The countdown continues...

...in two days I will be heading to Atlanta as the first part of the "Owen 2007 World Tour" begins!

The kids will be revisiting old friends from their "Emory Days" and then my Atlanta sister will be having a little brunch to "show off" little Owen. : )

After the brunch, we will head back to Birmingham where Aunt Janet and Uncle Jeffrey will be awaiting our arrival.

On Sunday afternoon, I will be hosting a little get together so that my friends can come and visit with the kids and see my first grandson. I have been baking sweets for the last week and a half as in preparation Sunday's little event. I have made lemon bars, oatmeal/raisin cookies, Milky Way cookies, brownies, mini cupcakes, raspberry bars, carrot cake squares and, finally chocolate dipped pretzels! (I've probably put on 2-3 pounds already...after all, someone has to taste everything to make sure it is okay!)

They will all be departing Monday afternoon as they head back to their respective homes and I get back to my normal routine.

WHEW!

It is going to be a wonderfully crazy and hectic whirlwind of activity....

and, I can't wait for it to begin.

Happy Birthday, JANET!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful day! xoxo

Grammie, can you get me one of these???? : )

When I am at Grammie's House...

Here are Owen's rules for his visit to Birmingham this weekend:

1. Only "chocolate milk" bottles.

2. No naps necessary.

3. Bedtime? What's bedtime?

4. Bring on the toys!

5. Keep the paparazzi away! (oh sure)

6. Don't dress me in anything cutesie, I only want the macho, alpha-male stuff to wear.

7. I demand to be the center of attention at all times. (no problem there)

8. Invite all of the good looking 5 month old girls over. (hubba hubba)

9. If mommy and daddy say "no"...go to Grammie for a "yes". (of course)

10. I get to be in charge of the tv remote. (Better check with Dave about that one!)

11. I will attempt to use up all of the diapers that Grammie purchased.(!)

12. It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to.

13. Let's all get up at 3 a.m. in case I get lonely in my room.

14. Make sure that Gizmo, the cat, knows who's boss around here.

15. I'm teething, so bring on the ice cream!

16. Call me your little Angel. (that won't be hard!)

17. Let me stay at Grammie's house an extra week.

( "Did I say that right, Grammie?" )

...the Owen 2007 World Tour continues....

I've been to St. Louis and Chicago....and now I am heading to Atlanta and then Birmingham!!!!!

I'm almost 5 months old !!!!

I'm coming Grammie!!!

5 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am trying to remain calm, cool and collected (ha!) but....

My children are coming home for a visit in 5 days!

My two "big boys", my two daughters-in-love, and my one "little boy", OWEN : ) : ) : ) will be descending upon my fair city in a matter of days!

So, you will need to put up with me and my unbridled excitement for the next several days or so as I await their visit. My posting may be a bit erratic as I prepare for the big weekend!

Dave helped me assemble the "bouncy chair" yesterday...Again the realization and explanation of why babies happen when you are young... Even with clear instructions and all of the parts before us, we had to do some putting together and then taking apart several times before the two "geniuses" were able to get it assembled correctly. (In all honesty, Dave did much better with it when I wasn't helping, of course.)

The diapers and "wipers" are purchased (I did return 80 of the 120 that I overbought!! Now I have a much more reasonable 40...). : )

A few new toys are awaiting his arrival. Word has it that he is starting to teethe so I purchased some toys that are made to be "gummed". I especially love the little toy I got that "sings" the ABC's over and over and over and over and over....again...without any way to stop it. What was I thinking? I better have some wine on hand for this visit.... : 0

The stroller has been set up and is ready to go. Even though the strollers of today are quite sophisticated, I went with an oldie, but goodie...the lightweight and affordable umbrella stroller. It will be a good thing to have here at my house for these visits. While it doesn't have all of the fancy doodads on it, it still serves its purpose...carrying precious cargo!

Jeffrey, Janet, Adam and Jenny-get ready for some good hugging!

And, my dear, sweet OWEN, Grammie is ready for you!!!!!!!!!!!

Hurry.

Hot Dog?!?!

I couldn't resist posting this picture of Oscar on his way outside today to "take care of business"! With temperatures in the single digits in Minneapolis these days, sometimes you have to look a little silly in order to stay warm!

