Adventures in a White Winterland

Ted, Finley and I set out for Chicago on Monday, just as the temperature in Chicago dropped to -7 degrees. When we arrived, the ground was covered with ice and snow, and it was snowing relentlessly. I can't complain though. Driving to Ted's home felt like a journey through the North pole. The Christmas lights looked magical up against the white snow. This was my first time to experience a white Christmas...something that you dream about when you live in the south. Our day of travel had been an exhausting one...12 hours in the airport with a baby. So, we were glad to finally arrive at Grammy and Papou's.

It was really sweet to experience Christmas with a child. I felt like I was seeing everything for the first time, through her eyes. I wonder what she thought of that tree decorated with lights and ornaments, and the big stocking that Grammy made with her name on it. She must have thought we were crazy when we handed her boxes and encouraged her to rip off the paper. Not to mention, the odd man in red that held her at the mall. I never really thought of how strange our traditions are until now...watching a little curious child experience everything. She loved it, and I loved it....except for Santa...I'm not sure she loved that.

We had lots of time to visit with family members: Ted's cousins, Bill and Joanna, the DiCosala's, their kids and grandparents. Everybody made a fuss over Finley...her first Greek reception. Ted and I spent a date night in downtown Chicago. We ate at his favorite Greek restuarant, then went to see "Jersey Boys". I wore my new peacoat with a grey hat and scarf and felt very Chicago. The one mistake that I made was my brown slip on shoes that disappeared in all of the snow piles we ran through...and to think, I have perfectly good snow shoes sitting in my garage that never get used...oh well. Grammy and I also went to see "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis which was really neat.

The ride home was interesting...12 more hours in the airport. I spilled chinese sauce all over my shirt...I mean ALL over my shirt. I had a change of clothes for Finney, but who knew I would need one for me. Ted changed Finney's poopy diaper in a tiny airplane bathroom...and dropped the diaper face down on the floor (shhh, don't tell). I guess we got repaid for that because when we got her carseat back, it was drenched and smelled like raw fish...what a messy day. Ted and I decided that next time, we hope to drive.

We loved our time in the White Winterland...a perfect place for Finney to experience her first Christmas. And for all of my sweet friends who are asking about Papou, he is doing amazingly well! His heart is no longer clogged and he is up and walking on his healing hip; thank you Jesus! I think we would all admit that our favorite Christmas gift this year was having him around awhile longer.