Kansas got 8-10 inches of snow Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and then the day after Christmas. Being out of town, some good friends paid someone going door to door to clear our driveway along with others in the neighborhood (widows, single parents, etc.) less likely to be able to do it on their own. With the huge pile of snow heaped along the curb in the front yard, the kids wanted to make a snow cave. GR spent an hour this morning with a shovel and a few gardening tools digging out a small cave for the kids to play in ... perfect! If the temperatures hold, I think I may be sent to the store in search of snow pants later today. The multiple layers the kids have been donning for the last 24 hours really only keeps them warm and dry for 30 minutes and by 45 they are inside pealing wet frozen clothes off the body.
If the little ones weren't barking like seals they'd be out there too!
We're letting the kids stay up late (They strongly petitioned to be allowed to stay up until midnight, and we strongly denied their petition.) and we played four rounds of Blokus Classic, one of several games the kids got for Christmas. So much fun for everyone to play! A little after nine we sent the kids to bed, I kissed GR good-bye (he's spending a couple hours with the youth tonight at their activity) and I am going to make a valiant effort to bring my blog up-to-date so yes your blog reader is going to freak out and no I don't expect you to read many or any of them.
I've read so many well written New Year wishes today ... I know mine will not come close to being as eloquent. Last year I choose my new years wishes carefully, wishing all a blessed new year, knowing the year, as each does, would bring immeasurable happiness, joy, love, trial, pain, heartache, and sorrow. I am grateful for the tremendous blessings 2009 brought, for the many tender mercies of the Lord, in my life.
In the same vein, I wish you all a year of strength. May 2010 bring you strength in body, mind and spirit, strength in character, strength in relationships, strength in motherhood ... ah the amazing year we will have if even a 10th of this wish is granted!
My brother, in jest, challenged Daddy to blow out his candles using a party horn blower. He did it, twice - counter clockwise and then clockwise - without catching it on fire.
