The "Thaw" has begun!

Actually got up in the high 30's today...sun was shining bright. Holly and I were out driving around town this afternoon taking in some of the sights from the ice storm. Lot's of trees were down...many were on top of cars, through windows, etc.

It was really a beautiful sight to see with the thaw beginning to take place...sounded like it was pouring down rain. Something so beautiful yet destructive...

Tomorrow it's supposed to be in the high 40's...more thawing!

Here are a few more pics I took this morning...

We got POWER!

Our power finally came back on late last night...we were already up in Lexington at a hotel, so we stayed one more night. Bryan and I came by the house to drop off some "stuff" before heading over to the church. Lot's of lights were on...even the TV, so at least the cats had some entertainment last night! The temperature was a comfortable 68...Wednesday it was 47.

Good to be home...still there are many without power and heat. Funny how we take things for granted! Tonight we threw all the food out from the fridge...that was a bummer.

Here are a few pics that I took!

Ice, Ice Baby...

All the snow/ice talk got me all riled up last night...I woke up around 4:45am today, just couldn't sleep. I began to hear the sounds of the freezing rain bouncing off the windows...and then all the news stations began to report all over town of ICE STORM 2009.

I couldn't even get out of the drive way this morning, that was a good sign to get my butt back inside. It was a good day to be inside! Holly and I ventured out later in the afternoon, once some of the ice "softened"...

Around 6pm all of our power went out...so we took off to Lexington and got a hotel for the next couple of nights.

This morning (Wednesday) we got up and went to the house to check on the cats and get more clothes, etc. WOW...trees are down everywhere! I've got some pics (post later!)...I'm actually finishing this blog at Best Buy in Hamburg. Holly stayed at the hotel and Bryan and I ventured out to find something to do.

Were not sure how long the power will be out, so we are making the best of things...thankful for a warm place to sleep!

Tonight...we're going to BW3's to eat and watch the Cards at 7pm...tomorrow we'll reevaluate everything and go from there.

Wicked Weekend

Tonight I'm taking Hollybird to see "Wicked." She's been wanting to see this ever since she read the book sometime ago. It's a prequel of sorts to the "Wizard of Oz"...you get some background of the wicked witch of the west, etc.

Finally the performance has come to Louisville at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. So when Bryan gets home our bags will be packed and we'll hit the road. Bryan is going to hang out with mom...Holly and I are going to "On the Border" first to munch on some mexican food and then on to the play. Afterward we're going to spend the night with mom and head home sometime on Saturday.

Really looking forward to a theater date with Bird... we enjoy going to plays and artsy kinds of things. We don't go very often, but always enjoy something different and just being together.

Acts of Randomness

-Watched the Inauguration yesterday at the office along with other fellow staffers and about 15 four year olds. I was really in awe of all the pageantry of the events yesterday...I must say, we Americans really know how to put on a party and do it up right. I was encouraged by the excitement and energy from the people...now let's see what President Barrack does from here. Tough job!

-We got Ellie's room almost complete...here's an update from Hollybird's blog.

-Have you seen the Louisville Cardinals recently? In one week they knocked out three ranked teams, including number uno Pittsburgh. Tonight they have Rutgers...please don't let these wins go to your head. Go Cards!

-And my Pittsburgh Steelers are off to another Superbowl. Great game Sunday night...I really have been impressed with head coach Mike Tomlin ever since he took the team after Bill Cowher. Predictions...Steelers 31 Cardinals 13

-This past Sunday had the opportunity to preach all of our services at FBC. We were celebrating "Sanctity of Life" day. I was so blessed by a few of our ladies who came to me following the morning services who shared their stories with me. One in particular was advised to abort their baby due to medical complications...now they are in high school! Praise God...Go here to see how you can take a stand and let your voice be heard.

Little Pink Houses

Actually a little pink room...

It's Friday night and we decided to go ahead and begin working on Ellie's room a bit. Last weekend we got it all cleaned out (even unpacked some boxes we hadn't touched since we moved in two years ago!)...this weekend is paint.

What better color for a little girl than PINK!? The top part is pink, the bottom will be white along with a green chair rail. How's that for being domesticated??

Everything is going full steam with our adoption...just playing the waiting game a little longer. We are counting down the days of having Ellie home...

...back to the paint!

Brrrrrrrrrr....

Dang it's cold outside (9 degrees)...for Kentucky weather this is beyond cold...and I don't like it.

Words of wisdom this cold Thursday morning...don't be sticking your tongue to any kind of a pole while outside...even if someone triple dog dares you!

C-A-R-D-S

Holly and I had a ball watching the Cards and Notre Dame last night. It was a great ball game...in the end it was a Terrance Williams night!

I love watching basketball with Hollybird...she's a die hard Card fan and loves watching the games. We'll be watching on Saturday night as well...the Cards will face #1 Pittsburgh.

A few fun NCAA facts:
-9 out of the 16 Big East teams are in the top 25
-There are NO SEC teams in the top 25 (that's for my father-in-law...with much love of course!)

Go Cards!

Random Rainy Day

It's Saturday morning...it's raining outside, supposed to have been snow. I sounded like buddy the elf this morning asking, "Where's the snow? Where's the snow?"

Oh well...there's shot for snow next week. In the mean time here's a quick run down of the day:

-Awoke 9am! Finally I was able to sleep in! For some reason I haven't been able to sleep in lately when I've had the chance, I'd always wake up at 7am. Not today!
-Made a big ole pot of coffee
-Spent some time with the Word. Finished up the book of John. I try to go through John at least once a year...I started back in November.
-Checked on some blogs and facebook...what is it about seeing people's daily "status?" I find that intriguing... I think it means we want to know each other, or that we are being nosy.
-After this blog entry...drink more coffee and sit down and read my new book "Reboud Rules" by Rick Pitino. Good book so far...mom got me an autographed copy for Christmas...so me a the Rick-ster are like this (fingers crossed)
-12pm...Cards vs Villanova...we'll be watching...ESPN.
-After the game we are going to work on Ellie's room...gotta get it cleaned out, painted, etc. etc. That really stokes us!
-After that?????????

Happy Rainy Saturday! (Come on snow)

Something to make you laugh...

I'm a big fan of the Andy Griffith Show (my niece Kristin is the biggest fan I know...check out her blog here). Anyhow, one of my favorite characters is Ernest T. Bass. This clip is one of my all time favorites...

Getting more real

As I was tucking Bryan in bed tonight (yep, he still wants me to do that and I love it)...we always pray and have been praying for Ellie to come home soon. When we finished it dawned on me how much closer we are to having her home.

What has transpired in the past two weeks is nothing short of a miracle from God...and to have an actual picture of her is pretty exciting. But on the other hand it has made us even more anxious and ready for her to be home. I'd post a pic of her, but at this point we can't because of various reasons...BUT don't think for a moment that I haven't been flashing her picture to friends and family. Back in the office this week anyone who comes into my office will be seeing her.

Please keep on praying...we hope to be traveling to get her in the Spring. We are still saving and raising funds to make that happen...pray for Ellie, pray for her current caregivers, pray for us...God is an awesome God.

Sweet!

Feels so-so-sosa Good! UL 74 UK 71

2009 off to a GREAT start!

Check this out...

Continue to pray along with us...