A Change We Can Be...Wrapping Ourselves Up in Coats About

Jason and I have been doing a little Durango research in anticipation of the big move, and though we do know a thing or two about cold weather, (I've been known to ride JR to school on the back of my bike in the snow...how Chinese is that?) it sure is easy to forget. These statistics seem a bit daunting...but I believe we are up to the challenge!

*An apology to all my non-American readers, all measurements will be given in US Standard Units.

Average High Temp January:
Durango-35, Houston-62.3
Average Low Temp January:
Durango-3.9, Houston-41.2
Average High Temp July:
Durango-86.8, Houston-93.6
Average Low Temp July:
Durango- 55.8, Houston-73.5

Change doesn't stop in the temperature department. Check these out!
Population:
Durango-15, 878/ Houston-2.2 million
(and to really blow your mind, the population of Beijing- 17.4 million)
County Population:
La Plata County-48, 019/Harris County-4 million
Geograhpy:
Durango-4.37 square miles, Houston-601.7 square miles
Durango-6,512 feet above sea level, Houston-50 feet

No where near the culture shock we had in Beijing, but it certainly isn't Houston!

Baby Talk: We're 10 months old!

Kyle: Hi everybody, As you can see we're really happy about turning 10 months old!
Reed: We had a great doctor's visit last week. I was really hoping to get on the weight chart, but I still haven't made it on. I'm weighing in at 15lbs 15oz and that puts me at <5%.
K: I'm on the chart! I'm 17lbs 10oz and that puts me at 1o%.
R: But not to worry, we're doing great on the height chart. I'm in the 50% and Kyle is in the 75%. The doctor even said we're "not preemies anymore"!
K: We've really been keeping busy, check us out...



R: We like to go for walks in the stroller. We especially like to walk JR to taekwondo.
K: Reed sits in the front, and I sit in the back. I like to grab his head and pull on the back of his chair. Payback for all that pacifier stealing he does!



R: We love playing with our toys, but we like playing with things that aren't toys better. The remote, cell phones, and the camera are our faves.


R: I also love to pull-up on things and bang toys on any hard surface I can find.

K: We can really make a lot of noise when we start banging together.


K: We grab everything we can get our hands on. Nothing is safe!

K: We're also learning to drive!


R: Crusin' for chicks is so much easier now that we've got our own wheels.

K: We're also taking horseback riding lessons. Girls love a cowboy, and all Texans know how to ride a horse, right?
R: We certainly are keeping busy. Mommy can hardly believe we are getting so big!

Really BIG news

Yes, the Ingy family has big news to announce. We've known for a few weeks, but had to wait to make the official announcement. The Ingy Family is once again in for a big change. So I'm going to let you guess what the big announcement is...JR will give you a hint:

JR is practicing bundling up as Jason has a new official job title: "Sales Manager for the Southern Rockies Basin". Yep, we native Texans are packing up once again and moving. This time: Durango, Colorado. I will now refer you to the frequently asked questions portion of the blog.

FAQ:

1. Where is Durango, Colorado?

Durango is in southwest Colorado, near the “Four Corners” where Colorado meets New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. About 45 miles north of Farmington, New Mexico where Jason's office is located.

2. Are y'all okay with moving?

Yes! We are actually really excited about it. After our time in Beijing, Jason and I look for great experiences. We think Durango will be an exciting adventure for our family.

3. You just moved home! Are you going to sell your house?

As of Thanksgiving we will have been back in Houston for 2 years. We are going to keep our Houston house and rent it out.

4. How long? 3 years like China?

We actually don't have a time limit on this one. But Jason and I have moved every 2-3 years since we have been married, so I'm guessing this one will be about the same.

5. When are you moving?
We are going to let JR finish out the semester at Second Baptist, so we will move after Christmas, but before school starts in Durango on January 5, 2009.

6. Durango. Huh. What is there to do there?

We are actually looking forward to skiing and learning to snowboard. Purgatory Mt. Resort is located there and we have both been skiing there before. JR is also looking forward to learning how to snowboard as "the snowboarding game" is his favorite at Chuck E. Cheese. Durango is also home to the famous Durango to Silverton train.

7. Can we come visit?

Yes! We are hoping to get a 4 bedroom home so we will have a guest room. Check here to see if you prefer Durango's winter activities or summer activities.

