Ouachita Parish

After Cottonport, we journeyed north to Ouachita Parish. Each member of Chris' family lives in a different city in Ouachita Parish, so we need to give props to the whole parish, not just Monroe. 

I love family in Louisiana, it is all about getting together around food. Pork chops with apricot glaze, homemade spaghetti & meatballs, grilled chicken, cupcakes.....and beer. I love the lower altitude because my "half a beer and I am buzzed" self can drink .... two beers.

The best is getting to see all the little children who are multiplying at crazy rates. Oscar loves babies and he is so sweet and gentle with them. Madeline was as beautiful as she could be and had more hair than most two year olds. Since I have to still hold Oscar who weighs 32.5 pounds, I could hold Madeline for six hours without a problem. I loved swaddling her and she was just the best to hold. Stuart reminds me so much of Oscar in terms of he loves to eat so he has some stability to him, which is great because you never feel like you are going to break him. He is also a little older so he smiles and has the best eyes. Lilya, of course, is just amazing. I love being around her, she has such a great spirit, and she has her older brother wrapped around her finger, which is so cute to see. Lilya also has a pair of flip flops in every color- a two year old who loves shoes, we were meant to be sisters. 

Madeline, Chris, & "big smile" Oscar

Oscar, Stuart, & Chris

Oscar & Swolle  (the puppy with the largest shock collar ever)

Oscar & Lilya

I want one of those coolers!

Oscar: "Uncle Trav, you are crazy!"

Cottonport

Stuart Lawson was being baptized in Cottonport, Louisiana, so our first stop on this Louisiana tour was Cottonport. Of course this is after we did not get to New Orleans on Friday night until 1:30 in the morning because "Oops! We only filled the plane with just exactly enough fuel to get to MSY (NO Airport) and now because of weather we have to go to Houston to get more fuel." Are you kidding me?!?! Anyways.....

Chris is always amazed that I have never been to _________, Louisiana. Listen, when you are from Southeastern Louisiana, there is no need to visit any part of the rest of the state. We have New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Nothshore, Grand Isle, Lake Pontchartrain.....  what does the rest of the state have....who knows I do not think anyone has explored it. :) (I am going to be in so much trouble.....) 

Cottonport is the home town of Kelly Paige (Descant) Jaubert, the famous Miss Cochon de Lait of 1995. (I took a guess on the year) Kelly's family still lives there and we stayed at here mom's (Kay Kay) house. Kay Kay is the best, she works at the Post Office and thinks I am wonderful because I am keeping her industry in business with all my letter writing. Oscar thought her house was the best too. Kay Kay had toys, Power Wheels, a swing set, a trampoline.... it was an amusement park! Oscar LOVED the Power Wheels! His only problem is he does not understand steering, so you have to be right by him and help him not run into the side of  a building or tree. The weather in Cottonport was amazing and we had a great time hanging out, drinking beer, and visiting with the Descant family.

Easter Photos... One Hundred Years Later......

Obviously Easter was a couple of weeks ago, but I am trying to catch up this week on all of  May, & June so I can start blogging in real time. 

Hawthorne Lane Tour

I know this may seem like it has taken forever for me to post these photos, but it has taken us a long time to get everything set up. We still have so much we want to do, but we wanted you to see our house. So here it is....

Front of Jauberry House from Hawthorne Lane

Living Room

Dining Room

Downstairs Bath

Guest Bedroom/ Oscar Playroom

Stairs

Oscar's Room

Upstairs Bath

Master Bedroom

Media Room

Backyard

More Backyard

Georgie Cat

 When Chris joined me in Wyoming five years ago this month, we knew we wanted an animal to love. There is the wonderful Animal Adoption Center in town, and we knew we wanted to rescue an animal. We love dogs, but unfortunately we could only have a cat, so one Saturday in June 2006 we went on a search for a cat. We sat in the "Kitty City" for at least half an hour observing all the cats, but we were in love with one from the first minute we sat down. He was grey, green eyed, and so charming, we knew that fate had brought us together. The shelter had named him "Sal", but we named him Gorgeous George after the boxer in Snatch. He was scared at first, but warmed up to his new house and us quickly.

He loved us, and he loved all people. He was so friendly and you were going to love him whether you liked cats or not, he was going to change your mind.

When I was pregnant with Oscar, he was obsessed with my stomach. He knew the first month and drove me crazy always wanting to be right ton top of my stomach. He was not so happy once Oscar came into this world. He was not happy to be kicked out of our bed (Oscar shared a room with us the first three months) and he was not happy to share the attention of mom and dad. He gained at least a pound the first three months, but eventually came around to the fact that Oscar was not going anywhere.

Over the past two and half years their relationship has come along way. George would even let Oscar pick him up and pretty much do whatever he wanted to poor George. They both really loved each other.
George also loved being outside. He would love to lay in the sun, catch mice, and just hang out. He did not like the winters so much because he was trapped inside the house.

When we moved into our first house last month, it came with a cat door into the garage, and George was so happy. We thought it was meant for us: Chris, me, Oscar, & George. It was perfect for our great family. Unfortunately it was not meant to be perfect as long as I would have liked. When we were moving in our new furniture on June 11, George escaped from the garage. We do not let him stay out at night, and usually he will come back home before bed. We looked for him, called him, shook his food bowl, but no George. We went to bed and figured he would be waiting by the front door in the morning. No George. Now over a week later, I am having to face the reality that George is not coming back. Unfortunately we have a lot of predators that live in Wyoming and one of them probably got him, which is why we did not let him stay out at night. Even as I write this entry I still hope he comes back, but I will be hoping that for a long time. We miss George so much and our hearts are broken. I am only comforted in knowing that we gave him a great five years and I hope we showed him as much love as he showed us. We love you Georgie Cat.