This makes all the shivering worth it! We got bundles of snow, and this morning called for sledding (after pancakes, of course)! Matty and Abby bought a sled yesterday in preparation for today's fun. And What Fun! Check out the flickr photos--they say it all!
December 20, 2009
December 16, 2009
First Snow!
We had our first snow! The kiddos had so much fun making snow balls and feeling the snow fall on their faces. Noah wasn't sure if he wanted to go outside in the white stuff--it seemed scary--but as soon as he saw Abby out there giggling, he went for it and had a blast.
This pic is taken from the back yard, looking at the back deck. Straight ahead is the breakfast room and kitchen; to the right, that big window is the side of our family room. The little house in the picture is a garden shed right now, but we are thinking of converting it to a playhouse for the kids. Apparently our backyard will be blooming with bulbs and wildflowers in the spring, according to our neighbor who was friends with the previous owner. We're excited to see what pops up!
This pic is taken from the back yard, looking at the back deck. Straight ahead is the breakfast room and kitchen; to the right, that big window is the side of our family room. The little house in the picture is a garden shed right now, but we are thinking of converting it to a playhouse for the kids. Apparently our backyard will be blooming with bulbs and wildflowers in the spring, according to our neighbor who was friends with the previous owner. We're excited to see what pops up!
home sweet home
So we have made the big move and we're settling in well to our new home. We LOVE it! The picture you see here is taken of Noah standing in the window of our living room. It has a lovely picture window looking out at our front lawn, which has a big tree in it. The color of the wood is about the same color as our floors, which REALLY need rugs on them so we don't freeze! See those trash cans by the street? We own those and the trash guys come pick up our trash twice a week and everything! It is very cool to not have to haul every bag to a dumpster half a block away. :) Keep an eye out for more pics on the flickr stream--I am going to post them soon.
We're starting to feel at home here. There is a great rhythm to this place, especially since we opted not to get cable! We hang out in almost every room, and when we watch a show in the family room, it feels special and cozy.
The commute is easier for Matthew now that we are closer to work, and after the holiday break, Abby will start going to school right down the street. So, all is well here. We'll be staying here for Christmas, which should be fun. Maybe I can talk Matty into firing up our fireplace! We haven't tried that yet. More to come...
We're starting to feel at home here. There is a great rhythm to this place, especially since we opted not to get cable! We hang out in almost every room, and when we watch a show in the family room, it feels special and cozy.
The commute is easier for Matthew now that we are closer to work, and after the holiday break, Abby will start going to school right down the street. So, all is well here. We'll be staying here for Christmas, which should be fun. Maybe I can talk Matty into firing up our fireplace! We haven't tried that yet. More to come...
Figaro
We welcomed Figaro home last night--yes, Abby finally finally finally has a pet! This morning when we went to check on them, Figs was in Abby's bed, snuggled and warm. Abby says he has puppy eyes, "like a little beggar" she declared last night.
Figgie Pudding is about 10 weeks old, we think. He is very good natured, playful, and friendly--even with Noah who clobbers him with love and with toys. I am thankful that we got this sweet little guy and that he seems already to fit in with our family quite nicely. Most of all, I am happy to see Abby taking such delight in her pet. And, while he is a family pet, he really is hers. This is Abby's first chance to learn about responsibility, tending to another little creature, etc. in a way that she can really own. She's so ready, and she is in love with this rascal already.
We all love that he looks as though he has no idea what color he is meant to be--like maybe he was brown, then decided to be white, then he dipped his nose in some chocolate. He's a mut, and he's so sweet. Welcome home, Figaro--you are one lucky little dude.
Figgie Pudding is about 10 weeks old, we think. He is very good natured, playful, and friendly--even with Noah who clobbers him with love and with toys. I am thankful that we got this sweet little guy and that he seems already to fit in with our family quite nicely. Most of all, I am happy to see Abby taking such delight in her pet. And, while he is a family pet, he really is hers. This is Abby's first chance to learn about responsibility, tending to another little creature, etc. in a way that she can really own. She's so ready, and she is in love with this rascal already.
We all love that he looks as though he has no idea what color he is meant to be--like maybe he was brown, then decided to be white, then he dipped his nose in some chocolate. He's a mut, and he's so sweet. Welcome home, Figaro--you are one lucky little dude.
November 14, 2009
packing and laughing
We are packing our stuff up to move again. This time will be easier since we never fully unpacked from Davis. But we move on the 21st! That's about all here, but I thought I would share some of the things the kids have said lately:
Abby is not a fan of Halloween. She is so scared of the costume masks and makeup and she didn't want to go to school on Halloween Friday. I tried to coax her. It didn't work. She went to school only because we came up with a sweet princess outfit for her--a fancy skirt I had nearly finished for her in Davis, and a really lovely crown from Michaels (which was slightly damaged so i got it for 4 bucks! and fixed it in about 30 seconds). Anyway, here was a little of our conversation:
G: Abby, you really might want to go to school; you are having a class party!
