We were robbed! Literally, unfortunately...

So here's the latest saga in our lives:
Thursday (1/15) afternoon, I arrived home at about 5:30. The front door was closed, but unlocked and so I just thought to myself "Daniel must have been in such a rush to get out the door this morning with Emma that he didn't lock the door. Good thing no one came in and stole anything." This thought came because the TV that Daniel's brother gave us was still sitting in our living room. I put everything down, and thought it strange that our cat didn't run out to greet me like normal. So I start walking to the back of the house, and when I arrived at the back, I saw that the back door was wide open, and the glass enclosure that housed the blinds on the inside of the door was on the floor. I immediately turned around, not stopping to even grab my purse, and walked out the front, got in the car and called Daniel as I drove away.
So I drive to the elementary school near our house and call 911 while waiting for Daniel to arrive. I can see the back of our house from the parking lot, and yep, our back door is just wide open. (Our house backs up to a greenbelt, or pasture land.) Eventually, my best friend Kristen arrives, and Daniel with Emma. Kristen takes Emma home while Daniel and I wait for the police so that they can clear the house. The police arrive and check out the house. We believe that they broke in the back, then unlocked the front to carry stuff to a vehicle. We check out the damage, file a report, and have the crime lab come to try and lift any prints.
Here's the lowdown:1. They took our computer in the office, as well as our videocamera that was charging in the office. Hence why I haven't updated facebook--no computer to do it on. For some reason, they found my old laptop that weighs about 25 pounds, runs Windows 98, is missing the 'm' and 'y' keys, and can't read a USB drive....and left it behind. (I don't know why---I'm sure you can probably get at least $25 for it now adays. :) ) So I was able to find an extra ethernet cable today and we are re-connected to the Internet ...but that's about all you can do on this laptop! But, unfortunately, the last time I printed off photos was August, so the only photos we have since then are the ones I have uploaded to facebook and/or our blog. Also, the disc in the videocamera was from Christmas, so we have lost those memories, too. They did leave our printer in the office, but trashed out the room pretty well looking through bills, statements, hunting for stuff, etc.
2. They also hunted throughout our room for valuables- under the bed, between the mattresses, in Daniel's dresser drawers, etc. They also trashed our closet trying to find things. They found our little fire safe box that had all of our social security cards, Daniel's passport, Emma's birth certificate, car titels, etc. It also had two very meaningful things on a personal note- the slides from Daniel's parents wedding photos (we made printed copies for them a couple of years ago, so at least they have those prints), and a letter that I mailed to my future daughter on her wedding day...mailed on my wedding day. They also found a jewelry box in the closet ...but it was from my childhood and only had kids jewlery in it. (They must have been disappointed there!) They didn't find my real jewlery- the like 3 pieces of worth that I own. Note to self: don't hide the safe box in an obvious location...use the kitchen or something!
I also discovered on Saturday night (our first night back at our house) that they took my pillow case! Arrghh. That means they touched my pillow. They also took our collection of batteries in the laundry room.
What they did not take: TVs, DVDs, and they must not have even walked into the kitchen because my digital camera was sitting on the countertop charging. My passport by a miracle is up at the school. I'm going on a mission trip to Spain with the school in March, and normally I just turn in my number in order to buy the tickets. But I had it out for another reason this Christmas, so I just turned in the whole thing instead of writing down the number because I was slightly lazy. Thankfully that means my passport is safe. Also, I had our wedding license out for the same reason this Christmas, and just hadn't put it back in the safe yet, so we still have that. Oh...and GABBY!!! (our cat!) She was hiding behind the office desk and scared the police officer with her eyes glaring out- she was freaked out, but in good shape!
What we have done: closed out all of our credit card accounts and got new cards, called Dell and got our serial number for the computer to report that, closed our checking/savings account and opened new ones, put fraud alerts on Daniel and I's social security numbers with the major credit bureaus (I couldn't do Emma's number...I guess she is too young? Anyone have advice on that?). I have gotten a new copy of Emma's birth certificate and we will go get new social security cards on Thursday. Daniel handled getting a new back door, and that was installed on Saturday.
On top of all of this, throughout this weekend Emma has come down with a terrible ear infection- the worst one that I can think of (and she has had her share). She hasn't really slept more than 30 minutes at night since Saturday. It's a little bit more pitiful when she's at the point that she can tell us that her ear hurts and "I want my mommy." She has run a fever pretty much since Sunday morning, and it really hasn't broken as of tonight. I was on the phone with the pediatrician's office about 3 minutes after they opened this morning, and was able to see one of the doctors in the group 15 minutes after that. We are on several medicines now (including the dreaded nebulizer again....the bane of my existence...but at least we just have to do it 3 times a day, and not every 3 hours- night and day- like we did her first year). Blessedly, this is a weird week at school (no school on Monday, short classes tomorrow so that we can watch the Inaguration, and then most of the high school leaves on Thursday at 10 for the state Texas Youth and Government conference, and field trip for those remaining on Friday). So I have taken off tomorrow, and was already planning on taking Thursday off as a gift for making it through accreditation last week. So hopefully we can get Emma and our house back in order soon. (Oh, and on another note...I hate getting hit with the "prescription deductible" every January....spent $175 on copay and prescriptions today! But I am thankful to have health insurance...I have thankful to have health insurance...)
Oh, and did I mention that our VCR broke tonight? With one of Emma's favorite movies (101 Dalmations...or the Pongo movie as she calls it) stuck inside??? Good week. Good week.
So, we are praying that angels are surrounding all of our idenity theft issues---any other suggestions of things we should do anyone? Unfortunately, unless the ID theft causes problems, it is not worth claiming the break-in with our homeowner's insurance due to our deductible and how much it would raise our insurance rates. But that means that I have no idea how we will replace the computer and video camera- we won't at this point unless God provides another way. Every extra penny is going towards paying down our debts, not taking on new ones. A need? No....just convience and memory makers.
So I think that's a wrap. It could have been a lot worse, and hopefully, it won't. They didn't damage the house, except for the back door. I'm still a little uneasy at night, but I am praying for God's peace to reign in our house and our hearts. I'm sure they had to have been disappointed by the lack of expensive items in our house to take!!!
Oh, and if anyone has photos of us from 2008, would you email them to me? d_l_montgomery@sbcglobal.net. Thanks!