Actually, I think that he looks pretty cool...kind of like a SuperDog!! : )

Freedom Writers

Every once in a while a movie comes along that affects me in a profound way.

Such was the case with Freedom Writers...

It is an amazing "...true story of strength, courage, and achievement in the face of adversity." It all takes place in 1994 in Long Beach, California and tells the story of an eager, inexperienced, and extremely naive teacher named Erin Gruwell and her innovative and positive approach to teaching. She succeeds in shattering stereotypes and giving hope where there isn't any. What follows under her tutelage is nothing short of miraculous and life-changing for this group of "unteachable, at-risk teenagers". It was a very inspiring movie that I highly recommend.

I was touched on so many levels as I watched this movie. Having taught school for several years after college, I could identify with the challenges of being a teacher. Even though I did not have "at risk" kids in my classroom, there were still many issues that I had to deal with as a teacher.

I can recall my own naive excitement as I faced my first teaching job. At that time, employment-seeking teacher's outnumbered available jobs. I remember interviewing with the principal of one school and trying to let him know of my passion for wanting to teach. I must have overwhelmed him a bit with my overly enthusiastic personality, as he did hire me even though he didn't have a classroom for me to work in. The schools in this district were facing overcrowding without having the funds to expand the building. So, I actually began my teaching career by working in a make-shift classroom that was, in actuality, part of the school library. The "walls" were actually bookshelves and there wasn't a door. Other students who were using the library browsed around as I was teaching. But, I had a job, and I was thrilled.

Being artistic, I found myself trying to use my creativity to make learning fun and interesting. I remember working long hours at school and at home creating homemade puppet shows and brightly colored work sheets to teach phonics and other basic skills. Back then, the most sophisticated tool that we had at school was a mimeograph machine that made very smelly and rough copies. (What a different world teachers face today with modern technology!)

Trying to reach some of the children who got lost in the shuffle of the educational system was one of my goals. These so called "problem kids" got a lot of negative attention when they were really craving positive attention. It is truly amazing what just a little complimentary feedback can do. I cherished those years when I was in the classroom and hope that I, too, may have affected some of my students in a real way. I know that they certainly affected me and the person that I was to become as the years went by...

: )

More on Woodpeckers.....

Even though it was a little later than yesterday morning, again I heard the resounding tapping of the woodpecker this morning! Getting concerned about what he was actually doing out there, I decided to educate myself on this clamorous bird. Here is some of what I found interesting:

Have you ever been awakened at dawn by a woodpecker jackhammering the side of your house? Rather than proclaiming their territories like songbirds, woodpeckers peck or tap rapidly on objects to make a loud noise that is recognized by other woodpeckers. This is called "drumming" and differs from pecking for food or nest holes because it does not often make a hole--it just makes a loud racket. Drumming usually starts in late winter and continues into spring. Sometimes woodpeckers choose gutters, siding, or other metal surfaces as drumming spots because they can get a louder sound from them. This might be great for the woodpecker, but few people will tolerate this for more than a few consecutive mornings. The best way to combat the behavior is to put something over the drumming spot, like a piece of foam rubber, which dulls the sound. If the spot no longer makes a loud noise when hammered, the bird will soon move on in search of another, better location.

I am realizing now that he is tapping on my metal gutters that are right outside of my second story bedroom and that is why the noise is so deafening!

Reading on, I find that my state, Alabama, actually likes these critters...what were they thinking?

Each state has officially adopted certain plants and animals as symbols to set it apart and enhance its image. For example, Mississippi has the Southern magnolia as its state tree and--along with Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee and Texas--the mockingbird as its state bird. It is easy to see why the longleaf pine is Alabama's state tree, but did you know that we are unique among the 50 states in having a woodpecker as our state bird? We see the familiar "yellowhammer" depicted everywhere, from phone books and highway maps to the new "Alabama Forests" license plate. That bird has become part of Alabama’s history and cultural identity. We are, in a sense, the Woodpecker State.

"The Woodpecker State"? How embarrassing!

Couldn't we have been designated "The Education State", or "The Happy To See You State", or "The Southern Drawl State", or even "The Collard Greens State", or .....?

Well, you learn something new every day.... I wonder if they sell gutter-shaped foam rubber at the Dollar Store? : )

rat-a-tat-tat

Most people have alarm clocks.

I have a woodpecker!