A: I would rather stay home and feel cozy and hang out with you than be terrified AND have a belly ache from the sugar.
Noah has been saying all kinds of funny stuff...
*When his hand wouldn't go through his sleeve: "What's up with that?"
*When he saw daddy sitting on the floor, he ran up to him and said: "Daddy. Best. Friend." (I thought Matthew was going to cry). Matty replied: "That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard!"
Tonight he busted this out: "Get me a beer."
While eating a cupcake: "Best cupcake ever seen!"
Oh, and Matthew made me laugh while we were browsing in a bookstore and passed the Shakespeare section. I commented that I actually like Troilus and Cressida, and he said: "Oh, is that a new release?"
And when I commented to Noah (after he ate a treat with blue frosting), "Noah, you have the bluest mouth!" Matthew followed with: "Didn't Tony Morrison write about that?"
Alright, so those last two were literary and made me crack up, but if you don't get why they are funny, no worries. They were just little ways of Matty reminding me that he cares about stuff I like. Sort of like when I use econ-speak to communicate with him.
Abby is not a fan of Halloween. She is so scared of the costume masks and makeup and she didn't want to go to school on Halloween Friday. I tried to coax her. It didn't work. She went to school only because we came up with a sweet princess outfit for her--a fancy skirt I had nearly finished for her in Davis, and a really lovely crown from Michaels (which was slightly damaged so i got it for 4 bucks! and fixed it in about 30 seconds). Anyway, here was a little of our conversation:
G: Abby, you really might want to go to school; you are having a class party!
A: I would rather stay home and feel cozy and hang out with you than be terrified AND have a belly ache from the sugar.
Noah has been saying all kinds of funny stuff...
*When his hand wouldn't go through his sleeve: "What's up with that?"
*When he saw daddy sitting on the floor, he ran up to him and said: "Daddy. Best. Friend." (I thought Matthew was going to cry). Matty replied: "That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard!"
Tonight he busted this out: "Get me a beer."
While eating a cupcake: "Best cupcake ever seen!"
Oh, and Matthew made me laugh while we were browsing in a bookstore and passed the Shakespeare section. I commented that I actually like Troilus and Cressida, and he said: "Oh, is that a new release?"
And when I commented to Noah (after he ate a treat with blue frosting), "Noah, you have the bluest mouth!" Matthew followed with: "Didn't Tony Morrison write about that?"
Alright, so those last two were literary and made me crack up, but if you don't get why they are funny, no worries. They were just little ways of Matty reminding me that he cares about stuff I like. Sort of like when I use econ-speak to communicate with him.
November 2, 2009
freaking out
This was going to be a cute family pic, taken by Matthew's Aunt Maria while she visited us last weekend. Problem: one HUGE SPIDER in this tree (my head is itching just thinking about it). I just about knocked poor Abby out of the tree as I tried to position myself to jump down without breaking an ankle or my teeth or something. It was not my finest moment as a mother, and Abby was mad at me but we've patched things up and I am NOT climbing in any trees without a thorough investigation for arachnids.
Shudder.
Oh yes, notice Matthew's face? Yeah. That's him LAUGHING as I nearly die of a heart attack.
Shudder.
Oh yes, notice Matthew's face? Yeah. That's him LAUGHING as I nearly die of a heart attack.
caught
Bean head threw this school bus in the potty. "Uh oh! Uh Oh! Cool bus in potty!" Notice the TP pulled down too. Thankfully he did not flush it. THat could have been expensive.
One of these days the potty will be enticing for the right reasons, but for now it is just a big novelty to Noah, who prefers to go potty in a diaper, thank you very much.
One of these days the potty will be enticing for the right reasons, but for now it is just a big novelty to Noah, who prefers to go potty in a diaper, thank you very much.
more news
I don't have a picture of it on my computer at the moment, so you'll have to look at the four of us and just imagine us in OUR NEW HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm a little excited about this: we have bought a home in Princeton. We close November 18th and move in between then and Nov 22nd...JUST in time for the Maynors to arrive for Thanksgiving! Guys, it may be like camping, but that's nothing new to us, right?
