New Pictures

So our camera broke. After 5 and a half years of loyal pictures I am searching for another one. These are the last pictures I was able to salvage off it. Notice the decrease in quality.

Excerpt from Henri J.M. Nouwen

I really like this quote. I have been trying to steal back some time for reflection and prayer. This really hit home for me!

"Once we have committed ourselves to spending time in solitude, we develop an attentiveness to God's voice in us. In the beginning, during the first days, weeks, or even months, we may have the feeling that we are simply wasting our time. Time in solitude may at first seem little more than a time in which we are bombarded by thousands of thoughts and feelings that emerge from hidden areas of our minds. One of the early Christian writers describes the first stage of solitary prayer as the experience of a man who, after years of living with open doors, suddenly decides to shut them. The visitors who used to come and enter his home start pounding on his doors, wondering why they are not allowed to enter. Only when they realize that they are not welcome do they gradually stop coming. This is the experience of anyone who decides to enter into solitude after a life without much spiritual discipline. At first, the many distractions keep presenting themselves. Later, as they receive less and less attention, they slowly withdraw."

The Playroom Project

New door in Hannah's room.

View of the door from the attic.

Getting ready to install the window. The wood is there so they don't fall out.

Framing the walls and ceiling.

Hannah already loves her new playroom.

Some pictures of sweet Charis.

Confession of a Computer Addict

Well, life had been crazy lately. I think part of the problem was information overload... mostly from the computer. I love Facebook, but my brain just can't keep up with what over 300 people are doing in their everyday life. I also was reading a bunch of money saving blogs. They give you tips on great deals for the day and how you can get items for free. It is really a great resource, but they post about 20 deals a day. There is no way I can keep track of that many deals and in fact it makes me feel like every time I buy something for full price, I have failed. One women buys all of her groceries for $40 a week-- sometimes less. I have just come to the conclusion that I cannot possibly do that. So I am taking a fast from Facebook and I think I am going to unsubscribe to my money saving blogs. I hate to do it because I really do find some good tips on there. I guess I just don't want my whole life to be about saving money. Next thing I want to try is to only check my email twice a day. Just thinking about it gives me a bad feeling. I think I really am addicted to all of this stuff. In all my spare moments, I want to run to the computer. So I this is kind of like my confession. Part of the reason I love all of these things is that it keeps me in touch and I love that. But I think I can keep in touch in a more healthy way by having set times in the day when I am on the computer. So, I will probably be back on Facebook in a week, but with more boundaries. Life has already been made simpler without it.

My next post will be pictures of our new addition to the house! Brian and Papa got the door, floor joists, and window in. They will start framing the walls today.

Life!

The house is increasingly harder to manage. Something always is out of place or needs to be done. Our flower bed is a bed of weeds that continue to grow. Toys are missing pieces and are invading our living room. Our back yard is a jungle and until Sunday the grass was up to our knees. Brian assures me he got a "look" from our neighbors. We haven't exercised in a while, but that is okay because we don't have time to eat either. I have about 10 TV programs I have recorded that I will never have time to watch. My Bible reading plan remains untouched. The air conditioning in my car is acting funny. I could list a million other things.

BUT... I have two wonderful little girls I get to spend time with everyday. I am convinced Charis is ofter trying to talk to me, and her smile lights up my life. Hannah is a bundle of energy that I can hardly keep up with, but the things she says brings joy to my heart. This morning on the way to Pre-School she was quietly singing Jesus Loves Me to herself. That brings tears to my eyes. I love Hannah in her little pigtails and I will always remember her with them. I am so proud and happy God has allowed me to raise these precious angels. I have a wonderful husband who is my partner, best friend and the love of my life (although we are in desperate need of rekindling that aspect since having a second child).

AND... I did get the kids in cute matching clothes TWICE last week.

Oh yeah, Hannah made me a Mother's Day necklace at school. I was so excited and told her I was going to wear it. She replies, "No, I am going to wear it".

