D and B have spent hours outside shoveling, snowblowing and clearing the car in the carport. Our mantel has gloves, socks and snowpants hanging from the Christmas stocking hooks.

    The apartment building didn't have enough room to put all their snow so D gave them permission to plow some of it into our yard. So we have an 8 ft snowbank in our front yard. The backyard fort is 5 feet tall by 8 feet long. B has an "L" shape tunnel thru it and we had to make a rule that no one can be on top of the fort while Ben is inside. Common sense, right? Not with boys!

     With Christmas only days away, I should be shopping for gifts and Christmas fancy outfits. But no we were out today with everyone else in the town, only we were shopping for new snowboots for B, new snowgloves for K and J. Our Christmas gift shopping is done but our shopping for J a fancy dress for a family wedding on the 27th was delayed. There was a long line on the street just to get into the mall.

     We picked J's car up from mechanic. The emergency brake light would not turn off, turns out the brake lines needed flushing. Then we mailed a WI Badgers car flag to D's brother in FL. The FL Seminoles are playing WI Badgers on the 27th and he wants to represent both teams on his truck ,which is decked out in Seminole colors and decals, etc.  Then we delivered a meal to our Children's Minstiry leader who had an ER appendictis surgery this week.

      Then it was time to find snowboots and gloves for the kids! Finding a parking place was the first hurdle.So many of the parking places were filled with snowbanks. We drove thru the parking lot twice looking to an empty spot. Finally some shoppers got in their car so that challenge defeated. Now to find a good price on really warm, dry boots. Success was accomplished when we didn't look at the price tag.

    Final stop was the library!  Our favorite spot for books, movies and music.

    B's current book is "Man of the Family" by Moody. I have several Karen Kingsbury books in my possession now and J has to read "All the Presidents' Men" and Ben Bradley biography over her break. K is reading up to 6-8 pages in his "reader" as he is motivated to finish it by the end of 2008.Just last month I had a hard time getting him to read 3 pages. He is improving his speed and proficiency every day.

      The movies we have watched recently are: ELF- D's favorite. A CHRISTMAS STORY- another of D's favorites. LIBRARIAN- the quest for Judas' Chalise. Godfather and Christmas with the Kranks are the ones that are next on the list.

      We have had a pretty healthy week and we are just days from Christmas. Usually someone is sick at this time of year so this has me very hopeful.

       Stay tuned for the next volume about snow because it is snowing and they are predicting 3-5 inches more plus horrid winds making us about -20 wind chill. We are greeters tomorrow and have an important powerpoint celebrating the 20th anniversary of the beginning of our church.

      Blessings and love-

Sarah