Snow!

We have had a snowy weekend! There is about 8 inches on the ground with some ice on top. This is a huge storm by NC standards. We are stuck at home for a few days as the city digs out. No complaints here, I love the imposed relaxation of being home all weekend long.




We made snow cream yesterday. I had never heard of it. An older man I was talking to at the car repair shop told me all about it, how he made it as a kid and he and his wife still do sometimes with their grand-kids. It is basically snow, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Ours was more like vanilla snow cones, the snow was really icy. I think with different texture of snow it would be a little more like ice cream. It was fun to make though and the kids loved it.

Found

Last night I found notes just like this-




left on the oven, the counter and Jason and I's bedside tables. Grace wrote them. She has wanted a dog for as long as she has been able to talk. We laughed when we saw them and then Jason said,"The absolutely only part of me that wants a dog is the part that loves Grace." Our standard response, that she has to wait until she is older and able to take care of a dog, must feel so frustrating to a 5 year old.

I found a random note written by Sophie yesterday too.




Translation - Yippee! I'm going to (the)circus! We earned free tickets from the library by reading. My kids are SO excited, they have never been. 3 cheers for libraries and kind librarians!

Hope

I am late in posting this, but here goes. My goal for the year is to have more hope. Yes, I know that makes me sound like I live in a world of gray gloom. I don't live there, but I have to admit to visiting at times. Most, if not all of you, 4 people who read my blog know that I have challenges with depression. My desire to feel more hope is tied to that, but not as closely as you may think. From the past decade I have learned a lot about how to cope with my depression and, dare I say it or I may jinx myself, I am doing really well.

I have recently realized that I want to be happier, I want to see the good in my everyday life and enjoy all I can. I love how positively alive I feel when I am hopeful. Hope is so shining. It seems to cast a soft golden light into every corner of my life. So I am focusing on seeking hope as a pathway to feeling more joy. I have learned from past experience that when I trust more in the Lord, I feel an increase in hope. So that's my plan. Trust in the Lord, focus on hope. Ether teaches that hope comes from faith and makes an anchor for our souls. That is my goal, the image of my soul being anchored firmly in Christ centered hope.

All Time Favorite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

This video makes me laugh so hard I cry every time I see it! I know it is an oldie for youtube veterans, but I adore it. I do wonder how the Dad got this on camera though, and you have to think it was a Dad not a Mom to just let it play out. Cheers!

(Mom, just click on the address, it is linked :)

Here it is

Here is my new hair. Noah took the picture.

Venus vs. Mars

I cut bangs into my hair this morning. Every female I know who saw me today commented on them, including children. Luke has told me multiple times today that I look funny. Jason has been home from work for a few hours now and hasn't said a thing. I think that is funny.

You are what you eat

Grocery shopping with all of my kids is one of my least favorite things to do. It is right up there with cleaning the shower. On Saturday it just had to happen, so off we went to Wal-Mart and Costco. The service at Wal-Mart is rotten on a good day, so I try to have extra patience and be grateful for the cheap prices in this city of expensive food. All went fairly well. At the checkout my kids were calm enough that I actually noticed something funny. This is what the guy ahead of me had in his cart: frosted flakes, fruit loops, white bread, 1/2 gallon milk, lunch meat, nacho cheese, 2 bags of chips,and candy. Do you think he was single?

Then, as we were hurrying in the freezing cold parking lot (yes, it really was cold, humidity with temperature and wind was like 10 degrees) an employee out getting carts came over and asked if he could help by loading my groceries. What???? It was a Wal-Mart miracle. And, true confessions...I have a jar of nacho cheese in my fridge. My brother bought it when he was here for the holidays and I have to admit it is yummy. Who knew non-dairy cheese product could be so delicious?