My Hero

On September 10, 2008, we had a terrible flood here in Pecos County. Apparently people in West Texas get pretty excited when we see rain, and do not realize that it could be dangerous. Chris got numerous calls to rescue flood victims that day.

One included a man who was stranded on top of his Ford F250 and the water was up to his waist. Chris, along with two other Wardens and a Trooper, launched a boat in the rising flood water and rescued this man. The entire rescue was caught on a Sheriff's Deputy dash camera. I couldn't possibly describe the amazing boat driving or the danger that all of the men were in. I still get short of breath and my heart races when I see the video, and I already know how the "movie" ends.

Not 15 minutes after that man was pulled to safety and they got the boat back on the trailer in the flood waters, did Chris get another call about a young girl clinging to a tree in the draw here in town. These children had been floating the draw in the flood waters when she was swept off of her tube, sucked under a bridge (while the water was rushing over it), and she grabbed the first thing she saw when she popped out the other side. Another Warden went in after her and got her a life jacket, while Chris and a few others waded out in the water and pulled them all to safety.

Total that day, Chris pulled 8 people from the water. Today Chris and the other Wardens were honored in Austin with a Director's Citation. It is a very prestigious award.

Here is Chris receiving his award.


Left to Right: Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife Carter Smith, Former Game Warden Chris Lasiter, State Trooper Louie Verdeja, Game Warden Saul Aguilar, Game Warden Chris Amthor, Game Warden Matt Adams, and Colonel Pete Flores.

One of the best parts was that it was approved for the families to ride to Austin in the game warden truck with our warden. In the 6 years that Chris has been a warden, I have NEVER been allowed this luxury because it is very strict policy. It was really cool, he even turned his lights on for me a few times.

This is a picture of his award. You can click on the picture to make it bigger. If you can, read the fine print. Very cool.

These are the pins that will from this point on be a part of Chris's uniform. They will say to the world that he put his life on the line for others.

This was the first time that I have left the boys overnight. We left them with Mimi and Papa and it appears that they did fine. I think momma had a harder time than they did. I guess we could have taken them, but we have a hard time making it through church, let alone such a formal awards ceremony.

I just wanted to let the world know how proud I am of Chris.

8 months

It is so hard to believe that my sweet babies are 8 months old today. I can't believe how fast time flies. They are starting to be so much fun. They can entertain themselves for more than a minute or two. They are really starting to react to one another, they smile and talk to one another all the time. They have recently started eating Gerber Puffs. They can't shovel them in their mouths fast enough. Finally Chris and I feel like we can eat a meal without one (or both) of us holding a baby. I'm not sure how much they weigh, but it feels like they have both gained at least 5 pounds in the last month, boy they have gotten heavy.

Mimi surprised us with these shirts when I went to pick them today. Since she is the new babysitter one shirt says, "What happens at Mimi's stays at Mimi's" and the other one says "Spoiled Rotten by Mimi." Too Cute!

This is where I found the boys the other day. Both of them were under the futon.

How am I supposed to do laundry when my laundry basket is full?

D-Day

Tomorrow is the day that every teacher dreads. It's the day that I go back to school. The kids don't go back until next week, but tomorrow is D-day for me. Last year when I went back to school after my maternity leave, I had prepared myself for only 8 weeks. I could handle 8 weeks, right?! Now I am staring at the entire school year.

I do love my job, but I am going to severely miss my babies. Luckily, I have the best baby sitter in the world. My mom retired from her secretary position at school and will now keep the boys (and Kali) for me. I will miss her being right down the hall from me and running all of my copies for me, but I'm super excited about her new "job". I couldn't ask for more.

Here is a look at the two angels that Mimi is so lucky to have every day.

Keva Dawn Photography (of course)

Mohawk Manor

Daddy was at it again. He was playing with our hair while Mom and Mimi were trying to feed us green beans (personally, we enjoyed the distraction, because we are not fans of green beans!).

My hair really isn't that long and it is kinda curly in the back. Momma is so excited, she really wanted one of us to have Daddy's curly hair.

...You should see my brother Hunter's hair, though. Man, is it long. He still has about 6 VERY long hairs at the front, and Momma refuses to cut them because she thinks they are cute. I think he looks like a goober, but that is just my personal opinion. :)

The mohawks didn't last long...as soon as Daddy's spit (which is what he used to make it stick up, Double YUCK) dried, our hair fell back into place.

Until next time,

Heath

Do you hear what I hear?

Listen carefully, but I know Heath says it. He has done this numerous times, and he even woke up in the middle of the night screaming it, he was wanting me. Daddy is so jealous, but I told him he still can hope that Hunter will say Daddy first.

Look who's on the move!

So it is not officially crawling or walking, but these two cuties are in motion. They love walking their cars around the house. They can make it into the kitchen and down the hallway, I even took up the area rug in the living room so they have a lot of room. I have to watch them closely though, I've already caught both of them trying to eat my house plants. I am having to baby proof my house a lot earlier than I had planned.

Heath loves to block Hunter in somewhere so that Hunter can't move, then pretend he doesn't notice, while Hunter wails. Ornery little toot!

Here is just a little glimpse of the action.

God's Miracles

Back in April some of you read ( if not click here or here to read them) my prayer request for our friends Jared and Teri Self. Their twins were born at 28 weeks and spent a lot of time in the NICU. When Jared called to let us know that Teri's water had broken, he told us the outlook was "grim."

I remember cringing at that word, sitting back and bawling my eyes out. My boys only spent 9 days in the NICU, I couldn't even imagine what these babies were about to go through, if they even had the chance. Tons of prayers went up. The doctors ended up using Nitric Oxide to make their little lungs work. It's not common practice (and if I understand correctly, not FDA approved), but it was the last resort as the doctor put it.

More prayers went up. Hour by hour, then day by day, these little ones showed everyone (including doctors, nurses, friends, family, and especially their parents) just how strong they are.
Yesterday, Whitley and Wyatt turned 4 months old. They are both now out of the NICU and doing well. They have very strong loving parents, who have gone through so much. Chris and I had the chance to have dinner with them the other day. Here is a picture from our outing. (You should have seen the looks when we all entered the restaurant).

Chris and I are holding them in our hands. It still sends chills down my spine. They went from a "grim" out look, to two perfect miracles. Thank you for your prayers, and it is just another example of the love that God has for us.