Early this morning I was awakened by the loud tapping of my neighborhood woodpecker! He seemed to be making his way along the entire side of my house near my bedroom. It is amazing how forceful his beak must be as the sound that he was making was really quite loud. Lying there listening to his rhythmic sound, I wondered if he was doing any damage and if he would ever stop and fly away....which he eventually did.

What a way to start the day!

After getting myself moving this morning, I headed out to do a few errands and made my first stop, The Dollar Store! I have heard other people remark about how much they love shopping at these $1 only places (Dave is quite an aficionado himself), but hadn't ever really gotten into it myself. Well, today changed all of that.

I don't know why but I became mesmerized by the idea that everything in this store was only a dollar. I felt as though I was at a big garage sale full of bargains. Suddenly I was purchasing things that I didn't even realize I needed! It was so much fun. I bought some big, plastic clips to hold opened bags together, some organizing baskets, doilies, zip lock bags, rug cleaner, drain opener, a little frame, a night light, and, finally, a bag of sugarless butterscotch candy. The best part was that I got all of this for under $10! (At one point I did wonder if any of the items that I purchased were actually less than a dollar at another store?) Oh well, I'm hooked. I'll be going back there again, I am sure.

Just what I needed, a new addiction... : )

New Passport Policy

How many of you heard about this?

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

I realized that my current passport expired this year and needed to be renewed, especially in light of some of the new laws. If you meet certain criteria, you can renew online or by printing out the online forms and mailing them in. I decided to do the latter.

This meant that I needed to go and have two passport pictures made, so I headed to Kinko's yesterday.

A young man greeted me at the passport photo area and guided me to a stool where I was to sit and pose for my picture. Now, I must stop here and mention that, knowing that this picture would be with me for the next ten years, I did "gussie" up a bit before heading out. I knew that this wasn't going to be a "Glamour Shot", but I wanted to try to give it every chance to be somewhat decent.

So, back to the posing stool at Kinko's....

The "photographer" was obviously not real familiar with the special digital camera that he held in his hands. He must have worked on focusing it on me for at least 5-6 minutes before finally saying: "Ready? One, two, three.."

I smiled and got ready for the flash which never occurred.

"Ooops, he said. Let's try that again."

Another 5 minutes went by as he did some more adjusting. He began singing while he was doing this, making me laugh inside as his voice sounded like one of the American Idol rejects who doesn't realize that they are tone-deaf.

"Okay," he said, "I think that I've got it now."

Again, I put on my best paparazzi smile and prepared for the countdown.

"One, two, three,...flash!"

Ah, success, I thought to myself. Unfortunately, he came back a minute later to let me know that the picture didn't come out right and would have to be done again. It seems that these passport photos have to measure the correct amount from the top of your hair to the bottom of you chin...and mine did not meet those exacting qualifications.

This time he went and discussed the camera with another employee and then came back to try again several minutes later.

Sitting there trying to keep a smile on my face, I am wearily wondering if I am going to be able to get off of this stool and leave Kinko's before the day ends.

"Ready? One, two, three...flash!"...he tries again.

This time he sighs and says that I am tilting my head slightly to the right and that is making the photo off balance! Could I tilt my head a little to the left and we can try again...?

You know how your mouth begins to quiver when you are trying to hold a smile for too long? Well, that is what was beginning to happen to me, but I slightly tilted my head to the left and did the best that I could.

"One, two, three, flash!". He attempted the shot again. This time he smiled and said, "Just one more time...we are almost there."

"There?" I thought to myself.

Well, the next take "took" and my picture was successful captured. I paid for it while he was doing the developing and waited to see this masterpiece.

Well, the end result of this experience was not what I had hoped for as I had put myself together in preparation for this photo shoot. Let's put it this way, the only people who will ever get to see this "one hour photo" of me will be the one person who is checking me out before leaving the country!

Now, that I will have a new passport in a few weeks, I probably need to use it to go on a little vacation.... : )

*sigh*

Have you heard about the newest diet plan?

Eating slowly.

What a revelation. : I

It's true, I read an article from the Wall Street Journal that says that our eating habits have more to do with how many calories we ingest (that ultimately leads to our putting on weight) than anything else.

Some of their suggestions:

Chew your food at least 15 to 20 times.

Use smaller dishes so that portions look bigger.

Try to be the last person to start eating.

Put foods in small serving containers.

Eat alone.