This house story actually HAS a story, and it is a God thing. We never expected to find a home as quickly as we did--I mean one we could afford. There are PLENTY of gorgeous homes in Princeton, but they have way too many zeros attached to their price tags. But we thought it wise to just look and get a sense of the neighborhoods, the town, traffic patterns, and the types of homes available here. We went out one Saturday (my friend, Karen, whom I knew from seminary and who lives here!!) watched the kids while we toured 6 homes with our real estate agent (and Matthew's boss' wife). Lots of the places were disappointing for different reasons, but mostly because I started to realize that we wouldn't be able to buy anything cute. The last place we saw was an add-on to our trip, and was just so that we could see what was available in the 50K ABOVE our max price range. Matthew kept checking the price b/c he thought the place should be even more expensive than it was, but we found out that they had dropped their price by 100K just weeks before. That didn't help our spirits much--that just meant they had gone as low as they could go.
Anyway, we walked up to this monochromatic 3/2 ranch home with a lovely front bay window. The minute we stepped in the front door, Matthew and I were both giddy. It was SO SO lovely! I have not felt that much like a wide-eyed kid in ages. It felt like we couldn't see the home fast enough! The hard wood floors, the light streaming in through big windows all around us. The perfectly cozy layout of 3 bedrooms nestled on one side of the house and away from the main living/dining room/family room. Then the back deck and amazing backyard with trees reaching up to the sky like a cathedral's walls. It was all just wonderful. And I kept thinking, I could see us here. This is US! It feels like home to me. Excitement gave way as we remembered that this house was not in our budget. So we left thinking that it sure would be amazing if there were some way for the sellers to--for some strange reason--really want US to have it.
Next morning at church. After a great service, we are hanging out and the kids are having bagels. I decide to go get a bagel too. When I looked up, I saw this lady who seemed so kind and welcoming, so I said "hello, I'm Genna. We just moved to Princeton," We chatted for about 30 seconds before she asked where we live; I told her; then I did something out of character (b/c I'm kind of introverted and had no reason to do this): I told her about the house we saw. And I said: "It's on ... street, but you probably haven't heard of it." But she had. In fact, one of her best friends lives on that street. But not just ON that street, right across the street from the house we wanted! So she gave me her friend's number and we parted ways.
I called that number, and told "Donna" that we had looked at the house across the street and she was giddy! She has a daughter my age with a grandson Noah's age and thought we'd be the best neighbors, AND the lady selling the house just happens to be a dear friend!! She said: "I've got to call Janet and tell her she must sell to the Pearsons!"
Monday afternoon, we're playing at a sandbox in this park and my cell phone rings. It is the owner of the house! She invites us to have lunch there the following Sunday after church. By this time, we are trying so hard to swallow our excitement, knowing the house is still out of our league, money wise. But this kind of thing doesn't happen very often: the seller calls US and invites us for lunch?? Fast forward to Sunday: we had a great lunch and Abby and Noah were angels. Even giving hugs, unprompted, to the seller (who is 83) and her daughter (in her 50s). We left and prayed.
We decided that we would make the best offer we could. and I mean our best good-faith offer, which we could not top. And this offer was a full 50K less than their current asking price (which was 100K less than their original). We just prayed that if it was meant to be, they would say yes. If not, then no.
Even after turning down another, higher offer, they accepted our offer as is because they thought we were meant to be there. The daughter said "I believe in God and I believe God wants your family to live in this home. Enjoy it. Love those kiddos in this house, and maybe someday you will get to do something generous for someone else."
We are still stunned. We can't believe we will get to own a home. Oh, and then we get an email from our real estate lawyer guy that tells us the seller forgot she had a second lot behind the home (this big forested area). She's including that in the sale price of the home. So not only do we have a great house, but we have a forest too. The kids are going to LOVE IT! Matthew is planning to put up a zip line and they might make a tree house too. It feels too good to be true, but it is happening, and we are so grateful. You have no idea how excited Matthew is and how much time he spends dreaming about the home projects he gets to do. This is seriously his kind of thing!! We couldn't imagine a blessing like this one. Thank you Jesus! (Inside I feel like a big, beautiful african american woman, tears streaming down my face, while I hug Oprah for giving me a house, except it's Jesus I'm hugging, and I'm a small white person, but you get the feeling, right?). :)
I'm a little excited about this: we have bought a home in Princeton. We close November 18th and move in between then and Nov 22nd...JUST in time for the Maynors to arrive for Thanksgiving! Guys, it may be like camping, but that's nothing new to us, right?
This house story actually HAS a story, and it is a God thing. We never expected to find a home as quickly as we did--I mean one we could afford. There are PLENTY of gorgeous homes in Princeton, but they have way too many zeros attached to their price tags. But we thought it wise to just look and get a sense of the neighborhoods, the town, traffic patterns, and the types of homes available here. We went out one Saturday (my friend, Karen, whom I knew from seminary and who lives here!!) watched the kids while we toured 6 homes with our real estate agent (and Matthew's boss' wife). Lots of the places were disappointing for different reasons, but mostly because I started to realize that we wouldn't be able to buy anything cute. The last place we saw was an add-on to our trip, and was just so that we could see what was available in the 50K ABOVE our max price range. Matthew kept checking the price b/c he thought the place should be even more expensive than it was, but we found out that they had dropped their price by 100K just weeks before. That didn't help our spirits much--that just meant they had gone as low as they could go.
