They were right about the snow but I am not sure we got 11" it's sure pretty and heavier than the last couple of times it has snowed.

I woke up at 5:30 to see what the weather was doing and sure enough there was snow. I got up and wandered around the house trying to figure out if I wanted to venture out to take Andy to work and settled on the couch to see the news - which didn't come on till 6 grrrrr. I turned to a very old movie of the Birth of Jesus and was blessed by the words coming from the actors. Truth down through the ages of Emmanuel God is with us! How Wonderful the old old story.

I was reminded of a dream of the baby boy I was holding, feeling his little warm head against my cheek and lips as I kissed his head and wondered what God was telling me with this dream. The reason I think God is telling me something is that little baby's profile and how he felt in my arms is still so vivid and real . . .

I texted Andy at 6 and said travel isn't advised so I will not be coming to get you for work. If he had been here we probably would have ventured out but having to drive up that big hill, there was no way I wanted to walk it or have him walk down. With that sent I went back to sleep for a little bit and woke up again to brightness and thought the storm must be over let's get up and look it was so beautiful I always get my breath taken away at the beauty of snow and how quietly it falls.

I started the coffee, fed the bird and the fish, opened the curtains and greeted all my green friends then sat down to read my Bible and spend some time in prayer. When I was finished I decided to get dressed and go shovel. It only took me about a half an hour. Yes I have a snow blower but don't think I could get the garage door open by myself and it has not been started so I knew I would not be able to start it so shoveling was my option.

The dummies who scrupped out Kum and Go left a huge pile right in the end of my drive on my side of the sidewalk - really? you morons oh well sad face not wanting to be a grumbler.

When I was finished I texted Andy to see if he wanted to try to go into work and he texted back saying he had already told them he would not be in and the snow plows had not even been by yet. Whew! so he will enjoy a snow day there and I will here. Smith's come home tomorrow I know Andy will be glad to be home.

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments." — Benjamin Franklin

Well I am happy to announce that I feel like myself this morning! I got up at 5 and had coffee, I couldn't bring myself to even think about drinking any yesterday. I went out to start the truck and got it swept off after I swept a path out there from the new snow cover last night.

Got Andy to work and came home and shoveled the rest of the drive and the walks came back in the house and finished up my quiet time. I was overwhelmed with God's goodness driving home listening to the Christmas songs KNOWING the truth of God's promise and the promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ! Death has died and Jesus is alive again never to die again! Praise God

Saturday was a good day. I was able to sleep in a little. It had been a late night after Johnson's which was wonderful but I did get to sleep in a bit then took Andy to work and came home and enjoyed my quiet time and quiet house.

Cocoa and Carols was good as far as the choirs of Jillian and Hannah. The girls did a superb job! I was not impressed with the Wash show choirs AT ALL! Not one Christmas song- seriously? If I had wanted to watch your show I would have gone to see it at another time. Boo to the director who totally ignored the season and did not prepare the kids to do any type of Christmas songs and Rudolph does NOT count! - ok there is my rant.

I came home after running to get Andy and stopping for a 'samach' at Jimmy John's, Andys treat and rested on the couch hoping I could catch a few zzzz's but at least I rested. I got up and got ready to head into the Y.

The night went by really fast! I was busy getting tags for gifts made and writing some Christmas cards (I need to mail them today!) when I was done with all of that I looked at Pinterest for a while then got on youtube and found funny baby video's and was laughing my head off when Jackie asked me what was so funny I called her over to my computer and showed her and I said it was her and then she started laughing as well. I don't know how to make a link but if you are interested there it is -->(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mXgJuL1drQ)

Ron Juhl and Wyat were there and so was the news guy Chris Earl. There were about 75 boy scouts and I gotta say the ones we interacted with were so polite and appreciative of us working for them to be locked in at the Y. the night went by really fast and the noise levels weren't bad for the most part.

I came home about 6:50 am and realized Andy didn't have to be up till 7:20 and when I left the night before I told him he could lock the screen door because I din't think I would be home till he was gone to work - Brittany came and took him - so I din't want to wake him up early by pounding on the door so I walked over to Hardees and had some breakfast. When I was walking back home Brittany and Andy were just pulling out of the drive headed for Panera. I had taken a half tylenol pm before I ate breakfast so by the time I came in and got ready for bed I was ready to sleep.

