Arkansas vs. Troy

So, this is the first big football game for my brother, Rhett! He will be the starting deep snapper for University of Arkansas this Saturday, at their first home game against Troy. Who is that, you ask? I don't know. But... He is #51, so let's all keep him in our prayers! He will be snapping in front of 75,000 people. Is that crazy, or what!?

Here's his super grown up picture that is on his bio on the Arkansas football roster. Can you believe that's my LITTLE brother?

Go HOGS! Go RHETT!

2 months old

I'm 2 months old now and weigh 11 lbs, 7 oz and grew to 22 1/2 inches long. I am such a big girl now!

Daddy likes to play with my hair in the bathtub. Here are some of my hairstyles now.


The 'natural' poof.



The curl.


The mohawk.





Which is your favorite?

Sufficiency

This morning, Kate and I went for a walk in Central Park. I love morning walks in the park - it just makes me happy. Of course it's good exercise, but it's also GREAT people watching, and I think to myself....Hmmm..what's their story? How can they be here at 10am on a work day? Do they work? Are they independently wealthy or maybe unemployed? Are they a professional "jogger" or something? Maybe they are a student and just haven't started school yet? Anyway...that's not really the point of this blog.

So, I'm walking in the park on the East side, and as many of you know, you can see the super, beautiful and architecturally inspiring high rise buildings towering over the trees. They really are all very impressive. Anyone that lives in New York knows that those apartments facing the park are at least a million or more above the price that the rest of us pay to live in this crazy place...just because of the view. It's a good one - I admit, but how do you put a price on that? Today, I was filled with envy as I saw - not the park facing windows - but the terraces and tree lined rooftops. Oh, how lovely that would be, to just sit out on your terrace overlooking the park and read or write or just chat with friends. I was in a daze looking at them that I literally almost ran into another "walker" with the stroller. Oops. Sorry about that.

Ironically, the song playing on my ipod at that moment was from a Shane and Shane song that says, "Your grace is sufficient for me, your strength is made perfect, when I am weak. All that I cling to, I lay at your feet. Your grace is sufficient for me." (also can be found in scripture...ha) Wow. It made me think...His grace allows for so much in my life and I am continually concerned with others and things that I don't have. Convicting.

Then I asked myself - "what am I clinging to right now"? What do I need to lay at his feet? It sounds funny, but my job came to mind. I think I'm scared to make a decision about not going back to work because there is part of me that is holding on to it so tightly and I don't know why. Then I thought about my future. I cling to "knowing" where we will be in a year, as if that is possible for any of us. But, my "plan" and my need to "know" is one that I can easily cling to - just to make me feel better. Interesting isn't it? What are you clinging to? You don't have to answer...but it's good that as we realize what we are clinging to...that we continue to do just that - lay it down. He has already met all of our needs.

His grace is sufficient.

What would our lives look like if we all truly lived by that statement? I wonder...

Farewell

Well, it's that time again. It's time to say goodbye to friends who have come to New York for a year and are ready to head back to Dallas and to a more suburban lifestyle. Our college friends, Megan and Randy Evans moved this past weekend and I could not let them go without having a small dinner party to send them off.

The good thing is that most of our friends choose Dallas after leaving New York, so it's promising that we will see them again in the near future. :) Here is the crew from this past farewell party.

Menu: homemade lasagna, a strawberry summer salad, and this yummy four-layer dessert. It's the easiest thing ever - you should try it!

Four-Layer Dessert

lst Layer: (1) cup flour, (1/2) cup chopped nuts, (1) stick butter
Combine and press into oblong pan. Bake 350 for 20 minutes

2nd Layer: (8) oz. cream cheese, (1) cup powdered sugar, (1) cup of
(9) oz carton cool whip. Blend well and spread on first layer

3rd Layer: (2) packages (4 oz) instant pudding - any flavor) (Butterscotch or chocolate are the best)
(3) cups milk - Mix and pour over 2nd layer

4th Layer: Spread rest of (9) oz carton cool whip on top.
Garnish as desired (shave chocolate or chopped nuts)

Chill and Serve!

Nanny Schmanny

It's days like today that I am thankful to have a blog that allows me to capture my thoughts and feelings.

