Snow Day

Schools are closed.

Government offices are shut down.

People were told to stay off the roads.

They said it would snow...

And it did!

Here in the South we don't see much of the white stuff and when we do it's truly a momentous occasion. Local news channels have been tracking this "Winter Storm" for days and this morning all regularly scheduled broadcasts were preempted by the local crews on location reporting about the eminent snowfall. We watched as the snow began north of us and then slowly continued southward. Here in Mobile, the snow began to fall around ten this morning and it was a sight to behold. I'm sure people in the Northeast will disagree, but for this Southern girl, there's just something magical about snow. Just about the time Bret pulled in the driveway from work, Gillian Grace (sensing the excitement in the air, I'm sure) awoke early from her morning nap. As a family, we bundled up and ventured outside with the snow still falling.

God is good...

The snow is just beginning...

Daddy's little snow bunny!

Mommy's little snow angel!

Brothers (and former students) Harris and Noah have a snowball fight in our front yard.

Baby, it's cold outside!

Now we've had our share of cold weather here in the South, but I have to think long and hard to recall a time when it has been as cold as it has been these last few days. As my MaMa would say, "It's colder than a well-digger's butt!" Although the metaphor may lose something in appeal, it couldn't me more accurate...IT'S COLD! Old Man Winter is definitely making his presence known and we are preparing for even colder days and nights towards week's end. With a slight chance of snow showers predicted for Thursday night and a high only reaching the upper 30s Friday, it's a good thing Santa brought us new gas logs and starter for our fireplace. There's never been a better time to snuggle up next to a nice warm fire!

With a slightly warmer afternoon (upper 40s), our family bundled up for a quick stroll and some fresh air.

Gillian Grace loves the cold!

Our lil' bundle of joy!

Winter Wonderland---Our down the street neighbor's fountain

Our 7-day forecast

Take me home, Country Roads...

West Virginia, Mountain Mama...take me home, Country Roads.

Shortly before midnight Friday I tiptoed into Gillian Grace's room, gently pulled her out of a sweet slumber for a quick diaper change and then as quickly as my hands would work, secured her safely in her carseat. After a quick check to make sure everything was off in the house, our family loaded up in the Yukon and headed north. Destination---West Virginia, a short 820 mile drive. All was quiet on McGregor Court as we headed toward the Interstate. We came to an abrupt stop minutes after leaving our neighborhood as we encountered the first red light of our journey. In the minutes as we sat waiting for the light to change, glancing from left to right trying to find a reason for our delay, the reality of the long trip ahead of us begin to sink in. Moving along the highways and once on the I-65, I couldn't help but be envious as we passed all the darkened homes with their occupants tucked snuggly in their warm beds. Factoring in a few stops---for breakfast, gas, and diaper changes---our trip took close to 15 hours.

For an extremely long trip, it was relatively uneventful. Leaving at midnight allowed us to get halfway before Gillian Grace even began to stir. Stopping for breakfast at Cracker Barrel made feeding GG her fruit, cereal, and bottle more convenient. And, quite possibly the best investment of all, a portable dvd player, captured GG's attention and helped to occupy her in between naps.

With the success of the drive up the only change we made to our itinerary for the return trek was to leave slightly earlier. We left West Virginia at ten Monday night and pulled into our driveway at ten forty-five the next morning. Accounting for the hour time difference, we shaved just about two hours off our total travel time. Not too shabby!

Our visit to West Virginia, albeit brief, was wonderful. Not many thirty year olds are fortunate enough to have both a Grandmother and Grandfather alive and doing well. And after a few close health related calls with both, I feel so blessed that my daughter had the opportunity to meet her Great MaMa and Great PaPa. As expected, Gillian Grace was the center of attention. GG was more popular than cake at a Weight Watchers meeting as everyone vied for their next chance to hold her. Gillian may be small but the joy she brings into the lives of everyone in our family is immense!

Gillian Grace with Great MaMa and Great PaPa.

Gammie with her Mom and Dad.

Aunt Bobbie, Me and Gillybean, Mom, and MaMa

Mothers and Daughters

Aunt Bobbie and Gillian Grace

Cousin Bryce and Gillian Grace