Rain

It's been raining all week in our neck of the woods. From small showers to long thunderstorms to an exciting hailstorm. Did you know that I love rain?

I love the sound. The slaps of the drops as they hit. The rolls of thunder (that can go on for whole minutes out here!).

I love the visual. It's calming to watch, like the ocean waves. And although the sky is gray, it turns the grass and trees a brilliant green.

I love the nourishment. Our lawn is flourishing. (Remember how dead it was before?) Our trees are blooming. And our rose bushes are growing like weeds.

89 Degrees

Have I ever told you that I hate being hot? I haven't? I HATE being hot. A perfect summer day for me is in the sixties. Maybe the low seventies with a nice breeze. No hotter. And yet, I let my husband drag me to Texas. I know I was the one to decide it, but he still had to drag me kicking and screaming.

Mostly because I HATE BEING HOT!!

Today it was 89 degrees. In February. I was sweating. In February. It's just not right.

I know that those of you back home in the northeast are just counting the days until spring. And you'd kill for a hot sunny day.

Not me. I want a snowstorm. Feet and feet of snow. I want to be all bundled up in my wool sweaters and comfy socks, drinking hot cocoa. I want it all! The ice storms. The shoveling. The below freezing temps! I miss the winter!!

And all of you Texans who are reveling in your "wonderfully warm" winter? You won't be enjoying those extra degrees come summer three figure temps, will you.

I'm so not made for Texas. Someone back east wanna trade? Please???

Ike is coming

For the grandparents who are worrying, Ike will be passing to the east of us. We are expecting some flooding and power outages if it passes close enough. But probably just some strong wind and rain. We're prepared for anything, but don't expect to need it.

In all honesty, we're much more worried about our friends on the coast. Those in Houston were advised to stay put and tough it out. Keep them in your prayers!

Need a Little Spring

I don't know that I've ever been so sick of winter. I've even stopped wearing a coat in protest. (When it's not below freezing, of course. I'm not that crazy.) I'm dreaming of the day that it will break 40 degrees for more than an hour or two. And when the wind dies down so that it doesn't make that 40 feel like 32. Once it hits the 50s, I'm breaking out the shorts. Who's with me!

So, for anyone else here in the northeast who just needs a little spring, go here and click away.

The last few days

After finishing up with the Christmas party last weekend and delivering the Sub-for-Santa donations on monday, Ethan and I have had nothing to do. It's been a little weird after weeks of going non-stop. But we're LOVING it.

Ethan and I have been spending our time just hanging out with each other. I can't imagine a better way to spend our last week together. He's been so much fun. Playing with all his toys, coloring, pretending to be everything from superheroes to pirates, and lots of dancing. We really need to spend the occasional day doing nothing more often. He's just a different kid!

Also, my body is in better shape. The leg problems that were keeping me up half the night are only a minor annoyance now. It's been good to get a little rest before all the work of a newborn.

The big craziness going on right now is the snow that's coming. This afternoon is the first storm, promising at least half a foot in a matter of hours. (And of course I have a dr's appt just as it starts so I can't stay out of it.) Then, on Saturday night, there's a nor-easter coming with predictions anywhere from sheeting ice to more than a foot of snow. Just in time to cause problems with Grandma J flying in.

Our only hope is that the changes in barometric pressure don't push me into labor. (It's crazy how many babies are born early for this reason.) We feel like the scheduled date is just perfect for us, and we REALLY don't want to be driving to the hospital during the middle of a storm.

So that's us for now. I'll try to get a belly shot posted later today (if I can find the memory card.)