Just Chillin'

Rush County had a snow day today, so I got to have Matthew stay with me. I have always taken snow days literally... which means we stayed home, watched a little TV, played with some toys, and just chilled. Of course, chilly is an accurate description, since it was 9 degrees according to the Tahoe when I picked him up this morning. Brrrrr!

This is the view of the grill from our back door. No grilling tonight!

After a busy day playing and relaxing at home, Matthew and I headed for Seymour to meet Andrew and Darci. Matthew asked how long it would take to get there, and when I said it would be about an hour, enough time to take a little rest, he promptly went to sleep. He can go from talking to sleeping in about 2 seconds.

Speaking of chilly, we met for dinner at one of our favorites, Chili's.

Matthew started playing hard to get when I took out the camera...

but his daddy helped me get at least one picture of him! Don't worry, no children were injured in the shooting of this photo. :)

Matthew and Andrew enjoyed their favorites: chips and salsa, fries with ranch, and buffalo chicken with ranch.

Matthew wasn't sure he had any room on his dessert side, but he did manage a couple bites of another favorite of Andrew's, Paradise Pie. A perfect way to finish off our meal.

Andrew, Darci and Matthew headed to Louisville, and I headed back to the 'burg (keeping it on cruise control of course). Now we are just waiting for a phone call announcing a move by baby Haleigh. Darci has apparently given her an eviction notice, and is ready for her to be movin' on out. I can't really blame the little one for wanting to stay where she is... it's cold out here!

Feels Like Home

I headed to Indianapolis yesterday to make some returns, do some shopping with Jennifer, and visit Jamalyn and family in the new "green house."

When I got to Jennifer's, she greeted me at the door in a bit of a panic as she had just dropped her cell phone in the toilet. Thankfully, it was BEFORE, if you get my meaning. She had taken it apart and dried it with her hair dryer, and I told her that I have heard putting it in uncooked rice will remove the moisture. We headed for Marsh, bought a bag of rice and shoved the phone in. There were some signs of life throughout the evening, but I think it will be a couple days before we will know the prognosis.

After hitting Target, Home Goods, and Kohl's, we got a call from Jamalyn and headed their way. Their new home is just about ten minutes from Jennifer's. Margaret was excited to see us and took us right upstairs for the reveal of her new room. After we had our eyes securely closed, she threw open the door for the dramatic presentation. Almost like "move that bus!"

Here it is!! She has a beautiful new pink bed, and all her animals are carefully arranged in their new home.

Margaret wanted me to take a picture of Sidney, who was up on the bed to be a part of the room tour.

Dave and Jamalyn painted her dresser and dressing table white with pink trim to complete the perfect little girl room. It is fitting that the princess would have the first finished room in the house. Just a glimpse of what lies ahead... once a princess, always a princess.

Downstairs in the kitchen, Nana Lois was busy making supper. It'a a great kitchen, with center island and lots of counter space. I would keep Lois around to do all the cooking. I think they're calling her Julia.

They have a screened porch, which will be lots of fun in the summer. This picture shows the space between the house on the right, and the "rec room building" on the left. There is a garage sized building in the back which had been used as a workshop by the previous owners. Dave and Jamalyn had carpet installed, and will be able to use it as a place to entertain youth and families from their congregation. And their friends from Decatur/Rush county of course.

This is the rec room now. They still have a little organizing to do.

Nathan and David enjoy the new kitchen.

Nana Lois got Nathan this cute wagon for Christmas. Thankfully, she had the good sense to cover the original paint job with a more appropriate name. We will have to get her a sticker.

Jamalyn, Jennifer, and I went to Red Robin for dinner of burgers and bottomless fries. The food was good, but we were never quite sure who was actually waiting on us. The wait staff didn't seem to know either. We did get a visit at our table from the Robin himself (herself?).

Jennifer has a Red Robin Card that gives her credit for each burger she orders. Trouble is, she doesn't get burgers there since she likes their wraps. Jamalyn and I made the sacrifice and ordered burgers. I ordered this one, the chicken bruschetta burger. Can chicken be a burger?

Our meals came with bottomless fries. And fries. And fries. They just kept bringing them.

Book Club Monday

I have not done a very good job of keeping up with my book reviews. Maybe that should be a resolution for 2010. I have never been too keen on the whole resolution thing though, at least the part about making them only at the beginning of a new year. I think that every day provides the opportunity for a fresh start, not just January 1. No matter what broken road we've been down... last week, last month, last year... God is there every step of the way, making us stronger in our brokenness and giving us the courage to continue. Thanks to Pastor Jimmy Moore for reminding us that God is with us even when we find ourselves in a place we never imagined we would be.

That is just what happened to the author of the book we discussed today, Heart in the Right Place. Carolyn Jourdan was living life in the fast lane in Washington D.C. as an attorney on Capitol Hill when she was called home to east Tennessee to fill in for her mother as the receptionist in her physician father's office. She finds herself in a place she had not imagined spending her adult life, but a place that is comfortably, simply, refreshingly, home.

She tells the stories of her father's love for his patients, and their love for him. With compassion and humor, she allows us to experience the life of an old-fashioned, caring, country doctor. The doctor that not only knew his patient, but also knew "four generations of the patient's family and all his cousins too."

In addition to the stories she tells, the author shares bits of wisdom throughout the book. One of the characters in the book told Carolyn that "sometimes the best thing, the only thing, we can do for another person is just show up." I love that. So simple, and so true. Just show up.

