I've been dreaming of a white Christmas. . .and this morning, my dream became a reality. Two inches on the ground and great big dime-size flakes are still falling. We're going to open presents today since we'll be traveling to the folks the next few days for Christmas. I couldn't have planned a better day for it. It'll have to be this afternoon, though. I thought my hubby's office would be closed today, but it turns out that when people are hurting, they'll brave snow and ice to get to the chiropractor. :) I'm just praying they all make it here and back home safely, feeling much better of course.

We're supposed to spend Thursday and Friday with my in-laws. My sis-in-law and I have big plans. We're going to relax and have fun. Novel idea, huh? I can't wait!! She's planned some treasure-hunt-type games and I'm bringing some Christmas word games. If we can get the other grown-ups (aka our husbands and her grown kids) to participate, it should be an absolute blast. My mother-in-law is under the weather, though, and she's so looking forward to us coming. Please pray she's back to her usual wonderful self by then, ok?

Saturday, we're on to my mom and dad's for Christmas with my family. This year is a little disappointing because my niece in Alabama can't make it in until New Years and two of my nephews can only come on Friday night for a few hours, so we'll miss them. For such a huge family, (ok, all my sisters -- get that highly insulted look off your faces. I meant huge, as in there are a large number of us.) we've done a remarkable job up until this year of all getting together to open our "name" gifts at Mom and Dad's. Did I mention that, Lord willing, my parents will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary mid-January? And they're both in great health. I'm so thankful.

I'm wishing you all a laughter-filled Christmas and a knock-your-socks-off-with-joy New Year!! May God's love cover you like a fleece blanket and your heart be filled with a desire to serve him.

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Unfortunately, the goose is in good company. Who made the rule that we have to starve all year trying to be slim and trim, but from Thanksgiving to New Years, we're to eat everything in sight?

Ok, so that's not really a rule. But it might as well be. :) My husband, a very sweet chiropractor, has very sweet patients who delight in bringing us very sweet platters of goodies this time of year. Of course we don't let them go to waste. That would be inappreciative. And unChristian, to boot. So from this moment on, I'll be sharing them with you. WARNING: Reading this blog during the holiday season may be fattening. Today's treat - Pumpkin/cream cheese rolls. Yum.

We finally got the tree up today. It's a fragrant scotch pine. Normally, I carefully wrap the lights around next to the trunk, hang my most precious ornaments on the highest branches, then let the kids do the rest. That was the plan for today, too. But, from the minute the cable guy showed up while I was still in my robe trying to type a letter for the office, the day went downhill. The Ks (7 and 10) were out of school today. They got tired of waiting on me to get unbusy and did it all themselves. The lights, the ornaments, the whole shebang. It's beautiful. A little haphazard to the untrained eye maybe, but beautiful to a mom. I did have to find a new home for the garland they'd draped all the way across the front french doors (including wrapping it twice around the doorknobs.) The poor cable guy had a panicked gleam in his eye when he realized he was trapped in the house with a Christmas-crazed mom in her robe and two pint-sized decorating maniacs. I bet he had a story to tell at the supper table tonight.

Speaking of stories, after a month-long dry spell, I had a story idea today. (No, there's no cable guy in it. Hmm. . .yet.) I started to write a brief synopsis and couldn't stop. Fun, fun, fun.

News alert - Heartsong ~ http://www.heartsongpresents.com ~ has two more segments of The Carousel Horse serial by yours truly up on their website. The final installment is coming at the end of the month, I think. I'm sorry it's over. Writing exactly 600 words for each chapter was a real challenge, but a blast. I hope our readers enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it.

What I'm reading - Nothing yet, but I'm about to critique a hip chick lit by Rachel Hauck, coming soon from Steeple Hill Cafe, and a hilarious mom lit, Leave it to Claire, by Tracey Bateman, coming soon from Warner Faith. I've read a few chapters of both, so I'm prepared to have sore sides from laughing.

What I've been doing - Shopping on ebay and amazon. I've done 80% of my Christmas shopping online this year, up from 50% last year. Next year I won't even have to leave the house. Can you say recluse?

Who I'm praying for - All of you. May your holiday season be filled with warm fuzzies and opportunities to spread God's love.

And I'll leave you with tonight's weird hint - Smile at everyone next time you go to Wal-Mart. I tried it yesterday and it really freaks people out. :)

Shh. . . Can you keep a secret? We're having a surprise party for my mom tomorrow to celebrate her 85th birthday. My mom is the undiscovered wonder of the world. She doesn't act a day over 60. Actually she works harder and has more energy than I do. :) But she doesn't get online, so I think I'm safe in sharing my secret with you.

I got her the New Testament on CD. She stays in the kitchen all the time and has an under-the-counter CD player there, so now she can combine two of her favorite activities--feeding her family and feeding her hunger for God's word. Ok, you may think I'm just justifying a cheap present, but you should try to think of something to get a woman who focuses so little on herself. I think she'll love it.

What's on my mind today - Christmas shopping. So far, I've done most of mine at ebay, but this afternoon I'm going to brave some real stores. Talk about getting outside of your comfort zone.

What I'm currently reading - Betrayal of Trust - a fantastic romantic suspense by Tracey Bateman - the third in her Mahoney Girl series for Love Inspired - but before you run out to get it, here's the bad news. This compelling series follows the lives of the three Mahoney sisters, but it hasn't been released yet. I'm reaping the benefits of being a crit partner. She left me hanging with the last segment though and if she doesn't get me the final installment today, I'm going to climb through my DSL wire and pour latte down her until she finishes. When it's time for the first book to come out, I promise to tell you ahead of time. You won't want to miss it.

What I'm wearing - Jeans and a red sweatshirt with the Peanuts Gang on it, proclaiming HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! Okay, now that I've wondered into the realm of TMI (too much information) it's time for me to sign off.

Wishing you all time for a deep breath, a cup of chocolate velvet coffee, and a good book!