FOR TODAY December 15th 2008...
Outside my window the snow left behind is looking so pretty.
I am thinking how blessed I am.
I am thankful for my family.
From the kitchen I smell my coffee brewing.
I am wearing my nightshirt and jeans.
I am creating a crocheted scarf.
I am going to enjoy my day.
I am reading Proverbs 15.
I am hoping to get some baking done today
I am hearing Nadia watching "Little Einsteins".
Around the house it is quiet.
One of my favorite things is cuddle time with the baby of the house.
A few plans for the rest of the week: get some important errands finished, get most of the Christmas baking done, and finish the laundry, which is a daily battle.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Snow can be fun, when you're ready.

Choosing Joy- Christmas lights

Christmas time is a time people take to make their yards and houses all pretty with lights and nativity scenes. All seeming to try and show their version of what Christmas means to them. I love to drive around after the sun has set, just to see the lights. It is such a joy to me every year, to try and find the one with the prettiest set ups. The kids love it too. I am not looking for the house with the most lights, but the house that just makes you stand in awe because of the beautiful sight. This Christmas, we have so many farms that have decorated so beautifully, you would think they were in a contest. The in-town folks can't even hold a candle to these beauties. From what I am told the best time to see these lights are at the dawn of the day. Something about the light in the dawn and the open fields, makes the lights stand out so beautifully. In town the city fathers have had the lights strung up across the main streets and from building to building. It looks so festive. Just gotta love the small town excitement. The pictures of both of these moments will have to come up in a day or so. So be watching.

Red Barns At Christmas

There is a family that lives down the road from us with a red barn. Every year at Christmas, he put Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, in big white letter on the side of his barn for all to see. Then a big wreath too is hung above the words. Doesn't that look festive? Now imagine the letters across the wall facing us. This is the closest I could come to his barn. I will get another cord for my camera...Santa?

Blog Candy Challenge

Be a part of this Blog Candy Challenge put on by my friend Sherry. I just love the designs of this chocolate candy. Looks like a joy just to eat one...or two! Click on the "clicky" to check it out.

Choosing Joy- Snow Day

Early this morning,about 4 a.m., I awoke to the sound of the wind blowing so hard against my window. It really frightened me! Now maybe that has to do with the kids choice in programming lately. Non-stop tornado chaser shows! But none the less, it frightened me awake. I did a walk-about the house, just to check things out. Looked outside and saw the wind was really blowing hard, but everything seemed okay. Went back to bed more relaxed.
This morning, very early,about 7 a.m., I was awoke to the shrills of Zac, running through the house, "It's snowing!" He wanted to make sure no one missed it. With-in five minutes, everyone was trying to get dressed as fast as they could to go build a snow man. I thought I was going to get to sleep in today. Nope,not today.
Oh, I could have been annoyed. Aww, why waste the moment. Be a kid and enjoy the little things. A snow day. To a kid, that's a lot of joy. You kinda get caught up in it, if you let yourself. So yeah, I helped them get dressed to go play in the snow. It was a joy to watch them fall back in to the snow to make snow angels, like they had found and old friend. It was great. Oh, to be a kid again.
Now if you're wondering if I joined in....I stood inside the house at the picture window, sipping my coffee, in my pj's and fuzzy slippers. Then I went into the kitchen to make pecan and maple syrup pancakes. Getting all three kids dressed in their snow clothes is enough cardio for me today. Choosing Joy for a snow day!

Red Wreath

Choosing Joy-Blogging

I have been reading blogs for quite a while. I never really thought about starting one myself. My biggest fears..What would I say or write about? What if it sounds dumb or stupid. Thinking about writing a blog was right up there with the 1000 word essay on "what I did for the summer" in English class, that I dreaded.
I never would have thought that blogging would bring joy. Because of Sherry's blog, I have really found it to be fun. She has showed me how you can just take a few minutes and think about a topic and make it interesting. Blogging has given me a time to make my mind think or express what I think, in a different way. It is a time I get to spend by myself and enjoy re-finding something new about me.
I was really beginning to forget who I was and what I was about. If you asked me what I found joy in, my joy was existed through someone else. My world has been so busy trying to fix everybody's problems, I forgot about mine. Now I am really looking in another direction and starting to see joy through my world. It's been great. I am re-discovering who I am and what I like.
Now, I am not only looking for joy on a daily basis, I am looking for Red things. I see red things! Everywhere! (Where have I heard that one? Mmm.) I have a camera and would love to share some of the things I have found, but I have no way of downloading the pictures, yet. The cord is missing. But I have the world wide web, so I will recreate my pictures.
Thanks Sherry, for helping me keep it real. I really appreciate you..and your blog.
If you ever get the chance, jump over to Sherry's blog. It will make you smile.