Blog Title Orgins

Once upon a time in 2011, Gordon and I were young and single adults living and working in Houston. It was late on a Friday night, I had no plans, and I had just gotten out of teaching an evening section of a "college prep" (remedial) English class at a Lone Star College extension site somewhere in New Caney, just north of Kingwood. It was cold, and late, and I really didn't want to just go home and go to bed.

So, I searched up movie times and sent out a mass text - as young singles are wont to do - and told a wide range of people that I intended to go see The Muppet Movie that evening and would meet anyone, anywhere to do so if they wanted to join in.

Gordon responded. We found a showing somewhere in the 9 pm range at a theater that wasn't particularly near either of us (it had been out for a while), and we agreed to go for it. I went ahead and updated the info on the group text, you know, just in case anybody else wanted to jump in. Then I got lost on the way to the theater and ended up in Egypt, Texas (which I didn't actually know existed) and Gordon bought my ticket and routed me to the theater over the phone. I remember thinking that he was a really nice and the whole situation was pretty embarrassing, but I was determined to go out and see a Muppet Movie with friends, dang-it!

In the mean time, I also get an "I'm in!" message from a girlfriend, Mauren Kunz, who made it to the theater as well.

Gordon waited outside for me with the tickets. I told him I'd get him back sometime and said thank you. He said, don't worry about it. I asked if he had seen Mauren. He said she was already inside.

We were literally the only three people in the theater.

It is one of my favorite movie going experiences of my life. I was so, ridiculously, giddily happy. Muppets are one of my happy places, so that's not so surprising, but the company enhanced the experience. I sat, watching this perfect opening number, knit boots dancing on the empty seat in front of me, next to this guy who seemed equally into it.



And I remember thinking maybe he was a little into me, and I didn't mind that at all. (And Mauren was there too. We would all joke later about our "chaperoned date" that night.)

After the movie we said 'bye to Mauren, and Gordon walked with me out to my car, refusing to take my money for the tickets ("I'm a wealthy man!"). I invited him to the Christmas party Katy and I were throwing at my mom's place (my mother was out of the country).

We weren't dating, but this was definitely the point of inception.  So that opening number goes like this. And it's great, you guys. And whenever I hear this song, it takes me back to that moment, sitting there in that theater with Gordon on my left, and thinking, "You know what? This is pretty perfect."

So, thank you Bret McKenzie for writing a perfect song, Jason Siegel and Nicholas Stoller for writing a perfect movie, and Gordon (and Mauren) for a pretty perfect night.
Incidentally, I was searching for some images to go along with this post on the web and came across the cross-stitch that is hanging in our bedroom which our friend Gisela Hacker had made for us in our wedding colors by some relative of hers because she knew this story. Apparently lots of people on Pintrest like it, and there are other people who have since used the pattern modeled on ours. So that's kind of neat!



Oh, and the blog title comes from this great, nonsensical moment:

"Life's a fillet of fish, hey!"
[beat]
"Yes it is!"

5 Years

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

If someone had asked me that 5 years ago today, I might not have said on a plane to Texas from our home in suburban LA County. But I would definitely have seen myself with you. The two kids probably would have been included in that picture as sort of a vague idea, but 5 years ago I had no concept of what being a parent is actually like, or who these other small people in our family would be. It's just one of those things you have to experience to understand. 

I certainly would not have guessed that in 5 years we would be living in our 3rd home, have moved to California (of all places), or have become intimately familiar with the ins and outs of Disneyland as two-year passholders. Looking back, it seems like every time we got an idea about long term plans, things turned on their ear,  and suddenly there was a new normal, a new place, a new little person, or another town to get to know. To borrow your word, the course  has often been turbulent. Still, I don't mind all the changes in direction. 

The constant that makes it all worthwhile, and makes the ever changing road an adventure, is you, my traveling companion. I am so grateful for that crisp, shiny November day five years ago when we set off  together. And I am thoroughly enjoying our story - a Captain, a Lady, and two little'uns forging a path into the unknown. If here there be dragons, I'm pretty sure we can take them. 

 It's been a winding 5 years. Here's to another and another and more together, my love. Happy Anniversary. 

All my love, 

Welcome, Baby Tommy!

