Granny's gift is beyond wonderful, and during this time of year, I want to meditate on the most wonderful, live saving, peace bringing, joy infusing gift of all: 
Snow starting to accumlate on Granny's porch on Christmas Eve.
Excitement on the faces of all the kids! It's SnOwInG!
Big winter coats and snow boots!
Terrible visibility during the harrowing ride home. Would love to say I wasn't a backseat driver, but oh no, that didn't happen. I'm sure it didn't help Tom's sense of calm for me to squeal out: "slow down!" "watch out!" "I'm too young to die!!" (j/k on the last one). 
Cars and trucks in the ditch (look carefully and you will see this pick up truck nose down).
More cars in the ditch on Christmas morning.
And more cars abandoned on the side of the road while driving out to Nana and Papas.
Snow plows.
It was like a car graveyard.
More snowplows.
Papa on his 4-wheeler out on the farm.
Snowball fights.
Rides in the snow (Tom and Maggie)
A dusting of snow on a beauty.
A warm and toasty friendship.
Fun in the white stuff!
The making of snowangels.
A perfect Snowangel!
Big Smiles
Happy Faces
Sledding in the park with Uncle Jon.
Tom and Ellie!
Basketball is a matter of prayer in our family.
Some people think it's just a silly game, and God doesn't care about that. "He has bigger things to worry about than your little game."
Well, I ask you, have you ever prayed your husband would win the contract he's been working so hard for? Have you ever petitioned God that more clients may walk through his doors? Have you ever asked the Lord to instill your husband with wisdom and discretion so that he may succeed at the work the Lord has given him?
Amen. Me too.
Take this most recent game that we played on December 23rd. We were faced with playing an undefeated opponent ranked #12 in the nation with our remaining 7 scholarship players. 7 players. If you don't know anything about basketball, suffice it to say that's like playing Bunco with 7 people. Hard to do and not a lot of fun.
I was nervous. But then a sweet friend of mine who is dealing with a battle of her own sent me these verses:
“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God Himself will fight for you.”Deut 3:22
“Listen! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Go out and face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”II Chron 20:15, 17b
They couldn't have been more apropos. So I forwarded the verses to the other prayer warriors and into battle we went, equipped with His words.
I was prepared for God's answer.... either way. Win or lose, I was not to be afraid or discouraged, because this was HIS BATTLE!!!
And then... against all odds, we won. WE WON! Big! It didn't even take a last second shot. It was our second biggest win since this this one.
Praise be to God in heaven who fights our battles if we will let him.
This is my first December as an official working mom with 3 kids. Albeit, I am working part time, but that along with teaching a class at TCC, having a very busy husband and trying to keep everything managed at home really put December on the back-burner. Ah, finally, with the end of the work week came a newfound joy that bubbled up in my heart.... oh yes... Christmas is coming! Here are some signs that Christmas is indeed around the proverbial corner.
We drove all the way across to granny's house and sang to her and Uncle Rex... she said it was the best Christmas present she could ever get.... and I think she meant it.
A tradition my kids have known is going to the Christmas celebration at my sister's country club... Here is Ellie trying to foil Brandini (yes, she picked up a cup in the middle of the trick; Brandini was NOT happy with her)
Luke and Nana (see the cute snowman on Luke's face....)
Hallie and Ellie with the famous upside-down Christmas tree.
and believe it or not, every Christmas I have a picture of one of my kids with a snake draped around his/her neck. Talk about heart-warming traditions. There is always a little petting zoo at the club and this year, Luke was the lucky one. 