Carolyn Jourdan is able to bring you right in the the office with her as she faces the challenges of each day. We feel her frustration, exasperation, and compassion as she reacquaints herself with the folks in her little community. When asked how she was able to observe another person's life properly, the author says simply, "by listening." She goes on to say, "To me the most significant thing in the world is observing the heroism of each individual's struggle to get on with life in the face of great obstacles." She recognizes the hero in each one of us, and allows us the opportunity to celebrate the heroism in everyday people.

We had a group of six for our book club today, and each of us enjoyed the book very much. We shared stories of a country doctor doing surgery in an upstairs bedroom of the house where Jessie lives, and of Norma's father being rushed to the hospital in the doctor's car. It seems that the doctor drove past his own house on the way, honked his horn to summon his wife outside, and shouted for her to call the hospital to tell them he was on his way with a patient. Kathleen told the story of assisting with the delivery of a baby in the back seat of a car in the hospital parking lot. Sarah enjoyed the part in the book that explained the origin of the word "testify." It is such a blessing to be with these women, and I love hearing their stories and sharing their wisdom. I think the title of the book is a prayer we share, to find our heart in the right place.

Happy PURDUE Year

We had a group of fourteen who made the trek on this cold, cold day to a sold-out Mackey Arena to cheer on our undefeated Boilers as they faced the also undefeated West Virginia Mountaineers. While we were expecting it to be a close one, we were hoping that the Boiler faithful would provide enough noise to give us that all-important home court advantage. With most of the students away from campus, it was great to see so many fans come out to support this team and to feel the excitement.

This is the view from our seats as the arena started to fill up. Yes, we were at the top. Well, there was one row behind us.

The band and the Paint Crew helped get the crowd fired up.

"Hail, hail to old Purdue."

The starting lineups are introduced and the Boilers huddle up. These guys are ready.

This little group of West Virginia fans was just behind us. The two little guys on the end were very enthusiastic about their team, although their favorite thing to say seemed to be "Boiler down." I guess it's easier to yell than any cheer involving the words, "West Virginia University Mountaineers." What a mouthful. As the game went on, and they continued their chants and cheers (jeers), Jon asked if he could say "score-board" to which I answered, "no, they're eight years old." We are good sports here in the Big Ten. They were pretty quiet by the end of the game, and I do hope they enjoyed their visit to Mackey Arena.

Halftime entertainment included Purdue Pete surfing across the floor.

Dustin and Jennifer.

Darci and Andrew.

David, Adam, and Jon. Not sure what's going on here.

Kristen and Kyle, friends of David and Shylah.

Shylah and her dad. Sitting waaaay down there. That's where David and Shylah normally sit.

Final score as shown with Purdue Pete on the jumbo-tron: Purdue 77, West Virginia 62. Great win for the Boilers!

The Stewart sibs celebrate the victory. A great start to 2010!

... And a Happy New Year

Our traditional Smith-Stewart New Year's Eve Bash has lost it's appeal to the young folks, so we celebrated NYE a day early with Daryl and Ruthann for a quiet dinner out. I guess it was bound to happen. Our kids have traded in an evening of cut throat Trivial Pursuit to celebrate with friends in a more "cosmopolitan" atmosphere. As it should be. I guess.

That left us the opportunity to celebrate the new year with Matthew, which seems right in the natural progression of things. Especially since our bedtimes are more in alignment with his than with the 20-somethings.

Jonathan was giving him some lessons on the finer points of FIFA soccer before Jon headed to PU.

Nana and Boomie invited us to join them for a family buffet at Hillcrest, and after the challenge of loading Nana and her bum leg in the Tahoe, we headed for Batesville. The Christmas tree at the club was beautiful, as was the buffet table, and we all enjoyed our dinner.

Matthew wanted to sit by Boomie, his favorite playmate.

He managed to find some lemons (and some limes) on the buffet table, which he ate with his usual enthusiasm.

The beef tenderloin was awesome.

Matthew enjoyed surveying the dessert table to make his selection. He decided on a large piece of chocolate cake. Good choice.

Sure looks tasty.

All smiles after a little (big) chocolate.

Nana even brought her favorite game, Farkle. She taught Matthew how to play it on Monday, and he took to it like a duck to water.

Dice are ready, pencil for keeping score, let's start! I must say, that we played this game on my first trip to Haiti, and I pretty much hate it. A lot. Way too much adding for me.

Nana told him it helps to blow on the dice.

I'm not sure if it's true,

but he did manage to roll a straight. That's like 6000 points. Or 600. Or something.

Our friend Judy-the-dog-lover took our picture before we headed home.

Matthew got his jammies on and settled in to watch the NYE celebration on TV. He was hoping to be the last man standing when the ball dropped. Here he is enjoying a commercial. Is there a resolution suggestion there?

Grandpa shows him something on his arm extension -- I mean his computer.

Matthew has become camera shy recently, and I have to work at catching him for a picture. Possibly due to the 8 million or so pictures I have taken of him over the course of his almost 6 years. Good thing his baby sister will be here soon to take some of the photo pressure off of him.

"No pictures, Granny!"

He didn't quite make it to see the ball drop, but he gave it a good try. The actual time on the clock will remain confidential in order to protect the innocent. What happens at Granny's stays at Granny's. :)

As we enter a new decade, we pray for peaceful days, good health, and the blessing of time spent with the ones we love. Happy 2010!