I love winter. 
I love snow. 

For years we lived in New Hampshire where we experienced mountains of the white stuff!  I miss it. 

We had a beautiful snowfall on New Year's Eve and into New Year's Day.  It's all gone. Today in the Chicago area the temperature is supposed to reach the upper 50's. There are thunderstorms in the forecast. 

Thunderstorms...
In Chicago...
In January!

What's up with that?

A couple of weeks ago I launched my new snow-themed blog template.  I guess it's just my way of ensuring that I'll be able to enjoy snow even if the ground in my yard isn't white!

I've also been reading a GREAT book to my little guy.  Have you ever wondered what snowmen do at night??  Wonder no more...this book reveals the unbelievable truth!  Here's a little glimpse:

...And having two snow white cats doesn't hurt either!

And just in case you want to see more of the real thing, how 'bout an entire website dedicated to snow pictures???

LET IT SNOW!!!

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."
-- George Washington (1732-1799)

"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."
-- Henry Ward Beecher

"Education commences at the mother's knee, and every word spoken within hearsay of little children tends toward the formation of character."
-- Hosea Ballou

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
-- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

 I had the amazing privilege of being raised in a home with a mother who loved the Lord and who lived out her love for Him in every area of her life.  She loved, she sacrificed, she instilled, she instructed, she challenged, and she prayed.  As children we felt loved, appreciated and protected.  We laughed with her, cried to her, leaned on her, and learned from her.  I owe her a debt of gratitude for her commitment to the Lord and acknowledge that EVERYTHING I am today is because of her.

So today on my mother's 71st birthday, I celebrate her life by honoring the influence that she has had in my life.

"Thanks, Mom.  I love you!"

I've had a couple of evolution conversations lately.  One discussion took place just last week after my dental hygenist suggested that wisdom teeth are evolving out of their usefulness.  Afterward, I sat there in the dentist chair thinking that it was too bad I wasn't born 1000 years later...maybe I wouldn't have had to have my wisdom teeth painfully extracted! 

Anyway, these discussions have made me think about a song written by one of our all time favorite musicians, DAVID WILCOX.  This wonderful song ponders the improbability of evolution's "big mistake" resulting in man's ability to experience and enjoy love.  Each time I hear it, I smile as it brings to mind all of the wonders of God's creation...especially the love that he's placed within me!  Only God could have done that! 

Listen to the song HERE.

Big Mistake

They taught us kids in school between the recess breaks
That the universe just sorta fell together like a Big Mistake
It started with a bang that sent the pieces flying
Then it cooled and twirled into dinosaurs and dandelioins

Chorus:
It was a Big Mistake to have eyes that see
To have love like this inside of me
To have lips that smile as I swim your kiss
To have minds that will forever every part of this
All the moonlight shrouded in the clouds above and
the autumn leaves and the falling love
The still reflection in the moonlit lake
All, they said, it was a big mistake, it was a big mistake

Now back to science class through the looking glass
We were magnifying little ancestors of our ancient past
Watch 'em break a couple chromosomes, wait a zillion years or so
And get an ostrich, a jellyfish, a kangaroo, and a Romeo
Chorus

The choreography of a coincidence
At the turning point there was eternity behind a moment's glance
It was for you and me the timing made us laugh
The fact that anyone could find their only one along this darkened path

Chorus

©1999 Midnight Ocean Bonfire Music(ASCAP)/Cindy Lou My Dear (ASCAP) written with Jeff Penning/Almo Music Corp./Twin Creeks Music, Inc./Jeff Pennig (ASCAP) and Craig Bickhardt/Jaislinn Songs/Sis 'N Bro Music Company/Moraine Park Music Group (ASCAP)