Wow. Ice sucks.

Snow is fun. Ice STINKS! Capital S-T-I-N-K-S. And it especially stinks when it falls from the sky, sticks to tree limbs, and those tree limbs fall onto houses... and trampolines... and power lines... and whatever makes cable work.

Short version of our lives since Monday.

Monday evening: Load up the family for one last outing before the 'possible' ice storm hits. Make it less than a mile down the road. Do a complete 180 in the street. End up in ditch. Turn around. Come straight home. Decide one last outing was a BAD idea.

Tuesday around lunch: Lose power. Decide to go to Matt's Mom and Dad's. Dodge trees and power lines trying to make it there. Finally make it. They don't have power either. Spend several hours sitting on back porch watching and listening to the timber snap.

Wednesday-Friday: Live on the mercy of others. Meanwhile, every member of the family except for Estella Dru gets the stomach bug. Lots and lots of vomit in places vomit should not be. Matt drives to our house to survey the damage. It's not great but many have it much worse. Count our blessings and bid farewell to my beloved pear tree.

Friday afternoon: Power is restored! Come home and marvel at our modern conveniences. Mourn the loss of my pear tree.

Friday night: Still marveling... and mourning...

Saturday: The clean up begins. Family comes over and everyone pitches in. An ALL DAY affair.

Plan for tomorrow (Sunday): Church. Matt and some guys from our connection group are going to help neighbors and friends with clean up. The girls and I plan on making a ton of chocolate chip cookies and taking them to every house in our neighborhood--try to make a difference.

The week in pictures......


Slaughter kids chilling by the fire when power went off. It's all still fun and games.

At Gigi and G-Pops'. Because what else do you do in an ice storm but watch timber break?

Jeb all bundled up with G-Pops watching the 'show'.

We still can't figure out how not one window was broken.

My poor pear tree.

One view of the back yard. Our fence is broken in many places.


Front view.

My little tree again. Tears.


And the clean up begins. We put everyone to work. Even Jeb.

Well, maybe not E Dru. She sort just stood around in her coat and pajamas and looked cute.

Lynlee helping in the clean up. Check out the big stick she's adding to the pile.

Belle actually was a big helper. She wanted to be anyway.

And the final shot of my pear tree. Sigh. Farewell, Dear Friend.

Remember what I said about others having it much worse? Here's a good example. This was a house on the road to Matt's Mom and Dad's. That is a huge tree uprooted and resting on their roof.

Cuts

If you read the update on the last post, you know Belle decided not to cut her hair short. In her words, "Maybe next time." Courtney did a great job with both girls' hair as always. I thought I'd post some pictures. You can't really tell, but we took about 3 inches off Belle's. And Estella Dru's... I'm just in love with her short cut. Thanks, Courtney!

Big Belle News

***UPDATE. Belle changed her mind on the cut. We only took about 3 inches off, and you can't even really tell. I can't say that I'm disappointed. Is that awful?

I'm not really sure how I'm feeling at the moment. A change is about to take place around here, and I'm just not sure I'm ready for it. Yesterday, I told Belle it was time for a haircut. She is VERY sensitive about her long "princess" hair. But I told her, we had to cut it for it to stay healthy... just a trim. Not long ago I told her about 'Locks of Love' and when kids cut their long hair and donate it to other kids who don't have hair at all. She was completely uninterested. Last night, though, she calls me into where she was and tells me that she would like to cut her hair and give it to a kid who "can't have hair." I was speechless and told her to pray about it and we would see how she felt in the morning. That was last night, and we didn't talk about it today before she left for school. Our appointment is at 4 this afternoon. I'll be honest. I'm terrified. Part of me thinks it'd be awesome for her to make that decision and follow through, and part of me wants to cry my eyes out. I know her hair is just too long, but it's just Belle! Sigh. Anyway... stay tuned, and I'll let you know how it turns out... what she decides. My camera is charged and ready. (By the way, to donate to Locks of Love, the hair must be 10 inches.)