I slept till noon then decided to get up so I could sleep at night. When I got up I was so tired and overwhelmed with sadness- so many things going on in people's lives and missing Doug terribly that all I could do was cry. I read my bible but felt like I was spiraling down. I had wanted to be in church to hear JoAnna sing but just couldn't . . . so I sat and cried and cried, I have not had that happen in a long time (thank God!) I texted with my girls to see if one of them would pick up Andy from work, I just couldn't get dressed and go out! I also asked the girls to pray because I was having such a hard time. Robbyn said she would Thank YOu , Jesus for that blessing. I took a shower and got something to eat and with the girls praying for me I was much better when Robbyn came with Andy It was so nice to chat with her and catch up. Thank you again Robbyn for getting him from work for me, you were a life savor.

I lay on the couch to nap through white Christmas but ended up talking to JoAnna on the phone which this heart needed more than sleep. Texted with Sheila and made plans to go to Mt Vernon this morning then decided to look for Mickey's Christmas Carol or Muppets Christmas carol on Netflix but settled upon On Golden Pond (go figure).

I finally went to bed at 9 and slept I woke up thinking it was almost time to get up only to see the clock say 12:29 bonus! I had a great night's sleep and like I said woke up this morning feeling like myself thank You Jesus!!!

now on the the adventure called today!

I love it when we get a lot of snow one day and the sun comes out shining on the snow revealing millions of diamonds it's so beautiful!

I drove to pick up Andy from work yesterday and it took me an hour to go there and back and there were places that were so slick! it was crazy, the first winter drive always is but yesterday was crazy! I got home and called Marlys to tell her I didn't know if I was going to make Pastor Appreciation dinner or not. I was having a day anyway and just the thought of driving all the way to church and up and down that big hill this gal was being a big chicken I admit it. I have 4 wheel drive in my Tahoe, but still . . . I got a call from JoAnna who was on her way home from practice and said the roads weren't as slick as when they went and if I came I could pick them up well that did it, I got ready and headed out the door. The roads were in way better condition than earlier in the day so that was good.

We had a nice time. Always good to chat with Willene Gary and Tonya, JoAnna was tired and so was I so we ate and headed out, thought it would be a good idea to stop at the store not knowing what this storm was going to do so we did that. I had a guy ask if we were finding everything ok I said we can't find our way out - he looked at me like why did I offer a helpful smile to this weirdo! I then told him it's ok they just want to dance, he looked down the aisle behind me and Hannah and JoAnna were waltzing to the store music.

I dropped them off at home, drove down the newly opened Bever Ave which is so dumb in my opinion - how are the snow plows supposed to plow that? stupid! Drove home enjoying the Christmas lights and the carols on the radio. When I got home I shoveled then came in the house and put the stuff from the store away and put on my pajamas. I watched Restaurant Impossible Holiday Edition then went to bed and read for over an hour! Finally too tired to read, I turned off my book and slept great till 7:15

I have plans for today laundry being one of them cookies for another I also decided to listen through my basket of Christmas music literally, I have a basket that belonged to Marie, my mother in law filled with Christmas CD time to bust them out!!!!!

Those who know Your name trust in You,
for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10

It was so great to be able to sleep in this morning and then to get up and stay in my pajamas till noon this is one happy girl! I got a whole lot of nothin done this morning and I am ok with that. I had a really nice relaxed quiet time and prayer time and just enjoyed the luxury of nothingness.

Finally decided to get dressed and go to the store, the cupboards looked like Old Mother Hubbards! I get to the checkout and can't find my debit card great! I had my check book so wasn't concerned about paying but all the thoughts about what do I do without the debit card, where is it?  did I loose it? Do I have to call the bank  on and on and on my mind raced whilst trying to be calm and chat with the check out gal. I got my groceries out to the Tahoe and called Andy and asked him to check my jacket pocket and praise God it was there. Whew Thank you Lord for watching over me!

Liz came for lunch and we had a nice visit whilst we both ate. It's always so nice to see my kids during the day. Tomorrow I get to see her and Ben bonus!

Marlys stopped by and brought me an amaryllis for Christmas I am so excited! We had a nice visit and were able to catch up on our lives a little. I sure do love that gal!

I got the rest of my tiny ornaments hung on my live tree and relaxed and waited for Tricia to come for supper. It's been so long since we have hung out, it was nice to chat and get caught up on our lives and her trip to see Brittany and Chris.

I took a shower and am waiting for my hair to dry so I can go to bed. Work tomorrow is earlyish Andy at 7 me at 7:30

December 2 - time is such a strange thing - fluid as they say - on some levels the time has gone by so fast and yet . . . Looking forward to a time when time as we know it will be no more and we shall know as we are known.

