At Last

The 44th President of the United States of America has arrived. President Obama was sworn in on Tuesday (and apparently again last night, just to make sure the Chief Justice could get it right this time) in front of a crowd of possibly 3 million people. Everyone in this city has a story ranging from a lucky situation and good timing to months of effort and heightened expectations but all are filled with excitement. It was a magical day in this city.

We watched the swearing in with friends, and we watched the parade at home. It was a fun relaxing day.

At the end of the day, things ramped up a bit. The night before we got free tickets to one of the official inagural balls; Southern States Regional Ball. After P was down for the night the Mister and I had some Coke with dinner and brewed some coffee for the ride to the ball. We donned our 'best' and made sure the babysitter was settled before heading out the door for our evening adventure.

Coffee in hand we decided to just try and drive to the ball and see how far we got. In about 20 minutes we were near the ball and found a parking space about 3 blocks from the entrance. YoHoo!

We danced, we snacked, we had a few drinks, we did LOTS of people watching, and we waited and waited and waited for The President and First Lady to arrive.

About 11:45 the Vice President and Dr. Bidden made their entrance and danced. And then we debated, do we stay or should we go? When will he come? We decided to wait 15 minutes and see what happens. Shortly after that the band marched in and played a few songs, then the color guard marched in, and then...The President and First Lady. It was a complete thrill to be part of the crowd, cheering, smiling and trying to capture it on film.

Our story is one of pure luck! A friend with extra tickets and a closet with a tux and a ball gown...and voila.

At Last

Classy Date

Yesterday morning I asked the Mrs. on a bowling date. With a kiddo around, standards have apparently fallen and so she happily accepted.

After we got P down for the night, we went bowling...no sitter, no monitor, and no guilt...we just went bowling.

OK, so we didn't have to go far. All we had to do was fire up the video projector and the new Wii that the Mrs. gave me for Christmas.

I think I could get into this! The Mrs. just might get a polyester shirt with her name on it next Christmas. I've got visions for a league. Let me know if you're interested and I'll put you down for a lane.

Snail Mail

I love the end of the year for a number of reasons...the end of something good, the beginning of something better, Advent, Christmas, cool weather requiring great hats and mittens, cups of tea, and if you are lucky a fire! But I think the thing I love the most is receiving real mail almost every day the whole month of December and in to January. The beautiful families that enter our home through the mail slot brings me much Joy! Old friends from high school, college, grad school; some we talk to more than others, some I haven't met or the Mister hasn't met...but then stories are told and pasts are revealed..."you know she is the one that I lived with that one time...".

It seems this season has come to an end. Today when I see the mail lady coming I certainly won't be running to the door...the mail will slide through and hit the ground but it will be junk mail and catalogs once again, no more pretty envelopes with hand written addresses. Oh it is sad.

Thank you friends for all the beautiful cards filled with news and reports and lovely faces! It is good to hear from you.

TMI...you have been warned....read at your own risk!

After three servings of homemade prune baby food...
A little extra water after lunch...
cutting back on the baby cereal...
and a nice afternoon tummy massage...

Phoebe is back in business!

The first day of 2009...at least for me.

Today feels like the first day of the year to me. It is Monday...we are getting back into our regular schedule...we have a full week ahead of us; a new week, a new month, and a whole new year. I have been trying to think through what that means- I mean the year part- what is to come; how do I grow as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, how do I spend my energy and time, how do Mister and I raise our daughter as she grows, how do I take steps today that will help mold the next year?

I just finished reading The Shack (which I found to be really beautiful...the images, the relationships, the redemption...it left a deep beauty mark on my soul...). Anyway that wasn't really the point of mentioning The Shack, but there was a part in there where God was talking about how when Humans think of their future it often times doesn't include Him. Not that we imagine He won't be there but we think about our future as we want not taking into consideration the things God will be doing or would want us to be doing. This really struck me as I was thinking about the New Year.

On New Year's day Mister and I were talking about who we are becoming and what we want for ourselves in 2009. I have decided that I want to be more creative in 2009. I want to make space for making things that I dream about, for making beautiful things that others can delight in, for creating with the mind and hands that God has given me. I think that God would want me to do this too. But I don't know, really. (I did get a sewing machine for Christmas- which provides a whole new level of creativity)

I also want to connect in a new way with my friends. Mister started reading the one year bible this year with a number of his friends- holding each other accountable for daily reading. I think this is fantastic but it doesn't strike me as the way I want to seek the Lord with my friends. Somehow I imagine spurring one another on in new ways...as we learn how to be the women God has created us to be at this stage in life where He has us. So, I am still working on what this means.

Another thing I want to do is consume less food...well that is one for our whole family. I mean I want to eat less...but I also want to buy less, throw away less, possibly grow more, and be more creative with the food we have in the house. I imagine this will turn into some sort of menu planning adventure that hopefully will include a group garden come spring. (a friend mentioned this idea to me in the fall and I have been dreaming about it ever since)

In the end this post is more a note to myself I suppose...to remind me over the year what kind of things I hope for in this next year. And for you a small glimpse into my wandering mind...and to let you know we are still here at 207.

Happy 2009!

It was a lovely evening; the last of 2008. A bottle of champagne, a sleeping baby, steak and sides, and the Mister and I dreaming of what is to come in the New Year right along with relishing in the joys of the last year. We ended the evening early...hours before the clock struck 12!

Happy New Year friends.