I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The following photograph shows my favorite sculpture, of the ones I saw, on the UNC campus. Not only is it beautiful, it is a fitting tribute to the men and women who helped build the university, the African-Americans who weren’t recognized back when the campus was established. The small figures are holding up a huge round table which is surrounded by stone seats. Not a comfortable place for a picnic, but stunning to the eye nonetheless.

The next three photos were shot around campus; the last one threw me for a loop momentarily. Sitting pertly atop an art building are the most peaceful and quiet pigeons I’ve ever seen. Stone pigeons don’t leave droppings—brilliant. The final shot was taken in Charity’s kitchen. She’s been throwing some beautiful pottery on the wheel and it’s fun to be able to eat off of dishes she created. I have a Charity P Original in my kitchen now.

I flew out to North Carolina last Friday to visit Charity and Andy in their spring-fresh, academic-filled, adorably-neighborhooded town of Chapel Hill. It’s hard to know how to blog about such an experience besides relating it in the most shallow, obvious terms possible because I don’t know how to share publicly the depth of my relationship with Charity. Suffice to say, Charity is the closest thing I have to a sister as we grew up together since age 12. We actually got annoyed in high school by friends who’d see only one of us, then ask, “Where’s Charity?” or “Where’s Rebecca?” I think that was the point where we found a few non-mutual friends. Ha! As my beloved sister-friend, Charity knew it was high time for me to see her new home in North Carolina, where’s she’s lived with her husband for almost four years now.

Andy and I conspired via email, surprised Charity with news of my visit a few weeks ago, Jeremy graciously let me go, and I hopped on a plane for a wonderfully relaxing weekend.

The photo above is my favorite of Charity and Andy. I think it captures their cozy, sweet marriage. The one below cracks me up and makes me happy. Who wouldn’t be happy her friend found a great guy who dips and smooches her in the front yard, not once but twice for the camera?

The final pic is proof that I actually visited Chapel Hill. There are red buds and dogwoods blooming nearby a quaint little stream in the background. Today it snowed in Lincoln. ‘Nuff said.

I stepped away for awhile to smell the daffodils.

More photos and stories of my trip will be posted in the next few days.

World, meet Tobey the Snowman. He was quite a work of art. That is, until the sun finally made a puddle out of him.

Livia is the Master Name Giver. Not only does she give names to every doll, animal and snowman within arm’s length, she also remembers the names. Really, she should be writing this blog post as I can’t remember half of the names she’s assigned.

There’s the quintuplets: Nanny, Bobby, Jon, Violet and Strawberry. (Bobby and Jon are twins—Liv knows which is which based on a mud spot on one twins’ arm.) There are the Care Bears, both of whom earned cherished spots in Livia’s bed last night: Hammy and [first mommy memory lapse]. There are numerous others… Hamsty and Elsie, Paris and Luce the Bunny, Dorothy the female Betta fish and Nectar the neighborhood cat. Liv also gave names to Renae’s pregnant tummy prior to Simon’s arrival. There was Big Teeth if it was a girl, and Gooper for a boy. When I told her that Aunt Kristin is going to have a baby boy, her first question was, “What’s his name?” I explained that Adam and Kristin hadn’t picked one out yet and she piped up with, “I can help!” I bet you can, kid.

Of all the names Livia has assigned, Tobey is one most frequently given. For those who don’t know the real life Tobey, he’s our pastor and friend—and apparently Livia appreciates him so much she named a blond Barbie after him last summer. Tobey, native of New Jersey, meet your namesake Tobey, Barbie doll. Since that point, we’ve enjoyed numerous other Tobeys in the Tredway household… Tobey the toy pig, Tobey the caterpillar artwork from preschool, and finally Tobey the snowman.

If Flickr cooperates, I’ll post a pic of the real-life Tobey for some side-by-side snowman comparison. ; )

Yesterday we had gorgeous 60 degree weather—perfect weather to take the kids to the park. And just so everyone knows, that second kid pictured actually belongs to Renae. (Simon tends to show up here from time to time simply because of our close proximity as neighbors and dear friends.)

Once again our family is participating in the Lincoln Safari, whose motto is “Healthy Families Play Outside!” The Safari is something of an introduction to our hometown as it has us visiting parks and various locations we’ve never seen before. Yesterday I took my decidedly unhealthy child to two neighborhood parks in north Lincoln. The second park involved quite a walk and I questioned my sanity—and wondered whether I could haul my 45 lb child back to the car if she was totally pooped out. But our imaginations helped us out as we became great adventurers and braved a raging river (an empty culvert) and explored some magic trees (evergreen). Liv never protested the walk and we had a great afternoon outside.

I could not have been happier with a special delivery to my door yesterday and here are the reasons why. 1) My husband gave me this delightful gift. 2) I love chocolate truffles, and 3) these phenomenal chocolates are handmade by my very talented friend Elaine Cranford.

Aren’t they beautiful? They are, honestly, the best chocolates I’ve ever eaten. Divine.

For more information on these truffles, check out Zola Chocolates.

Today was a good day. We played inside. We played outside. We walked down the block with Joie, Simon & Renae.

The wee one is in bed and now it’s time to watch tv and cuddle with my husband.

Goodnight, mouse. Goodnight, house.

Yes, it’s technically February, but I have so many fun pictures from the last day of January that I can’t help but post a few here. In one day we celebrated Adam’s birthday at Lazlos, Simon’s first birthday (1/30) with his family, and Joie’s 30th with a bunch of folks at Grace Chapel.

Kristin and Madeleine. I can’t resist a mom-and-daughter shot.

Adam and Matt. Matt made the blog! Hope I didn’t promise you otherwise, Matt.

Birthday Banner. Renae made this gorgeous banner for Simon’s birthday. It was so cool!

The Paparazzi. Simon was surrounded by adoring grandparents, great-grandparents and aunts and uncles.

Birthday Boy. Eating cake for the first time.

Joie and Keri. I love this pic of Joie laughing.

Though I missed running into Tanya H. and Tara M. and their respective families at the store this morning, I still managed to shop alongside Renae, Joie and Brook AND run into my high school psychology teacher (Mr. Mac for fellow LSE friends). Yes, Target is the place to be on New Year’s Eve.

I put a few items back on the shelf after deciding they weren’t really necessary, but also picked up some evergreen garland for 75% off. I loves me a good bargain and I think my house will benefit from a little extra pizzazz next Christmas. Livia, who loves to curl up in my cart thereby forcing all groceries to crowd off to the sides or be delegated to the bottom of the cart, became covered in the garland, but for some inexplicable reason didn’t mind. Turns out a fellow shopper thought I was talking myself through the aisles because she couldn’t see Liv under my purchases. It was funny… but maybe you had to be there.

I shot this photo during the DPP. Renae usually wears bright outerwear that always looked cheery. I love these gloves and I love it that Renae is always willing to drive us to Target. Because, I must admit, I make an excellent passenger. : )