The Savior came into the world to save us all.
It just doesn't come clearer than that. Without His birth, there could have been no Atonement, but without His Atonement OUR new birth in Him could never be.
What a priceless and unwrappable gift indeed!
Because of the tangible and intangible benefits of the birth of the Savior, we likewise give gifts - both those that can be wrapped and bedecked with bows and those which cannot. Gifts like laughter, time and love that simply are too large in measure to cover or box up.
During the course of the pre-holiday fun, I made some pajamas for my menfolk. I haven't sewed anything in 30 years. Repairing a hem or sewing on buttons doesn't count because I do both of those by hand.
The PJ's came out well. Kari patiently coaxed me along, refilled the bobbin thingy on her sewing machine and stuffed thread through the eye of the needled that delighted in winking the thread out from time to time so I had to retrace my path as I sewed.
Here's the PJ pants as they looked Christmas morning:
Jared gets monkey pants - skiing, snowboarding and smiling.
Yellow, black and red plaid PJ pants for Thomas.
Rick receives blue, gray and green plaid PJ's.
Yes, Christmas PJ's may seem a bit odd, but I think they like them even if I did make them. I enjoyed doing it and hope I can maybe do some other simple projects as time goes forward.
As we gathered for the family meal and football (sadly, the Cowboys lost), we laughed, we talked, and we watched the parade of life as the kids are not kids anymore. They are all young adults trying to find their way in the world.
Two dogs romped about to bring havoc and chilled noses to the festivities. Nana came with the Kucejko family and EZ, as the hound in residence, felt compelled to remind her that she was the guest, not he.
Nana managed also to find a nice cold duck pond to take a winter swim. Gotta love hunting dogs!
It snowed.
Yes indeedy. ALABAMA SNOW!! Sufficient to cause concern on the roadways of life here.
Our street looks positively lovely with a coating of slushy snow!
Our home with a dusting of snow... more actually fell all through the day and night.
Because snow is such a rarity, and because accumulation of snow is even more so, it requires the attention of a First Class goader to encourage stupid behavior. Fortunately, I am up to the task with years of diligently applied experience to bring the level of the room up to the challenge.
We spoke of snow, of skiing and the hilarity of life in the snow.
Then, the gauntlet had to be thrown down. I double-dog dared Beth to take a trip down the slopes of Alabama.
Never one to allow a challenge to pass unheeded... Beth provided the moment and Pete took some blackmail worthy photos and a little movie. Not that I would blackmail her at all because that would be sinful and wrong and so out of character for me. Yeah, I know. I slay myself laughing at that one, too.
Don't mock the slippery slopes of Mount Canebrake!!!
Although they are more well known for their golf course, Canebrake has expanded! Now, a new downhill run and slalom course keeps the seasonal tourists around for those hot toddies made in the Clubhouse. Golf cart wheels are replaced with treads from crashed and recycled snowmobiles to provide surefooted traction for hours of red ball snow golf. They also are the means for ascending Mount Canebrake after a long run downhill.
Novice skiers take on the Canebrake Bunny Slopes. They provide both adequate challenge and a willing and handsome instructor who assists in your learning process and takes a photograph of you on the slopes.
More experienced skiers can take on the newly powdered slopes by the 8th green.
After a long day on the mountain top, it's nice to come back downhill and head toward the ride to the lodge where a cup of steaming hot cocoa awaits each skiier by the ample fireplace.
Yes, it's skiing at it's finest in Alabama.
Even if you have to double-dog dare the participants.
Truthfully, the only iffy part of the dare wasn't whether or not Beth would do it... it was more 'when' she would do it.
Pete says we get each other into trouble.
He's just jealous because I didn't double-dog dare him. That and the fact that Beth and I have a complete lack of shame when it comes to witless crap like this. But someone has to do it!! Otherwise there's just another cold night indoors on winter's day when Church was cancelled due to snow.
Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!
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