This & That

It's been a long day, but not a bad day. Although one might think that taking the kids out to dinner for the first time and having Miss Mar throw up all over the table and restaurant would make for a bad day, but I was surprisingly calm and in those situations you just have to get through it, even if you are by yourself. Plus the best times are after they're cleaned up and bathed and you get to snuggle on the couch. Christmas time with kids is just so fun!!

I came home to 5 Christmas cards, and if you know me, you know this made my day! I finally decided that I'm not sending out my usual handwritten card (esp since my address list is around 140) this year. Hopefully I'll get to sending out a picture card when we get back. Sometimes you just can't do it all.

I'm listening to Handel's Messiah and I just can't get enough of it.

I'm jealous of those who got pounded with snow. Friday after work I was determined to leave the boring rain of Charlotte and drive home, even though my Dad told me the roads were bad. I was stubborn and tried to go anyways, but ended up making it halfway until I was sliding going 40 mph with my hazards on along with dozens of other cars on a snowy I-85, all the while passing multiple accidents. So I turned around and you know what I thought to myself: Dads know best.

I've been so encouraged lately by Matt Chandler, his sermons and his story.

Big dogs > little dogs.

Today is the shortest day of the year.

Every time I see a box of Cheerios, I think of this (very drunk) man on the subway who talked to me for 20 minutes about how Cheerios lowers your cholesterol. 20 minutes. (just saw a Cherrios commercial, sorry... stream of conciousness)

I have Gossip Girl on silent in the background because it's been months since I've seen an episode so I don't know what's going on, but I LOVE the UES shots. Wish I was watching with Katie & Kath on the couch at 1125!

Life is good. It's just one of those nights where my thoughts run all over the place (clearly), the tree is lit, the house is quiet, the to-do list is oh so long, but you just have to be still because Christmas comes only once a year and you don't want to miss taking it all in.

The last thought will be part of what my dear friend Ginny wrote in her Christmas card to me (hope you don't mind, Gin). I thought it was true and beautiful:

"What a ride you and I have been on this past year, but the Lord has been faithful and ever-present. Praise God for your mother's health! Our life is so precious here."