I heart NY

It took me about 3 years and having a baby here to really appreciate NYC in all of it's goodness...and it's hard to believe that we will be here 5 years this December. There are plenty of things that are difficult or frustrating or just not "ideal" about the City, but oh - there are so many things to love and yesterday was full of them! 

* I went to a meeting and was home in 10 minutes. Plus, I got to walk and get exercise at the same time!

 * It snowed about 8 inches on Thursday and the City became a winter wonderland. So, we decided last minute to take a walk through Central Park.  It's just beautiful and so fun to watch kids and grown men alike sledding down a hill. 

* We live 4 blocks from the MET and get in free (thanks UBS!), so we went just for an hour or so and came home in time to get Kate fed and in bed. We saw the photography exhibits, which are some of our favorites and a Jasper Johns exhibit that is going on now. 

* Then came home and enjoyed a great bottle of wine - now THAT is what I call a good day. :)

All in all, yesterday was one of those days that you think to yourself...living in NYC is not bad at all. In fact, it's pretty awesome. Enjoy some pics from the park. 

Trip to the Burbs

As a city dweller, the very thing that brings us happiness on the weekends is what many of you take for granted each and every day: a mall, a chain restaurant, and a car. Oh yes, friends, we rented a car and headed out to New Jersey last weekend and enjoyed a full Saturday shopping and eating in the Burbs. I loved every minute of it. 

We, in NYC, are spoiled somewhat with great local mom-and-pop places to eat that are amazing; however, they don't replace a good ol' Chick-'fil-A or On the Border (the only Tex-Mex place we get in the NE). I don't have to be the one to tell you that chain restaurants are wonderful, because 1) they are kid friendly 2) they are usually more reasonably priced and 3) there is S-P-A-C-E. So, anytime we can get to one...we do, and we smile. 

Our day began at IHop where our name was spelled "Solevan". Creative, I think. Then on to Target. Enough said. I asked David if we could just walk slowly through the aisles to make the most of our experience. Then we moved on to Linens-n-Things and Michael's. Ahhh - a hobby/craft store!! What I wouldn't give for one in the City. Seriously - our car was filled to the brim with things that we really needed and could get for so much less in the Burbs than in the City. A successful day as far as I'm concerned and super productive. I was a happy girl. 

However, I was left with a gaping hole in my heart that something was missing. Something let me feeling unfulfilled. I realized that we had taken ALL of our gift cards with high hopes of using some of them - and what did we do? We forgot them. Now, I've been in stores before and realized I left a gift card at home and what can you do? It's sad, but you move on. Well - this time there was NO excuse. We actually had them with us and we were ready to use them and even talked about using them, and not once, but TWICE we walked out of the stores WITHOUT using them. Ugh!!! I am really not sure what is the most frustrating part - not using them or trying to figure out what we'll do with them all until we come BACK to a store after renting a car on a Saturday. 

In the (semi-outdated) article called, "The Gift-Card Economy" in the NY Times, they say that out of $80 Billion spent on gift cards in 2006, $8 Billion will never be used. 30% of people use them within the first month and 19% will never use them.  I think I'm closer to the 19 than to the 30. Seriously, here are the gift cards I have in my hands right now that have yet to be used:

Pier 1 imports Tiffany's (2 of them)

Linens-n-Things Apple (2 of them)

Giggle  Blockbuster

Origins Buy Buy Baby

Burberry Target

Orvis Best Buy

Sephora

What about you? Do you have gift cards still sitting in your purse or do you go out and spend them immediately? So interesting to me. Random, but interesting. 

Need a Smile?

Take a look at this face!

Hair Stylist: Daddy

Photographer: Daddy

Model: Baby Kate

Rockwall Represents!

Oh yea! I LOVE the fact that someone from Rockwall, Texas is on American Idol! I am so addicted to that show and yes, it is season 7, and I'm still giddy to think about watching it. I think it's because it's one of the only reality shows that something productive and positive really does happen at the end of it, you know? And...who doesn't LOVE music!? Are there any other American Idol fans out there? Come on, you can tell me. 

Well - this is my shout out to Jason Castro! If you are a fan or if you just want to support my hometown of Rockwall, Texas - then vote for him each week! I thought he did a great job last night. I loved the guitar addition and I do get a fun vibe from him and his hippy, dreadlock self. Speaking of...I didn't know anyone had dreads in Rockwall, but I'm glad to see it! 

Go vote! 

What Can I Say?

I remain ever so thankful for my family here in NY. My immediate family and our church family. Both made Valentine's Day extra special...and I am simply grateful. 

David brought home two dozen roses for his two girls and I had bought Kate a few new things for V-day as well (new puppet, shoes, book). Kate loved her roses (and mommy did too). Then I made dinner - Chicken Marsala, Spinach Salad, Garlic Bread - very yummy! We love our time after Kate goes down. It's like we have just crossed the finish line of a day-long race. Such a great feeling. We played games, enjoyed light hearted conversation and many laughs. 

Then on Friday, we received a great gift! Couple friends of ours, The Masons, offered to watch Kate so we could go out to dinner. What a blessing and a true example of what Christ's community should look like, don't you think? I was telling another friend that we had a couple just offer to watch Kate and she said, "man - I think I need to join your church!" :) Love that. 

