Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

We had snow last night and it is beautiful this morning. I live in the city, not the woods, but looking out the back window at the large pine tree reminded me of growing up in the woods. Even in the city, when it snows, it is quiet, or should I say "quieter". 

It would be so beautiful and quiet in the deep woods behind my house in Pennsylvania. 

I miss the woods of my childhood. 

On another note, the kids have school. I am babysitting for a friend who just had twins, not babysitting the twins, but her 2 yr old. I have a friend coming over for lunch and good conversation.  And then Mark and I are headed out for a quiet evening of coffee and maybe a book while the kiddos are entertained by a high schooler. Gotta love having a husband who is a high school teacher and a school that gives service credits for free babysitting! 

Should be a lovely day- snow and all. 

20 inches of the fluffy stuff!

 Yep, you read that right! Right around 20 inches fo the fluffy powdery stuff called snow! 

And it gave us a 3 day weekend! How cool is that! 

Mark took the kiddo out to play on Friday and I cleaned, purged and organized all day! 

We did get time for 2 movies in there:) 

The Debt and Contagion- both really good movies! 

 BURIED ALIVE! 

 I also made these yummy

SOFT PRETZEL BITES

They were amazing! They were pretty simple overall and tasted just like the soft pretzels you get at sports games but better! I will definitely make them again. They made ALOT so I tried to freeze a third of the bites when they are just dough and see if I can follow the steps after that and if they still taste as awesome. Hope so because that means that I can make a bunch ahead of time, freeze them and pull them out and finish them in little batches at a time as needed. 

I found them on PINTEREST the coolest thing on the web in my opinion! If you need an invite just let me know and you can get addicted! 

Yesterday Mark and I were able to go out to dinner on a date and then walk around Target for an hour just us- it was the best! Just me and my hubby cruising the aisles. He even went into the ladies clothes with me and looked at stuff I liked! We walked out an hour later and bought nothing but it was the greatest hour I spent in Target this past month! I just love my husband and am honored he chose me!

I have a busy week coming up and am praying for grace and wisdom as I enter it! Today at church Bobby talked about I Thessalonians 5: 16-18- Some pretty short simple verses but just what I needed when I thought about the week coming up!

REJOICE ALWAYS! 

That doesnt mean I have to be happy every moment this week but I need to have a spirit of joy and contentment in Christ always on my mind and face! Why? Because He has redeemed me! I have Christ! If all else was taken away, I could still rejoice because HE IS ALL I NEED!

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!

Come to Him in prayer because of what He has done for me on the cross. He wants my good through all circumstances.  No matter how much I disappoint Him this week, He loves me and delights in me! WOW! Why wouldn't I want to talk to Him this week every moment I can- it doesn't have to be long winded prayers in the quiet of my room at the crack of dawn.. it can be as I am walking the kids to school every day, as I drive along to Ellas preschool in the morning, as I sip my coffee while the kids are just waking up, as I whisper to Him in my mind when I am struggling to be patient with my children... little moments spent talking to my Lord and casting my cares, dreams, hopes at His feet! 

GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES!

This is definitely a work of grace for a believer! Its hard to see hurts, annoyances, struggles as good things! But we can! Things/People do not satisfy because they didnt die for us! Only Christ truly satisfies all those desires in my soul because HE died for me! When I realize that, I can give thanks in good days and in dark days because again, 

HE SATISFIES! 

Wow! Amazing truths for me to think and ponder about this week! 

Its beginning to {LOOK} a lot like Christmas

We woke up to around 12 inches of snow this morning! It was beautiful! Colorado should have a white Christmas this year! The kids have been busy inside with puzzles, play dough, moon sand, art contests, Kung Fu Panda 2, and eating! But they were aching to roll around in the fluffy stuff- so Mark took them out to play! I love how rosy their little noses get and how pink their cheeks turn.

Mr. Elijah stayed in- he's had a runny nose and cough this last week. And he really has no desire to frolic in the powdery stuff! You'd think it was summer by the lack of clothing!  Thank goodness we keep it toasty warm in this house! 

 After an hour, they all came in to eat warm raviolis and drink hot tea! Dont you LOVE the pile of soppy clothes us moms get to handle when all the play is done:) Its worth it though since it wears them out! and as an extra bonus you get to kiss those chilly rosy cheeks!!

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful!!!!

We have gotten a few winter storms this December- this week has been freezing- usually we get a snow storm and the next day is in the 50's! Not this week- very cold like New England!!! (not something I miss) But, it is cute to see my kiddos all bundled up eating the snow.. well, actually I despise the winter- it takes FOREVER to get 4 kids ready to go out in negative temps and once I get them in the car, they start shedding their clothes while I am driving and then I need to rebundle them before we get out. Elijah screams in his snowsuit because his little arms can't move and Ella eats every peice of snow she can get her hands on- even brown snow on the floor of the post office and icicles hanging of the tire rims of the car- OH MY!!!!!!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

First dusting of snow in Golden, Colorado- Nov.14th