I thought I'd share some pictures of her. She had a ton of hair from day one. And I'm not one of those moms who freak out over the little things, but on this... I'm so torn.

"Gift Certificate"

Not long ago, the girls and I were watching America's Funniest Videos. On the this particular episode, a dad told his kid to say, "gift certificate." The kid could NOT do it. Belle is just like her Aunt Sarah (who by the way is a SPEECH PATHOLOGIST) when it comes to AFV and literally laughs her head off. Belle thought the little girl having so much trouble saying something was hysterical. So, after she composes herself, I say. "That little girl was silly. You girls can say 'gift certificate'." Their response... was horrifying. MY KIDS CAN NOT SAY "GIFT CERTIFICATE"! Is it universal or what? I was literally speechless.

Anyway... it's so funny, I had to get it on film. Please excuse their appearance. I had just picked them up from a long day at school, so they're looking pretty rough. But here you go... The Slaughter girls attempting to say to the ever-challenging words, "gift certificate."

Emailing Matt

Most of you who know my sweet husband know his strong point is NOT spelling/writing. He tells me he made good grades in school, but I honestly, do not see how that could have been possible. We are talking about the man who once called me and asked me how to spell "sad." No, I am not making that up.

So, imagine my frustration when it comes to communicating with him via written text. I'm just going to be honest. I love him more than life itself, but it's a nightmare.

I thought I would share our latest email conversation so you might feel my pain. A bit of background... I am working on plans for his upcoming birthday and emailed him to ask him not to be reading any of my emails. We sort of share our main email address, and I don't want him finding out the surprise! Here is the actual conversation.

Angela: DO NOT be reading my emails! I'm making bday plans. Don't read any to ANYONE!!

Matt: Like if every read you emails.

Angela: Will you please look back over that sentence and try to find some sort of sense in it?

Matt: Wat u dont like slag

Angela: Do not email me ever again.


I love you, Sweetheart. You do have mad skills... just not when it comes to the written word.

11 Months Old

Jeb is eleven months old today. I can't believe in a month I'll be having his first birthday party. So crazy. I may be just a bit obsessed with the little dude. He is too sweet for words, and a super smart baby. If you haven't met him in person, you need to. The big eyes, big dimples, precious smile, and INSANE hair make for the perfect little package.

The first picture is a close up of his "I Got Mad Skillz" t-shirt (which he totally does, by the way). And the other was taken today before church. Happy 11 month birthday, Jeb Man.





P.S. Everyone in my house thinks I'm taking a nap, but I knew if I walked outside my door I would get drawn into the chaos that is my life. I just wanted to get this post done because like last week, this week is going to be insane for me. Lots and lots on my plate. Anyway, I was sitting here typing when outside my door I hear Belle say, "Ummm.... Daddy, who's supposed to be watching this baby?" (My alarm bells went off.) No answer. Again, "Daddy! I need some help here. He's eating all the toilet paper. It's all over the place." Then, I hear Matt kick it into high gear, and the first thing he says is, "Shhhhhh. Don't tell Mommy."

I may stay in here all night.

Home Sweet Home

Matt is home. We are so thankful and happy. Estella Dru broke down and cried at the airport when he picked her up at the bottom of the escalator. Of course, then Matt did, too. They missed him so much. Poor Jeb wasn't sure what to think. He stared at his daddy for a long time and kept looking back at me like, 'Who is this dude? He looks vaguely familiar.' They all have been glued to his side since we got home. Belle told him, "Daddy, next time you are NOT signing up."

He kept a journal while he was gone so I could sort of experience the things he did and saw. I love this passage he wrote, "Tonight was church. Words don't describe what I felt. Tears just flowed. They sang I Surrender All in Spanish. They have nothing and trust God for everything. So so powerful. Lord, break my heart for the things that break yours." I wish I could have been there with him.