Anyway, we walked up to this monochromatic 3/2 ranch home with a lovely front bay window. The minute we stepped in the front door, Matthew and I were both giddy. It was SO SO lovely! I have not felt that much like a wide-eyed kid in ages. It felt like we couldn't see the home fast enough! The hard wood floors, the light streaming in through big windows all around us. The perfectly cozy layout of 3 bedrooms nestled on one side of the house and away from the main living/dining room/family room. Then the back deck and amazing backyard with trees reaching up to the sky like a cathedral's walls. It was all just wonderful. And I kept thinking, I could see us here. This is US! It feels like home to me. Excitement gave way as we remembered that this house was not in our budget. So we left thinking that it sure would be amazing if there were some way for the sellers to--for some strange reason--really want US to have it.
Next morning at church. After a great service, we are hanging out and the kids are having bagels. I decide to go get a bagel too. When I looked up, I saw this lady who seemed so kind and welcoming, so I said "hello, I'm Genna. We just moved to Princeton," We chatted for about 30 seconds before she asked where we live; I told her; then I did something out of character (b/c I'm kind of introverted and had no reason to do this): I told her about the house we saw. And I said: "It's on ... street, but you probably haven't heard of it." But she had. In fact, one of her best friends lives on that street. But not just ON that street, right across the street from the house we wanted! So she gave me her friend's number and we parted ways.
I called that number, and told "Donna" that we had looked at the house across the street and she was giddy! She has a daughter my age with a grandson Noah's age and thought we'd be the best neighbors, AND the lady selling the house just happens to be a dear friend!! She said: "I've got to call Janet and tell her she must sell to the Pearsons!"
Monday afternoon, we're playing at a sandbox in this park and my cell phone rings. It is the owner of the house! She invites us to have lunch there the following Sunday after church. By this time, we are trying so hard to swallow our excitement, knowing the house is still out of our league, money wise. But this kind of thing doesn't happen very often: the seller calls US and invites us for lunch?? Fast forward to Sunday: we had a great lunch and Abby and Noah were angels. Even giving hugs, unprompted, to the seller (who is 83) and her daughter (in her 50s). We left and prayed.
We decided that we would make the best offer we could. and I mean our best good-faith offer, which we could not top. And this offer was a full 50K less than their current asking price (which was 100K less than their original). We just prayed that if it was meant to be, they would say yes. If not, then no.
Even after turning down another, higher offer, they accepted our offer as is because they thought we were meant to be there. The daughter said "I believe in God and I believe God wants your family to live in this home. Enjoy it. Love those kiddos in this house, and maybe someday you will get to do something generous for someone else."
We are still stunned. We can't believe we will get to own a home. Oh, and then we get an email from our real estate lawyer guy that tells us the seller forgot she had a second lot behind the home (this big forested area). She's including that in the sale price of the home. So not only do we have a great house, but we have a forest too. The kids are going to LOVE IT! Matthew is planning to put up a zip line and they might make a tree house too. It feels too good to be true, but it is happening, and we are so grateful. You have no idea how excited Matthew is and how much time he spends dreaming about the home projects he gets to do. This is seriously his kind of thing!! We couldn't imagine a blessing like this one. Thank you Jesus! (Inside I feel like a big, beautiful african american woman, tears streaming down my face, while I hug Oprah for giving me a house, except it's Jesus I'm hugging, and I'm a small white person, but you get the feeling, right?). :)
Long overdue
Life has been so busy here that blogging has been on the burner behind the back burner. But that isn't because we do not have news to share. We do. I'm feeling very overwhelmed with how to catch up, and this is supposed to be fun, so I'm going to just give bullet points and hope y'all will forgive me.
September: The best part of September was that we had friends visit us! Besides Melanie's visit, which I've told you about, Bron and Teg came for a week's visit. They were here for my 32nd b-day, which was a treat and made it so much more festive. Bron and I stole away to see a "Fame" (an admittedly young choice, but we are avid So You Think You Can Dance fans and had standing weekly dates together to watch that show). We laughed hard and we both cried some at points in the week. I miss hearing her laugh, and I miss being able to ask her for eggs (sugar, flour, rice, coffee beans, milk, TP, diapers, wipes, chap stick, and a shoulder to cry on). There is something to be said for being neighbors and friends.
