Snow Quota in Port Orchard!

Have I been transported to Illinois and don't know it? I thought I was living in Port Orchard Washington, you know that place where it hardly ever snows much and if it does, it's just a dusting and gone before you wake up? So far we have over 4" of new snow!

THIS IS WHERE WE WERE HEADED TONIGHT..........

Today was to be a fun day with grandsons to see the last day of Fantasy Lights and we drove to meet with Angela and the boys to drive through the big display. They were all excited to see the big pirate ship and other animated scenes, but more than that they were excited to see Grandma and Grandpa! About an hour before we were to meet, the snow started falling. It fell, and it fell and it kept falling until we decided that we had better head for home. The boys were so sad and in tears and called me on the phone to say how sad he was that he didn't get to see us. It was hard to comfort him. Cute as can be, but so sweetly sad!! I love the sweet love of grand kids. Nothing else matters, presents or anything else. They just want to be with us. It doesn't get better than that!!!

Sleep baby Jesus

Today makes me a bit sad because I took all the Christmas decorations down. It looks so bare now! I love all the lights, displays of the nativity, lights in the yard and all that goes with it. Now the yard is bare, the wall lacking the sparkle of lights where the star shown bright above the nativity, the place the Christmas tree stood is now bare and dark and all the boxes have been put away in the attic. The only thing left is the Christmas memories. There is this one thing that I know, the baby Jesus is now warm and dry and will enjoy the next 10 months wrapped in place out of the winter snow and rain. He played his part well as he showed the world what the true meaning of Christmas really is. He will take his place in the attic along with the three wise men from last years display.
As I feel sad about all this joy being removed again, I am reminded that Christmas is not just in December! Jesus came as a baby in a manger, but he grew up and became our Saviour that died for our sins. He rose again to defeat sin and death and make a way for us to have eternal life with Him. So today I close with the words to Silent Night.....

Silent Night, Holy Night all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy Infant so tender & mild
Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Sleep in Heavenly Peace!

So, little baby that represents Jesus, sleep tight!!

New Year's Resolutions?

What is it about January? As soon as the clock strikes midnight our mind starts thinking that all of a sudden we can change everything that we don't like about ourselves. Some people decide that they are going to stop smoking, drinking or loose weight or some other promise that we have made time and time again. I decided, again, that I would get off of sugar! I did this one time before for a whole year and as soon as that clock struck midnight, all I wanted was anything and everything with sugar in it!! I said I would never do that again, but here I am making that same weak promise to myself. I know how hard it is to do this, but I need to get in control.

I am glad that the promised that God makes to us is not so weak. When God gives me a promise, He is able to carry out the promise even if I struggle to believe it. I know that God promises He will never leave me, but I find myself thinking that He is not there. That can't be because then He would be a liar and that is not possible.

So, I need to think about making some different kind of resolutions.

Laugh more, Laughter is a way to clear the mind of "stuff" .... get the giggles!!!

Spend more time with friends and have people over more often.

Create a wall in my house that has pictures of Friends and pray for them often!

Find something good to say about everyone.

Spend more time with my grand kids, this is always a goal!

Dance and sing more!

Find new places to explore or camp!

There are many things that I want to do and enjoy, but there are so many things that I want to do better. I will be asking for God's strength to do these things and not set myself up for failure. I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for 2009. I pray that this year is filled with blessings and strength to accomplish all that God has for me! I pray that for my friends and family as well.

Happy New Year

Here it is 2009!!! Where has the time gone! It seems just like yesterday that we rang in 2008!

We were able to get out of the snow on Christmas day and travel to our daughters house. We spent a few days there playing with the grandsons. Here it is New Years night. We had my brothers over and a friend next door come over. I made an old family favorite, home made pizza and fruit salad and other great food. I love to spoil my brothers!! Tim brought over a great DVD of Louie Giglio. It was awesome! Lot's of phone calls to wish family and friends a Happy New Year. I really have a lot of things that I would like to do better this year. More on that later.

It is 2am and I am ready to head to bed! Happy New Year to all!