SNOWOVERIT

See all those tracks? Those are the tracks of merry potluck goers from last night. What fun was had. Neighbors coming together. Sharing stories from winters past and tips on ice dam fixes. Giving thanks we did not lose power or a roof. And carb loading for all the shoveling there is yet to do.

I think we might have lost a tree in the back.

Our grill.

There's a car under there. Can you see it?

Our incredible delivery woman (or man) on time again. Incredible.

Our walk tunnel.

The yard stick says 25 inches. But it's completely inaccurate. Here's the correct info: Storm #1--over 2 feet. Storm #2--over 1 foot. For all you math types, that's over 36 inches total.

Little Polar Bear

End of an Era

Today is an end of an era. A 30 day era. My Lightroom trial has ended. It was a fun run while it lasted. And, the free trial worked. I will probably buy it.

But not until I try Aperture 3's free trial. Yes! My sweet techie hubby found that Apple's new Aperture is also offering a free trial. He signed me up this morning. Thanks, babe!

I will have to compare the two.

In other news, I'm buying the Canon T1 as soon as I can shovel my way to the store. I CAN'T wait to get a DSLR. You all will love my new and improved photography as well. So, you're welcome.

And finally, still waiting on my Gayle Haggard book. Sorry it's taking so long. No mail has come or gone from this house since Friday, and I suspect we won't see anything until this Friday or maybe Saturday. Everything is closed. There's no way to navigate the streets at this point

UNLESS you are my WSJ delivery man (or woman, yes probably a woman). Yes, we receive not 1 but 2 WallStreetJournals everyday. And they have arrived on time (5am--Cordelia get hungry right around then) every morning. WOWZERS! You go girl (or boy)!

Now off to prepare for our potluck tonight.

(Alex visiting Eloise in her princess castle.)

Tomorrow Has Arrived.

Another day snowed in. My hubby and I have looked at each other and said, "think of all we could do with this time." Let's be productive, we fantasize.

Yes, fantasize because for a few simple reasons we will not be productive.

*A word on productivity. I am addicted to productivity. All day (and often at night in bed) I think of all the things I could be doing. There is always more I could do, and do more efficiently. It's a curse. It means I don't relax well. I try to compartmentalize my time--work now, play later--but in the back of my mind, I am thinking about how I can be more productive. Like doing crunches while playing dollhouse with Eloise.*

Back to the reasons we will not be productive (paying bills, organizing my tax materials, preparing for my Bible study I start in a couple of weeks, finishing up Cordelia's room, laundry, scrapbook, etc) today during this snow storm.

1. Our toddler. Can anyone be productive when shut in with a toddler for days on end?
2. The weather channel. We're monitoring this storm from our window and tv. Just to make sure we have up to date information.
3. We've planned a neighborhood pot luck for tonight. Can't be productive when you plan a party!
4. It's boring. Do I really want to do taxes in February? No.
5. Lazy. 3 months of sleep interruption. Just want to snuggle on the couch.
6. No one to see my progress. Let's me honest: I perform best for others, not myself. And no one is here to see me.

So, to sum up today, we will NOT be productive. We will enjoy our "SNOWCATION."

Yesterday. And Today.

This was yesterday. Eloise navigating our hill on our narrow path through the snow. With her new stroller. Her baby bear had a blanket on his lap because it was so cold.

Today it's snowing again. Remember our yard stick that read 24 inches? What will it read tomorrow?

Why I love to blog.

This question has been coming to me the past few weeks.

Why do I love to blog?

Especially in light of my increased blogging with my increased work load (meaning Cordelia). Is it that I blog twice as much because I now have 2 beautiful subjects? Sadly, no, evidenced by the lack of Cordelia photos I've posted.

Here's a real cute one, though.

Maybe it's because we've had the snowiest winter in our city's history. And we're house bound for at least a few more days. And I'm bored and stir crazy. Is that why I've increased my blogging?

No. I have found that I LOVE to blog because it's purely MINE. It's my thoughts. My photos. My blank canvas and I can do whatever I want with it.

Come to think of it, I haven't had a lot of MINE lately. I've been sharing my womb with a baby. And now I'm sharing my "mommy's milk." And I share my lap to both babes all the time. It's nice to have something all my own.

And it's about freedom. I don't HAVE to blog. I can if I want. It's the freedom of when and how and where I blog that is so beautiful. Freedom is a beautiful thing.

And finally, it's because my work load has increased. At my college we had a motto: Work Hard, Play Hard. For better or worse, we were generally really good at both. Why was it that the craziest partier in my sorority could always out score me on a test? The more demands I have, the more I need an outlet.

What about you? Do you blog? Do you have an outlet?

Not Me Monday

Not Me Monday is here again. (Is it really Monday?) And I can't think of much to say. No, I'm NOT unaware of any silly, embarrassing, or inappropriate things I've done this week. I'm NOT so brain dead that I can't even remember my week. Nor am I'm too prideful to share any "not me"s with you. No, not me.

I did NOT unearth this car to drive to Dunkin Donuts after "Snowmagedan." I'm not that insane for donuts, not me!

I was NOT really sad at the prospect of canceling Eloise's party. I'm sure Eloise would have been happy with alternative birthday plans, but I wasn't! I do NOT get too emotionally involved in a 3 yr old party.

