We ALMOST went to the Met

Yes, that's the kids and me in front of the Metropolitan Opera, the most famous opera house in the world.

And there's Chris with the kids, too.

We got up Friday morning, got dressed up a little (much to Jordan's dismay), and took the train into the city to go to the dress rehearsal of La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera!!! These dress rehearsals are not open to the public, we had to be invited. Chris made a new aquaintance recently that invited us to come.

We were so excited!!!!!!! This is seriously one of my life dreams.....to see an opera at the Met! It was about to come true!! I couldn't hardly wait!!!

Then we found out we were there on the wrong day..........


So we went to the museum.

If You Can't Find Me.......

.......I just might be buried under my son's toys.

He used his beach towel to make an ocean scene with all of his Playmobil sea sets.




Then he and Emily "discovered" these spiders that just hatched from their eggs.

Wow. The things he (or should I say THEY) come up with.

Terhune Orchards

Howdy Ya'll!

Last night was Diversity Night at the kids' school. I signed up months ago to do something for Texas. We were the only family, out of a school of 800 kids, who signed up to do something from the USA, and we were so proud that we got to celebrate our Texas heritage!


I read "The Legend of the Bluebonnet" by Tomie DePaola. One of the best books ever, and not just because it is about Texas! It is a precious story.....my favorite part is when the people give the little girl her new name. She-Who-Is-Alone becomes She-Who-Dearly-Loved-Her-People. Beautiful. Reminds me of Jesus; I can find a parallel to Jesus in almost anything :)

Then we did a line dance, one that I taught my 4th and 5th graders in Lubbock. We danced to "I Love a Rainy Night" by Eddie Rabbitt. Such a fun song!! Did you know Eddie Rabbitt grew up in New Jersey?!?!

Lots of our sweet friends came to Diversity Night and stopped by the classroom we were in. Then we stopped at the pizza joint across the street with them. We were tired but had a great time!

My little helpers were great, sort of. We had to repeat our session 4 times. They got super tired and cranky after the second one. But Jaron was a great help standing out in the hallway saying, "Hi y'all! Come learn about Texas!" So cute!!! And Jordan's only interest was the international food set up in the cafeteria. She was mad she didn't get to sample any!!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love these two little boogers? They can be such pains, but at the end of the day, I wouldn't rather be with anyone else but them and Chris. I love their hugs and kisses and stinky morning breath and they way they play with their toys and their stories from school. As a matter of fact, one of the big stories around here has been the eggs in Jaron's classroom. They are hoping to have some little baby chicks next week. You know how much Jaron loves animals, he has been filling us with all sorts of information about oviparous animals, animals that hatch from eggs. The cutest bit of info we have received this week is that the baby eggs are staying in the "inky-vator". Love it. Love him. Love Jordan. Love Chris. Long live Texas!!!!!!

Choices

We have been anticipating another big blizzard-like snow storm for about a week. I think it's here. It isn't supposed to stop snowing until Friday night, it started last night. By the time it's all said and done, we will probably have 15+ inches again. And of course Central Jersey is right in the middle of the worst part of the storm. I was hoping and praying that it wouldn't snow at all, that school would not be canceled and that we would not be stuck at home again. We are big home-bodies, but when we can't even get out to go to the library, it can get a little frustrating.

However, things are a little different today. It is still snowing, the storm is still supposed to be really bad, but I have made a choice.

There are people all over this world, people even connected to my life in some way, that have faced, or are facing tremendous devastation in their lives. I am talking about people loosing their homes, not having clean water, food or adequate shelter. People who have been mistreated in ways we can't even fathom. People who are fighting cancer, who have had babies too early, who have lost their babies, who have lost spouses. And children who have had loving, giving parents and have had to say good bye......permanently. My heart breaks for people who are facing such heart-rending pain and loss. I wish that I could take their pain and suffering away forever....especially those who are close to me.

Since I am not the One with the power to do that, I have chosen to place my trust in the One who gives and takes away. The One who conquered death once and for all. The One who loves us unconditionally. The One who has kept my husband and my children, and allows me to hold them and touch them every single day. His name is Jesus...and He is my strength.

I have chosen not to gripe about the snow........ something that is causing all of us to be home together!! I am so thankful we have a warm home, food in the fridge, and health in our bodies. We can enjoy this day to the fullest, loving each other, and loving God. Thanks be to Him!!!!
On a nature walk this past weekend. Jaron is sporting the scarf I made!!! And Jordy is sporting her new sunglasses.

At the entrance to our complex, there is a huge sycamore tree.....we call it the Zaccheus Tree. (Zaccheus climbed the sycamore tree to see Jesus passing by). They love the Zaccheus Tree!!!

And......more snow..........again

Since Monday everyone has been preparing for this "Nor'eastern" coming our way. The snow started Tuesday night and didn't stop for 24 hours. And Wednesday afternoon, it turned into a blizzard with blinding, swirling wind and low visibilities. Crazy!!!!!!

So school was canceled, obviously, and the kids and I stayed indoors all day. Poor Chris still had to go to work.....the show must go on!

Jordan made herself an island paradise with her beach towels, umbrella, and iPod.

Jaron ran around pretending to be Super Mario.

We survived staying in all day......we just watched movies, played video games, played board games and cuddled. It was actually very nice.

This morning we woke up to the beautiful sun!!! And mounds of snow!!!!!!!!! This is the picture of the bus stop, guess no one is getting a ride today :)

This is a pile of snow the snow plows made trying to clear the road. Taller than the kids!

We walked over to the tennis courts, notice the snow is almost up to my knees.

We met up with friends and used the big mound of snow behind the bus stop to sled on!


I cannot have my phone or my camera without taking a picture of our sweet friend Emily!!

Jordan's friend Ameera took her little sister Sarah down the hill again and again.....

Jordan and Ameera slid down again and again.........

They had fun laughing and falling all over each other!

Emily's little brother Gabriel started throwing snowballs at Chris, so Chris started throwing them back. Gabriel just laughed and laughed at Mr. B!!!!

Emily joined the fun with her massive snowball.

I think they went down that hill every way possible.

Emily and Chris squaring-off with snowballs.

Mani, Ameera and Jordan making one more run down the hill!!! Jaron and Chris went home early to play video games, and when Jordan and I got home, we all crashed for a little bit. It was a really nice time!!!

Snow.................again.

Yes, we got two more feet of snow on Friday night and Saturday. And we are supposed to get more on Tuesday night and Wednesday. It is fun.........once. But then it gets old having to dig our cars out from under huge piles of snow. It also gets messy and we track in snow and salt every time we come in the apartment. And we can't go anywhere without putting on layers of clothes and gloves and hats and coats and scarves. BUT, BUT, BUT........we don't have to worry about suffering through any West Texas dust storms, so I will stop my griping about the snow now!!!!!


The great thing is, the kids love to play in the snow!


And eat it too!!!!



And roll around in it!!!!


And make snow angels!!!!!!

It is rather pretty, isn't it?