It's cold outside and snowing. It was really coming down for a little while but by now it's just a flurry. The coating on the road was enough to cause me a little concern as I had planned to go to the eye doctor this morning. I'm not one to be afraid to drive in snow but with reports of black ice in the area and hauling three kids I didn't want to just assume it would be okay. I called the eye doctor's office and they couldn't tell me anything I didn't already know about the roads, but said that they don't have any heat and half of the staff is out with the flu. Um...I think I'll reschedule. So...we have a snow day today.

I didn't mention that we all went to the Stones River Greenway in Hermitage on Saturday. The weather was nice and I have been needing to use my Kohls (which is right next to the trail head) gift cards that I got for Christmas so we took off. The boys enjoyed it as usual and Kris took some good pictures. I don't pretend to like any pictures of me for the last 8 or 9 years, but not posting a picture doesn't change what I look like so I'm posting. I really like several that he took of Ivan...his denim jacket (thank you again Amber) makes him look rugged and handsome. Despite my rugged looks I did a little shopping after our walk and got a few niceties for our bedroom. Some art and candle holders will help make the room look a little more complete.

Speaking of shopping...we did a little shopping on Sunday as well. I needed a dress to wear last night to the dinner we went to and we had a coupon for Penney's so that was our first stop. Kris took the two older boys and I took Aron and we went our separate ways. I called Kris when I had a couple finalists for him to give his opinion on and he said he was already on his way. I hung up and closed Aron in the dressing room to step out and get his thoughts on dress number one. But he wasn't there. I waited. I checked on Aron and then went out again...no Kris. I stepped out a little further and still couldn't see them coming. Weird. I can always see Kris coming because of his height so I knew I wasn't just missing him. I hated to move any further from Aron or the dressing room. When I'm wearing a dress I haven't purchased it feels like I'm stealing to walk more than 20 feet from my own clothes. When I made it to the wide aisle I saw him with Ivan but no Owen. He was looking around and when he saw me he motioned that Owen was missing. Okay...I can remain calm...he's hidden under clothes racks before and he just can't be far away. When I asked him where he was when he disappeared he said "right here." Now, I'm a little concerned. See..."right here" is right by the doors leading out of the store. Apparently when I called is when he left Kris' sight. Probably when Kris looked down to put his phone away or something. Regardless, we decided to tell a cashier immediately and get a little help. One girl ran outside to have a look around and the manager got on the intercom system and declared a "Code Adam" asking all the customers and staff to help look for Owen, 4 years old, light brown hair and a blue and green shirt. Almost immediately we were able to exhale as a male employee's voice came through her walkie talkie saying he had found Owen. The "Code Adam" was canceled and we weren't sure if we should beat him or hug him. He explained that when I called he heard Daddy say we were going to look for mommy. Only he thought Kris had said that he (Owen) should look for mommy, so he took off. We had a good talk about it and later when he and I were looking for something together he said over and over "I'm really sorry that I left daddy." I'm just glad we found him and so quickly.

When I returned to the dressing room. Aron was starting to get a little fussy...poor baby...just got left in the little room all by himself. There was a woman and young girl in one of the rooms next to me and they were chatting about all the excitement. The little girl asked, "how did they know where he was?" And the mother replied, "Well someone must have just looked down and saw a little boy and said, 'are you Andrew' and took him to the front." Hmmm...Andrew...I'm glad we didn't require her help.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Also known as Black Thursday in some circles (I'm not saying which circles, I just know of some circles). This year we decided to stay home. Going out on Valentine's often means long lines and big crowds when all you want is a little intimacy...so...we'll stay home. I'm planning some sweet treats for the boys and maybe a family movie and a roaring fire amongst the gas logs. It will be nice to have a quiet evening with all my sweethearts.

Hey! The flakes just picked up again. Maybe our cheers for "more snow, more snow, more snow! In Jesus name, amen" did the trick. God likes us.