I did it!

So, as I mentioned in the previous blog, one of my goals for 2009 is to run a 5K race. I have been training pretty steadily since Thanksgiving (got a little off due to strep before Christmas, but getting back slowly). Anyways, tonight, I really didn't want to run on the treadmill, but I made myself. Warmed up walking for 2 minutes, then ran a mile. Walked another 2 minutes, ran another mile. Now, this second mile is most definitely harder, but I had done this run on Monday so I was like...don't be a wimp..you've done it once, do it again! The last quarter was killer but I did it. And then this crazy thought came to my mind as I was finishing (must be the oxygen depravation)...why don't you just try and do a total of running/walking of 3.1 miles = 5K? Just for kicks!


So after the second mile, I let myself walk back down to normal and ran another .76 miles (yes, .76 not .75...believe me, that hundredth of a mile is meaningful to short legs!).

I did a 5K in 37:37!!!!!

Now, yes, I was on a treadmill which is not as hard as running outside. But I have found that running outside is easier for me because there is something to keep my mind occupied. In the garage, I continually run toward this dot on the garage door but never quite get to it. Crazy. Outside, I can look at houses, cars, people, etc. The mind is definitely my weakness when running.

So yeah! You must understand that I have EXTREMELY short legs. My best friend Kristen (who is 6 foot) and I wore pedometers for a couple months at school. We would walk the same distance to the other building, but I would have taken twice as many steps as she! I always have to get my pants hemmed! It's like a built-in expense to buying the pants. So this is a big accomplishment! The other two times in my life that I have really gotten into running I lost 30 pounds one time and 20 pounds the other. (Unfortunately, gained the 30 pounds back through the first couple years of teaching and the 20 I still don't have, but was primarily Emma pregnancy/stress weight.) So I am trying to be diligent in not only running, but also what I eat and drink. so here's to being healthier!!


And here's to the hot bath that awaits my aching legs.... :)

The Year in Review...

Well, we didn't get a Christmas/New Year's Letter out this year (no time, not a good picture, and too expensive this year!)...so I thought I would reflect on what happened during the past year, and what is coming up for us!



So...2008


...Emma had no surgeries! It's a first!

...Laura had surgery on her hand on election day.

...Daniel performed in two productions over the summer: Jesus Christ Superstar at Fort Worth Theatre, and Naughty Marietta at Regal Opera

...All of Laura's AP Chemistry students passed the AP exam in May! (Yes, there were only three of them, but still, that's cool.)

...Laura got selected to be in the pool of people who can grade the AP Chemistry exam.

...Laura finally got her Teaching License for 8-12 Mathematics transferred from Tennessee to Texas.. and with her married name, to boot!

...Daniel had his 10-year high school reunion in June.


...Emma had her first official haircut.