Charis

Easter

Duke Gardens

Well it was tough getting out the door, but the tulips are only in season for a short time-- so we did it anyway... here are the pictures.

Our Latest Addition

You know you are really behind on your blog when you forget the web address of it:) The only reason I have time to write is that Hannah is in Pre-school and I am making it a priority over sleep and cleaning... although I must admit it is not hard to make it a priority over cleaning. Charis Elizabeth Taylor is the latest addition to our family. Her arrival has reminded me how much I used to blog right before and around the time that Hannah was born. I hate for Charis not to get any coverage. She was born March 7, 2009 at 4:45pm and weighed 8 lbs. and 4 oz. I will say a few words about her name. I have been advocating a Greek name for a while, and Charis is the Greek word for grace. For me it is a constant reminder of the grace (divine favor) God has lavished on His children. I always think of the verse (my own memorized version so sorry if it is not exact) By grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God not as a result of works so that no one can boast. Our salvation is a complete gift from God just as Charis is a gift to us. I did not make her or deserve her, but God blesses us with her anyway by His Goodness. In the same way, we have not earned our salvation, it is a complete unmerited gift by His grace. I need this reminder on a daily basis!!!

We are so happy that Charis has arrived safe. Leading up to her delivery all of us were sick to some extent and a little anxious. Thankfully Hannah recovered before Charis was born and returned to normal. Brian and I were still getting over colds, but thankfully suffered the worst of it before she came. You know you are sick when every nurse that sees y0u asks you if you want some cold medicine. Thankfully God answered our prayers and Hannah had a place to go while we were at the hospital. I also was able to get the antibiotics I needed without having an allergic reaction (I am allergic to a ton of antibiotics). Nana and Papa made one of their whirlwind trips to see us again and were very helpful with Hannah. Then, Gramzy and Popsy were able to come for a week. They were very helpful and cooked, did dishes, and added extra hands and love... Thanks!

We are still adjusting to life, but I am so happy with our family of four. I couldn't ask for a better husband, and I am so thankful that he is such a good father to our daughters and husband to me. Brian has been juggling work and home life, and I hope he remains stable through it all:) So far so good. Him and Hannah have had tons of time together lately. He definitely deserves a big award from all of us.

Nana, Papa, Allison, Luke, and Kallie are coming up today for the weekend. We are super excited to see them.

Well, not the greatest post in the world, but something nevertheless. Not sure when the next post will come.

New York- so far

Just in case I don't get another chance to write... here is what we have done so far.

Friday we arrived safely after the crazy cab ride to the Hilton Times Square. We love this hotel!!! After 3 weeks of sleeping in a full size bed in Florida, the king size bed here is like heaven. We went out with Brian's co-workers to a family style Italian restaurant for one of his co-workers 25 years at IBM celebration... no wine for me though:(

Saturday we had a great breakfast at the hotel with some vouchers some one gave us. The bill would have been $60 just for breakfast- it was really yummy. Brian had to work, so I went to the Metropolitan Museum in the snow. It was magical and I felt my soul filling up as I walked. I love that museum and I have decided it is my favorite one in the world. History, Art, Afternooon Tea- what more could you ask for. I stopped at Barnes and Noble to pick up the first book in the Twilight series. Then I headed over to the Wicked theatre to try to win $25 tickets in the raffle. No luck, so I picked up $30 tickets to Mary Poppins 2 hours before the show. Brian came home and we went. It was awesome and now Brian is singing Mary Poppins non-stop:)

Yesterday we got up early and went to church at Redeemer Presbyterian. Tim Keller is such an amazing teacher. We talked about his sermon through most of dinner it was so good. Brian had to head to work, so I went to the Frick Museum. I spent the afternoon in the heavenly bed reading and then Brian and I went to dinner and to Laura and Brad apartment in W. Central Park- after we picked up some Junior's cheesecake to bring with us. We had a great time talking with them, and stayed up way to late.

