And the Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up....

 The average amount of rainfall for Oklahoma in July is 3 inches.  On Thursday we were already at 4 inches, but Mother Nature decided to bless us with a little bit more.  And when I say a little, I mean my phone was blowing up all night with warnings and alerts from the National Weather Service about flash flooding in our area.  I drove Benjamin to work on Friday when we got up because our parking lot, and subsequently the road leading to campus, was nothing but a river, and I didn't like to think of him walking through all that to get to work... besides, his shoes stink horribly when they're wet.  I moaned and grumbled about this silly state and how they don't have drainage systems on their major roadways, but made it to and from his work without incident.  This was at 8:00 in the morning.  By 9:30 when I needed to go to work, the parking lot and streets were pretty much dry again, so I headed on my merry way thinking, "well, that wasn't so bad after all".  Little did I know what was waiting for me out on the country roads.  First off I came to a construction sign that said "Road closed to thru traffic" so I went around it, thinking "I'm not 'thru traffic', this is right where I need to go" and then about 1/2 a mile later I ran into this:

 "Ahhh.. so when they said 'Road closed to Thru Traffic', what they really meant is 'ROAD CLOSED'"So I stared in awe for a minute, then turned around and let GPS reroute me to a new street, where I saw this off to the side: 

And this in front of me:

 And I thought to myself, "is that... is that a car that tried to make it through?"  So I took a closer look:

And yes indeed, it is a car who tried to drive through, despite the Road Closed signs we all had to drive around.  I hollered to the fellow you can see wading out there to see if I could do anything to help, but he hollered back that they'd already called for help.

So I took a photo of the one happy thing I could see, this sweet little sunflower just soaking up the water, and again went on my merry way, hoping GPS could lead me in a water-free direction, as I was already 20 minutes late.

Alas, this is what I came to next:

And then about a 1/4 mile down the road, this:

I thought it was silly that this was the least amount of water I'd seen on the road so far, but which had the best precautionary devices around it.  But then I saw that red sign sticking up (sorry, I know it's tiny and that you can't really see it) but it's a high water mark measurement sign, and it goes clear up to 7 feet.  Which means that this area with only about a foot of water at this moment, gets dangerously deep.  Then I was grateful for the precautions.

 Finally, on the 4th try, I made it to work, only 30 minutes late.  At 3:30pm (five hours later) I still saw things like this on the way home:

And while I didn't take this photo (it was on the news website), the address put it only 4 or 5 blocks away from our house.  Poor little guys must have taken a wrong turn or two...

 At 5:00 I picked Benjamin up from work and told him all about my adventures and how awesome the flooding all looked, and yada yada yada, and did he want to go for a drive and see it all?!?!!?  So for the next 30 minutes I told him all about what he was about to see as we drove... and then we saw this:

 That Same field that was completely flooded this morning was now completely dry, as were all the roads.  Benjamin was a little disappointed that we drove around for so long without actually getting to see all the things I'd told him about, but by this point the sun was shining gloriously through the clouds and everything was so green and lush and incredibly gorgeous that it made the trip worth it!

Now I guess I understand why they don't put drains in the roads, because within 8 hours the earth takes care of all the excess water all by itself.

Well hello!!!  As you may or may not know, we are closing in on the 1/2 way point of the pregnancy (19 weeks and 5 days today), so I thought I'd give you a little update.

This is me and our little one!

 This is my belly.  When I was 21 I had a Pulmonary Embolism (a blood clot in my lung), and another in my leg, which very nearly killed me, caused from birth control pills.  Previously unbeknownst to me, pregnancy has a higher amount of some of the same hormones that are in birth control pills, which means that I now have a high risk of getting another blood clot just from being pregnant.  Thankfully we have a High Risk OB close-ish, and the doctors there put me on a medication called Lovenox, which is a preventative dose of blood thinners. The only stinky thing is that I have to take it by injection 2 times a day :(  Ergo the bruised belly.

At our ultrasound today they confiremed that we are having a boy!  We also got to see him kicking and pushing with his little hands, and we saw him yawn!!!!!

 Ok, yes I know it looks like a skeloton and is kinda creepy, but if you imagine skin and lips it's kinda precious!  It was really sweet to see as it happened!!  He was so sleepy that the technician had to keep shaking my belly around to get him to move so she could see all his parts.

