Eloise

My sister and her husband welcomed a little girl into their family on April 15th.  Eloise Jean is a beautiful baby girl with thick black curly hair and a good set of lungs!  She was named in honor of her great grandfather Ellsworth Jared and her great grandmother Jean.

She is a special little baby we are all in love with.  I can't wait to see her and watch her grow into a strong, loving, woman.

But yesterday I also said goodbye to a good family friend.  Emily was a spark of life that shined on the friends she made and with the love she shared.  She had a deep faith in God and a commitment to showing that by example.

I think what really struck me these last few days is the beginning and end of life; the hope, renewal, and unconditional love of birth, and the grace, compassion, and strength of death.  Emily would be the first person to say this, and I know with all my heart she is in heaven watching over Eloise and singing praise.

Happy Easter

I had a great weekend with my parents.  We had a lovely Easter - went to church this morning and then drove to Gettysburg, PA to have lunch/dinner at The Dobbin House.  It was a wonderful meal - mom and I had Singapore Slings (drink) which were delicious, french onion soup, salad and prime rib.  Yes, I am full! 

The Dobbin House is a restaurant with history - everyone who works there dresses from the civil war era and the rooms are filled with antiques and charm.

Here are some pictures from today.  It was so sunny and warm - perfect day for Easter.

Also, I've been thinking of doing another 5 favorite things.

1.  Jane Austen Marathons:  During Spring Break I was on a bit of a sewing frenzy and while I was sewing I watched the entire BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and then watched Bridget Jones Diary.  Ah the British!  Sometimes I can't get enough! 

2.  Cherry trees blooming:  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time of year.  I especially love the early bloomers like the Yoshino cherry tree.  I just think about how brave they are - the pioneers!  And what great blooms they do give us!  Thank you!

3.  Taking the long way home:  I took the scenic route home to my parents.  It is the country way with the back roads, the twists, the hills, the horse farms and the green, green grass.  It is beautiful in the valley and makes me happy.

4.  Driving with the windows down:  Doesn't matter if you are driving around town, or driving those back roads, I love being ABLE to drive with the windows down.

5.  Start of baseball - Red Sox v. Yankees at Fenway:  Well, so far the Red Sox are losing in the sixth inning, but I never count them out.  Who knows?!?!?!

LIFE by BBC and Discovery Channel

If you have not seen this new series, you are really missing out.  It is amazing, breathtaking and awe-inspiring.  Reminds me of why I am a biologist.  http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/life/

Sundays @ 8pm on Discovery Channel (and of course, on re-runs and YouTube)

March was all about Babies!

My friend Paige had a baby boy, Sawyer Paul, March 4th.  He and his little brother Elliot are doing well, and he is so cute!!!  I'm so happy for my friends - so happy their family is growing, healthy and strong.  Now mama, get some sleep!

My sister had her baby shower that was hosted by my mom and I on March 7th.  We had family come from western New York, including my cousin's new little boy Elijah - who we had never met!  It was so great to FINALLY meet him, he is a sweet little boy who is growing so fast - just learned to roll over before he came to visit. 

My sister looked beautiful, and it was so nice to spend a few hours reconnecting with all our "mothers" - women who saw us grow up, helped dry our tears, we shared laughs with, and spent many sleepovers at their houses.  Here are some pictures from that special day.  I can't wait to meet Baby Girl!

Doesn't she look great!!

Advice cards for the new mom

The invitations had jungle animals and continued the theme and colors

Elijah and I

Jennifer and mom

We made three different types of cupcakes:  Carrot with cream cheese frosting, orange pound cake wtih orange buttercream, chocolate with chocolate glaze

March 13th was a baby shower for my close friend Erika and her husband Chris.  It was at my parent's house and her sister Courtney and I hosted this get-together.  It was so great - Chris's mom brought a beautiful cake (that was so yummy!) and we had wonderful food, lots of laughs and it was wonderful to see everyone come together to share this exciting new experience with Erika and Chris.  We are all so happy for them, and can't wait to meet the little one (girl?)!

Erika (doesn't she look wonderful!) and Chris

                                    

Erika and Jamie

Erika's theme was water creatures!

Courtney, Erika and Chris

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I'm not Irish and I'm not Catholic, but I think the true "spirit" of this day is worth celebrating!  Enjoy!

Back at it

So this week, life resumed as we all tried to get back to some semblance of "normal."  I have to admit, that it was difficult for me - plus, I think I'm coming down with a cold.  But beyond the physical difficulties, it has been so hard jumping back into teaching and wrapping my mind around all the immediate obligations and duties.  So many issues to deal with that sometimes I wish I could just ignore these pressing matters, but then they wouldn't be pressing, right?  With committee meetings, dealing with the all the changes to the schedule and pacing, grading, setting up labs we missed due to the snow, and just facing the kids - who are just as conflicted as I am, it was strange.  We all desperately wanted to be back - I think to see each other and catch up, but nobody wanted to DO anything.  What a strange two weeks.

Like this picture (from Blizzard #2) I feel a bit overwhelmed and in a fog, maybe I'm one of those snowflakes, blowing around.  Who knows.  All I do know is that hopefully soon, this snow will melt and summer will be here.

Snowapalooza Part II

It has begun snowing here again.......

10-20 inches expected.

Went to the grocerey store this morning - they were out of almost everything - milk, break, chicken, apples, onions, blueberries, lettuce, OJ......you get the picture. AND it was a mob house. The parking lot was full, no carts and people with resigned faces.

I picked up more Ice Melt.....there were only 4 bottles left.

The news here is reporting that gas stations are running out of gas because they can't get it delivered.

And here we go again. I am 100% sure I am not having school the rest of the week. The roads are all 1 lane - even the major roads are only 1 1/2 lanes. And people are walking in the streets because none of the sidewalks are plowed. I remember having this problem in Boston. You'd be walking down the sidewalk with 3 feet of snow on either side of you and all of a sudden, the sidewalk ends - dead end. What to do? Climb over and look like a complete fool, or turn around and try to find an exit?? What a mess. It was always funny when there was someone walking behind you and you both look at each other like, "What the heck?!?!"

Well, it has begun to snow again - I'll keep you posted. Not much else to do. :-)