I have just a second to lift my head out of the chaos for a quick update. Our move is going well, of course it's still ongoing b/c the boxes seem like they'll NEVER end. But little by little it's starting to feel more like home.

We packed up Friday drove through the night and unloaded Saturday morning. My husband was wonderful driving a 26 footer the whole way and unloading it into our new garage (with help from wonderful cousins) Despite all we accomplished the fatigue started to get to me and by Saturday evening I felt like my world had ended. Looking at stacks of boxes all I could think was "I want my mommy."

If I ever doubted God's personal investment in our affairs--Sunday my mother called to say she was flying home from California via Texas and if we'd take her she could spend the night? If we'd take her!!!!! It was short--sweet--and absolutely wonderful. Another God send (have I mentioned my cousins???) has been Auntie Yinda (that's Sophia speak for Aunt Linda) She's been picking her up from Dance Camp (more on that later) feeding her and letting her play with her two wonderful daughters. What a gift to see Sophia just binge out on family.

Other tidbits that remind me how thankful I am:

Sophia: Mommy, what's the weather going to be like today?

Mommy: Well baby, just like yesterday and the day before--hot and sunny!

Sophia--mommy if we leave for a trip can we come back to Texas?

In Search of Home Sweet Home

Lord willing, this Thursday we'll be loading up a U-haul and Friday we'll be hitting the road for our new home. For several months, Sophia has been asking for a home of our own.

"Can we have our own home where Nana can come visit?" February

"What about our white house? Can't we live there?" March

"Dear Jesus, help daddy find a job and a home that Hannah and Go& Go can come play." April

I have to admit that I'm really looking forward to settling down, moving in and staying in!. Getting Sophia involved in everyday stuff like dance & soccer. Thank you in advance for your prayers during this transition. We are so grateful for the time we've spent living with Nana & Papa and for all the relationships in Iowa that will always means so much to Everyones welcome to join us southern style!

The Face of Recession, Then and Now

Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Dorthea Lange , a taste of the powerful names and images for sale this month as the Polaroid Collection hits the auction block.

The face or the burdened migrant mother in this Dorthea Lange photo left an indelible mark on my young life. Awakening me to the power of story hanging in a moment and the pull of wanderlust to find today's irrefutable story waiting around the bend, to find it, feel it and share it. I've never been gifted with the lens but I love and respect it's power.

Today, the demise of Polaroid, brought down partially by technology and partially by a Madoff like Ponzi scheme give this haunting image of financial hardship a whole new story. Either it will be a sad story of financial ruin or one of giant reinvention. Who knows? Polaroid hired Lady Gaga in January to be a Creative Director.