Drink a lot during the meal.

Decide how much you are going to eat before sitting down.

Cover half of your plate with veggies or salad so there's not much room for less healthful foods.

Don't eat in front of the tv or in the car.

Have less of a variety of choices when you eat.

Pay attention to the extras such as bread, etc.

Don't these researchers have more that they can do with their expertise?

It sounds to me like they are taking all of the fun out of eating!

Well, I am going to go and eat my teensy, tiny bowl of 1 cup of plain Cheerio's by myself, tv off, gulping down tons of orange juice and being careful to chew each spoonful at least 20 times.

Then later I will eat a teensy, tiny bag of Raisinets. : )

Have a nice day and eat slowly!

"Taxing" Days Ahead

As I begin to organize (?) all of my 2006 paperwork, I am using a very advanced system called "floor filing".

Floor filing entails making various piles of papers spread out on the floor in order to categorize them correctly. This is the first step in the wonderfully unpleasant process of getting everything together in order to file my 2006 income tax statement.

From these groupings, I then write all of the figures down in my little "workbook" and hope that the accountant can make sense of it all. I have great expectations that Uncle Sam will have mercy on me this year and not take too much away! Ha! : )

This very effective (ha! again) means of organizing was met with Gizmo's approval as she found one of the piles to be a very comfy place to nap. (see picture below)

Smart cat.

...wish that I could do the same. : )

Rainy day in Bama

It is very gloomy outside and pouring down rain today.

Dave is thrilled because he has many, many football games to watch. I don't know how he does it, sitting there for hours all day long. How interesting can it be watching grown men run up and down a field with a ball? If they aren't running, they are trying to tackle each other to the ground, throw the ball to an available receiver, or kick it. Doesn't that ever get boring? Not to Dave apparently. : )

We had a lovely evening last night as we went out to eat at a very fancy restaurant called Highland's Bar and Grille. Frank Stitt is the world-renowned chef and owner of this very elite place that is saved for special occasions. Dave's mom had given us a gift certificate at Christmastime for a meal there, so we celebrated our 4 years of dating by using it last night.

As soon as you walk in the place you know that it is going to be a memorable evening. There is a certain ambiance that pervades the restaurant....an atmosphere of everything being first class. (and quite expensive, I might add!) : 0

Prior to going to eat there, we downloaded the menu for January so that we could see what our choices would be. We also wanted to make sure that we could understand all of the different words used to describe how the food was prepared, and/or what the ingredients were. We learned that "lardon" is a typ of bacon. Did you know that? We didn't! It was quite an education in fine dining.

As soon as we were seated, the waiter immediately put down two wine glasses and arrived with a bottle of wine for us compliments of our good friends, Sharon and Gary, Joycie and Arthur! What a sweet surprise and a lovely way to start the evening...we were so appreciative as we sipped this wonderful bottle of Pinot Noir.

We listened intently as our waiter described each appetizer and main course to us. He kept using words like "delicate balance of flavors", "cooked to perfection", "robust", "incredible", and "one of our favorites". Everything that we ordered was met with the statement, "excellent choice!". We laughed and wondered if anything on the menu might have been under the category of "poor choice"?!

We ordered a couple of interesting appetizers that were very tasty and then both opted for fish for our main course. Everything was deliciously prepared and very much enjoyed!

It will probably be quite a while before we will be able to treat ourselves to another meal at Highland's, but that is what keeps it such a special place.

We.., with all of that good eating comes calories...so, I am off to the treadmill to get some exercise! Have a nice day! : )

What was I thinking?

"Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all- wise and prehistoric." Pam Brown

My blogging friend, Claudia, just emailed me some wonderful quotes about being a grandparent. The one above caught my eye....especially the part about being "prehistoric".

As I prepare for my grandson's first visit to Birmingham, I want to make sure and have everything ready for his arrival. This has meant spending time perusing the aisles of baby stores for various items. This is the part where the word "prehistoric" comes in as there are so many choices out there for new parents nowadays.

In the Dark Ages (!!), when I was a new mom, we had two choices for diapering our baby: cloth diapers or the "new" throwaway diapers.

This is not true anymore.

Decisions have to be made about the type of diaper you are needing. For example, if you go to buy Pampers, there are: Swaddlers New Baby, Cruisers for crawling or walking babies, Baby Dry with Caterpillar-Flex (?), Easy Ups for the beginning of potty training and then they graduate to, Feel 'n Learn for advanced training, and finally Splashers for swimming and pool use!