In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 22nd, I woke Gordon up and told him, "I think this is really happening." that was 1:15 am. Forty-five minutes, one shower, many more contractions, and a few phone calls to neighbors and family later, and Gordon was getting a sleepy Johnny out of bed, shod, and on his shoulders to drop him off at our neighbors Katie and Dino's house (who had volunteered only a few days earlier to take him if the baby came in the middle of the night - inspiration!).

By 2:30, I was checked in at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital here in Glendora, at 2:45 found out I was too far along for an epidural (8cm), and by 4:45, Tommy arrived! 

We'll skip the details, but I do remember distinctly thinking that the only way through it was to get the kid out. It was highly motivating. (I also randomly had "The Engine Driver" by The Decemberists stuck in my head.) He came out big, happy, and Hungry! (very little fussing, lots of feeding) After some clean up and phone calls to parents and family, we all settled in for a much needed nap. Some time later that morning I dropped a picture into the announcement I'd thrown together a few days earlier - seen above.  

And since Tommy was considerate enough to arrive on a Saturday, Michelle was able to bring the girls with her, pick up John  (Dino made pancakes and John had a hard time leaving), buy peach doughnuts from the Doughnut Man, and come for a visit! It's such a blessing to have family close. She also took John back with them for a playdate and nap back at their house while we recouped at the hospital.

Even though we had talked about what was going to happen with John, he was a bit overwhelmed and a little confused about the baby no longer being in my tummy when he first came to the hospital. The girls, however, totally got it and were very excited. He did better when he came back that evening and had had some processing time. Wre decided it would be best for Gordon to take Johnny home for normal bedtime. I had a pretty relaxing night at the Hospital, and the next morning we were signed out and ready to go home!

Two months and two weeks later, I can say that we are all definite fans of Tommy and being a family of four. John says to everyone, "Do you want to meet my brother? His name's Baby Tommy Thomas!" He's very excited for when "Tommy is big enough" to play, and sleep on his bottom bunk, and learn all the "tricks" John wants to teach him (primarily couch acrobatics).  

Tommy himself is pretty laid back. Even his cry is kind of soft, and he's recently taken to big, open mouthed grins. He also enjoys watching his big brother make faces at him.  

Gordon and I are gobbling up our time with him, especially his wakeful hours in the evening after John's in bed. We're also thrilled by his recent trend of sleeping more at night. I'm glad we have another month before I go back to work and life becomes a whole new level of crazy. 

With love,

Reese - Party of Four

Update no Catch-up-jutsu

This has been an exceedingly busy year at work. I've been on shift work for about 70% of the year so far, and I probably won't go much farther below this percentage with 3 major activities/tests to come. Pays the bills, at least.

Well, I last left you all just before Christmas of '16. Seeing as we're about halfway through 2017, I'd better have something to say for what's gone down thus far.

My Christmas/birthday gift to myself was a new TV. It's quite nice.

Christmas was at my parents' home in Tucson, AZ. Rather nostalgic, having it at the home of my adolescence.

John enjoyed spending time with his (probably) favorite uncle, Eric.

The obligatory picture outside of the church building. Note the aesthetically complementing backpack in the lower left of the frame.

Eric and Krystal attempted to grok their gifts from the family.

John liked everything, especially the sweets.

Angry Winterhaven Santa made an appearance.

John's idol was in Winterhaven, too.

The tricycle was one of John's favorite gifts.

This picture was taken mere days before John destroyed Dad's mini foosball table.

A piece of playground equipment at Copper Creek Elementary.

A Korean dragon at the Tucson Children's Museum...?

Many other fun activities to be had at the museum. It was put in what was once Tucson's Carnegie Library.

A walk from a BBQ restaurant. We were in the unheated portion of the restaurant.

Getting ready for a walk.

Getting ready for a war (A-10 "Warthog").

Late December/early January can be rather cold and wet in Tucson.

Bee-bo (R2-D2/BB-8) popcorn!

When you want lemonade, you have to get something out of life. Is that how it goes?

Jumping in California puddles.

Last known sighting of my VW Golf TDI. Sold it for some $20k.

John had his 3rd birthday, and would not miss out on any of the noisemakers and party favors.

An average Sunday.

John's first Texan kolache. We went to Austin for Alison's friend's wedding.

Another one of John's holiday acquisitions.

Preparing for life as a court jester, perhaps...

