Several things I've thought of blogging about but haven't

We live in the lower half of this and are very grateful for it.

"Okay guys, I'm ready to play in the snow!"

Me going for a run in the blizzard last weekend. I think I went about 3 miles and it took 35 minutes. It was SLOW going. And painfully windy.

Brandt the cutie pie bundled up for the elements.

Me after my run.

Here we are in the land of cold, Sioux City, Iowa.  It is also the land of some of the most friendly, genuinely kind and helpful people I have every been around. We have felt very warmly welcomed by new friends,  new neighbors, and total strangers.  We are in temporary housing awaiting the sell of our home in Alabama, and though we miss having more room, we are very happy to be together, especially during the Christmas Season.


Interesting things we've discovered so far in Sioux City:

• We travel out of state almost daily. Several families at church live in South Dakota (to avoid income tax). South Sioux City, Nebraska, is about 10 minutes away and is where we go for one of the library storytimes I take Asher to and the YMCA.
• LOTS of deer and wild turkey roam the neighborhoods. One house we have looked at and like had 3 big wild turkey in the backyard when we took the boys to see it. We hoped they were a good omen that we would be able to get that house.
• Sioux City is home to Palmer Candy Company, creators of the Twin Bing. If you don't know what this is, you are missing out. They are delicious, and the Palmer store is a confectionery wonderland.
• They don't have a TJ Maxx. Or a Marshall's. Or a Ross. This discovery kinda burst my bubble. I guess I'll live.
• When I run at 5:30 am in 5 degree temps on snowy streets, I do see other runners. Almost as many runners as deer. I'm not the only crazy here.
• On a more personal note, I've discovered that my skin responds well to the cold weather--the skin on my face, anyway. I've been moisturizing regularly and don't look all sweaty at the end of the day, like I did in AL. 
• A recent discovery that has nothing to do with Iowa: Biotin (the dietary supplement) WORKS for keeping your hair from falling out. I started taking it just before we moved b/c I was losing so much hair since Finley's birth. Now my brush and the shower drain are much cleaner, and new little hairs are coming in. And my eyebrows are filling in nicely, too.  I'll probably take it the rest of my life!