Brrr!

It is so cold here! We had a blizzard yesterday, and went from nearly no snow on the ground to having some serious drifts--mostly in our driveway. Now we have a windchill advisory, and Joseph has no school tomorrow. Winter is most definitely NOT my favorite season.

Thank goodness that as cold as it is outside, it's warm inside. Weather like this makes me thankful for the things we have (i.e. a warm house, food in our stomachs, each other, etc) and helps me to stop worrying about things I have no control over.

Also, while winter is my least favorite time of year, Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I love to remember the birth of my Savior, and the things we do to celebrate Christmas are awesome. We made sugar cookies today--I mixed up the dough and rolled it out, and the boys cut shapes out, at least until they tired of it. I later made mint frosting to put on them. We had turkey for supper, which smelled awesome all day as it cooked. And, last but not least, we decorated our Christmas tree today. This year we have a snowflake tree. Jereme and I tried to find ornaments that were kid and cat friendly, and these seemed to be the best bet. They are stiff and look like they were dipped in sparkly paint. Combined with the lights and the bead garland, I think we have a pretty nice tree. The best part of it all is the amount of family time we spent together today, and will continue spending as we celebrate Christmas.

I do have to say, however, that everyone tells me that each year without my dad will get easier. They are definitely wrong. This is my third Christmas without my dad, and I think it is the most difficult yet. I miss him more and more as each year passes, and each activity that I do that he used to do for my brother and me brings it home that he will never do those activities again. While I try to not dwell on those feelings, they are there and they are real. I am so thankful for Jereme and the boys, though, and that helps.

Anyway, to go back to happier thoughts, I am so looking forward to the baking and candy making that this time of year brings. The sugar cookies, the meringues, the fudges, and all the candies are so wonderful, it's no doubt that people gain weight through the holidays! I myself will be making cake balls and meringues this week alone...and I can't wait!

What did she feel?

As a mother, I can't imagine life without my boys. I can't imagine a single day without them, let alone a lifetime. This year I'm thinking a lot about Mary and Jesus. What would it have been like to be in her shoes--not only burying her son, but watching Him suffer on the cross? Not only having Him come back, but knowing He had to leave yet again, this time for good?

I've never believed that Mary should be exalted the way many exalt her, but it doesn't negate the fact that I would never have been strong enough to walk in her shoes. I admire her strength, and I wonder how she was comforted once Christ ascended. I know that we were sent the Holy Spirit in His place, but as His mother, did Jesus comfort Mary in a different way? How did she feel? What could one possibly feel in her place?

A friend of mine posted a song she might sing for a Christmas celebration at her church...I really like it, and it kind of fits my thoughts tonight.

You're Here (Mary's Song) by Francesa Battistelli

Hold on now, I gotta take a deep breath
I don’t know what to say when I look in your eyes
You made the world before I was born
Here I am holding You in my arms tonight
Noel, Noel Jesus our Emmanuel

You’re here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior
King and Creator
You could’ve left us on our own
But You’re here
Don’t know how long I’m gonna have You for
But I’ll be watching when You change the world
Look at Your hands, they’re still so small
Someday You’re gonna stretch them out and save us all
Noel, Noel, God with us Emmanuel

You’re here, I’m holding You so near oooh oh
I’m staring into the face of my Savior
King and Creator
You could’ve left us on our own
Bbut you’re here, you’re here Someday I’m gonna look back on this
The night that God became a baby boy
Someday You’re gonna go home again,
But You leave your spirit and flood the world with joy

You’ll be here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator
You could’ve left me on my own, but you’re here… You’re here
Hallelujah, You’re here
Hallelujah, You’re here


If you want to actually hear the song, here's the YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2xxqRm3Hyg