Once you decide on the style of diaper that you want, you must figure out the correct proportions for your particular baby's weight and height, etc.

Fortunately, Jenny had given me instructions prior to my purchasing the diapers for Owen.

Unfortunately, she hadn't told me how many to buy.

So, without really thinking, but all the time wanting to be totally prepared, I left the store confidently with my packages of Swaddlers New Baby #2, 12-18 pounds diapers.

Back home, unpacking my bags, I realized that I had purchased 120 diapers...for a three day stay. When I told Dave about my diaper acquisition, his comment was, "120 diapers?!?!? Are we going to be changing the baby every few seconds?".

Laughing, I realized that I may have overdone the Pamper thing. In speaking with Jenny (who was also hysterically laughing), I found out that they use about 8 Pampers a day. That would mean that 24-30 Pampers would suffice.

Oh well. What do I know? I am a first-time Grammie.

I'll know better with the next one.... : )

I am a 58 year old woman and...

I still dream about being a dancer! : )

Dave and I went to see the Broadway musical, "MOVIN' OUT", last night.

It is a show consisting of Billy Joel music and Twyla Tharp choreography and it was wonderful.

As I watched these young performers take command of the stage with their leaps, spins and pirouettes, I was mesmerized.

One dancer in particular had such amazing control and made the complex moves all look so easy. He was strong and graceful all at the same time, expressing deep emotions through his flawless movements. He would leap through the air effortlessly and spin continuously, all the while keeping his body under total control.

The show starts in the 60's and loosely tells the story (through song and dance) of young love...their men going off to war....and those same vets returning home broken and damaged...getting into drugs, etc......but, eventually finding their way back to a normal, loving existence.

Being a baby boomer and living through the Vietnam era, I could totally relate.

To see the tragedies of war displayed by energetic and emotional dancing was pretty incredible. It showed me how much communication can be accomplished by our body language alone.

These young dancers, who could all be my kids (grandkids,even?), joyfully danced across the stage last night without having any idea that sitting out there in the audience was a middle-aged Grammie tapping her feet....and dreaming.

Raisinets, again

Before glazing my latest batch of newly-fired pottery, I headed out to do a few errands yesterday. I thought that I'd get out before "The Big Chill" arrived in our city with dropping temperatures.

My first stop was Michael's to get a few new supplies for my clay work. I could spend hours in that store! As I walk the aisles my mind goes into "creative mode" thinking about all of the projects that I could do. I grabbed a little froggy door hanger that was on sale as I thought about making a "Ssssh! Owen is asleep" thing to alert everyone when he was sleeping during his visit to Bham. I am like a Grammie on speed when it comes to my little Owen's impending visit. The car seat is already installed in the car (now named the "Grammie Mobile"!) and the little "Pack and Play" bed is partially set up in the extra room. Do you think that I am a bit excited, or what?!

Anyway, I digress.

After purchasing some paint brushes and other supplies, I went to the check-out counter. Right before reaching the cashier I spotted a grouping of assorted candy out in front of me. My eyes immediately went to the bag of Raisinets hanging there looking at me longingly. (See the previous post about my love affair with this chocolate-covered raisin candy where I began stabbing the package in my car to get it open!) I took a deep breath and proceeded with the check-out ignoring this craving for these chocolate morsels. As I got into my car, I was proud of myself for not giving in to this little obsession of mine.

I ran into Target for a quick item purchase...only to be confronted with an enormous Valentine candy display. I tried to ignore it, but, of course, there were my favorite Raisinets in a Valentine decorated bag. Thinking about trying to cut out sweets to keep my weight under control, I hurriedly move past the display. ....phew...

On to my last stop, Best Buy, to purchase some more memory for my camera. Memory card in hand, I head to the cashier. Again I am face to face with an appealing display of candy and, yep, Raisinets. The temptation was just too much at this point. Clutching the delectable bag of Raisinets in my hand, I proceed to the check-out area.

I head to my car and barely get inside before I am ripping open the bag and devouring half of it's contents!

I must confess that when I got home, I finished off the rest of the bag.

"Hi, my name is Grammie, and I am a Raisinet-aholic".....

Remembering....