I got up early because I knew the boys would be coming this morning. Got Andy to work then came home to wait around till it was time to get ready for church. Got to church to help with communion but Marlys and Joanne had it well in hand so I set about putting things away in the kitchen.

It was so nice to hear JoAnna singing this morning to know her heart and hear the wavering in her voice was so neat because I know what God has done in her life and I know when she sings To God Be The Glory I know it comes from a thankful heart. It was so good to sing Christmas hymns today with the strings - it was a lovely service but lots of people were missing

After lunch the boys and I headed downtown to meet the Stevens' crew to tour the Paramount and all I can say is WOW!!! Sheila took lots of pictures and I know she will do a good job posting and sharing about the tour. It was great! We saw our friend Ray (who works at the Y and at the ticket office at the Paramount) it was just such a nice afternoon.

We came back home, the boys finished eating their lunch that they were too full to eat before we left then had a bite of desert then we were out the door to get Andy. He had me drive home, that was wierd we dropped the boys off at home, got some gas and came on home too.

Tomorrow is my day off and Andy's day off YIPEE!!! I am so glad I get to sleep till I wake up no alarms for this girl!

Enjoy your evening, I think I will hang a few ornaments on the tree and maybe put out a few nativity scenes.

I got up so Andy could get to work, came back home and finished my quiet time

started all sorts of chores

talked to my Mom on the phone

got ready to go to Meghan's wedding

saw JoAnna's long time friends

ate a delicious cup cake

did a bit of shopping

put the lights on the tree

decided Christmas is going to be way simple this year decorating wise and I am ok with that

ready for bed and my new book

boys come in the morning

actually I am backing up to Thanksgiving day I jumped out of bed when the alarm went off because it was Thanksgiving. I was awake till almost 1:30 and knew I had to be up at 4:50 to have my quiet time before heading to pick up Sheila to go in and open the Y. I was so tired but so excited for the day!

We were busy at work but so many people stopped and thanked us for being open or for working so they could work out. Everyone that came in was in such a good mood it was a fun morning and it went by really fast!

I came home and had all my stuff ready to go, saw some really cute turkey cookies on the table that Brittany had made and found out her plans fell through so she was going to be with us for Thanksgiving yay!, told Andy he was driving, loaded up the car and headed to Ben and Liz's. We were the first ones there. Not too much time later Nicole and the kids came, it's always great to see them. Finally the rest of the gang was there and we ate, which I was very thankful for because I was starving! I got to sit with Alyssa, Jillian, Hannah and Sydney

Came home from Liz's and went to bed at 7:30 this gal was t - i - r - e - d! So I had a great night's sleep and then headed into work again this morning at 6:30 since Gayle was working for Jackie and she needed to be to work by 7 she asked if I could come in a half an hour early. I worked till 11 then headed to the Family Christian store to see if I could get some of their sale items and ran into Mary Stuelke and Lisa Weber - Joanna Weber was with them but I did not see her. It was nice to chat with them for a bit then came home and ate a bowl of cereal then headed back into work. Friday is my double shift day.

Work was so slow this morning then about 10 minutes to 9 it was CHAOS!!!!! I was the only one at the desk so I called Eric down finally Deanna showed up whew! it was crazy . . . but it slowed down and wasn't so bad. I was sure happy to leave work this afternoon! Off now till Tuesday!

Free night - Andy works tomorrow at 7 - Wedding tomorrow afternoon - boys on Sunday looks like lots of free time for me. Maybe I will get Christmas up we'll see

Christmas carols on the radio bringing back lots of memories of 5 years ago interesting how grief comes like waves.

I have been dragging today that's not fun but i get to sleep in tomorrow till 7 yahoo! So I will probably go to bed early at least and read

