updated site

Our new site is http://www.clewnet.wordpress.com

Thanks!

On the lake...errr...pond

We're moving...

our blog, that is.  Future posts are going to be on my personal website.  Please update your links to reflect our new location:

http://www.clewnet.com/blog

I will not be checking this one after the end of January.  Thanks!  

The management.

Spring is here...

It was 14 degrees to start the week and 72 degrees to end it.  I must say that I’ve completely enjoyed the weather since we moved here in August.  It has been a nice change of pace--you know, the whole four seasons thing.  

This weekend has been so enjoyable.  We didn’t have  a lot of commitments, so we’ve been able to relax a bit, spend some quality family time together, and hang out at the house.  There weren’t any unexpected trips to Tulsa, and other than the sound of someone running their leaf blower right now it’s pretty quiet.

I have really been trying to cobble together some sort of organized budget the last few days.  Discipline on money matters is something that I really need to work on.  I’m also trying to figure out what, if any, role Lewis Digital will continue to have in our lives.  I have one more wedding to shoot and a couple of albums left to put together.  Other than that, I don’t have anything left on the books.  At this point, about the only thing I would be willing to take on is something I could shoot and be done with on the same day.

We didn’t make it to church this weekend--very disappointing--because we’re trying to prevent Lauren from getting sick just before Noah arrives.  If she were to catch a cold, that could also result in an ear infection which would result in having to insert tubes in her ears according to the doctor.  She is scheduled to see an ear/nose/throat specialist in February.  It was a tough call to make because we all really wanted to go, but I felt like it was too big of a risk to take.  Lauren gets sick about every other trip we make to church, and we cannot afford any setbacks at this time. 

Lauren has really enjoyed being on the deck yesterday and today.  She loves to put the corn we have out for the birds and squirrels between the boards on the deck.  Being cooped up in the house can be difficult.  She’s napping right now (which is why I’m able to blog).  Beth, Meshach and I are still sitting on the deck.  Noah just made his presence known (Beth’s stomach is somewhat contorted) and says hello.

I hope you like our new blog-style.  Tomorrow starts the two-week countdown.

The AT&T Cotton Bowl

Well, at least the all-red uniforms looked nice...Happy New Year!

It's the end of the year as we know it...

...and I feel fine.

2007 is on the books and I'm pretty sure it was the most event packed year of my life.  I started the year with no idea that by its close I would be preparing for a new child, saying goodbye to UT and SRP, living in a new state, shooting fifteen weddings, taking a new job, driving a new car, living debt free, introducing myself to the world of Apple computing, and waking up to ice and snow every now and then.  I get tired just typing all of that.

I suppose now is the time when I'm supposed to reflect on all of that, and I guess that I have to an extent.  However, 2008 is staring me right in the face.  Hopefully, it will be a little less stressful than 2007, but I cannot image it being easier.  Two kiddos!  

Noah is supposed to arrive by the 21st of January, and Beth is already feeling the crunch.  We are nearing completion of the nursery, but there always seems to be more to do.  We painted the walls a nice shade of khaki.  They were originally neon yellow, but Beth was pretty sure that the glowing walls would keep Noah awake at night.  We've hung a few frames, put up the crib and changing table, and gotten his clothes and bedding washed in preparation for his arrival.  (Beth has also been working on getting our suitcase packed for the hospital).  Me?  I'm trying to get all of our video from 2005, 2006, and 2007 archived and put onto DVD before Noah arrives so that I do not lose hope of getting caught up.

I'm really looking forward to this next chapter in our lives...Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Wrap-up

Christmas Morning

Christmas 2007 has come and gone (yes, all the decorations are already in the attic).  January 21st (Noah's due date) is quickly--way too quickly--approaching.  Beth is scheduled to be induced, so he should be here by then or sooner.  It's hard to believe that it's that close.  

Lauren has been busy.  She loves to play with her baby dolls--she puts them in their crib with blankets on them, feeds them, burps them, and changes their diapers.  Her favorite baby right now is Baby Moses--she named him after a little bath toy she has of baby Moses.

Her favorite Christmas gifts were her lamb and her castle.  She is always trying to get one of the grown-ups to go sit in her castle...or Meshach if he's available.  Lauren had a great Christmas, and I think she understood more of it than I thought she would.  She definitely understood the opening presents part.  On the day after Christmas, she woke a little early and on our way to the kitchen she said, "Presents?  Santa Claus?"  It was cute.

Here are some images from Christmas day (above).

The Netherworld...

Have you ever thought about the period between Christmas and New Year's?  To me, it is a bizarre conflux of endings and beginnings.  Such is life, I suppose, but I'm certainly in a melancholy and distant mood.

Lauren had a fantastic Christmas--got everything she wanted and more.  It is hard not to spoil that child.  She is so incredibly intelligent.  A couple of weeks ago, we were sitting on the couch and out of nowhere--no coaching or anything--she counted from one to ten.  I was sitting right there, absolutely astounded.  Maybe I shouldn't have been so surprised to hear that she spelled her name today...while I was at work no less.  I hate missing stuff like that.

I'm sitting at Jude's Java Cafe having some lunch, a little cream spinach soup and a turkey sandwich, and watching people come and go.  Beth, Lauren, and Mary are on their way back from Tulsa and BabiesRUs.  They got a few items that we were missing in anticipation of Noah's arrival (no later than Jan 21st--Beth is scheduled to be induced then).  

The weather is pretty miserable today.  It's about 35 with a light drizzle.  The sky is a rather drab shade of gray and reminds me that I'm being melancholy.  

I guess mostly I just missed seeing my mom and dad (and everyone else from Arkansas). My prayer is that everything works out so that we get to see you guys sooner than later.  

On a brighter note, my friend Clayton FINALLY updated his blog.  Thanks man.