Baby, it's Cold Inside.

Oh, it is.  Our HVAC unit broke Friday (only for the downstairs).  Yesterday, we had someone come check it out.  We went over a few options and are now waiting for a part to come in so we can be warm again.  Hopefully, our whole house will be heated by the end of the day.

Ella and I have had to be creative during the day to stay active upstairs.  It's nice and warm up there.  So, we've set up her exersaucer and Johnny Jumper in our bedroom and creative/craft room respectively.  Yesterday, she got to play with all of Daddy's work shirts that need to be ironed as well as the plastic hangers they'll hang on (someday).  We've taken baths and read books.  We've made crafts and played with toys. We've cuddled in the big bed (and even let Howie in to snuggle, too).  We skyped with Ella's Aunt Kate and cousin Judah while under the covers, and Ella has still gotten to take naps in her crib and on schedule (her room is upstairs, too, thankfully!).  It's actually been quite fun.

Some people would wonder why we haven't gone somewhere to get out of the house.  It's simple really.  We're creating memories.  This is one of those circumstances that needs to be taken advantage of...so that in years gone by, we will look back and say "Remember when the heater broke and Ella and I camped upstairs all day?"  Then, we'll trapse down memory lane laughing about how we kept busy and remember all the prayers we prayed to be warm again.

And because of the poetic and philosophical person I am, I've also spent my time reflecting not only about what parts of my house are cold but what parts of my soul have gone cold also.  I don't think anything happens "by chance", so if something occurs out of the ordinary, it's usually time for a little soul searching.

Perfect timing actually.  Hanukkah started on December 1st.  And Hanukkah is often referred to as the Festival of Lights--a time for God to reveal anything unclean that may be hanging around in our lives, a chance for us to repent of it and ask God for anew, and then a time to let our little lights shine.  So, even though we're waiting for our heat to come back...I think heat and light are actually about the same thing.  So, while we wait and create upstairs, we ponder and and say sorry for those cold parts, and ask that our lights would shine brightly again.

Just another reason to celebrate I would say!

Happy Tuesday.

(We had to make a trip downstairs to make lunch.  Ella decided to watch Veggie Tales.)

(corresponding song: Baby, It's Cold Outside by Ray Charles)