The toughest job in the world?

     So last night while wrapping presents I flipped between yet another made -for-TV wonder on FaLaLaLaLifetime and Oprah's White House Christmas with the Obamas. It was a fun/political/Oprah adore-fest interview with two really personable (and photogenic) people. But my favorite part was towards the end. Oprah was asking about what they missed about their old life. They said it was only about five years ago that they were living in a small condo with the two little girls.

     Then Obama kind of pauses and says (paraphrase) "Wow, those ages when the kids are young. Its tough. I mean they're beautiful but wow. The diapers. It's a lot." 

     Michelle is just looking fabulous and unflustered (this is how all women view other women we only know one-dimensionally, have you noticed? - as perfect) But Obama really looked tired just thinking about those pre-school years. WHAT? The man who managed to win the most historic election ever and now is leader of the free world in one of the roughest eras ever...daunted by small children?!  For one brief TV moment, I was my own hero. Thanks O. 

Already, not yet.

My sophomore year in college I took a class called Christian Origins. I still remember wonderful, gentle, ruthlessly grading Professor Daise, dressed fully in Banana Republic linen, explaining the eschatology of Jesus to be the "Already, not yet" eschatology. He had come. He had fulfilled prophesy. The kingdom of God was upon us. But more was to come. The kingdom of God was coming. The kingdom was already here. The kingdom was not yet here. The tension remains. 

I can wrap my mind and my heart around this. Especially this time of year. He has come. Joy to the world. He is coming. We still wait in "fear and ever-pining." A dear family in our church lost their father and husband last week suddenly. The community that has surrounded them has been powerful and moving to see. Their faith in the face of unspeakable tragedy has challenged me greatly. He is here - already. The pain, the suffering, the loss are incredibly palpable and heart-breaking. Is He here? - not yet. 

I hope this Christmas you find a moment of peace and joy. I hope you get some great stuff. I pray that all around you see signs that He is here already. But in your darkness, and sadness, and amidst all that yucky crap that comes by way of being human - take heart. The best is yet to come. 

 Merry  Christmas. 

Imagination meets Consumerism...

Sophia: Look Mommy the moon!

Nina: I see it!

Sophia: Mommy, the moon has treasure!

Nina: (aww) What treasure does the moon have Sophia?

Sophia: A gift card!

oh dear.

Good Times Ahead!

Oh the comfort I take in  my oldest friends... I call this category of friend "Those Who Knew Me the First Time I had Bangs...and Loved Me Anyways..." (Yes, Daniel, due to your mocking and comments about the McDonalds arches, you are omitted) Even as Mariah is so far away in South Africa she brings such joy - yes, through a forwarded g-chat. Note the following exchange between Mariah and Erin this week:

Mariah : Can you imagine knowing each other at 75 or 80? That is going to be hilarious. If we outlive our husbands and our children won't take us, let's promise to live in a house at the beach - just the three of us. Just like it was in the beginning. 

Erin: I think this is a grand idea! Yes, please! We can take care of each other!

Mariah: That gives me something to look forward to!

Erin: Me too!

Mariah: It's a deal. We have to tell Nina. She doesn't have a choice.

Erin: Sounds good. I might have dementia. She might have Alzheimer's.

Mariah: That's okay. I'll probably have cancer.

Erin: The only sane one. Ha.

Mariah: Well, I don't know about sane. But certainly a good time...How was your day today?

Grand Illumination

All bundled up...This was Olivia's first trip to G.I. She was entranced by the fireworks just like she is by TV. 

There is so much love in my girls' lives. Tara and Ali carried Sophia the whole way...

Williamsburg was grandly illuminated last Sunday night by an incredible fireworks show and...candles in the windows. Clark Griswold is not welcome in this town. There is even an unspoken rule in the historic area against colored lights. Our neighbors are currently breaking this rule. I applaud them. Go rogue. 

Over the RIver and Through the Woods...

This picture is slightly disturbing. 

Sophia loved the green house!

Since we've been in Williamsburg we have headed out to an Ulster-American Garden Center to purchase our Christmas tree. We don't cut it down. They actually don't even grow them there. But it's about a 20 minute drive and we feel rural and we really like the family that owns it. Ulster is used to describe immigrants from a certain area of Northen Ireland. Very exotic. Very cool accents. 

Three years...

Well three years ago tonight, I was lying in a recovery room wondering why no  one was speaking english, and what bizarre culture considered ice chips to be a reasonable meal option. Travis was somewhere holding Sophia wondering why she didn't have any teeth. In an amazing surgical moment, we had gone from a couple of two to a family of three, "Tyrone Simone"  turned out to be a 9lb plus GIRL and our lives have never been the same. Sophia claims that today she is three and next year on her birthday she will be eight. And that probably won't be too far from how it feels...John Lennon says "Life is what happens while you are making other plans" Well, Sophia happened while we were making other plans, we adjusted, and its amazing to look back over the trajectory of our lives in three years.  And you know I am feeling sentimental when I include a picture of me on an operating table...Did you know that  morphine makes you itch? Sadly my most emotional memories from this life-changing, yet very unnataural birth was of begging the anesthesiologist to scratch my nose. 

We had a great day of celebration including celebrity guests at Sophia's class, and a trip to the ice skating rink. I will post pictures soon. And a big shout out to Avery and Joel Solomon - Baby Aidan made his much anticipated entrance this morning - and Avery is probably out jogging with him in the BOB right now - she is amazing.  Two 107 babies born on December 16th!