Gladitude Monday: Merry Christmas

The Glad10: Christmas Style. Get your scroller-finger ready, 'cause there are plenty o' pictures in this post. Sorta like picture diarrhea if, you know, there was such a thing.

Anyhoo...

10. Glad for snow. Perhaps not for this magnitude of gladitude of snow, but we have about 10 inches here in the 'hood, and it does remind me of CO. Also, it seems apparent that we'll have a white Christmas. Pics below out our front door--as far as a woman in pjs dare wander.

9. Glad for artificial colors and flavorings. Who could make cut-out Christmas cookies w/o them? Below: our son, of whom we are so proud. He did his best to only use the blue frosting. Guess how I know that? A side note: aren't the green and red braces bands a festive touch? Of course now that his teeth will be falling out, the need for braces is a moot point.

8. Glad for traditions. Although I'm not so sure I love the rate of speed that time seems to be passing by, I am glad that (hopefully) my children will look back at their imperfect childhoods and see glimmers of greatness and of love.

Then: circa 2002

Now:

7. Glad for optimism. This picture taken last Tue or Wed, before the dumpage of current snow. Seattle-raised children do not take snow for granted. Had she been raised in Ft. Collins, like her mom and dad, she would have scoffed at this amount of snow, but you know what? This shows an appreciation for what she has. What's not to be glad about for that?

6. Glad for imperfection. Whether it's Hobbit(ses) or Christmas elves or the workings of a 12 year old boy, no one can know...But often, our Christmas stocking hangers, meant to spell out the word NOEL oftentimes spell "LONE", "ONLE", or my personal fave: "LEON". Makes me think of "Levon", the song by Elton John, because my mind just jumps oddly around like that. Our "GREETINGS" blocks can also be seen in alter-ego form, as well. E.g. SNEEGRITG. The cool thing about all this is that suddenly, around the 23rd or so of December, the words magically go back to their real selves.

5. Glad about late starts and snow days. Really. I am. While I will likely be singing a fickle tune come January, the slow pace and extra sleep has done a body good.

4. Glad we watched "The Nativity Story" last night. I thought it was beautifully done. Glad to hear my son interpret all the historical details for his sister w/o making her feel dumb. Glad we all liked it.

3. Glad I got to ski to church in my minivan yesterday. We don't have us as many plows as those of you in snow country... Therefore, at least half of those who attended church were those of us who "had" to be there. You know what? It was a fantastic service, and being on the worship team was especially fun because of the more relaxed atmosphere. Plus, I learned a new song (for me): "We Are the Reason". I know the Avalon version, but I know there are others. Also got to funk out, as much as a bunch of middle aged white people can, to Aretha's version of Joy to the World. All good. All good. Especially good was lighting the Advent candle and reading the scripture.

2. Glad we can cling to His promises, no matter what. And we must. My friend Bev wrote a post about this which is so worth your time and prayer. Go here.

1. And on a final, sentimental note: I'm terrifically glad to have my family a) out of the house b) so I can quilt c) and guess who they're shopping for? Sorry, the truth comes out: I like presents, too. I know Who my gift really is, but c'mon...a little Christmas love from the fam never hurt anyone. :)

God be with you all for a lovely, passion-filled, restful, and Christ-filled Christmas.

SDG!