September: The best part of September was that we had friends visit us! Besides Melanie's visit, which I've told you about, Bron and Teg came for a week's visit. They were here for my 32nd b-day, which was a treat and made it so much more festive. Bron and I stole away to see a "Fame" (an admittedly young choice, but we are avid So You Think You Can Dance fans and had standing weekly dates together to watch that show). We laughed hard and we both cried some at points in the week. I miss hearing her laugh, and I miss being able to ask her for eggs (sugar, flour, rice, coffee beans, milk, TP, diapers, wipes, chap stick, and a shoulder to cry on). There is something to be said for being neighbors and friends.
October 15, 2009
real weather?
When you live in Southern California for most of your life, and then in Davis for 6 years, you get used to weather forecasters making a BIG (and I mean BIG) deal out of little changes in the weather. I mean, Davisites, who hasn't watched with amusement as the local weather guy talks about an approaching sprinkle as if his first child is about to be born? By October, all of us are parched and are excited for any precipitation--for the rest of y'all, Davis can go 5+ months without a single drop of rain during the summer. Now, there are occasions on which the "mother of all storms" really does hit--this week is a good example for Northern Cali, so I hear. But I am very used to weather being overstated so much that I discount the predictions, which are sensational but rarely worthy of the adjectives lobbed around as I drink my coffee and dress my kids.
I have a problem. Now that we are living in the Northeast, I'm feeling underprepared by the friendly faces on the tube. The weather forecasters say it will be a lovely day, and it is a bone-chilling high of 57 degrees F. And they KNEW that was going to be the high! So now I am concerned: yesterday and today the buzz has been all about an approaching "Nor'easter." This morning Abby asked what that meant and Matthew said, "It means it's neither Christmas, nor Easter." Then he explained that it is a weather pattern that promises to bring "cold" air, and precipitation--this time in the form of rain. The high today is supposed to be 45degF. With 100% chance of rain, and probably heavy rain! Problem is, we have all been wearing our "last line of cold defense" clothes this week, and we've hardly dipped below 55. So, coats are on the way and we're about to start drinking hot cocoa! Now I know how the Davis weather casters feel: I am buzzing with excitement as I wait for the real weather to arrive. And this time, I think it will be more than a sprinkle.
I have a problem. Now that we are living in the Northeast, I'm feeling underprepared by the friendly faces on the tube. The weather forecasters say it will be a lovely day, and it is a bone-chilling high of 57 degrees F. And they KNEW that was going to be the high! So now I am concerned: yesterday and today the buzz has been all about an approaching "Nor'easter." This morning Abby asked what that meant and Matthew said, "It means it's neither Christmas, nor Easter." Then he explained that it is a weather pattern that promises to bring "cold" air, and precipitation--this time in the form of rain. The high today is supposed to be 45degF. With 100% chance of rain, and probably heavy rain! Problem is, we have all been wearing our "last line of cold defense" clothes this week, and we've hardly dipped below 55. So, coats are on the way and we're about to start drinking hot cocoa! Now I know how the Davis weather casters feel: I am buzzing with excitement as I wait for the real weather to arrive. And this time, I think it will be more than a sprinkle.
October 9, 2009
I'll post soon
Besides not being able to upload pictures to flickr, I am under the weather. I think we've got some form of the flu too. So, I have news, but not much energy at all. Check back in a while for details, but know that we are doing pretty well here...and we still have the cutest children I've ever seen.
September 26, 2009
September 7, 2009
branching out
The last two months have been pretty full of trying new things. For the first half of that time, Matthew was diligently working on his dissertation whenever he wasn't working. Last week he did it though: he finished the dissertation and got signatures. He is officially, totally DONE with his phd! I can hardly believe it! What an immense job, from start to finish. There aren't words to describe how proud I am of his accomplishment. We went on a date to celebrate, but this was an unusual date... Friday night we went to a great little restaurant and had gnocchi, scallops, and halibut. We spent several hours walking, talking, stopping for coffee at our favorite coffee shop in town. Hours, you say? Yes. HOURS. Matthew insisted on reading every dessert menu in town, it seemed. And we even sat down for dessert at one place (after a 20 minute wait) only to hop back up, and head to another location. Mysterious behavior for Matthew. It was raining lightly as we stood in the middle of Palmer's square and as Matthew shared his heart effusively. Again, mysterious behavior for Matthew. Finally, we drove home, a good hour past when I thought we would head home. As we walked up the path to our door, matthew stopped and said: "G, that looks strange. What's going on over there?" He ran to the small parking lot in front of our apartment and banged on the window of a slowly moving car! I thought someone might be unconscious or in danger or something--and then I thought Matthew was being crazy as a large man got out of that car! What in the world was going on?! "Look who's here!" Matthew yelled. Through the dark, drizzly air, I saw a dear, familiar face peek out from behind Matthew: Melanie Maynor was standing in front of me! All the way from St. Louis to surprise me for my birthday. Matthew and Melanie had known for weeks about this and had pulled of a real surprise. I had NO idea. And, strangely, I didn't think much of Matthew's nutty (and over the top romantic) behavior during the long celebration date. I just thought to myself that he must really want that perfect dessert and that no matter how many menus we have to read, his finishing his dissertation was reason enough for me to be patient. The weekend that followed was rich. Melanie and I talked, played, and finished our quilt backs--a project we have been working on for a LONG time now. It was the sweetest gift.