I was NOT really happy to go snowshoeing with Alex alone. I did NOT lose track of time and return to a hungry, fussy baby. (And would do it again because it was so much fun.)

And, I'm NOT sitting here in my pajama pants, not remembering when I showered last. HA! Remember this?

And the party must go on

After postponing Eloise's birthday party and almost having to cancel it today, we pulled it off! Thanks to our wonderful friends who dug out their cars and braved the treachery. The kiddos had a great time stomping around in their pjs, decorating pillow cases, and eating lots of cake. Alex and I can't believe what a beautiful and talented young girl we have.

Snowpocolypse

The Haggards

In 2006, Ted Haggard, a mega evangelical pastor in Colorado Springs, fell from grace. He was outed by a male prostitute for having gay sex and buying drugs. I was in Colorado at that time and followed the story closely.

I was keenly aware of how his mega-church treated him. For the most part, he was kicked to the curb. I understand the pain his congregation must have felt--the hypocrisy and betrayal must have stung deep. There is no defending his deception. It was evil and dirty and gross.

Call a spade, a spade. Call evil, evil. Call a sin, a sin. What he did was wrong. And he deserves to be kicked to the curb. He deserves to pay for his mistakes.

But God's economy is different. It's not an eye for an eye any more. It's pardon for wrongs, get out of jail for free and get $200. It's that good. Really, that good.

January 29, Larry King, a friend to Ted and his wife Gayle, interviewed the couple. I watched it expecting to cringe but instead found the Haggards in a broken place. Ted was kicked to the curb, and I believe he knows it. He's broken, and in his brokenness, I think he's seen God's face anew.

Here are some excerpts from the interview (found at Larry King/CNN website):

KING: You don't go to a house of worship?

T. HAGGARD: We don't. We're not currently members of a church. That's right. We're sad about that. That's where we are right now, because we're traveling most weekends. And it's thrilling, the churches we go to. Every church we've been to has been incredible.

KING: All denominations?

T. HAGGARD: All different denominations and all different sizes. But there are two things about them. One is they have a practical application of the gospel. They really apply the gospel and are helpful. Two, they have courage to invite a sinner like me.

The Gospel: Jesus is a friend to the broken. A friend to Ted, Gayle, Larry, and me.

CALLER: I've watched you over the past couple years, and I've found that you've become very arrogant and narcissistic in your line of questioning. I think you should show the pastors a little more respect. My question for the Haggards is --

KING: I'm sorry.

...

Ted Haggard: By the way, let me say one more thing about the earlier caller. When I was in my darkest hour, suffering horribly, Larry King called me and encouraged me on my little cell phone. He's not arrogant. He's not high minded. He was loving to he and my family. And we appreciate it.

Larry King: A friend to the broken. A conduit of grace. An example the church should follow.

I want the church to be grace filled. I want to be grace filled and know the depths of grace God has for us all.

Gayle has written a book about her journey. I plan on reading it. I expect to like some but not all of what she has to say. I'll fill you in as I go.

Gearing Up

We are gearing up for Eloise's 3rd birthday. Who can believe it? Here's a flash back. 2 years ago, our little dancing-butterfly-princess turned 1. Enjoyed cake for the first time (if we don't count that red velvet that Neena fed her...hehe (-: ). Took her first steps. Sigh.

And Molly is the winner!

Yes, Molly, you got it! We went to Chuck E. Cheese last night. Alex and Eloise had an equally wonderful time! (-:

Our little friend Evan turned 3 so we partied to celebrate. Eloise rode the rides, danced on tv, ate lots of cake. Alex challenged Evan's dad to a skeet ball contest. (Is that what that bowling game is called?) And pinball.

But, I had the best time of all. I was smiling from ear to ear the whole time watching Eloise glow in the excitement. She was in awe of all the lights, camera, action. It really made me so happy to watch her explore and discover. I could have stayed all night watching my little girl.

And to top it all off. From the top of the play gym, she yelled "I gotta GO!!!!"

Ah ha! And that's when I knew that she was 100% potty trained. She stopped all the play and fun, yelled "GOOO" from the of her lungs, came down, and went potty in a public place. Nothing makes a toddler parent happier than that. (-:

Can you guess where we went last night?

Another Morning

Remember yesterday's sunrise? Well this morning we woke up to another beautiful scene. We LOVE all this snow. I guess there is natural beauty in the big city...

Friends

This past weekend Maury came to visit. Isn't she pretty?

And it snowed and snowed and snowed. So we bundled up by the fire.

And dressed up like butterflies.

And snuggled with pretty babies.

And took lots of gorgeous photos with Maury's new camera. I'm getting one soon. Must. Have. Her. Camera.

We played butterflies some more.

And we took more pretty pictures.

We loved having Maury so much. After dropping Maury off at the airport, Eloise cried all the way to the Palisades. That's 15 minutes people. We were all sad. Aren't friends great? We love friends.

Sunrise

I purposefully do not close our window shade in our bedroom because I like to wake up with the sunrise. This is what I saw this morning. I just know it's going to be a good day!

PS--I have not edited this photo.

PPS--I have showered. :-)