merry christmas!

                                                                                    

                                                                                                                           

Luke 2:1-20   

1And it came to  in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 
       14 “ Glory to God in the highest, 
      And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Merry Christmas!!!

Snow!

The weather said it was going to snow on Saturday. I was very skeptical, it wasn't cold enough! On Saturday it was foggy, so what, it started hailing, so what, that isn't snow! Then I saw a few little snowflakes fall with the hail, oh come on, give me a brake, so thats all the snow they were talking about? They may as well have given an estimate snowflake count! I mean my gosh. 

It hailed mostly with snow mingled in and we ended up with crunchy, icy "snow" by the evening. Well the little girls didn't even play in it it just wasn't user friendly "snow".  Then on Sunday night when we headed home from fellowship, it was snowing! Real snow! I was very pleasantly surprised!  Heidi and I went down to the barns to do chores and it was like a fairy tale! The silence of the snowfall on a beautiful dark night was just wonderful!  Monday morning my two little sisters wouldn't stop asking when they could go outside and play in the snow!  They went out and each built a snowman on the deck, then they went down the hill and built snow forts and played in them. When they were done they came in with rosy cheeks and big smiles and I made them hot chocolate.  

That evening we walked up to our neighbors house. I threw snowballs at mom, she shrieked and threw one at me!  We all pelted each other the whole way down our driveway and had a blast! Today the snow has mostly melted and what's left is slushy, but we had so much fun while it was here and I'm glad that even through my skepticism, it did snow! Well you know those wether reporters, they say it's gonna rain and it's sunny, they say it's gonna be sunny and it rains. Oh well I thoroughly enjoyed their precision this time!

Family pets: Cats

Note; posts may be sporadic due to the bustle of the season :)


Our family loves animals and, much to my joy, we have been blessed with many of them! Later I may tell about more of our large quantity of animals, but for now I'll tell you about our five cats.

Cats are among my favorite animals we own. They all have such distinguished personality's.

First and foremost is Annie our Siamese, she's our favorite. We've had Annie for about twelve years and, being fourteen years old, she's earned the description of geriatric. She has a queenly disposition and keeps the rest of our cats, and even our dog, in line. She loves our family A LOT! Any time were sad or sick she comes and lays with us and is a great comforter. Even though she's older, she still gets frisky moments, flying across the floor as she chases a bead or water bottle cap that someone dropped, or batting enthusiastically at a string. Her remarkably beautiful blue eyes stare at me and I can't resist hugging her! Of course like most Siamese, she's got a cocky flare to her, putting her nose in the air, turning down a tasty morsel, until you leave it there and walk away. She's also very tolerant, allowing us to dress her up in doll cloths, scarves, bows etc. She's defiantly one of a kind and extremely loved by our whole family!





Then is our cat Theodore, of course we call him Teddy, and I actually call him Teddy Bear. He is a big fluffy loafer of a cat. Teddy is our lover, he climbs up and rubs my face with his, purring happily when you pay him attention. You will be sure to find him at the barns during milking time, waiting for me to spray a stream of milk his way.
Next is Teddy's brother Sebastian. He is the 'King of the Outdoors'. He has a very sweet personality and always following us around or sitting in a regal position somewhere on the deck. He's also a great hunter, catching mice, gophers, birds, bats, and he even caught a young squirrel once!


Reesy is our other female kitty. She has the role of the playful princess. She'll let you do anything with her; the little girls put her in the doll stroller and buckle her in, they carry her slung over there shoulder etc.



Last is Bean, Reesy's brother. He is the purr motor! He loves to be held and petted. Though he is a little reserved he loves our family. He's a great mouser and between him and Sebastian we never have many rodents.

Sunrise Sunset

This is a sunset at our house


The other morning I got up extra early to do a driving lesson, It was a bit nippy outside when I went to warm up the car. As I let the car warm up I noticed that the sky had a pink hue through the trees. Being a person who is awe struck by sunrises and sunsets, I was drawn to go down the hill to get a better look at this sunrise. As I reached the lower area where I could see, I looked up into the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen! A golden bar of clouds with deep pink and dark purple accents, spanned across the crisp blue sky. Once again I felt that breathless, awe stricken wave wash over me and these words just burst forth;

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
~Psalm 19:1