David planned our evening and took us to an excellent restaurant on the UES, called JoJo's. It is nestled in an old brownstone and is definitely a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The food was breathtakingly good. It is the original of several Jean-Georges' restaurants - one of the top chefs in NY, and it lived up to the name completely. The only funny thing about some really nice NY restaurants is how close you sit to the table next to you. You would think that if you pay as much as you do for the food - that you would have your own section of the restaurant let alone floor. But, no, you are literally sitting as close to the table next to you as if you had just walked in together in the first place. 

I remember it really bothering me the first few times and now it's just expected and you learn to focus and still ease drop a time or two. You never know who you will sit next to, because it's pretty much understood you'll be apart of each other's conversations for the duration of the evening. 

The couple next to us this particular night - how should I say this... we weren't sure they were a couple at all or perhaps business partners or even better - business partners with benefits. It was so mind boggling to trace their topics of conversation from her daughter and the fact that she is outgrowing her changing table to their restaurant they owned and managed together, her engagement ring that she wants to redo and resize for the other hand, on into the nanny and future trips they need to take. Let's not forget the point when she brings up politics and event toasts to Bush. (that's for sure not something you hear up here often - if ever!) We were so confused, especially because she would boss him around like a chew toy for a puppy. I mean things like:

 "Hurry up and order!"

 "Go ahead - you can get a dessert wine."

"Pay attention! He needs to get by you."

I guess I won't really have to describe her to you other than tell you the story when she said, "We need to go to Vegas and check out some restaurants," and he answered, "Why - all the women there look exactly the same as you do." That pretty much sums it up. To which - she barked back and they laughed. So strange. Sometime during our dinner - and we did have our own conversation too - I looked at David (without having said anything else before now, mind you) and asked, "So, have you figured it out yet?" He was like..."No way - not a clue". I love it when you are on the same page. 

Our conclusion was that they were there as business partners with maybe some "companion" benefits since it was a Friday after V-day and they were dining at a table for two in one of the most romantic restaurants. Because - she paid for the dinner with her corporate card. Hmmm...

David didn't think it was sexual. I would maybe argue that it might have happened at least once and they decided it wasn't such a good idea. She was definitely his boss in some way, shape or form.ha! Anyway - David and I through all of this had a lovely time and discussion too. What can I say - it was a great evening, a great memory, great company, and great food!

Anyone else have any thoughts or fun valentine stories? 

Interested...

... in being my VALENTINE?

When is Enough, Enough?

Last Fall, David and I read a book called Money, Possessions and Eternity by Randy Alcorn. At first, I rolled my eyes with prideful boredom while thinking that I already know what the bible says about possessions and money. I know about having no other gods and about using our resources to serve others. I even know the verse about the comparison of the rich man trying to get to heaven with the camel trying to go through the eye of a needle. You get the point.  What I did not know is how much Satan wants us to think that, so that we don't study it further and let it reshape our lives and our lifestyle.

 I have waited to gradually introduce my thoughts on this book, because honestly I have had to digest them myself. It is a life changing book, if you allow it to be, which is why it is on my list of things to do before you die. You will hear me refer to it again and again, I predict, but for now I want to discuss one aspect of something David and I have been talking about ever since and it came up again yesterday...

When is enough, enough? No, really. If we, in the Christ covenant community, truly believe that our earthly possessions pale in comparison to Christ and are completely opposite of what eternal life is about...then why do we see our resources as "ours" and spend so much on....stuff? Designer stuff. 25% off stuff. Clearance stuff. The best brand stuff? Why is it about making ourselves more comfortable, look better, or feel better? These are the things I ask myself.  What will Jesus say to me about how I spend His resources? I know that it reflects my heart and my priorities, but I still tend to look at them as mine - for my pleasure, not for His glory. 

This week David and I have been in conversation about it again because he received his annual compensation and bonus figures. Now, if you are in the world of banking...everything usually rides on the bonus. During this time in the market, we were just thankful that he still has a job. Even more, we find ourselves extremely blessed that he will make more than he did last year. I always have this initial thought of how much we can accomplish this year with the money or how much we would like to save or give or what trips we would like to take, etc. But, then there is always this question...

If we were living alright this past year, able to enjoy some nice things, live comfortably, still participate in giving and community service - what will we do with the "extra" money this new year?  Do we really need more? Will it just end up in this "black hole" labeled - our spending? Why do we think that because we receive a raise that we are to use that "extra" money on ourselves or to increase our "lifestyle"? Because we deserve it? What if we saw that "extra" money every single year as more money to give to the kingdom - to bless others instead of ourselves? What if. 

David told me of a guy in his group who makes multiple multiple millions a year.  Yes, I said it. I can't fathom it, but I said it. The most unfathomable part is that he complained to them yesterday that he thinks he should get paid more for his outstanding performance this year. Seriously?  Would $15 Million be enough? How about $20M? Is there really any amount of money that will fulfill us and satisfy our longing for importance and respect and power and ego? When is enough, enough?