but all day long she was sticking it out of her mouth. Sticking it out, laughing, sticking it out and then crying. Sticking it out and licking everything she could find. Sometimes my daughter is very odd. Anyway, we got Jade a little tikes walker the other day. She really loves it. While walking is the point, she tends to just like to opening the compartments to take stuff out and then put things back in.
Today she is here with her cheerios, not sure if you can tell in this pic, but she decided to put her cheerios in her walker.
"What Ma? Don't the cheerios go in the walker? Aren't I an angel, doesn't everything go for me?

Perspective

Just so you can see how tall our tree is, I took a picture tonight of Jade and Jonathan. Jonathan is 5'11" :)

My First Thanksgiving

This past weekend we celebrated my very first Thanksgiving. It was quite the event, let me tell you. Thursday morning we all woke up and ate a big yummy breakfast together. Then Mom spent most of the morning in the kitchen making food to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. We had lot s of good intentions to take TONS of pictures of my very first Thanksgiving...but then we forgot.Here I am near the end of the big meal. I really loved the twice-baked potatoes. Can you see the food left on my nose? Hee, hee.
All Thanksgiving Day we spent with good friends. We ate lots of food, played games, hung out, ate more food, talked, laughed and had an over all good time. Later that evening Dad took me home and said it was time for bed:( and Mom got to go out and see a movie (Enchanted) with her friends. I was a bit jealous, but at least I got to spend some quality time with Dad.

Friday morning Dad woke up SUPER early to go find fabulous Christmas presents for me. Sadly he said he didn't buy me any gifts. Later...around 6:30a.m. Mom woke me up so we could do our own Christmas shopping. We bought LOTS of stuff. I had fun shopping with mom.

Saturday we decided to go to a Christmas Tree Farm. I had never been to a Tree farm and wasn't sure it was all it was cracked up to be. Why was Mom so happy? We pulled into this woods! What? Then Mom was going, "What tree should we pick Jade?" I just stared at her like, "I do not care, pick which ever one you like."
It was cold, getting dark, and SO boring. The Christmas Tree Farm was not that cool. Plus, Mom couldn't decide which tree she wanted and finally, when she did decide, she picked the biggest, toughest tree of them all to cut down. Poor Dad, he had to work really hard. Good thing he is super strong.
Mom made him pose for this picture, I don't think he wanted to. hee, hee. When we drove up to pay for the tree we realized we didn't bring enough cash, we dug around and found enough pennies and dimes to pay our bill, but the kind people at the farm told us to keep the pennies and enjoy our tree. Mom thought that was really sweet, Dad thought they just didn't really care to keep all our pennies.
So here is our tree, Mom says she may need a few more ornaments. It's a big tree, probably 8 or 9 feet tall! It's also REALLY fat. Mom likes the tree, I like the tree...I think Dad likes it too.
We even have a few presents under it already. How was everyone else's Thanksgiving weekend?

Pictures from Sunday

Playing around

I'm in love with food

Last night I made a Chocolate Truffle Pie. It was like eating pure melted chocolate with some cream. I love chocolate! Now I'm off to the dentist. Hee, hee.

Things I want to do this year

I know my year is almost over, but part of me feels like I'm only now realizing that I have a ton of energy and free time on my hands to start all those "projects" and "hobbies" I never seem to get around to doing.

Today I went to MOPS and during our discussion time we "discussed" how busy we are as Moms and thus never seem to have time for ourselves or to get anything extra done. But as we were talking in this manner I was struck by how much time I feel I really do have on my hands. Why don't I start managing my time better and accomplish more in my day?

At any rate, aside from wanting to be better about keeping the house clean, making sure laundry is done and having fun baking and trying out new recipes. I'd really like to pick up my old hobbies. Start painting more, pull out my dusty ol' flute and make some music with Jade.

The main thing I'd like to start before this year is over is a new throw quilt for our living room. The winter months scream for comfy blankets and I felt so accomplished the first time I attempted a throw quilt. There is an older gal at church who makes impeccable quilts. With much persuading, on my end, she said I could observe her or ask her help if I have any questions. Now all I need is to go out there and buy some lovely fabric. I don't think having enough time on my hands is my problem I think incentive is my issue. When given the option to:

a. watch a movie during my free time or
b. make a quilt

I some how always opt for a. lol!

At any rate, silly post, but that's what was on my mind today.

