September Sub-Zero

Well, not quite, but close. Last night the temperatures dipped to 34 degrees, the nightcap to a day full of chilly wind and some earlier rain. It was in the 50's in our house when we crawled out of bed--cold enough to scurry out to the garage and fire up the furnace. Fall is in the air. And as much as Andrea and I lament Summer's passing, we welcome the changes that fall brings. The candy corn on the coffee table, the fall decorations throughout the house, the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin spice floating through the air, the leaves dropping outside our window--rustling across the driveways and under the wheels of the stroller, Notre Dame football on Saturday, brisk walks, a warm handmade scarf (made by your lovely wife) circling your neck...the list goes on. All is well in the Shire.
But evil comes with the north wind. Some in the Shire have revolted against us. We got a letter of foul intent from our Homeowners Association demanding we reside or scrape and repaint our house, or else! We were rather taken aback, as we have one of the nicer houses in this quaint community. Alas, there are a few boards here and there that are showing their age (or should I say the faultiness of their quality--curses Masonite!). Still, the overall appearance is one of simple beauty. So now we're praying for God to make a way for the residing to take place. Just another way for God to pierce the darkness with His light and restore peace to the happy Shire.
Church was great this morning. Don Stephens, the founder of Mercy Ships, was our guest speaker this morning. He's from the po-dunk farming community of Olathe, which is a blink on the highway between Montrose and Grand Junction. Anyway, God has used this man so powerfully to reach the poor forgotten by the world. Andrea and I would love to get involved, but anything we could do with Ellie is most likely short-term. So I'm thinking Mercy Ships after we "retire" would be a great start to our mid-life adventure. There were some other mission organizations at the church as well, a little expo you might say, and one of them was YWAM. I got to talking with one of the girls there, and she said there is an art school within the Colorado Springs base opening possibly in March. This perked both Andrea's and my ears. Maybe this is an outlet for my photography? We'll see--I gave her my info to keep me posted.
On the way home, we stopped and got a pumpkin from Albertsons. Yeah, it's way early, but I got a crazy craving for pumpkin seeds. If you've ever had them, all roasted and salted, you can understand. And not to let the pumpkin go to waste, I carved a jack-o-lantern for the front porch.
Notre Dame lost miserably to Michigan yesterday. Ellie was bummed, as you can see. Quinn, who had no interceptions in his past 145 throws, was picked three times yesterday. It was not pretty. It was the second most points ND has allowed at home since Purdue posted 51 points back in 1960. Outplayed on every inch of the field. Let's hope they get their act together before Michigan State this weekend, who beat the Irish last year.
And if that wasn't bad enough, I found out that the ND vs. Air Force Game November 11 is sold out. Insult to injury. But fear not, hope has not faded. I will find a way. Oh yes, I will find a way! Carpe Diem isn't my motto for nothing.
Alright Grey's fans, Thursday is coming! Grey's Anatomy has taken forever to get here. It isn't a holistic show by any means. I mean, it does have its' beautiful moments, and truth does reign in many a scene, but the ways of the world rule here. But the characters, the opening monologue by Meredith, the struggle to become the next elite surgeon of the world and remain human...ahhh, I can hardly wait. And for those of you who may not know it, I've got it bad. I was at Crossroads working the front desk two weeks ago, and in the quietness of the moment, I thought to myself, "I miss George...I can't wait to see him again." By far one of my favorite chracters on the show. This Thursday will find Andrea and I gathered with the few close friends we have here in GJ huddled up on the couch of Troy and Jenna with rootbeer floats enjoying the season premiere. Days away, my friends, days away.
Ah, yes, then there is Ellie. The sunshine in our lives. Andrea and I are blessed beyond belief with this precious daughter of ours. She continues to expand her baby vocabulary with goos and gaas aplenty. Today, daddy and daughter had their first little outting away from mom. We ran over to Office Depot for some blank DVD's and then to Home Depot to price out some humidifiers. She was an angel, slept pretty much the whole time. She blew her drawers out as we exited the Depot, so I had to do a diaper change in the parking lot, which is always a fun experience.
Another great Ellie moment from today. Andrea had just finished feeding Ellie and was burping her. I was walking to the kitchen for some water, when I heard Andrea start panicking. I turned just in time to see the second wave of milk surging from Ellie's mouth and stomach, soaring through the air in liquid slow-motion, only to splash down softly on Andrea's red sweater. She was COVERED in milk! I carefully peeled Ellie from mom and gingerly walked her to her changing table, strapped her in safely, then went and helped Andrea remove her sopping wet garment. She dashed to the shower while I got the bathtub ready. So Ellie got her bath a little earlier than we had planned:o)
Well, mis amigos, adios for now. We'll catch up hopefully sooner than later. Oh, and a little prayer request. Diane (Andrea's mom aka MeeMaw) is having surgery on her knee Tuesday. Not a huge surgery, but surgery all the same. Thanks for the prayers. Talk with you soon!

Love,
Graham, Andrea & Ellie