This is a picture of Belle and Matt just before he took her to school on Friday. Of course he went and picked her up at noon because he couldn't stand being away from her all day.


Here is a cute video of Dru. I was playing with my camera a little more and got this from her. I just thought it was so sweet. Plus I love the way she says "Honduras."

Waiting for Daddy

We are waiting to go pick up Matt from the airport. The girls are so impatient. We will probably leave here in 45 minutes or so, but they were ready to go 3 hours ago. We bought "Daddy's Girl" shirts just for the occasion. So glad he's almost home.

Sideways Proof

I have proof... hard evidence that my son is a walker. However, it will be presented sideways. I could NOT figure out how to rotate the video off my camera. Still, it serves its purpose. Yea, Jeb! Daddy is going to be so proud! (By the way, please disregard the messy room, cat in the background, and Jeb's stray child-like appearance.)

Have you seen our daddy???

I haven't written about Matt being out of the country this week. I didn't feel good about broadcasting the fact that the kids and I have been alone in the house for 8 days while he's gone. (As if there are bandits and kidnappers who read my blog. I'm so paranoid.) Anyway, he is in Honduras. (Yes, Honduras... not Haiti. God is good.) But he gets home soon, and we won't be alone until then... so I feel ok about sharing. It has been a rough week. We all miss him so much, but he is having some incredible experiences. It is well worth it. I can't wait to hear about everything he has been a part of. We only get to talk a couple minutes each night on a satellite phone, and we usually text once or twice a day. We are so ready for him to be home.

The kids have been great. Belle and Estella Dru have been especially helpful since Daddy has been gone. Drusy has spent lots of time taking care of her 'babies.' While Belle has done a great job of taking care of her baby brother.




Probably our most exciting event is that Jeb started walking this week. He went from 2 steps one day, to 5 steps the next, to all the way across the room the next. Walking has yet to become his preferred mode of transportation, but hopefully he'll make the full transition soon. I am so proud of him.


And today I found a note on my door from the florist. I ran by there, and they gave me this.... I have the best husband in the universe.




And while the kids have been wonderful, they are extremely ready to see their daddy. Here is a picture of them the day he left.... before his absence had become a reality.


And here is a picture of them today. Notice a difference?




We are ready to see him. He is incredibly loved and missed!

Safari!

Belle, Estella Dru, and Jeb went to the Gentry Safari today with Gigi and G-Pops and cousin, Lynlee. They had a great time and haven't stopped talking about it since. However, I may have to more closely monitor the next adventure. Apparently Jeb served as driver, Dru had to run from a kangaroo, Belle handled a poisonous snake, and they were all attacked by a tiny, diapered monkey. Does anyone have the number to DHS on hand?

The scary little monkey chillin' on Belle's Converse.

I can't look at this one without chills.

G-Pops and the crew.

Jeb's turtle.

No, I wasn't kidding about him driving.

The Slaughter kids riding a lion.

A New Year

A song has been playing over and over without ceasing in my head. Has that ever happened to you? A song or a quote or some sort of echoing words that kept returning to your thoughts when you least expected it and you knew... just KNEW... it wasn't coincidence but God speaking to you? That's me and this song. Matt and I have been praying... a lot. And talking... a lot lately about the new year and what it will bring. Big changes. Big commitments. Big, scary steps in faith. Some steps that should already have been taken and some that are on the horizon and God is calling us to the 'poised and ready' position. Scary. So scary. The familiar becomes so safe, and so we plant ourselves there, then look around one day and years have passed. Lives that can be extraordinary remain ordinary and ineffective because of fear of the unknown and consistent refusals to hear and heed God's call. And so we get caught in the middle of life. I. Do. Not. Want. To. Be. Found. In. The. Middle. Another. Day. Of. My. Life. I love this song and the beauty of its truth. The lyrics alone don't do it justice. Download it. Somewhere in the Middle by Casting Crowns.

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle