More Christmas!

I'll just say it... it's impossible to NOT have the Christmas Spirit with Violet in the family.  She's two years old now and just fascinated with everything Christmas.  Except Santa Clause, who she's afraid of.  

She goes nuts whenever she sees a Christmas light.  No matter how many times we've driven by any particular house, she'll scream "Oh, Mama!  Christmas!  There's more Christmas!". Every time, and her level of enthusiasm has not lessened with time.  She's so joyful!  The same thing happens, but on a more down-to-earth level, when we see Christmas decorations in a store.  

A few weeks ago our church had it's Wednesday night service at the amphitheater at Lake Lanier Islands.  We did this last year, too, and the weather was so warm and muggy that we didn't need jackets. This year, it was COLD! Freezing!  Luckily Chris was smart enough to stop and buy blankets and chairs at Wal-Mart because I forgot to pack ours.  The boys ran off and sat with their friends during the service, so I don't have any picture of them.  Chris and I spent most of our time running around after Violet, but hey, we were at church together!

First taste of hot chocolate.  She's now a fan!

We wandered around during the music and found this.  She was in Heaven being this close to "Christmas"!

Here's a shot I took of the service, from the top of the seats.  Beautiful, and a sweet time, even if the weather was frigid!

After church was over, we drove through the Magical Night of Lights, or whatever they're calling it now.  The boys weren't that impressed but Violet sure was!

Memories!

Lately... What I've Read/Watched

The Way the Crow Flies by Anne-Marie MacDonald.  This book was good.  Forget that it took me almost two months to finish it... the fact that I renewed it from the library and then sweet-talked the librarian into checking it back in and then checking it back out to me again instead of sending it back to it's library home in south Georgia proves just how good this book is!  It's long.  Probably one of the reasons it took me so long to finish it.  It's a murder mystery, set in Canada just after the end of World War II.  That's the main plot, but oh my goodness at the many sub-plots.  For once, I actually figured out who the murderer was.  I have to say though, that some of the content was really difficult for me to read.  One of the sub-plots deals with child abuse by a teacher.  

When Joy Came to Stay by Karen Kingsbury.  I know, I know, I've said that I was finished with Karen Kingsbury so many times.  I was over at my Granny's and noticed a copy of this novel on her table.  I read the back cover and decided to give it a whirl because it deals with a subject very near and dear to  my heart:  depression in Christian women.  The book was a typical Kingsbury, in my opinion.  I  pretty much knew what was going to happen before it happened.  Very predictable and cliche.  But, a good story. Also a very informative read for those who think that Christians shouldn't suffer from depression.  I could actually relate to the main character.  A lot!  More than I care to admit.  

Gilmore Girls.  Oh, how I love this show.  I was SO excited and was counting the days until it became available on Netflix.  It's just so good!  The first day that it appeared  on Netflix, I was having a bad day.  I remember thinking to myself, during one of Violet's temper tantrums in Target, "It's gonna be okay.  I'm gonna go to church tonight and then come home and watch Gilmore Girls.  Just hang on.".  Ha ha!  I watched the whole series really quickly and loved every minute.  I had forgotten how hard the last season was to watch, though.  It was torture watching Lorelei screw up her relationship with Luke over and over and over!  Still so good, though!

Parenthood. It's the farewell season and I'm so sad!  I love this show, too.  I have a weird obsession with Lauren Graham, I guess. One of my favorite parts about this season is texting my friend Joanne during each episode.  We watch it together and commentate... "Oh  no.  Zeke's gonna die in this episode!"  and "What in the world is Amber thinking?!?!"  and "No Joel!  Fight for Julia!".  Those sorts of things.  I'm gonna miss it when it's gone.  

American Horror Story:  Coven.  Not impressed.  Totally a waste of my time.  

The Walking Dead.  I finally jumped on this bandwagon and I'm officially obsessed.  I'm on Season 3 right now, on Netflix.  Trying to get caught up by February.  My family is so  happy!