Quick update...sorry no pictures

Just thought I would write a quick update on what's going on at the Koford house.

Duane's in China, obviously since I talk about it all of the time. What is completely different this time is that Jordan realizes he is gone. He really does! We have the best picture of him napping with Daddy and it is framed by our bed. Jordan has to kiss the picture every night (his idea actually) and he pats Duane's side of the bed and makes a little sad face. Then I say "Daddy will be home in a few days (ok so I lie..) and you can play with him then."

We were finally able to talk to Duane on the web cam this morning. On the previous trips we have been able to do this almost every day, but this time it took longer to connect the internet in his apartment. Also, Duane has been working crazy long hours and the only time that he is awake is while we are sleeping. It was so good for Jordan and Daddy to see each other. Jordan was brushing his teeth at the time of the phone call, and tried to brush Daddy's teeth on the web cam. I had to clean a little bit of toothpaste off of the screen but it was so worth it. Jordan was so much more into talking to Duane this time. It is amazing what a month will do in the life of a toddler! He is changing so much every day! We can't wait for Duane to get home (for a minute) and be with him.

As far as Jordan and I go, we are doing well. We had a little scare with the Petty's this week. They were evacuated from Sweeny due to the hurricane, and I was able to find them a room in the Dallas area to stay at. They returned home tonight, and I just got the report that there was no major damage. They were without power for a while, so everything in their fridge and freezer is a loss, but they are so grateful that it was not worse. It really could have been a total loss of everything. We love them so much and were so worried... I am so relieved to hear that everything is ok. There will be some clean up of branches, etc. but at least the house is intact.

I will hopefully be able to put some pictures on here tomorrow. I have had some technical difficulties figuring out my new camera (which is so awesome, thank you Duane) but I think I know what I am doing now. Some pics, like the zoo, will have to wait, but I have some great ones of Jordan since then.

More updates to come (I promise) on a more regular basis. Thanks to Jeff, our yard looks absolutely amazing!!! It's great to have best friends who are there for you no matter what. It is really hard to be a "single" mom of a toddler, and I even have a ton of help from friends and family. I don't know how my mom did it when we were little. I appreciate her more and more every day. In the grand scheme of things I think all of this is making our family stronger, and I know I am learning a lot.

He was home for a couple of weeks...right?

At least I think so. It went by so fast! Duane is off to China again already. This trip is longer than the last one, but it should be the final trip this year. I will be so excited when he gets home and life can return to normal (well, at least our version of normal). Actually, I don't even think I know what that is lately. Between Duane being gone, Jordan walking, and summer trips I am all out of whack. We have sure had a lot of fun though. We tried to fit in a lot of fun things while Duane was home, like going to the Zoo, and most recently our weekend trip to Denver to visit Nate, Jo, and Riley. We had such a great time! I'll get some pictures posted this weekend I promise. Riley is so funny with Jordan and he thinks she is great.

Unfortunately Duane is going to miss a few things while he's gone this time, like the State Fair, the RV Show, and the season premier of his favorite TV show Heroes. (Thank goodness for DVR's) But unless Jo goes into early labor and I head back to Denver he won't miss any trips so that's good. I'll still be looking for things to do to make the time go by faster, so if you have any ideas, let me know. Maybe I will actually get around to some of those home projects I had planned.

As for Jordan news - he had his 18 month Dr. appt last week and he is getting so big! He is now 33 1/2 inches tall, which is 2 1/2 inches taller than at his last appt. I new he had been through a growth spurt in the last couple of months, but wow! No wonder nothing is safe in the house anymore - he can reach everything! He is also getting to be more and more of a daredevil. He can do pretty good sommersaults and is climbing on everthing. I am thinking of taking him to the toddler class at Flips gymnastics to see if he likes it. If so, it might just be a good way he can perfect his "stunts" while being supervised and having a padded "landing" area.

Well I think that's it for now, check back for pictures this weekend. Who knows, I may even have something exciting to blog about too. You never can tell what kind of trouble Jordan and I might get into!