Snow!

This morning when I stepped outside, I almost ruined these cute little footprints.

At the risk of stating the obvious, I'm going to suggest that these were made by a bird.

Our House on a snowy Kansas morning.

My little dog: Monte.

This morning I was giving her food and water.

Since her food dish was covered in snow, I thoughtlessly

tossed the dog food on the clean snow.

Then I noticed how she was having to sniff through the snow to pick it up.

...and since my human heart really is kind,

I generously gave her another can of food on an old plate!

But, of course, she sniffed the plate, turned up her nose, and tip-toed back to the snow-food.

It's so beautiful outside and I couldn't resist trying my hand at something (I think I can safely say) I haven't done in years! Building a Snowman!

(No, this isn't one of my own pictures! :)

I started in the back yard, for fear that the whole community might see me, then the more I thought about it, the more I made my way toward the side yard. Eventually I decided to boldly carry my oversized snowballs to the front porch!

I felt the need to make a statement...

In spite of the fact that I'm scaring 30 like a ghost in an old deserted mansion,

and in spite of the fact that I had to wear my husband's gloves and my

slightly inadequate snow shoes,

and in spite of the fact that I'm a Pastor's wife with no children (and

therefore no excuse to play in the snow),

I can still build a snowman and have fun doing it!

So that's my New Year's resolution! Enjoy life every day!

More Christmas...

Leading up to Christmas we were planning to spend some quality time in the evenings playing some games.

This game isn't really what I'd call a favorite, but the dear husband wanted to play so I gave it a try. It ended up being pretty fun!

Unfortunately we haven't really played to many more games since then,

up until last night when we were at my in-laws.

Monopoly can get rather lengthy,

But it was fun, other than that I spent several turns...

right here!

Here's the winner's loot.

...and this handsome man is the winner!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas All!

We enjoyed a very beautiful pre-Christmas reunion with part of our family! Even as short as it was, we had a wonderful time! Baking cookies, eating giant cinnamon rolls, seeing the town Christmas lights, braving the mall, being entertained by Mandy's finger puppet nativity, and sharing memories before opening presents!

The one thing we didn't enjoy,

was missing Jon & Aytha,

and Ryan!

There's a Folger's online add that says it just right!

"You are my present this year!"

Christmas

A few days ago, dear husband and I made the lengthy journey down to my in-law's in Independence. We occasionally stay for a day and night, and make a little 'vacation' of it! We had a wonderful time going out for breakfast at what could have been 6:00 am... (notice I said "could have been," we ended up making it by 8:30 ish) Then we spent the day thrift-shop-hopping, which we females loved, and the males endured! After several hours of trotting around Bartlesville, we made our way back to my in-law's house.

For supper that evening DH and I were helping my MIL fix enchilada's, spanish rice, refried beans, and punch for the Bible school dorm kids. Of course, being a typical female, my MIL wanted to make it a meal to remember. ...and, being a typical male, my FIL thought she was being to extravagant and would never get everything done on time! I'm not sure who was right or who was wrong, but everything was done on time, and I thought it turned out very nice, though I think we were all a little tired. And in spite of all the typical Davolt comments that were made by the two Davolt boys, they both helped out tremendously!

I said all that to say this...

After all the hustle and bustle was over, and a headache was setting in, I sat down in a recliner near the rotating Christmas tree. As the tree turned, it blurred slowly before my eyes until it became a willowy lady in a long grey winter coat, spinning slowly on one ice skated toe. (what can I say, my mind does funny things while coping with a headache...)

Then I started thinkig.... how I've dreaded the day when my children bring home crafty Christmas ornaments for the tree, like I did as a child. Wondering how I'd come up with some way to hide them among the branches, or maybe help them disappear. Then I looked closely at the tree before me...

and saw the little ornaments, some made by the childhood hands of my dear husband. I didn't see a crafty tree, but a gorgeous tree of memories... overflowing with the love of family.

I distinctly remember the pure pleasure and pride my sisters and I got from decorating the tree with our ornaments! ... and how beautiful we thought the finished product looked!

I knew then that when my future children bring home their crafty ornaments, I will watch with delight as they hang them on the tree. I'll display the tree in a place of prominence for everyone to see when they visit....

Because Christmas is about love!

The finishing touch on my evening was when the tree presented me with this view... as I saw the ornament and what it said, I thought how wonderful it was to be a part of this family!

I quickly ran and got my camera, snapped some pictures, jotted down a mental blog, filed it in the Christmas/family/blog, section of my mind, and went to bed!

What a wonderful day!

Christmas Love

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless decorating, and even overspending.

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. Our daughter, Holly, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old.

For weeks, she'd been memorizing songs for her school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss her shining moment, I spoke with her teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.

All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Holly seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my girl's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Holly was aglow, as were all of her classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his or her portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love." The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -- totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And, I believe, He still is. Amazed in His presence... humbled by His love.

Again, HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!

~Candy Chand