During the weeks without Matty around much (and, by the way, he also went to Chicago and to Boston for work during that time!! Super exciting!), the kiddos and I decided to check out our surroundings. We discovered Terhune Orchards, a little farm with animals, tractors, fruit stands (and pick-your-own), and flower fields! Both kids enjoyed throwing corn to the ducks and geese, as long as they didn't get too close. Noah squealed when he pet a small cat--he loved it!
Some new friends invited us to go berry and flower picking in another farm (the largest CSA farm in the US, apparently!). Our home is still filled with gorgeous cut flowers--cosmos, sunflowers, zinnias, and snapdragons--delightful!
And, finally, all four of us set out on an adventure on Saturday: we drove to the Staten Island Ferry, rode the ferry to Manhattan, and traipsed all over that huge city! But that needs it's own blog post...
During the weeks without Matty around much (and, by the way, he also went to Chicago and to Boston for work during that time!! Super exciting!), the kiddos and I decided to check out our surroundings. We discovered Terhune Orchards, a little farm with animals, tractors, fruit stands (and pick-your-own), and flower fields! Both kids enjoyed throwing corn to the ducks and geese, as long as they didn't get too close. Noah squealed when he pet a small cat--he loved it!
Some new friends invited us to go berry and flower picking in another farm (the largest CSA farm in the US, apparently!). Our home is still filled with gorgeous cut flowers--cosmos, sunflowers, zinnias, and snapdragons--delightful!
And, finally, all four of us set out on an adventure on Saturday: we drove to the Staten Island Ferry, rode the ferry to Manhattan, and traipsed all over that huge city! But that needs it's own blog post...
August 18, 2009
morning!
You should see the way Matthew lovingly dabs at the just melted chocolate chips so that they fill each tiny cup in Noah's waffle. Then he cuts the waffle for Noah into delightfully small bites. I find this truly adorable.
First guests!
We were delighted to have Kate and Mark from Davis as our first out of town guests! We met when Noah was an infant and Kate became his nanny so that I could pass my exams. Soon Kate and Mark became dear to all of us, especially Abby! Abby is SO fond of Kate, and Kate of Abby.
We had a great time in Princeton, walking all over town and campus, eating at our new favorite places. We hope they will visit again!
We had a great time in Princeton, walking all over town and campus, eating at our new favorite places. We hope they will visit again!
August 4, 2009
delicious food on delicious dishes
We've been experimenting with apples. This is a modified apple galette pastry (with blueberries and creme fraiche). It tastes as good as you imagine it does. Matthew makes the pastry dough (arguably the more difficult task) and I usually handle the compote. The first time we made this with a more American flavor combo, which included cinnamon; but the second time around, we opted for a French combo of lemon juice and vanilla beans. Both are tasty, but I think I might like the lemon and vanilla! The cinnamon tastes too fall/winter-ish at the moment.
I must say that eating such a delightful pastry is made all the more enjoyable by the jadite green Fire King dish it rests on. THANK YOU Emily for these. You will laugh when I post a picture of the table we just got at a re-sale shop for thirty bucks. Same era as the dishes. I have one word for you: formica.
I must say that eating such a delightful pastry is made all the more enjoyable by the jadite green Fire King dish it rests on. THANK YOU Emily for these. You will laugh when I post a picture of the table we just got at a re-sale shop for thirty bucks. Same era as the dishes. I have one word for you: formica.
settling in
We are feeling much more at home these days. Our routine is becoming routine in a comfortable, familiar way. Abby loves going to camp--a first for her. She swims, plays sports, and does arts and crafts every day before coming home and hanging out with Noah and me. Matthew has been riding his bike to work, which provides a bit of exercise and gives me great practice at trusting God with his life; the roads are narrow! This is NOT Davis. I miss the bike paths and the commutability of Davis a lot. No longer can I walk out my front door and to Starbucks, World Market, or Rite Aid. Nope. This is a car-dependent place, and I am not used to it. BUT it has some real perks too! The public library is fantastic! We've been going at least once a week, and not just because it is close to one of the yummiest ice cream shops... We get interesting weather-- rain storms you wouldn't believe! We have deer who visit in the large field behind our apartment; cute birds too. We're going to get some binoculars so that we can animal watch from the kitchen window (pictured above). Oh, and the shopping. Good night. I've never been much of a shopper, but this place can make a person WANT to be a shopper. A new friend of mine told me yesterday that "It sucks to be poor in Princeton." This may be true, BUT (and this is a big BUT), it ROCKS to be a thrift store shopper in Princeton! I didn't know clothes could be so soft and well made; I just never bothered to look at places where socks cost as much as a tank of gas. And who wears socks anyway, when you live in Davis and can wear flip flops all year round? Anyway, the trick is to go to the thrift stores and to enjoy feeling like a queen but paying pennies on the dollar for really lovely things.