Lunch at Marie Callendar's with cousins.

John is...kind of potty-trained.

The best fried catfish Alison and I ever had. Shiro of Pasadena, CA.

The Legend John.

Taken outside of the Ahmanson Theater. We saw Fun(eral) Home.

Random park pictures.

Movie day with the cousins.

John didn't actually want his hot dog in the croissant.

Alison instructs John how not to run into the street.

A random sight in Hollywood, as we were on our way to do an escape room with our friends.

Disneyland still takes a lot of my dollars.

John now has a bunk bed, without an upper mattress.

The big event of the season was our trip to Hawaii during Alison's spring break.

We arrived in Honolulu. We spent a night on Waikiki Beach, because that's where one is supposed to stay at least once. Not bad, really.

The view from our hotel room was worth the price.

They're feeding us coconut? Without sugar? It's better than you'd think!

After spending a very busy day on Oahu, we finally boarded our Norwegian cruise ship. Our cruise would take us to Maui, Hawai'i Island (Hilo and Kona), and Kauai before returning us to Oahu.

On the road to Haleakala. We acquired a GPS-based tour guide called GYPSY. It was quite good, for only $5ish.

It was a little windy at the top. John was, in his own words, "freaking out."

Taken after John "threw down" following the windy descent from Haleakala. At least it was just a rental...

The Cadillac Diner was the lowlight of dining on the Pride of America. Food is OK, but it takes forever to get.

Traditional breakfast isn't exactly speedy either. Do the buffet.

However, onboard they don't do Loco Moco. We had to be guided by our friends Yvette and Gisela to Zippy's to find this treat.

A view from Yvette and Gisela's bungalow on Maui. I could've stayed here all day.

All the meat in the world--Alison gives the green card for the shipboard rodizio style restaurant servers to bring the roasted pineapple.

On the big island, we went to Volcanoes National Park.

John was adequately frightened by the depiction of a boy getting burned by hot steam because he wandered off the path.

It smelled of sulfur.

Kilauea Caldera. You can't get much closer than this at the time because of recent volcanic activity. Thing's hot, yo.

Outside the Thurston lava tube. John was not thrilled with the prospect of walking through a lava tunnel, until he realized that the lava was long gone.

Yes, I tried the sandwich. I split it with Dad.

We visited the Mauna Loa macadamia factory.

Alison got pressured into buying a pearl.

Crashing after a busy day.

Teppanyaki!

The best picture I have of the lava flow from Kilauea at night. You can see the steam coming off the ocean.

The ship couldn't dock at Kona; we took tenders to shore.

We also rode on a glass-bottom boat.

Liberty restaurant. It's OK (and included with the cruise fare).

The island of Kauai was my favorite. Very green and laid back, compared to the windiness of Maui, the cragginess of the big island, and the rat race of Oahu.

Sorry to say that this was the point where John stopped having the best time on the trip. He started getting ill on the way to luau.

He did better the following morning, so we had a beach day on Kauai.

Finally got my macadamia pancakes.

Things took a turn for the worse for John. We ended up in the ER on Oahu after our cruise due to severe diarrhea.

A week later, he was better, in time for Easter.

Although he was clearly fine, the health department got wind of his condition--he had salmonellosis. To this date he has been unable to return to school (although there's hope that this week he'll finally be cleared).

I had to do a couple of stints in Boulder to support JPSS-1 testing. It's a pretty area.

Bellpepper soup at Elway's (DEN).

About to land in Orange County (the superior SoCal airport).

At the end of the month, we went to Utah to be with Haley as she received her endowment in Brigham City.

We also learned that she had decided to prepare to serve a mission. We're excited to see where she goes.

Tired again...

Pizza at Costco!

John loves his hats.

Another view from a park in Boulder, CO. There were paragliders jumping off the foothills.

I visited a newly christened Alamo Drafthouse in Denver. Saw Colossal, which is a great movie that I highly recommend for all kaiju drama lovers.

John made a friend of the dog mannequin at Old Navy. He wanted to take it home with him.

The last month and a half have been rather difficult with John unable to go to his regular day care. We are blessed to have good family and ward friends to help out. Mom got to stay with Alison and John this last week while I was away in Colorado. Our hope is John will be able to go back to school this week. Then we can focus on getting ready for his brother to come!