Winter chill

It's been so cold here. We've even been enjoying the snow. It started on Tuesday night and it's snowed off and on since. We're supposed to be getting another storm tonight and freezing rain tomorrow. The kids have been having a blast. Brian and I broke down and bought the kids a sled. I won't say how much we spent because we're trying to be frugal. Okay, $35!!! Can you believe it? Target was completely out. We heard Wal Mart was out so we got this at a local store which is better anyway, right? There was only 2 left of the one we bought and 1 $95 sled. Sheesh!!!

It's been so nice to stay home these last few days. We were trapped in our own driveway until yesterday. We've been playing games, watching movies, making a ginger bread house, sledding and going for wintery walks. I love spending time with my family. What could be better? (that's a rhetorical question)

Christmas is right around the corner. Susan, David and the kids are coming down. If the weather is good we'll go to Zoo Lights at the Woodland Park Zoo in Portland and then out to dinner. I'm really glad they will be here.

This Christmas will be so much different. The economy on all levels, global, national and local, is really stuggling. We're finally able to call it a recession. It's been nice to spend so little on Christmas. It makes me nauseous to waste so much on "stuff" that has nothing to do with the birth of our Savior. We, as a whole, have gotten so far away from what we should be concentrating on. So there is a bright side to all this economic turmoil.

Christmas will also be different this year because it will be my first Christmas without my dad. He was such a big kid. He really liked Christmas. About a month before he would start asking if I wanted my present because he was so excited to give gifts. This still went on even when I was an adult. I can picture him now answering the door with a UW sweatshirt, jeans and his slippers on. I miss him so much. He would have been right alongside the kids sledding. I'm so glad for the many cherished memories I have of him and our family.