And his little profile.  Look at those big lips and teensy nose.  The technician said he has a "beautiful" profile, and the doctor said everything looks great!!!

 We've also been accumulating baby supplies, like this bouncer with a barnyard pattern on it that we got for $5 at a flea market!  The baby might have to battle the cats in order to ever use it.

 Even though I'm usually tired and nauseous, there are some good days thrown in, and on those days, we get to go on adventures!  This past weekend we went to Lawton and hiked around in the Wichita Mountains, where we saw frogs and lizards and bajillions of crickets and giant bees, and freakishly huge millipedes.  We also made it to the very highest peak of Mt. Scott, the highest point in oklahoma... a whopping 2,464 feet.  Then we went to Meers and stuffed our faces with every delicious fried food you can imagine!!!!!  Oh the fried peaches are to die for, I tell you what!!!!!

And just for good measure, the following is just the boys being boys... throwing the biggest rocks they could find into the little hidden river/lake thing we found in the "cliffs".  I may or may not have been hit with one of those rocks that they threw in my direction when they got so excited that they forgot I was there.  Thankfully it was a smaller one and it hit the rocks and shattered behind me so instead of being smacked with a big ole boulder, I was just pelted by what felt like sparks of rocky fire.

So as you can see, we're making progress.  Yippee!!

We're thinking of naming him Merrill Ivan Heddy... and calling him Ivan.

Maryland thus far

We made it to maryland safe & sound.  We shared the truck with Anthony's voice teacher, who had moved to NYC a few weeks previous.  We fit everything but our box spring, pretty impressive if you ask me.  We are forever grateful to Erica & Benjamin and the Robertson family for all their help in the packing and cleaning process.  We really couldn't have done it without you, thank you.

The drive from Oklahoma to Maryland took two days with the weight we were pulling.  Our cats did not fare well.  We had to long-term borrow Erica's large cat crate and sedate the poor things several times throughout the trip.  Every time we stopped at a rest area we'd let Winston & Hemingway out of the crate to stretch their legs too.  Cute little guys

We stopped in Maryland to drop off our stuff, then headed to NYC to drop off Bill's things and return the moving truck.  My poor sweet husband drove a 16ft Penske pulling our car from OK to NYC then had to traipse through Brooklyn and the Bronx on a wild goose chase to return the big yellow beast.  Word to the wise, when a rental agency gives you an address for drop off, call the location itself to be sure it has room for the truck and car dolly.  Just a suggestion.

Now we're settled into our apartment, which is right near Greenbelt lake.  It's about two miles from our house, around the lake and back and isn't too hot or humid first thing in the morning.  Today on our walk we saw lots of turtles, frogs, Orioles, a mamma duck with seven babies, butterflies and wild raspberries.

  

Gorgeous, yes?

Perry and his family were in town for a few days so we got to spend some time with them touring DC.  We spent several hours in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which always encourages me to be a stronger person and fight for what is right.  Sometimes I second guess my abilities as a Social Worker... but touring the memorial reminded me I can make great changes.

We went to the University of Maryland to drop off some paperwork, and Anthony felt right at home.  I'll never understand how that silly boy can like school so much.  He's getting his Doctorate of Opera Performance which means he can also teach at the university level someday when he is done with, or in conjunction with performing.

We also visited the Washington DC temple grounds and visitors center.  There is a model home in the visitors center that plays soft music and soundless video clips of the importance of families, and I had  the most peaceful feeling there.   I'm so grateful for my family and ancestry.  I am forever blessed to have been born into the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Sometimes it is hard for me to fathom that God KNOWS each and every one of us.  He knows my name, my favorite color, my faults, my demons, my stumbling blocks, my treasures, my favorite scriptures  my strengths, my compassion, my love . . . . He knows these things and so much more about each and every one of His children.  Sometimes I forget how much He loves me, but when I pray for guidance or acceptance I have literally felt as if His arms were around me.  What a powerful feeling I forget all too often, but He is willing to show me as many times as I need.  I have felt His presence more than once, and I know you can too.  I am so very grateful for my Heavenly parents and my Earthly parents and Eversole parents.  God is good and He knows just who I need.  In this transition period I've had a hard time adjusting and am so thankful for the texts, phone calls, Skype and other messages I've gotten.  You guys are like the sunshine on my cloudy day.  Thank you for being my family.  I love you.

