Winter Wonderland

What an incredible week...the good, the bad, and the beautiful...

First of all, our entire northwest region has been engulfed in a deep freeze for over a week now...
allowing some of us only a small window during last week to get last minute shopping or errands done as the roads temporarily cleared. Then, last Saturday it hit will even more vengeance, dumping a foot more of snow in many places- followed by freezing rain- and then more snow!
They say this is the worst snowstorm in our area in 40 years!
Sadly, all of Sunday's church services for canceled on Sunday- but some are going to hold Candlelight services on Christmas Eve no matter what.

Thankfully for our personal area, there was no wind...but not the case in other areas just a few miles east.

Because the last huge storm was in 1968, maybe that's my memory of having the livingroom window up in Washington state with snow up against hit higher than I was tall!
And maybe it was then I built this guy behind me...with the help of my daddy...



Unfortunately for me, something else hit on Saturday...a nasty stomach virus! For me, these things are the worst! I holed up in my room (and bathroom) with a fever, thankful that my husband was home to entertain the girls...but I was pretty miserable to say the least.
I'm on the mend, now...but have a few "remnants" hanging on.

So, if I haven't stopped by yet to wish you a Merry Christmas, hopefully you'll understand why!

It's frustrating to be not quite well at Christmastime, but then I remember that I still am so blessed compared to so many others. All those fighting more serious diseases...or those with not enough food to feed their children...no presents under the tree.
I don't know about you, but I can really feel sorry for myself sometimes! So it helps to keep things in perspective when things aren't going perfectly...and to purposely thank God for what I do have!

But on the "beautiful" side, here is our street...

And this was my view from my "sick room"- and it's still like this today...

And the girls sure have loved it...
Here they are playing with the neighbor boys on Sunday...the girls found a sheet of ice but weren't sure if they could lift it... so the boy gallantly did...

Yesterday, my husband came home early from work and played with the girls...


So...now I need to attempt to finally make those Christmas cookies with the kids...and wrap the last of my presents.
And in between, I hope to visit some of you...

But if I don't get to you personally...please know that I wish you a very Merry Christmas...filled with God's peace!

And if you haven't already seen this, please take the time to watch this video...all the wrapping and tinsel just falls away as we view the Gift...