let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!

(*the caption is to quote my dad last night.  don't ask what i said in response!  or do.  i might tell you.)

all of those who wanted a white Christmas got their wish alright.  i think the snow may have finally stopped- for now.

i worked on Christmas (and Jay worked a few hours at his job, too) and was happy that the snow didn't start until after i drove in (Jay wasn't so lucky).  however, they activated our severe winter storm policy and those of us at work that were also scheduled today had to stay overnight.  those who weren't there yet and were scheduled to work today also had to come in last night if they didn't think they could make it this morning.  did you follow that?  but we did get paid to sleep overnight and we did get real beds to sleep in and a couple of free meals so the only complaint is that i/we didn't sleep well at all and it was Christmas.  and we didn't get to enjoy the snow except what it looked like through the windows (which i must admit is beautiful).  but we were able to send almost all of our Christmas Eve babies, and some a day or two older, home today and extra staff were allowed to leave too so after 34 hours i was able to come home.  just in time for sunset...

yes i took them from inside.  it's much too cold to stand outside for long!  and i didn't have any plans to go outside but the animals decided they needed to, ahem, "go" so we switched gears and went to the front of the house and they decided it was time to play so i quickly bundled up and snapped a few pictures of our blowing snow.  (yeah, who needs a snow blower when the winds are forecast to blow with gusts up to 50-60mph?)

 dashing

 through

the

snow

cotton decided she needed to eat some snow!

jay and i had our Christmas on Christmas Eve.  he totally had me fooled about my gift.  i have been wanting a pandora bracelet and he had me going that no one had them in town and all the jewelry stores were sold out and made me make a new list just a few days ago of things that i might like.  little did i know my present was hiding in the Christmas tree!  jay got some things on his list he wanted and some things that weren't on his list that he also liked just as well.  cotton, barley, and dave each got a new stuffed and squeaky (or chirping!) toy and are quite pleased.  i have pictures of the pets and toys but our internet is running quite slowly so they will have to wait for later.  (the snow pics took an hour to upload.)

we hope you and yours had a lovely and white Christmas.  you know, if you like snow and all.  

a Christmas story.

Luke 2:8-20 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

wordless wednesday.

evergreen.

it's a girl!

Maggie Danielle Stooksbury

Born December 4th @ 8:12pm

7 lbs 8.4 oz    18 inches

Proud Parents:  Mark and Rachel

Please keep them in your prayers.  Rachel was re-hospitalized with a uterine infection and just got back home yesterday (Wednesday) and Maggie is allergic to lactose and Rachel is having to cut all dairy out of her diet.  (Thanks for the prayers in advance.)  I can't wait to meet this little sweetie!

it's coming on Christmas...

jay and i had a great time this year picking out our tree.  we have enjoyed a live tree every Christmas since being in our house.  this year we went to Boyd Mountain Tree Farm to pick out our tree.  we went last sunday on a lovely (freezing cold) snowy day.  when we got there Santa himself* informed us of the way it all works: should you be super adventurous, you can take a saw with you and find and chop down your own tree.  um, no thank you.  next option- you still venture up the hill to and find your "perfect" tree and then someone will come and cut it down for you.  then they take it down the hill/mountain for you and bundle it up.  you then head back down the hill/mountain and enjoy some hot chocolate or hot apple cider (while you pay) and some sweets and warm up under the heaters in the tent.  then,when you are ready, they will tie it onto your car.  it was muddy and cold but it was really fun to find our tree where it had been growing for the last few years.

they also have cabins on the farm that you can rent.  this is one we passed on our way.

jay up ahead...

if this is the view to the main house, imagine their view from it.

our "perfect" tree

we posed with the chain saw- we did not get to use it.

our tree being cut down... stay tuned to see it in our house.