More snow!

We had another blast of winter weather here this weekend. That may not look like much snow to you Northerners, but to us, it was all we needed. What fun to see snow falling late Saturday morning! It only gave us a little over an inch, but we made the best of it and played for hours in the cold wet stuff. John had a raging snowball fight with the neighbor kids and J and T really enjoyed just making snoballs and mini-snowmen. I took some pics of the kids, as well as these impressive snowmen our neighbors made with so little snow.

The best part is that its gone the next day and life can go on. I know the kids will be asking for more snow again--but I don't know if we'll be able to provide.

Siblings, A Show, and SNOW!!

I liked this picture of T and J. Although they are watching TV, it shows their special bond. Now, of course, they don't always get along, but they are good friends at this age and really do play nicely together. Especially when Mommy isn't around. Funny how that works. Its really cute how J wakes and says things like, "My T, wheres my T", when she is off to school before he wakes. I hope they always remember that family comes first and have a good friendship for years to come.

Secondly, we took T to see ANNIE last Saturday at The Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta. This is a beautiful place (if you're ever here and have a chance to go, do it!), and it was so special to share my favorite musical with my little girl. She loved it. She did tell me she wanted to be an orphan. Not sure if that was because she was a little mad at me at the time or if it was because she wanted to live at Daddy Warbucks' house.

And third, it is snowing here right now. Not accumulating, but snowing nonetheless. When T arrived home from school, I snapped a few pics of her excitement. We have never had any snow since we moved here three and a half years ago. T doesn't remember the biggest snowstorm in HISTORY that hit MD a few months after her birth. I shoveled almost three feet of snow and was trapped in the house alone for 4 days with my two month old infant. Snow is overrated, in some cases. I'd be OK with that now that the kids are older and very fun to be around. Sledding would be great fun for the kids, as well. Too bad there won't be any sledding here, I'm certain (nothing is sticking and it is still 40 degrees), but, it is fun to see the white stuff falling from the sky. Unfortunately, what we still really need is rain and lots and lots of it!!

Do you see our snow falling from the sky??? Look closely.

Funny Boy

A few moments ago, J said one of the funniest things I as I sat there reading bedtime stories to him: "Ahhhhhh thats good milk". I am not exaggerating when I say he said ahhhhhh. Like he was sitting down at a bar on Friday afternoon for a beer. Sad, but true. It was one of those moments you wish you had your video camera ready, but alas, I did not.

Ever feel like you are getting....

well, you know how this sentence ends. I feel a little like that today. I've been searching for jobs (casually) for a few months now. Please note the word job. I am not searching for a career. My husband has a career. I just want a job. A little extra money, some time away from the house, nothing too heavy, but it would be nice if I could use my degree. I decided to enlist a recruiter's help since I don't have many (any) contacts in this area and my Internet searching was going slowly. I have never used one of these guys because I don't like the way they operate and this guy is no different. One minute he is your best friend, on your side, looking out for your best interest, and the next he doesn't return your phone call for hours, acts pushy, etc. I don't like to be one of those people that complains about everything, but I find that this guy drives me crazy and yet, I can't bring myself to tell him where to go.

This should be easy for me. I am a very direct person. I generally have no problem speaking my mind, but yet to this person (who has never met me, lives miles from here, and wouldn't know me if I walked by him on the street), I can't be my direct self. Why am I finding it so difficult to tell this guy to take a hike? Its funny how sometimes we treat our enemies better than we treat our friends and vice versa.

I have decided to move forward with a second interview for a job in the city which is about 40 miles from here. Although this is not an ideal location at all, the manager will offer some flexibility and the money is good. I explained my reservations to the recruiter, and despite the fact that we deicded to bag this job Monday (as he said, "the commute is too long, I wouldn't want an hour commute, what if something happened with one of your kids"-finally we were on the same page), he now is doing everything he can to make me want this job. I know in my heart that I will make the decision that is best for me and my family, but I just don't understand why I'm feeling so much pressure from this voice on the phone, from a person I don't know.

I guess this is one of those times I need some help, some strength from somewhere else. After all, I know the recruiter isn't the one who'll be getting up at 5am and doing the drive for me, right?! This is all assuming I get this stinkin' job. Which, according to the recruiter, would be great for my career. What a nice guy, always thinking of me.

Why am I looking for work, anyway?

The holidays are over....

Its always sad when the holidays are over, but this year in particular, it was very sad because they went so fast and we had such a wonderful time. We had a super fun visit with Uncle Buck, Jen, MaMaw, and PaPaw over Christmas. The favorite activity was a new game of Taboo (Jen rocks at this) and food on the new pub table in the basement. We also played a few good games of darts. Thanks for making the holidays so much fun, ya'all.

T and her 'Santa' pile. She was very excited about Santa this year. Who knows if we'll have one more year or if she'll give up on him by next year....we'll see.

J and his favorite toy..."Bire Truck". We can't get him to say his 'Fs' properly.

After 5 days of Christmas celebrations with the family and on again off again rain, the kids were missing some friends, so back to the YMCA we went on the 27th and started with the social / friend time. We had a birthday gathering at Lisa and Michael's house to celebrate Michael and Logan's birthday Sunday and rang in the New Year Monday with little fanfare. There were neighbor parties surrounding us, but John and I had a wonderful meal alone with shrimp and lobster, then watched a movie and watched fireworks from our window. It is amazing the fireworks some of our neighbors are able to get their hands on...better than some city-wide (or at least as good as) displays on the 4th of July. We spent New Year's Day at Jim and Denise's house eating more good food, drinking, and watching football.

T and the girls eating Logan's birthday cupcakes

As John and I looked back on 2007 and looked forward to 2008, we feel so lucky to have our health, good friends, and a very comfortable life here. We considered moving and have felt unsettled at times during the last year, but have come to realize how much we'd miss all the wonderful people we've met here and what a wonderful neighborhood we have. Too good to leave for now. Thanks to all our friends who make our lives here so great, especially since we don't have family in the immediate area.

It was a wonderful break from the normal routine, but T did go back to school (and happily I must say) today. At least it is a short week...we've been sleeping in until after 8am some days, so getting up at 6:30 isn't so easy. Not to mention the coldest temps we've seen in GA in over 3 years...it was 18 degrees this morning when we went off to school. Brrr.

Here is wishing everyone a happy, healthy and safe New Year.

Lisa and Michael with miracle baby, Camden. He's really becoming a part of the crowd, and we're glad to have him!