The start of democracy...

Tuesday I got the opportunity, through work, to go to Philadelphia for a few days. I have only been to the City of Brotherly Love once before, and that was many years ago when I was a sophomore in college. I took along my Aunt and off we went on a grand adventure (if you know us both you should be laughing now!).

Fruit Berrilicious smoothie at Hard Rock Cafe'

Taken for my hubby, who loves Johnny Cash

For all the National Treasure fans out there....

Our hotel was in the heart of downtown, 6 blocks from the Liberty Bell and the Pennsylvania State House (more commonly known as Independence Hall). After all of my work engagements were complete, we set off to find our way around town and see the sites.

I can't explain how powerful it is to stand in the very building, literally mere steps from the place where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed. I have seen a lot of things in my world travels, and I can honestly say that only a few places were more powerful to me than Independence Hall.



The chair in which Thomas Jefferson sat, and Ben Franklin said the sun (which you can't see very well) on the headrest symbolized the dawning of a new nation.


The original ink stand used to sign the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The Governor's aresnal, you know in case the red coats are coming! Bad joke....I know.

Just an old piano (a period piece) but I thought it was neat.

And yes, in case you were wondering, I did have a Philly Cheesesteak while I was there. And it was delicious!

Settling back in to "normal"

The end of January is almost here, and as I look back, I realize that while the days have quickly ticked away in the first month of 2010, not much has really happened in Small Town USA. Before the end of 2009 Patrick and I kept saying, next month it will be less crazy, then after Christmas it will be less crazy, then after New Year...and so on. But truth be told, January has been just as nuts as the waning months of last year were. It has prompted me to think a lot about what "normal" is in our home, and whether or not this normal is really what I (and more importantly what God) wants.

Trying to be a full time professional, full time mom and wife, full time housekeeper, cook, and chief bottle washer has certainly caused a great bit of life in the fast lane. I have noticed that I have been saying "the next month/stage of Morgan's life/anniversary year" will be less crazy, but that has yet to actually be true. The older Morgan gets, the more we seem to shuffle her from one place to another as our work lives pull us in different directions across the state. As we grow older in our marriage, instead of leaning on each other we seem to wave from across two sides of the interstate as we pass each other. And lately it seems that "quality time" means I am spending more than 30 minutes in the car with one or both of the other members of my family.

I keep wondering if this is the way it is supposed to be? I mean, sure everyone defines quality time differently, and what works for one family is not a universal model for everyone. But when what used to be the slowest month at work turns into one of the busiest, I wonder if I am taking on too much. Too much "extra" stuff at work. Too many outside obligations. Too many excuses not to take better care of my family and our house. And when I think about whether our family feels complete (as I am frequently doing after spending some time with my 6 week old nephew) I wonder if we could manage juggling another person. And I don't want to juggle anyone.

It's hard to find time for everything in your day, and THAT is universal across most people. Yet many people I know seem to be managing a lot better at prioritizing activities and events. This has been heavy on my mind and I have been and will continue to pray for guidance on a subject that has me quite unsettled. There are some big decisions that our family needs to make together in the coming months. This will require that we all spend time together. Perhaps this is God's way of saying "You need to see what your priorities are, plan for them, and with my help make it happen". It's time to refocus, review, and move forward.

And just to lighten up this post a bit, a few pictures from my week spent with my sister-in-law, niece, and nephew:

Morgan thought he needed a "friend"

His beautiful smile for Aunt Jen

War?

About 4 months ago, our neighbor moved this really old cannon that he kept in his front yard to the adjacent property, and it is pointed directly at our house! I distinctly remember opening our bay window curtains one morning and thinking "Is Denver declaring war on our home???"

It's actually a really cool cannon, very old. I finally went across the street to get some pictures. Why I decided to wait until it was 24 degrees outside before doing this, I don't know.

The view from where the cannoneer would stand!

I was happy to see that it wasn't loaded, but there were softballs setting around the cannon! I'll have to keep an eye on Denver and perhaps fly a white flag instead of the American flag?

Enjoying the Snow

Unlike me, the rest of my family loves the snow. Morgan has always loved to go outside and play. Last year when we went to Canaan Valley all she wanted to do was play in the snow! Since the temperature warmed up to a balmy 21 degrees, Patrick agreed to take Morgan across the street to sled down the neighbor's hill.

She had such a great time! First they had to refill the bird feeders because Morgan likes to watch the birds come in to eat.



Then they retrieved our sleds from the garage and headed across the street.


Morgan tried to go first, but the snow was a little too deep, so Patrick had to go down and create a lane to sled in. After that it was no holds barred! As fast as her little feet would run, she made it up to the top of the hill to go again.







She and Patrick stayed outside for about 30 minutes until Patrick's bottom was numb and Morgan's cheeks were rosy red.



I stayed out for a few minutes to take some pictures, then retreated back to the house to make hot chocolate and stay warm. I hate snow (for those of you who don't see me on Facebook). I hate everything about the snow. I think snow is beautiful.....in a picture. I long for the days of flip flops and short sleeves. I think the ONLY thing I like about winter is flannel sheets (which I got on sale for a super price....2 pair of king size flannel sheets for a total of $7.49!!!). Every night I go to bed I am thankful that we are one day closer to summer!

Reminiscing

Makes me want another...

New Year, Not so New You

'Tis the season for resolutions, changes, and promises for a better year than the last. Honestly, I think I've made too many of those empty promises and resolutions that don't even make it through January in the past. This year I want to be real with my hopes for 2010. I vow to make only one resolution/change/promise. I believe that all other things will fall in line if this one resolution is followed.

Sure I want to lose weight, spend more time with my family, and complete the thousand half started projects around my house. And those are all attainable goals, if priorities are in the right order. And one very big thing I want this year (and it's BIG, but not in the literal sense) depends completely on a portion of this resolution.

And what is this one, simple yet so large resolution? One simple word: church. Get there. In a town with very literally 15+ opportunities to get to a Mass, I have NO good reason to not get there. And hopefully you can see now how doing this one thing should make 2010 better than 2009. What a tough year 2009 was for me. While my relationship with God was a large part of it, it was not the focal point.

So for me it's simple. Church--get there.

And I pray each night that I follow the path set before me, with an open mind and loving heart. I have full faith that my Lord hears that prayer and will do all He can do to show me the path HE wants for me. And I will trust God that I am exactly where I need to be.

Welcome 2010!

Happy New Year from the Teagarden Clan!

**please excuse my crazy eyes, this was take 4**