I just got home from going to see an advanced movie screening of Nanny Diaries with Kate and a friend. I read the book a while back and was so looking forward to the movie. It was cute. Entertaining. Thought provoking. But I am sure for some - awkwardly convicting.

The screening was made possible through an Upper East Side mom group that I joined to meet other moms and to get involved in fun events such as this. So, as you can imagine, the theater was only moms with babies in tow, a bugaboo or three, and every new mom gadget imaginable. Then there were the expectant moms who have no idea what they are getting into. I was there just a few months ago. How funny is it that we are watching a movie making fun of Upper East Side moms and I'm in a theater where that is all there is. Hmmm.....

Without ruining anything for you, the movie is about a girl who becomes a nanny for a wealthy family on the Upper East Side and sees the good, bad, and ugly of a family led by parents who do anything but. There is a good message in there, but the depiction of reality in a family like that is mostly, well, just - ugly.

Interesting, isn't it; this concept of Nanny? What happened to babysitters who came to allow for date night and for an occasional event or break? It used to be that parents actually parented and mothers actually worked for that title and deserved it entirely. A touchy subject -eh? It's becoming a bit out of hand that the trendy way to parent is to hire someone else to do it for you, when you can actually afford to stay home.

This movie touches every nerve imaginable. As a mother who is on maternity leave -- evaluating whether or not to get a nanny and go back to work, to just have a "babysitter" for a few days a week, or to not work at all and just have a babysitter for a few hours a week to get a break...it was very telling for me. I still don't have an answer, but it gave some real pictures for me to consider before doing so.

So, I get out of the movie and my friend goes to the bathroom, while I patiently wait outside in the foyer. Three stereotypical Upper East Side moms walk over to me to inquire about my Ergo baby carrier (that Kate was snug as a bug in) and decided to talk about their husbands who work at firms similar to those depicted in the movie (uh...) and how their kids are home with the nanny right now and it is just wonderful. One of them has a live-in nanny, the other two "just" have one that comes 5 days a week. Their advice to me was that it is absolutely worth it to have "me" time at least 2-3 days a week. Ok, thank you. I was SO glad to leave that conversation. Wasn't interested in their advice really and I love how people assume you are. I really wanted to ask, " Did you just see the same movie that I did?"

On my 9 block walk home, I passed 6 nannies. Hmmm....

Oh, and the screening was sponsored by Cookie - my favorite "mom" magazine - by the way. In the giveaway bag was a magazine, of course, some Loreal baby bath soap, some Loreal Revitalift cream for the mom (nice!), and a giant large chocolate chip cookie - which I am eating as we speak. I'll leave it at that.

Coast to Coast

From New York to Colorado,

From Colorado to San Diego...

From the Cabin to La Costa.

We have just come back from a whirlwind trip around the country. We started out thinking we were just going to Colorado to relax for a few days in the mountains at the family cabin. Then David's boss called and needed him in San Diego for the remainder of the week and generously offered for Kate and I to join him. Uh - OK. You didn't have to tell me twice.

So, we went from the mountains to the beach. We were so unprepared that we had to go buy David some work clothes for his meetings (and a few extra of some other things, doncha know - to make it through the week). I didn't even know where we were staying and it ended up being this amazing resort, La Costa, in Carlsbad. (about 30 min outside of San Diego) While David worked, Kate and I enjoyed being outside - soaking in all of the sun. I was also able to see my dear friend, Andrea, which is always a treat!

When David was off work, we went to Oceanside and walked out on the longest wooden pier ever and then went to La Jolla and enjoyed breakfast overlooking the Cove. It was breathtaking and absolutely gorgeous. In response to my previous blog...we are now praying that God might "call" us to La Jolla next. ha!

It's definitely fun to be spontaneous...and baby Kate was so good! At 7 weeks - Kate can now say she has been coast to coast!

She's also learned how to smile for the first time at the cabin with Pa Paw (of course)! Now, she smiles at Mommy and Daddy all day long and it's the cutest thing ever. :)

What's up with this game of Tag?

The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Shawna's 8 random habits/facts/confessions:

1. I am on a major granola kick for breakfast. I don't know where it came from, but I crave it - like every morning. AND...it wouldn't be complete without fruit (blueberries and strawberries or both!) YUM.