...We all went down to Houston and Galveston for a little summer vacation in August. Sadly, the houses we played in front of on the beach are probably not standing anymore. :(

...We went back down to Houston in December to celebrate Christmas with the Jones family. It was so much fun!

...Emma finally started talking after her 2nd birthday! Now she talks all the time!

...Emma learned her ABCs and can count up to at least 15. We are working on singing the ABCs right now!

...Emma can recognize her written name.

...Have to replace roof that was ruined by April hailstorm. boo.

...Had to buy a Volvo transmission in June. boo. boo.

...Had to buy a new house A/C unit in September. boo. boo. boo.

...Both started training for a 5K in November.

...After attending CityView for two years, decided to start attending Lake Country Church. We love the people at CityView and they were a ROCK for us during Emma's surgeries, but wanted a church family that was closer to our home, and not a 40 minute drive away.

...Laura begins her 6th year teaching at LCCS.

...Emma learned that Christmas was Jesus' birthday, and so we get to have PRESENTS! Oh...and she wasn't scared of Santa this year!

...We spent many summer afternoons and evenings swimming in the lake at Ms. Mary and Mr. Rick's house. And played on the boat!

...Celebrated Daniel's Grampa Leslie's 90th brithday with a huge family reunion in June. Three days of a lot of memories, fellowship, and fun!

...Emma experienced snow for the first time during a freak snow storm in March.

...We all went on a short-term mission trip to Commerce, Texas with 12 students from LCCS where we helped paint and landscape the church of our good friends, Adam and Suzie Hailes.

...Celebrated my godmother's 100th birthday in March. She didn't really recognize me, but at least we have a picture of her and Emma. She passed away in the fall.

...Emma discovered the joy of bounce houses. And bicycles. And tea parties. And finger paints. And Dora. And Toy Story. And Hide-n-go seek. And singing. And baby dolls. And bubble beards. And cooking. And Chuck-E-Cheese.

...Emma learned that the reason she has a scar on her chest is due to her heart that is all fixed now.

...Emma learned how to trick-or-treat. (or "ick eat" in her own words). She dressed up as a yellow duckie for the second year in a row.

...Emma finally reached the 25 pound mark. Still wearing 18-month pants when they stay up.

...Emma potty trained. And then regressed.

2009...

...Laura will need to go back to doctor for her hand. It still hurts. :(

...Laura takes her Chemistry license examination on January 31. Way to be official!

...Laura goes to San Sebastian, Spain for a LCCS mission trip over Spring Break.

...Daniel turns 30, Emma turns 3, and Laura turns 30 in 3 consecutive summer months.

... We predict that Emma will be able to read easy words in the next year!


...Daniel goes on annual ski trip with his brothers in January.


...Stock Show & Rodeo in January to see Uncle Em and Foxy.


...Daniel and Laura's 8th wedding anniversary.


...Laura starts her 12 year in some aspect at LCCS. (5.5 years as a student, 5.5 years as teacher...I came in the middle of 7th grade.)


...5K sometime this spring.


...Emma has another appointment with her pulmonary specialist because she is still having trouble with raspy breathing and coughing. Of course, we have to wait 3 months for the appointment.


...Hopefully, Emma might be wearing 2T pants by the end of the year. Maybe.


...Laura's students take the AP Calculus and AP Chemistry exam in May.


May the Lord Bless You and Keep You in 2009!

Christmas and New Years Pictures!

We had a great Christmas, with a lot of visits to family and friends! It was great to really see Emma start to enjoy the Christmas Spirit! She definitely knows about presents, but she will also tell you that the reason we get presents is because it is Jesus' birthday! enjoy!

Emma jamming on her new mp3 player...it plays nursery rhymes!

With Grandad Rick, Cousin Zeb, and Gigi:

Emma and her Daddy:

Opening Christmas presents on Christmas morning! She is very excited about her Dora "packpack"

Listening to her personalized greeting from "Santy Claus"...ie. Granddad even though she doesn't recognize his voice!

Singing with the musical card:

Can we open presents yet????

Helping Aunt Ronna open her presents:

Dress up as a princess!

The Family on Christmas Day

Playing around:

Showing off her new boots!

Hitting the pinata!

Then, on New Year's Eve, we headed over to Kirk and Janice Holland's house, our good friends from high school. After Emma and their Harrison headed to bed, Daniel and I got to experience RockBand for the first time. It was such a blast! We were so into it we missed the dropping of the ball at 11, and the official New Years at 12!

Kirk showing off his true Rock Star spirit:

Happy New Years Everyone!