8 Random things

My friend Amy just tagged me for a meme, however, I am breaking the rules and not tagging any of my friends in return. Instead, I'll just list 8 random things and if any of you wish to list 8 random things on your blogs...have at it;) hee, hee

1. When I was a child I had a pin collection

2. I once stepped in a smoldering fire pit, without realizing it, and burned my heel through my shoe.

3. I have an allergic reaction if I am around when whole wheat is being ground into flour. Fresh ground flour also gives me an allergic reaction.

4. I have eaten food that has already been chewed by someone else. The story: My brother hates watermelon, I love watermelon. I told him to try a piece of my watermelon. He picked up a piece and started chewing it, then freaked and put it back on my plate while my head was turned. Not realizing, I picked up the piece and began to eat it. It took about 1 second for me to realize my mistake:)

5. I once stole gum out of a friends purse while in her home, and then lied to her face when asked...even though my breath smelled just like bubble gum. ( I was probably 7 or 8)

6. I didn't learn how to swim til I was 10

7. My first crush was on a guy with super curly dark hair...his name was Brandon

8. Someone once had a dream about me playing the piano with my toes. Because of this, I've tried to learn to play with my toes. I can't though, I guess it was just a dream

Voting

Today is voting day. I've filled out my ballot and will drop it off this morning. I like voting, I feel so American when I vote, but gosh...why do I also always feel so stupid. Half of what I'm voting on I am totally clueless about. I really ought to spend more time researching the issues before voting day arrives.

I'm in such a happy mood today! I wish it were a Christmas shopping day, I'd love to go Christmas shopping. Or caroling, caroling would be fun! I went Caroling once. It was during a snow storm back in Michigan. I nearly killed myself, and those in my car, trying to drive down the street getting from one singing destination to another. It was so much fun, I went with a group of people who really could sing, parts and all. I sang at the top of my lungs with no worries, knowing the beautiful voices around me would cover up any mistakes I was sure to make. The snow was so bad that night I wasn't able to make it all the way home. Happily, I was able to stop off at my grandparents house to safely sleep away the night. "over the river and through the woods, to Grandmothers house we go".

The other day I was thinking about being a mom and how odd that sounded to me. It brought me back to my childhood in Texas and all the silly, wonderful things my Mother use to do for and with us kids. One memory that stuck out was a sunny, summer day when Mom granted each of us kids a $1. I don't remember why we each got a $1, maybe we did extra chores or something. At any rate, we were given a $1 and told that we were allowed to spend it at the local Exxon station down the road. That was so exciting! I bought gum, I always bought gum when allowed to buy candy. Gum lasted the longest after all. That was a great day, we weren't allowed to have candy that often and mom never had cash on her person. I remember being very surprised about that. Mom was so cool, something always surprising and random and different happened in our home. Still does I guess. I miss my family:(

Anyway, back to voting. Ballots remind me of state tests, tiny ovals you must fill in with a dark pen (or #2 pencil back when I took tests in school). It's kind of fun in that regard I guess.

Gosh I'm hungry, I think I'll got get a snack. Lata!

Knock, Knock

This morning started like every other week day morning. Wake up, feed Jade, feed me, throw on some clothes, start work, take vitamins, drink water. Jade had gotten up early and by 8:15 was already read for her morning nap. "nice" I thought. Working in peace and quiet.

A little into my morning I heard a knock on the door. Who is that? I thought. I went down stairs, slowly, looked through the peep hole. No one. "hmmm". I opened the door just to be sure.

Back to work. *type, type. Type type.* "knock, knock. Knock, Knock". I stopped and listened to be sure it was the door. Sure sounded like it. Odd.

I returned again to the front door, checking first the peep hole before opening. No one. I walked outside, looked up and down the street. No kids that I could see. It's school hours anyway. odd.

As I was returning inside I heard the sound again, this time very loud *KNOCK, KNOCK* Slightly nervous I thought perhaps the sound was coming from our back yard, but then I looked up, right over our front door and there, pecking away was a bird!!! *knock, knock* A woodpecker? It didn't look like a woodpecker. "STOP THAT!" I screamed, more nervous then I sounded. The bird stopped and peered down at me. I freaked. "AH!" I said and ran upstairs as fast as I could.

*pulling open AIM* I franticly typed my husband to inform him of our problem. "What do I do?" he agreed that I could try to scare the bird away. So more confidently I returned to the front door. I started jumping up and down and making noises and telling it to leave. It just looked at me
Frustrated, but slightly tickled at this odd morning disturbance, I ran for my camera. One quick picture and flash scared the bird off.

That'll teach ya! lol What do you think? Bird experts out that, is it a woodpecker? Or just a bird looking for a place to nest? There is some red on the throat, not sure if you can tell that from this shot.