Up Early

J's alarm went off at 2:20 am this morning.  He was out the door shortly after 3am, on his way to the local NBC station in downtown Austin for a live interview on CNBC.  The spot was due to come on at 4:20 am, so I set my alarm for 4:15 am and went downstairs to catch his two minutes.  It was a two-hour show that started at 3:00 am, so I fast-forwarded through the majority to get a feel for what kind of show it was.  It was "Worldwide Exchange" with an anchor in London and another in Singapore (I think).  So J was piped in via satellite.  It was a very stock-exchange heavy news show, so I wasn't sure how Snoball would fit in, but they requested the interview, so we were excited for the incredible opportunity.

Here's what he saw....at the studio...quite a bit different from the local show's set-up.  And here's what I saw from my couch....Snoball on CNBC.

It was a bummer that the interview got interrupted by breaking news, especially since the breaking news was the result of an Italian bond auction.  J said they had prepped him for a possible interruption.  Apparently, the mediocre results of the auction are strong enough to keep the Italian economy from collapsing, so you know....I guess that's breaking news.

He still got in a really great explanation of Snoball and lots of exposure for the company.  Then he was back home and in bed again by 5:30 am.  But not before driving through on his way home to bring us all a special breakfast.  I just saw it in my fridge.  Not only is he a genius nerd leading an amazing team to becoming a household name, he's also thoughtful and considerate.  And mine (smitten sigh).

This is the last interview that we know of for right now.  It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks with all the great press.  This just means the Snoball Christmas party next year is really going to be surreal.  To God be the glory!

Makin' News!

Look who got up early to make news - Snoball on Good Day Austin!  Crazy, surreal cool!

Here's what he saw....
waiting his turn
on the couch
scary teleprompters

That's My Man!

As I was reading the latest article on Snoball, I got to the middle part where the writer talks about the qualifications of the person he interviewed and realized, "Holy hippies and nerds, Batman!  I'm married to that genius!"  (You have to read the article to get the reference.)  I'm so proud of you, J--every little hippy, nerd, genius bit of you!!

Recipe of the Year

Start with a birthday party for a two-year-old who soon after gave up her naps,

add one cranky pregnant mommy,

one daddy starting half-a-dozen new businesses, and

one precocious four-year-old ballerina.

Stir in the privilege of leading a great small group,

coordinating fun playgroups,

and a heaping heartful of treasured friendships.

Don't forget to chop up the homeschool planning and add it in gradually.

Just as the pregnancy starts to come to a long, slow simmer, 

splash in a little "we-might-need-to-move" to keep things spicy.

Once the baby has arrived, allow the whole mix to rest for just a week or two;

too long and you risk having a dull moment.  

Dump in a whole chunk of "we-have-to-move-in-two-months."  

Stand back when you do this; it will likely be messy.

Stir fast and hard for four months; do not stop stirring, do not walk away.  You don't want to scorch anyone.  While stirring, gradually pour in a steady stream of excitement about new business growth until mixture is frothing and bubbly.  Puree your kindergarten curriculum and try to sneak it in.  If your stomach is strong, add a week or two of potty-training and hope for the best.  

At the end of four months, slow the stirring and taste what you've got.  The faith will be thick and hearty, bringing you back for more.  Season to taste with old friendships rekindled, fun family excursions in a big city, and/or the thrill of making a new house a home.  

And that's our recipe for 2011....  Thanks for sharing the adventure with us.  Merry Christmas, friends.

Six Months

Dear Z,
You're six months old already.  I'm so very glad God gave me a baby #3.  I can honestly say that it's going too fast, that I'd like you to stay this age a little longer so I can get a few more months of the cuteness that you are.  My first two babies were precious, but I was a smidge too uptight to fully enjoy this stage.  This time around, our circumstances are crazy and stealing my time.  Here you are at six months.  And here is what I have recorded in my mind's camera to cling to...

You squeal in your bed when you hear me come in the room in the morning.  "Good morning to you, too, Z,"  I say.  I try to find a quiet place to keep your attention focused while you have your breakfast.  You take a long swallow and throw your head back to look at me with a big grin, just like you have since you were a newborn.  "You're welcome, Z, " I say.  You squeal in delight when your sisters race into the room and squeeze you.  You love those girls so much.  I remind them to back up out of your face and not go too fast, but I don't think you mind at all.  It won't be long before you're racing and wrestling with them.

You're a mama's boy right now and I don't mind.  Daddy can't compete.  Sometimes you rub it in Daddy's face and that's not nice.  Like when you were playing "Eskimo kisses" with me and kept looking at Daddy between each one just to let him know who had Mommy all to himself.  That won't be so cute next year.

You're a great eater and put away every ounce of food I give you.  You have yet to turn away from any veggie or fruit.  You seem ready for cheerios but I know it's too early and I don't want to rush you.  You were almost 18 lbs. at your six-month well-check, hanging out in the 50th percentile.  You grew right past your 6-9 month clothes and went straight for the 9-month ones.  You started sitting up by yourself last week and you've been rocking back and forth on your knees for awhile now.  You love your johnny jump-up and can get some pretty good air when you get going.

I love the way you snuggle into my shoulder and have no need to wiggle or squirm, just recharging for moments at a time before turning around to take in the world again.  You're watching everything that goes on, studying.  I can see it in your eyes.  The toys on your walker tray are not fooling you; you're looking at the countertop to see what's up there, or trying to figure out how the tablecloth works, or dragging the trash can around the kitchen.  Yes, now is the time to soak in all your cuteness because you're going to be t-r-o-u-b-l-e very, very soon.

I love the way you squish into a little ball when I put you in your bed.  It makes me want to go to sleep myself, you look so snug and comfy.  Thank you for sleeping through the night from so early on, and being a good napper when you put your mind to it.  Promise me not to give up on naps before you're two?  Pretty please?

I love you, little man, and look forward to the next six months with you.  I promise to hold tight to every moment I can seize.

It's a God Thing!

Last night we had the profound blessing to have dinner with about two dozen people who are now part of the Snoball fort.  The original four founding families kept looking around and at each other, repeating the same word, "Surreal."  Our little company is up to 15 employees now and they gathered with their significant others for a Christmas party last night.  Best office Christmas party ever!  Every time I shook a new hand and tried to remember a new name, my heart praised God for the answer to prayer that that individual was.  We have prayed and prayed for the right people, in the right time and God is answering in ways that are more than we could ask or imagine.  I even heard it from several of the employees, "This is just such an amazing team; I love working here!"

Another comment I heard a lot last night was how great a boss these folks have.  It was so good to be in J's world and hear what is going on and swim in those frenzied waters for a few hours.  He is doing an a-ma-zing job at the helm of this speedboat.  His capacity for keeping up with the high-level strategy while also managing the day-to-day operations continues to mesmerize me.  I don't give him nearly enough credit for being able to switch gears from CEO of a fast-growing start-up to wrestling-on-the-floor daddy.  I am more and more convinced that he has super powers.

Because we have such an awesome team with an amazing leader, look what Snoball's been up to...Unleashing the Snoball Effect.  That's right!  Snoball's on Forbes!  Recently, it was the Austin American-Statesman (two times) and the Examiner.  To me, this is some crazy confirmation that this is a God thing and I better hang on for a great adventure.  Woo hoo!