Martin Luther King

January 15,1929-April 4, 1968

"And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

(from "I Have A Dream" speech)

SHOWIN' OWEN it's SNOWIN'

Why is Daddy trying to eat the snow?

Are you cold, Mommy?

Today's walk

Dave pressure washed the entire back yard for me today. He offered to do this twice-a-year chore for me, and I was very appreciative to say the least!

The bricks surrounding the concrete patio had ample green moss growing on them, and the patio was pretty black.

He worked on it for several hours and looked almost as dirty as the area that he had just cleaned when he was done! I taped notes to the windows near where he was working to tell him how grateful I was for his help. As he was working away, I noticed him smile every once in a while as he read the notes.

So, while he was busily cleaning the patio, I guiltily snuck away for my morning walk.

It was an absolutely magnificent day here in Birmingham with the mild temps and abundant sunshine.

As I started up the "no talking zone" hill (so named due to its steepness-- making it quite difficult to hold a conversation as you head up to the top) I came upon my friend, Cathy, sitting outside with one granddaughter on her lap drinking from a bottle and the other one happily playing on the swingset. She is one of my very lucky girlfriends who has her grandchildren living here in Birmingham. I stayed and chatted for a while until I was sufficiently over my being quite envious : ) and ready to move on and continue my walk.

I had my cell phone with me as I sometimes find it convenient to do some catching up while getting this morning exercise. Other times I just enjoy listening to the radio...or just walking and breathing deeply. Sometimes when I pass people on the way they think that I am talking to myself as they do not always see the ear piece and the dangling wire. "Crazy lady", they must mutter as they walk by me.

As I continued walking I came upon another girlfriend walking briskly and pushing a stroller down the road. Her daughter and granddaughter were in town for a visit and they were taking advantage of the warm weather and taking a walk. I ended up walking back down the street with them as we talked about the joys of being grandma's and oohed and ahhed over her adorable grandbaby. I excitedly told them about my little Owen and his upcoming visit. It was nice catching up with her and sharing this new role that we had both assumed, as I don't get to see her very often.

Leaving them and back on my own again, I began to think how easily this life passage had come to be with me and my contemporaries. We were all experiencing this joyous stage of "grandparenting" as though it was completely natural and commonplace. But, when I really think about it, it is kind of strange.

These friends of mine have been with me on my journey as a new wife, teacher, mother of two sons, an empty-nester, a divorced woman, and now a new grandma. Suddenly we have made a full circle through our differing life's happenings as we are brought back together again with this recently acquired commonality.

It's funny how we fall so easily into our new roles as they occur in our lives. It kind of happens when your not really paying attention. All of a sudden, we are the oldest of this little group made up of our children and their children. How did this happen so quickly?

It is a bit strange, but absolutely wonderful all at the same time.

: )

Minneapolis snow...

Oscar and Jenny

The cold air is coming in !!

In Minnesota, the temperature dropped to 24 below zero around dawn Friday in Hallock, in the state's northwestern corner, the National Weather Service said. Winds up to 25 mph made it feel closer to 40 below zero in much of western Minnesota.

I was just reading the news this morning on the computer and copied the above quote about the weather in Minnesota.

So much for global warming!!! : 0

Even though my kids live in a more southern section of Minnesota, I imagine that they must still be getting chilly temps this morning!

Ironically, the pictures that I had decided to post today were of a recent snow that they had there. Adam had taken these shots in his backyard and I thought that they were definitely 'blog-worthy'. I love how he captured the beauty of the snow day. My favorite one is where you see the tree shadow.

For those of you who have already seen enough snow this season to last a lifetime (like my friend, Tony, in Colorado!), sorry. But, for those of you who probably won't be seeing any of the white stuff in their cities this winter....enjoy the photos! : )

We are even due to get some very cold temperatures here in Birmingham by the first of next week (even though it is in the 70's today!)! Of course words like "icy conditions" , "freezing rain", and sleet have been quietly uttered by our local meteorologists... and that can't be good. I guess that I better be careful what I wish for....

Well, wherever you are, stay warm and enjoy the rest of the weekend! : )

Here are some updated photos of you-know-who!

I just can't get over how quickly he is growing and changing.

Only 21 more days until I can give him hugs in person!!!!

It almost looks like he is trying to grow a little mohawk!!

Isn't he a cutie?? : )

owen! owen! owen!