8. Is it hard to get to? Can we drive?

It is definitely drivable from Texas and is situated along one of the most scenic drives in America: the San Juan Skyway. The Durango airport provides daily arrivals from Phoenix (America West/US Air), Denver (United Express), and Salt Lake City (Delta).

Startin' 'Em Young

We Texans love our Tex-Mex, country music, and pick-up trucks. And we start the love of all things Texan early around these parts. You're never to young to have your first ride in the flat-bed of a truck. Just ask Kyle and Reed...

(Check out Reed's hand, he's giving a little shout out to our neighbors to the east by riding around with a gator!)

The Traveling Ingys are Good Baptists

If you're a regular around here then you know we real Ingys made a trip to South Carolina this summer. We didn't make it as far as North Carolina, but recently my cousins, Lu, Kristi, and Sarah went to Asheville, NC for their annual Mother-Daughter Weekend. We Traveling Ingys hadn't been out in awhile so we were happy to go along to check out the "changing of the leaves". I'm super excited we got to make the trip since, yet again, we went someplace I didn't even know existed. On the way up to Asheville, my cousins stopped in Charlotte to tour the Billy Graham Library. Now for us Baptist, Billy Graham definitely has rock star status. Other denominations can lay claim to him too...My mom's a "dyed in the wool" Presbyterian, mention the name 'Billy Graham' and she's quick to point out that his wife, Ruth, was also a Presbyterian. Kristi, who was married at the Methodist church, reports that the whole place was "fabulous" and "stunning". I'm a little embarrassed to say that I didn't know Billy Graham had a library, (I sure won't be telling that around Sunday School) but thrilled to know the Baptist are keeping things 'fabulous' and 'stunning'. Here we are outside the library at the foot of the glass cross. The library website says it best: everyone who enters the doors "encounters the story of a man who made it his life’s work to tell history’s most powerful story—that God loves all of us and invites us to experience that love through His Son, Jesus Christ." Woo-Hoo, Billy Graham!

I Love You, Sarah!

More than likely, tomorrow will be a very depressing day for me (and LOTS of others). I could fill pages and pages on why I'm terrified of the one who's predicted to be president. But what's the point? As Americans we each get one vote (supposedly, anyway). And as Americans we have the freedom to say and think whatever we want. I voted. I made my preference known. That is all I can do. People have asked me not to "get political" in my blog. Well, I hate to point out the obvious, but this is my blog. I love it that people think it's funny, and choose to take their time to read it. But, yes, I will get political today. But I won't be bashing anybody, or being SNL politically "funny". Today I just want to write to my girl, Sarah.
Sarah, The more the biased, liberal media crucifies you, the more I love you. Sadly, we probably won't be seeing too much more of you after tomorrow, Sarah. But please know that you are fabulous. You've been described as a devout Christian and a staunch conservative. I can't think of a better compliment. I can only aspire to have people describe me the same way. Your political goals to end corruption, cut spending, and provide accountability are right on point. Not only could our country use a good dose of these, but what great goals for my family to strive for too. The media has called you everything they can think of, but they can't deny your beauty and they can't deny your character. In a society that looks up to bar-hopping socialites (Paris Hilton is a high school drop out with a GED),morning talk show hosts (Whoopi Goldberg is a high school drop out), and Kabbalah practicing rock stars that mock Christ's Crucifixion, it's so refreshing to have a true role model females of all ages can look up to. A beautiful, smart, Christian woman that became successful without being one of Oprah's favorite things, making a sex-tape, or having the paparazzi take pictures of her without underwear. You are my role model, Sarah Palin. Thank you!

"Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man" Luke 6:22

Empty-Handed Hunters

For the male Ingersolls (which I guess would be everybody in the house but me) the most exciting season of the year is deer season. Luckily for them, the season started on Saturday. Luckily for the deer and wild hogs, they didn't see any. JR was pretty disappointed. This morning he said, "We didn't see NOT ONE deer or pig!" I'm pretty impressed that JR is able to sit out in the deer stand with Jason for so long. He plays his Leapster, but for a five year old to sit still that long...I think he's doing a great job. So here's JR, doing what Ingersolls do best...Look closely, that's JR in there.