I had an incident today that really unglued me Hannah and I were going to get Andy from work and Hannah says I have to go to the bathroom really bad! so we pulled into the Kum and Go on the west side and went in to use the bathroom. When we came out Hannah was getting in the back we were in Andy's car it's a two door so I had to flip the seat forward so she could climb in, the wind caught the door and whipped it into the car door of the van next to me. The lady jumps out of her van and went ballistic, you scratched my door! you put a big dent in my door and scratched my door and it's brand new. She was livid. I said I'm sorry (not very nicely actually for the way she was acting) Well I need to go get my husband! And she stopped in front of my car and took a picture! Shesh I told her I wasn't going anywhere I was starting the car because it was cold. So I started looking for the insurance card and naturally I couldn't find it because I had two of them I had not thrown the old one away and I was shook up and couldn't figure out which one was the current one ugh! So out comes her husband who was as nice as can be and asked me if I had insurance and I kept apologizing to him and yes I have insurance he said it's ok that's what insurance is for. Well the lady saw a cop in the store and brought him out. I told him I couldn't find the right card but the policy number would be the same. He tells me to get my insurance on the phone and he would talk to them ok, so dink around with that all the while I am just a basket case (that never happens!) anyway I find the right card and the cop says yes you are covered exchange names and numbers and let your insurance take care of it. The husband took a picture of my insurance card and I apologized again then left. Of course I was parked in between the police and the irate lady, so I pulled out and left to get Andy.When I was pulling onto the street Andy called to see where I was and told him what had happened. When he got in to drive he asked me which was the fastest way home? He knew how upset I was and wanted to get me home quick I called Liz on the way home and she told me not to worry about it the insurance would take care of it and I just lost it and blubbered the whole time I had her on the phone. Geez! By the time I got home he drove straight home I already had a call from Geico! seriously!?! anyways I called them back and had to talk to a lady who was making me crazy, and I had to give Hannah's information since I had a minor in my car! What the?!?!??! So then I had to call JoAnna and tell her what was up in case the insurance called her . . . the car was parked my door hit her door! sheesh! Liz called me two more times to see if I was ok and what I needed to do and talked me through what 's next then texted me about 3 more times. what a peach!

So it's no wonder my afternoon was draggy! Thank the good Lord I didn't have to go anywhere tonight and it's a late day tomorrow.

Marlys keeps telling me we are in a spiritual battle and I KNOW she is right, the attacks just never come from where you might expect them. But thats ok the God of Angel Armies is always by my side! The One who reigns forever He is a friend of mine

up and out the door to get Andy to work then back home to do the dishes and leisurely get ready for Church. I skipped Sunday School almost skipped church but I was glad I didn't. Got to sit by Tonya and Hannah, got to see Marlys and get a great hug from her. God to talk to Laurie and hear how she is doing, Jeff to hear how he is doing a and got to talk to Diana and hear how she and her son are doing. Got nice hugs from several people, I needed those wasn't in a good place when I went, but left in a much better place.

Came home and had some cocoa and toast then proceeded to fall asleep on the couch which was nice till I got up to go after Andy and my back hurt so bad, it was not good so I prayed and thanked Jesus and by the time I got to Andy I was fine again.

Got some laundry done, waiting for a load to dry now so I can fold it and go to bed. Hannah is here for the night she said she wants to sleep on the couch watch tv more like . . . Andy has to be to work at 6 of course it's my day off oh well, this won't last forever

what a day! it's 9:43 I have been home long enough to put on my pajamas and go to the bathroom not necessarily in that order. I left this morning at 7:40 wow

It was crazy busy at work but the time flew by! I got a status update from Michael that said the girls won their first game so I knew I would be able to make their second game at 1:30 when I was leaving work I called Michael to find out what school the girls were playing in out at Prairie and they were just leaving their house to go to the game and they said they would come down and I could follow them there. I walked in the doors at the school and JoAnna met me and paid to get me into the game SWEET!

The second game was a good one the girls played so well and won the second game not too much fun having to sit on the floor poor planning but it was what it was. I had my seat that JoAnna re covered for me last year so at least I got to sit on that. Winning the second game put the girls into the championship game at 6:05 so I drove to Mantz's and hung out with them. JoAnna made some grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup (sick meal Doug always called it because that's what his Mom made for him when he was sick .

The last game was FANTASTIC! A technical foul and the other coach got ejected! Hannah got a T for being warned twice about being too close on the inbounds (dumb) Hannah also got a flagrant foul from a girl from the other team and got to shoot free throws and made them yipee! She played like a girl on fire it was GREAT! So proud of those Junior Warriors tonight! They gave it all they had and walked away with the trophy!

Michael and JoAnna took me to Perkins - Hannah went for pizza with some of her friends. It was great talking about the game and the girls and remembering Doug and the things he would have said "I walk so much better since my operation" - - - "1 2 3 Cya!" - - - he would have been so proud of Hannah and her teammates.

Long day but a really good one. Thank you, Lord for the many blessings you put in my path today and helping me see them and enjoy them. You are AWESOME!