I wouldn't say we feel at "home" quite yet, but we're starting to get there.
I wouldn't say we feel at "home" quite yet, but we're starting to get there.
July 23, 2009
A long journey
We are settled in enough for me to blog some pictures of our summer... I'm not very good at blogging multiple pictures at once, so I'll explain the pics now: We got to visit with my fam in San Diego. The pic "Mimi, Bean, and Me" is of my mom's mom with Noah and me. Next we went to St. Louis. We caught fire flies, stayed up late talking, went to the pool, cooked, ate crawfish pie and ahi salad and many other Melanie-made dishes. YUM. It was a great visit! Next it was off to Memphis for the 4th of July family reunion. I only caught a pic of the ladies, not the whole group, so this is half of us. While in Memphis we visited with the Cunninghams; the last family pic we have together is from four years and THREE new kids ago! We hadn't actually MET two of theirs, nor had they met Noah! Unbelievable. Our long road trip took us to Nashville, where we spent 2 days with our dear friends, the Haynes Family. Jeff and Lucy sent Matthew and I off for a night in Nashville! As part of Matthew's graduation gift, we had a lovely dinner (ALONE!) and stayed at a beautiful new hotel (ALONE!). This was the first time we'd been away from Noah for a night, and perhaps the second time away from kids in four or five years. It was a gift for sure. Lucy was a saint to take on a no-so-happy Noah, who was under the weather and grouchy. The visit went so quickly, I have no pictures to share--I think this is a sign of a good visit. Next, we traveled to Knoxville, where we stayed with the Miller fam (Drew, Em, Sadie Parker, and Ruby!). This was another first time for meeting new kiddos! Bean and Ruby hadn't met before. We had a gourmet meal prepared by Drew and Em. (Can we just hire you guys to make our lives beautiful? Drew is a landscape artist, Emily is an all around culinary, home, and textiles artist). Em gave me the most exciting house warming gift: a set of jadite green fire king dishes. GASP. They are so so wonderful Pics are sure to follow. Our night in K-ville was tumultuous, with the Pearson four playing musical beds, crib, and couch the whole night--a night that included much Noah-coughing (with croup) and a middle of the night headache/throwing up bout for Abby. We hit the road to DC via Charlottesville, VA, where M's cousin Meredith and her hubby Chuck hosted us for dinner and a break from the road. They are delightful folks, and I'm glad we finally got to meet! We made it into DC near midnight, after a wrong turn, which was fortuitous--it ended up providing a great driving tour of the major monuments at night. The Bridges family hosted us for two days. Most of you will recall that Scott Bridges married Matthew and me 9 years ago in San Diego. Their new church is in DC! Matty, Abby and I took a walking tour of the white house. No Obama sightings, but it is positively breathtaking to be IN the white house! Abby took it all in with wide eyes. And she had to, because there were NO cameras allowed. After a "big, bad , breakfast" feast with Scott, Julie, Em, and Jack, we took our last big drive. FINALLY, we were home. We've left stuff at almost every place we stayed: shoes, stuffed animals, blankets, clothes, crayons...It was all a ploy to get mail at our new address. We've been unpacking, working, baking, enjoying our own beds again, and (DRUMROLL, PLEASE) Matthew has been building and customizing! I leave you with pics of "Camp G"--this woman's dream room! Noah is asleep and Abby is at day camp, so I am going to go upstairs and MAKE SOMETHING. Miss y'all.
July 17, 2009
the fountain of freedom
That's the name of this fun fountain (which doubles as a favorite splashing spot for the kiddos) in Princeton. Abby and Noah LOVED it today. This picture is not mine--I found it on line, but I still can't find my camera cord, so no pics of or by the Pearsons for now.
We're trying to get to know the city, and the kids are enjoying the adventure. I'm battling feelings of loneliness and my own reluctance to be a go-getter with new people. I'm not an extrovert and with no home base to go home to after being out, I find it especially taxing to chat and smile and make the effort to engage others.