We also visited Arlington National Cemetery with Perry and his family.  We saw John F. Kennedy's grave and the Eternal Flame.  We were also able to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  A a solemn and humbling experience.  I am so thankful for the men and women who gave their lives for my freedoms which I take for granted all too often.  I am also thankful for Ian's courage and decision to serve in the Marines.  Thank you for your service. 

On Independence Day we went to Annapolis to watch the parade, hear the United States Naval Academy Band's Concert Band, then watch the fireworks which were launched from a barge in the Annapolis Harbor over the Chesapeake Bay.  

Annapolis is the Sailing Capitol of the World, and we can't wait to go back.... now I just need to make friends with someone who has a boat.

This Sunday was the first real week we've been able to go to church in our new ward here in Maryland.  The first week we just made it to Sacrament Meeting then spent much of the remaining time talking with Bishop Cropper, who happens to be the father of a boy Anthony went to USU with.  Small world.  The next week we were out of town and the week after that Anthony sang at a Presbyterian church which had a wedding as part of the sermon.  Strange, I know, but beautiful none the less.  During one of the prayers the pastor reminded every committed couple in the congregation to make an effort to have a happier and stronger marriage.  Good stuff.  Back to our ward, it is amazing.  It is very ethnically diverse with several missionaries and everyone was so welcoming, more so than I have ever experienced.

We signed up to feed the missionaries this week, the Elders today and the Sisters on Wednesday.  We decided to make Clam Chowder for the Elders and went up to Annapolis to get some fresh clams for our venture.  Did you know clams squeak when you cook them?  It's kind of sad, but oh so yummy.

We ended up having spinach salad, watermelon, Clam Chowder and Salted Caramel Lava Cakes with ice cream.  The meal was a success with no left overs.  Let me just tell you, the chowder recipe is pretty phenomenal already (thanks Erica) but the fresh clams sure made it even better.

After the meal we had a spiritual message where we committed to more frequent temple attendance and to take a friend/family to the Visitors Center, which is by the temple.

The missionaries, Elder Parker and Elder Farley, were fabulous and we enjoyed singing at the piano with them after the spiritual message.

So, that is what has been going on around here.  You are welcome to visit us whenever you like, our couch is super comfy and the Metro station which goes into DC is only about a mile from our house.  Come on, you know you want to!!

In the mean time...

Family Home Evening

On Monday night we went to Lake Thunderbird to watch the sun set, and catch fireflies (or as Benjamin calls them, glow bugs) for FHE.  We performed a rousing rendition of "Faith is Like a Little Seed" because that is what we are learning with our little Sunbeams, and had a lesson on tithing.  Then as the clouds began changing from light gray to gorgeous pinks, organges, and gold, we headed out towards the water for a more intimate view.

(Benjamin is all ready to catch fireflies!)

(The Sunset)

By this point of the evening, Benjamn had gotten a little bored with watching the sun slowly sink below the hills the treeline and wandered off.  In my search to find him once I realized he was gone, I came upon what I thought was a drowned wild pig.

Upon closer inspection (after I found Benjamin and asked him to check it out, of course), we discovered it wasn't a pig at all... but a little drowned wiener dog  :(

(I'll spare you any close-up shots, because it was really quite tragic)

It took a few minutes to get over that sadness, but soon we forced ourselves back to watching the sunset... a good distance from the deceased.

(You can't really tell from the photo, which makes me very sad, but the sun is red!

It made me miss Japan horribly!!!)

(After the sun went to bed behind the hills the trees)

After a few more minutes, it was dusky enough that the fireflies came out!!!  As I was so intent on catching the little guys, I didn't take any photos... but we ended up with like 7 in our mason jar by the end of our hunt, I promise!  Benjamin accidentally smushed one and got its "glow" on his fingers.  It sounds horrible, but it was really cool!  He looked like a less drastic version of ET with his finger all lit up!

And that, my friends, was a fantastic FHE.  Maybe if they were all like this I wouldn't despise them so much...