The kids are happy, mom is happy... as I write I can see them sliding down our small hillside.  Not a real big snow..only 3.5 inches, but more than what we have seen in a long time...in fact we just broke in two new sleds that I picked up over a year ago.  There is just something gloriously wonderful about seeing kids out in the snow on a snow day...makes you feel like a kid yourself.  The little gifts in life that make you smile.

Just had an awesome weekend..my dh flew home Saturday, that night had Cinco de Mayo Celebration at church with over a hundred people (most were not from our church).  We have a woman who is Hispanic and is working with a local Hispanic organization in town and she did an excellent job.  The food was awesome (I am forever changed on my own version of mexican cooking!),there was music and dancers and crafts for the kids to do.  We then had a wonderful service Sunday with the Watoto Children's Ministry from Africa.  Those kids were amazing.  It was such a wonderful cultural weekend.  It really made you once again realize how big the "Body" of Christ is and His church.  So cool!

VBS is around the corner..looking forward to the Fiesta!  All of the leaders look to be in place for the most part.  We are praying for 100 children to be ministered to.  I am excited for the fun that the children will have. 

Got the cruds...can't seem to get rid of it...just keeps hanging on.  What a wonderful topic eh?  I have been downing tea like mad...peppermint and sometimes gingerbread ..a dear friend gave to me for Christmas when I was going through this gingerbread phase in my life.  Isn't it funny how we go through the weirdest phases...my dh is back on the "make a fire every night" phase now that we got the chimney cleaned...it was 50/60 degrees outside and we still had our fire going.  (I do admit it kept the house warmer at night when we slept)  My 2 yr old dd is on a Bibleman phase...she will try to rewind it over and over again or get her older brothers to do it for her.  One of her "phases" that has lasted the longest is her love of shoes, but I don't think that one will ever go away...we may need therapy when she is a teenager (or just a bigger shoe rack!)

Well, Christmas is almost here...I am sooo glad today is the kids last day of school.  We are all so tired...kids have gone to bed around 10pm for the last 6 nights with something every night to be at.  I know they are exausted... so hard for them to get up in the mornings lately.  My 6 yr old dd said this morning she can't wait for tomorrow to be able to sleep whenever she wanted.  When a 6 yr old says this you know we have been running too hard. 

Anyway..I pray we stop and breathe...remembering the special quiet that this precious baby in a manger brings in our lives...this silent night...this wonderful peace.

God Bless us all as we find that reflective, abiding place that our Savior brings not only at Christmas, but everyday.

Procrastinating today...really need to get on the laundry that piled up over the weekend when I was gone.  The never ending laundry!  If  I don't get to at least a load a day, I am backed up for several.  I have visions dancing in my head of some day having all the laundry complete and everything put back where it belongs...ahh!  Oh sorry, I just wanted to imagine for a little while.

Here's to laundry and really the blessing it is to have laundry to do!