Finally some snow!

We've been out in Winter Park since Tuesday and it has been sunny, beautiful and warm (30-40 degrees as highs!) but the downside--all the snow was melting! We kept seeing snow in the forecast but nothing came...finally this morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. Our friends the Whitmans arrived last night and now everyone is out skiing. I took the dogs on a long walk--they love the snow and it's nice cause they don't get all muddy (yesterday everything was mud, it was like spring here). Scott with Sophie, Lexie, and Lucy...

Lexie playing in the snow...she's going to be ticked when she realizes she's going back to Indy tomorrow.

My attempt at getting all three snow dogs together...they don't sit still for very long! (left to right, Sophie, Lucy and Lexie)...yes I've become the dog lady since I can't ski.

A view looking down on some of the homes in the neighborhood--the Winter Park slopes are actually in the background but you can't see them because of all the snowfall!

Out in the mountains

After 5 days in Pennsylvania and 2 days back in Indy, we're now out in Winter Park. It's so beautiful I can't help myself; I had to take a pic off the back deck this morning. Scott, Mom and Dad just left for skiing and since I can't partake myself, I'm hanging out with the dogs. (my parent's dogs Lucy and Sophie along with Lexie)...oh yea and fighting my cold ;)

I wish I could wake up to this every day...

Christmas in Bethlehem

We're a bit delayed in our posts...we spent Christmas in Bethlehem, PA visiting Scott's parents. We were out there 5 days, fortunately made it there before the ice storm came in. On Christmas Eve we went to a go-cart track--like a real racing track (I think the cars reach 45 mph and require helmet/neck brace to race) Obviously I did not race but I got to watch :)

Christmas morning was spent with the family; later that day Scott's Uncle George, Aunt Karen, and cousins Jake and Sarah came over for games and Christmas dinner. The 26th we went into NYC to see Wicked (which was great!) and have a fancy dinner--the city was so beautiful with Christmas lights!

And all of a sudden...

...you could say my belly just "popped". We took a picture at exactly 24 weeks but it didn't turn out well...this one was taken a few days past 24 weeks. (with my hair chopped as well!) I went to the doctor last Friday and everything still looks great; right on track. And I amuse myself during the day feeling him kick...Scott felt it for the first time a few days ago! I can't believe I have 6 months behind me and less than 4 to go...I know it is going to fly by (especially the next few weeks with the holidays!) The only downside is a stupid pain I'm having due to a lower back bone or something--my doc referred me to a physical therapist. It's annoying to me because I haven't been able to work out, but it's a minor issue so I can't complain.

The new Subaru

We picked up our new car this past weekend... a Subaru Forester. For those of you who didn't know, Scott sold his car like 6 weeks ago and we have been living on just one car! Most of the time it has worked out just fine; I take the bus to work so it's not a necessity (although it's a nice convenience!). We got the car just in time for Indy's first snow of the season; and the AWD worked great. Yes, Scott put Lexie in the car. We know she's spoiled. I don't think she knows it. And she's going to be in for a huge shock when her little brother arrives! At least she'll still be daddy's little girl. My favorite part of the new car is the heated seats--in my mind, it's a necessity :)

Getting ready for Christmas!

Well we finally have the house decorated for Christmas (minus a few outside lights that don't work...). Our tree is beautiful this year; a fraser fir from a temporary stand by Glendale mall (I think it was called Gore's Trees?). The picture doesn't do it justice because you can't see the lights...but it's prettier than last years!

We're going to have a calm holiday season until we head to Pennsylvania on the 23rd--we're going to Bethlehem for Christmas! (That's where Scott's parents live). Then we're home for a few days before we go out to Colorado. Unfortunately my baby bump will prevent me from skiing this year but I'll still be able to enjoy the beautiful snow! (and Winter Park has great shopping...). So far Scott has several presents under the tree, Lexie even has a present...nothing yet with my name on it :)

Child Advocates

As you may or may not know, I started volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with Child Advocates last February. When a child is pulled by Department of Child Services, not only are they assigned a caseworker (who's ultimate goal is reunification of the family), they are *hopefully* assigned a guardian ad litem as well. The goal of the GAL (myself) is to really get to know the child and become familiar with the case, and then to make recommendations to the court based on what is best for the CHILD. We have the fortunate situation of being able to focus on only the needs of the child--not worrying about pleasing other people involved in the case (mom/dad/aunt/caseworker/etc).

Since becoming involved with Child Advocates, I have seen a crack baby develop into a healthy 16 month old and start the adoption process with a loving relative; another premature child born to a mom with an addiction to prescription drugs now start the adoption process with a loving aunt, uncle, and cousins; and three little boys who are just now starting trial in home visits with their mom, after she attended classes and stood up to her abusive (ex) boyfriend. It has been amazing, I have met great people, and I really feel like I have made a difference (I'm happy to talk about my experiences if you're interested)

Child Advocates has several full time, staffed (paid) employees who work as hard as they physicall can--but they can't reach all the kids in the system. Each paid employee has roughly 25 volunteers who report all the fine details back up the chain. There is a strong need for new volunteers--they trained 140 new volunteers this year and there are still over 800 kids with NO VOICE in court. And they only ask for 6-8 hours/month from each volunteer (I do it with a full time job)--a visit to the children, a few phone calls, a court date here and there. I'm using my blog as a sales pitch :) But it has truly been a rewarding experience. Check it out at http://www.childadvocates.net/ (Marion County)