So today, Brian is off at work. I am about to use our last breakfast voucher and head over to the UN to see if I can get on a tour. Tonight we have tickets to David Letterman and might try to go to the Bar American (a Bobby Flay restaurant).

December Update

I have 20 minutes to write a few things before I have to leave to go to Hannah's Pre-school Christmas performance. December has flown by, but we have been blessed in the midst of the busyness. The whole Gross family came to visit for Thanksgiving and Brian had the whole week off. We spent the week relaxing and getting house projects done. Everything was low stress and Hannah had a great time with Gramzy, Popsy, Poco, and Uncle Frank. My mom's sister Anne was able to visit us and the last night Ross and Liz came over for dinner. I always enjoy having a house full of people. December has been busy with Christmas events and Brian getting ready for a big show in New York. Some of the highlights were the Christmas Cantata at church, having our Bible Study over for dessert and Christmas Carols, Erin's Cookie Exchange, decorating the tree for the first time with Hannah, doing the Jesse Tree (an advent calendar that I made), and watching Hannah open up her presents (she is still just a little too young to really get it, but she had a lot of fun). I think Hannah liked her Animal Crackers more than her new dollhouse. Brian put a lot of work into a little MP3 player for Hannah. We recorded some of her favorite songs for her to listen to whenever she wants. It is great because it is very toddler friendly- only 4 buttons. Brian is now preparing for an annual retail show that will take place in New York City in January. It is always a lot of work, but very rewarding at the same time. Most of his co-workers bring their families to this show. Last year I brought Hannah, but this year I am going and Hannah will be staying with Nana and Papa. I just could not imagine being 7 months pregnant and going all over New York with Hannah in the cold. I did get a ticket to go to the Martha Stewart Show while I am there. I have always wanted to go to a TV show! Finally, we are heading to Florida to spend time with our families and can't wait!

Durham Christmas

It's Great to be a Florida Gator

Family Update

Well, I have a little time to write because I spent all afternoon trying to get Hannah to take a nap and she finally feel asleep. This is the first nap she has taken all week! I figured out today that I have to stand at her door and make sure she is laying down, or she won't go to sleep. I am guessing all the other days she has just popped up out of bed the second I closed her door. I am just happy we are having this problem this week instead of last week when Brian was in France. Brian went to Cannes, France all last week for a conference. He gave two presentations to IBM European employees. I got to view a few of his pictures (or rather his boss's pictures), and his hotel view looked awesome. We are also racking up the frequent flyer miles! Thankfully Carla spent a few days with us while he was gone to help make his absence go faster. Carla went with me to get my eyebrows waxed for the first time. I was so nervous that they were going to take off all my eyebrows, but I really like how they came out. We also got to go out one night and we went to spin class one morning. It was so fun! Hannah is very busy these days (so busy she doesn't want to take her nap:)). She loves pre-school and talks about the kids in her class all the time. She can name all of them, and I often hear her talking about them in her bed. She also doesn't have time to eat very much, but she will stop for fruit snacks or cookies. The other thing is that she LOVES to sing. She can sing her ABC's, Annie, Jesus loves me, a few songs from the radio, Jingle Bells, Mary had a little lamb, Ba Ba Black Sheep, and a ton more. It is so precious to hear her little voice singing. I hope she grows up to really love singing. It is easy to want the best for your child- the best school, the best career, success, comfort, fashion, a good life, etc. (especially during troubling economic times) I was reminded today as I took a walk that wanting her to walk in God's ways is the best life that she can have. That should be my number 1 desire for her! That should be MY number 1 desire for myself! Well, we are all excited because Brian has all next week off. I hope it will be a time of refreshment for him. My parents and Franklin are coming to spend Thanksgiving with us and my aunt Anne will join us on Friday... oh yeah and I can't forget to mention that Poco is coming too:)

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness, because of Thy truth."

Trick or Treat