2. I am addicted to my Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Champagne. Addicted. I cannot leave home without it.

3. Practically every day, since I've been on maternity leave, I have watched every morning talk show imaginable, I feel like. My day starts (usually) with a part of the TODAY show, then Regis & Kelly, then Rachael Ray, then The View, then the 12pm news and then if I'm still at home - it is either Millionaire or the Food Network with Paula Dean. That's A LOT of TV, but it seems it is the schedule right now unless Kate and I have something we need to get to in the morning. :) (I do try and schedule one social or fun thing each day so we get outside too - ha.)

4. I am definitely someone who likes the toilet paper to be placed with the flap on top. It totally bugs when someone puts it on the other way...it really shouldn't be like that. (disclaimer: If you are that person, we can still be friends)

5. The devotion book that I am reading right now is called, "What Jesus Demands from the World", by John Piper. It's unbelievable and rocks my world. Check it out! I'm sure there will be some blogs about it in the near future.

6. My 3 random short (or maybe long) term goals are to 1) take an art class and 2) pick up my guitar again and 3) become fluent in Spanish

7. I have a girl crush on Carrie Underwood. She is just adorable and SO talented!

8. My current bedtime routine, every night: wash face (either Oil of Olay or Modern Friction by Origins) and brush teeth (i know you're thankful), then Mega-Mushroom face serum by Origins, then Night-A-Mins by Origins, then eye cream from Caudalie, then hand cream from Ahava, take pre-natal vitamins, put Vaseline on the lips, then finally head to bed. What can I say... I LOVE being moisturized.

OK - Christine, Lindsi, and Christian - YOU'RE TAGGED!

Canal Street: What's Hot and What's Not - for Dot

I have been invited to be my friend, Courtney's, guest NY blogger and this week's "requested" topic is on Canal Street.

What is the hottest bag to be found on Canal Street?
You guessed it - it's the Dolce & Gabbana bag. The "slouchy" big bags are the bags for Fall, doncha know, and they are ALL over Canal in every color and shape, and you can bet there is a D&G on there somewhere.

What is the best deal to be had on Canal?
Some would argue the bags, but I would argue it's the cologne. For example, the Burberry cologne can be purchased at the outlet mall here for $45, BUT on Canal - you can get it for a bargain price of $15. Just ask my brother.

What is the best saying on Canal?
It is my favorite and makes me laugh every time. Here's how it goes... You will ask how much a bag is and then you receive the answer. Then it's followed by, "BUT FOR YOU"... and then a price about $2 less than what you originally heard. hahahaha - like it's $2 less just for ME!

What is the longest hot selling item on Canal?
It's the pashmina's! YEP...even after season #17...they are still HOT and selling fast - so be sure to get one in every color!

What is the worst item you can find on Canal?
Well, aside from the rat on the street...I think it's the movies that Courtney talks about on her blog. You can find the DVD of movies that are still in the theatre and it's a shaky recording from someone sitting in the movie theatre! Who thinks of this stuff? Oh brother.

Of course, your Canal experience would not be complete without the mixed smell of roasted nuts on the street cart and the chinese food being eaten by each of the vendors AND hearing, "Rolex, Prada, Gucci, Chanel?" with every step you take.

As far as other NY hot spots: the Statue of Liberty, Century 21, H&M, Ground Zero, and the ROCK are all still here and doing well! For those of you who don't know...the ROCK is the new Empire State Building. That's all for now! Be sure to check back for other NY updates. I am open to other requests.

From New York City, this is Shawna Sullivan...signing off. Back to you, Dot.

5 weeks old

I am 5 weeks old! I weigh 9 lbs, 15 oz and am 21 1/2 inches tall now. Look at how much I am growing!

Why is it so hard to take good baby pictures? :) Here are some that didn't turn out so well, but I love anyway.

I think there is a smile in here somewhere.

Ok - so all of my family think she looks more like David right now. In fact, my mom calls her "little David-a". ha! Who do YOU think she looks like -- mommy or daddy? Let's take a vote - See above.

P.S. You won't hurt my feelings. I promise.