I've cried a lot this week. I'm sad and overwhelmed. M and I are talking it out and trying to encourage each other. He is being my cheerleader at the moment. I am so thankful to have him here.
We're trying to get to know the city, and the kids are enjoying the adventure. I'm battling feelings of loneliness and my own reluctance to be a go-getter with new people. I'm not an extrovert and with no home base to go home to after being out, I find it especially taxing to chat and smile and make the effort to engage others.
I've cried a lot this week. I'm sad and overwhelmed. M and I are talking it out and trying to encourage each other. He is being my cheerleader at the moment. I am so thankful to have him here.
July 16, 2009
we're home
I get to see the sun rise every day because we have a vaulted ceiling and a dormer window in our bedroom--oh, and a monkey-child who wakes up around 7 am and who is lovingly delivered to our bed by his sister (after which she finds a spot in our bed and falls back to sleep while the "grow-mups" get up with said monkey-child). Besides being on call for Noah, we are feeling like grown-ups for other reasons too:
We have a closet. This thing is a walk-in closet we could live in.
We have a washer and dryer! I did ten loads of laundry in the first two days here. One would think that I'd be over it already, but I am still so glad to be able to do laundry at the same time as other things around the house.
We have our own bathroom! I think having 2 bathrooms will be a must from now on. We're spoiled.
Our fridge is taller than me; our disposal works; and we're not living next door to undergraduates. I think we've arrived. All of this might seem odd to mention, but we've been married with kids for a long time and have both looked forward to being done with student life for so long, that these things are meaningful for us. They also make me realize that I've made the mistake at times of living for the next stage of life rather than loving the one we were in. A house doesn't define our home, it just has an impact on the way home life feels. So I am reminding myself that this is our real life; we are not living for the day we own a home again. That may come (or may not, considering Princeton's home prices), but I can't wish my kids' childhoods away waiting for the day the floor I'm standing on is "mine."
I've got lots of other thoughts on our new place in Princeton, but they are buried under boxes. The cord for my camera is lost and I can't post new pictures--and I often let the pictures do the talking when I am talked out, which I am now.
The very short story of our journey is this: We took a month to get to Princeton, visiting San Diego, Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Washington DC along the way (by car). By the time we pulled up to our door, I thought the drive would never end, even though I loved seeing dear friends and family. Several times along the trip Matty and I wished we could just abandon the car and book a flight home, or sprout wings, if necessary. Abby was knocked out with dramamine, which cured her car sickness. Noah was often asleep, sometimes upset, but mostly a trooper. I'll share highlights when I can post pictures. In the meantime, keep checking in; we're pretty lonely.
Quotes:
A: (upon walking in to our apartment for the first time) "Mommy, you HAVE to see this!"
A: (driving into town) " I love our new town."
N: (after taking too big a bite) "BIG. Mouth. Chicken."
N: (a new favorite phrase) "Haha, nevermind."
We have a closet. This thing is a walk-in closet we could live in.
We have a washer and dryer! I did ten loads of laundry in the first two days here. One would think that I'd be over it already, but I am still so glad to be able to do laundry at the same time as other things around the house.
We have our own bathroom! I think having 2 bathrooms will be a must from now on. We're spoiled.
Our fridge is taller than me; our disposal works; and we're not living next door to undergraduates. I think we've arrived. All of this might seem odd to mention, but we've been married with kids for a long time and have both looked forward to being done with student life for so long, that these things are meaningful for us. They also make me realize that I've made the mistake at times of living for the next stage of life rather than loving the one we were in. A house doesn't define our home, it just has an impact on the way home life feels. So I am reminding myself that this is our real life; we are not living for the day we own a home again. That may come (or may not, considering Princeton's home prices), but I can't wish my kids' childhoods away waiting for the day the floor I'm standing on is "mine."
I've got lots of other thoughts on our new place in Princeton, but they are buried under boxes. The cord for my camera is lost and I can't post new pictures--and I often let the pictures do the talking when I am talked out, which I am now.
The very short story of our journey is this: We took a month to get to Princeton, visiting San Diego, Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Washington DC along the way (by car). By the time we pulled up to our door, I thought the drive would never end, even though I loved seeing dear friends and family. Several times along the trip Matty and I wished we could just abandon the car and book a flight home, or sprout wings, if necessary. Abby was knocked out with dramamine, which cured her car sickness. Noah was often asleep, sometimes upset, but mostly a trooper. I'll share highlights when I can post pictures. In the meantime, keep checking in; we're pretty lonely.
Quotes:
A: (upon walking in to our apartment for the first time) "Mommy, you HAVE to see this!"
A: (driving into town) " I love our new town."
N: (after taking too big a bite) "BIG. Mouth. Chicken."
N: (a new favorite phrase) "Haha, nevermind."
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