The Graduate

Congratulations to my husband for completing his bachelor's degree and graduating with honors from Excelsior College! We received the diploma in the mail yesterday.

Pigtails

As Madison's hair gets longer, I'm able to put pigtails higher in her hair, rather than just at her neckline.

Deer #1

My dad got the first deer of the season over the weekend. Now Matt is really itching to get one! (P.S. Hopefully I kept the picture small enough so as not to gross out anyone with a sensitive stomach!)

Job Update

Just a quick update on the job news... First of all, Congressman Kuhl conceded the election last week, so he has officially lost. The job hunt continues to be pretty dry. We've put in zillions of applications in every field from Batavia to Syracuse to Horseheads - an area of about 6000 sq. miles - and so far heard almost nothing back. Matt has had a couple of interviews. One resulted in no offer. The 2nd he just had this morning, so we don't know if he'll get an offer or not. The downside to the job he interviewed for this morning is the shifts they're hiring for run from late morning to late evening, so not conducive at all to family life or to his College Plus job. So it's a bit discouraging. Despite that, both Matt & I have felt less anxious and more peaceful about the whole situation, even as we start the celebration of the holiday season. The Lord has promised to provide for our needs, and though we don't see how at this point, we choose to cling to His sure Word.

"But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:24-25)

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

Close-to-Christmas Confessions

Ok Ok! I confess! I did it! I couldn't help it! We've been waking up every day this week to steady, fluffy, beautiful snow... and I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I couldn't help it! I listened to Christmas music!! There I said it. (Now my family will probably disown me ;-) The mood is set for the season in this area. There's a lovely blanket of white everywhere. Makes me want to get the tree up, pull out the Christmas music, and burn some festive candles.

Although, I have been hearing people talk about how Thanksgiving is so "late" this year. I hadn't really been paying attention, but I suppose if I want to feel less guilty, I could justify it by saying in another year, it might already be past Thanksgiving by now!

Snow Day

The past few days we have been getting lake effect snow like crazy in Fairport. My friend Caryn and I decided to do a snow day with our kids this morning. Wow, is it a challenge getting 4 kids ready for the snow! (And all the mothers out there say, "AMEN!") And both Caryn & I are pregnant as well, so chasing after them and carrying them around with all our snow gear and their snow gear on proved to be quite the workout. We had a fun time though. This was Madison's first experience in the snow. Hard to tell what she thought of it. If she was upright, she seemed to like walking in it OK. If she tipped over and got snow on her hands & face, she'd cry. (She takes after her momma.)

Shopping Day Therapy

Yesterday my sister came over to visit and go shopping with me. My husband graciously offered to stay home with Madison for the afternoon to allow me to be baby-free. Wow, was I ready for that much-needed break! It was so nice to go from store to store, in and out without have to put baby in & out of the carseat. It was great to do fun shopping for once (vs. grocery shopping which is what I'm normally doing!). Plus we got a lot of Christmas shopping done in a short time, so it was a productive day. When we got back home, Matt had dinner made and on the table. What a guy!