And we move on.....

The Christmas decorations are finally put away and the house looks sad and sparse. New Years Eve party was attended, black eyes peas and greens were eaten, school started back, and resolutions have been made. We are moving full force into 2011.

Currently, I am staring out my office window at 4 inches of snow, with more falling. (Thus explaining my free time to sit at the blog and drink cup after cup of coffee.) The boys are playing amazingly well together, waiting for their daddy to come home and take them sledding. My itunes play in the background.

I have considered letting the blog die a sad internet death. But, I have decided to keep it breathing, however lightly. I need an occasional outlet to write and post pictures.

I am reminded everyday that time moves on, regardless of me and my desires. My boys get older, regardless of how much I wish I could freeze time. People get older. Parents, grandparents, even my poor schnazuer. It is enevitable. We are told in Job 12: "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" So, getting older can't be all bad, right?

On Friday afternoon, I had a minor breakdown. I realized Ryan has 2 loose teeth. And he has started reading some words. And he will be 5 in less than 4 months. And he wants us to sign him up for baseball this Spring. And he will go to Kindergarten in the Fall. And I am 35 and I will turn 36 in September. And that's it. And I lost it.

So, like any rational person, I have decided I will run. I have signed up for the Country Music half-marathon in April. I got up Saturday morning and ran 4 miles. The most I have ever run in my entire life is 5 miles and that was over 7 years ago, before Will was born. And it wasn't too bad. I survived. And if it wasn't presently dumping snow, I would be outside running right now.

So, that's all I know. That is my life right now.

But, it's not about me. As Max Lucado says in his book "It's Not About Me, 'our role is simply to reflect God's glory.' I am simply a human sinner forgiven by God's grace. My hope is to make a difference by reflecting some of the light God has graciously shone down upon me.

Christmas Pictures and Recap

We had such a fun Christmas that I just have to post some pictures and thoughts. (Even though I am very late!) The boys stayed well and we were blessed with such a happy Christmas. At ages 7 1/2 and 4 1/2, everything is still so magical. Everything is exciting. The smallest thing can be so fun. Christmas songs, Christmas cookies, Christmas decorations, and the smallest gift is so wonderful to them. I am so proud that they also seem to get the "bigger meaning" of Christmas as well. The picture below illustrates this perfectly. Will's class was asked to write an answer to the question "What does Christmas mean to you?" Below is his answer:

Will and Ryan with cousins David and Dawson on Christmas Eve.

 Ryan with his two big presents from Santa: A new bike and "real" shoulder pads.

 Will and Ryan with cousins Libby and Ainsley on Christmas Morning.

 Will and Ryan with MeMe and John and David and Dawson (and Nick the Golden Retriever)

Will and Ryan with my parents, Nonnie and BB

 Will and Ryan

 Will decorating cookies at JohnWill's firm Santa Brunch

 The candy bar at the Santa Brunch. His firm went all out for the kids. There was arts and crafts, this amazing candy bar, cookie decorating station, macaroni and cheese bar, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus!

 My sweet Will

Will's class Christmas party at school. We LOVE Will's teacher. I didn't think we could ever love a teacher as much as his teacher last year, but she is a sweetheart and he is learning so much. He also has some really great kids in his class this year. I think this picture is adorable because it captures the pure joy of being a 1st grader.