Music, for me, is an essential part of Christmas. It distills all that is good in the season: the glory of Christ's birth and life, the good feelings that exist at Christmas (though they're sometimes hard to find the rest of the year), the yearning for peace and happiness, and the beauty and simplicity of truth and pure faith. Some people can listen to Christmas music all year, but for me it would cheapen the effect. So the day after Thanksgiving, I break out our Christmas music and listen pretty much non-stop for the entire month of December.

This year Carter has gotten into the spirit of the music. He has alternated singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Jingle Bells" at the top of his voice since mid-November...until I've wanted to rip my hair out and hide under a pillow. But one thing I am beyond pleased about is the fact that his new favorite song (i.e. his replacement for my Regina Spektor CD) is "Angels from the Realms of Glory" performed by MoTab and Sissel. We've been listening to it on repeat for about two weeks now. He likes the part about the shepherds.

Tonight we pulled into the garage and as I started to shut off the car, he said, "No, Mom. Let's finish the song." So we sat in the dark garage looking at the muffled calm of a fresh snowfall and listened to this gorgeous song. I know the words almost by heart now, but tonight in the car I really thought about them. What an amazing song of joy and praise and rejoicing! It really needs to be shared. So here is our favorite Christmas song this year, lyrics first and then the video of the performance. I hope you enjoy it.

Have a very merry Christmas!

"Angels, from the Realms of Glory"
Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang Creation's story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth!
Gloria! In excelsis Deo.
Gloria! In excelsis Deo.

Shepherds in the field abiding
Watching o'er your flocks by night;
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the Infant Light.
Gloria! In excelsis Deo.
Gloria! In excelsis Deo.

Sages, leave your contemplations:
Brighter visions beam afar.
Seek the Great Desire of Nations:
Ye have seen His natal star.
Gloria! In excelsis Deo.
Gloria! In excelsis Deo.

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear:
Suddenly the Lord descending,
In His temple shall appear.

Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father's throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Ev'ry knee shall then bow down.
Gloria! In excelsis Deo.
Gloria! In excelsis Deo.
Gloria, Deo!

Buyer Beware.

I love my husband.

Even when he looks like this:



This is a sweater of Randy's own design, constructed in honor of his company Christmas party which was held earlier this week. He was on the organizing committee for the party and convinced his co-workers that the evening wouldn't be complete without an ugly Christmas sweater contest; and that naturally he should be an example and set the bar high for the other contestants.

He planned and schemed for weeks. WEEKS. I'm not exaggerating.



Here's the kicker: he planned all along to sell it on ebay when he was finished. That's right, my friends. You, too, can bid on this one-of-a-kind novelty Christmas sweater! It's as easy as clicking on this link.

It's the perfect gift for that special someone....who happens to be on the naughty list this year.

Eat your heart out, Stephenie Meyer.

Ah, the joys of.....

....the stomach flu.

Carter has it.

He was fine until we got to Hancock fabric. He kept saying he was tired, but it was his naptime so I didn't think anything of it.

Until I said to the nice girl behind the cutting counter, "I'd like two yards, please."

That's when I heard the wierd gurgling noise and looked down to see a large brown puddle spreading across the table.

And his coat.

And his shirt.

And his shoes.

And the floor.

And he's been puking steadily every hour or so without reprieve ever since, Sprite and Phenargen be damned.

And here's the thing: these are the days when, from the outside looking in, being a mom is so not fun. BUT--if you're the mom who's actually in the trenches, you have a totally different perspective.

I just want my little boy to feel better. I will wash all the sheets in the house, and bathe him as many times as necessary to make sure he is clean and comfortable. I will sacrifice my favorite throw-around quilt if having it around him means he will be comfy and warm. (It's washable, so who cares?) I will clean up puke over and over and over again, and I will do it without complaining. I just want to be there to rub his back while he's retching so that he knows I will do whatever it takes to make him feel better, even if it means I get hit in the process.

Would I do this for any other kid on the planet? Heck no. Okay, maybe. But I would not do it quite so willingly. He's MY kid, and I love him, and I will be there for him when he needs me, no matter what. And I am happy to do it, puke and all.

Gotta run. I hear another wave coming.

Hallelujah.

I didn't think it was possible for me to love Handel's "Messiah" any more...until I saw this.

I Quit.

I quit this job today.



This month is my last month as a journalist. For now.

A Good Week.

We had a fun week this week (despite the fact that it was deadline week....and I missed it by two days).

It all started with a snowfall. I love the fact that Carter is old enough to start doing grown-up things, like helping Randy shovel the driveway.







What a manly man.

Then we ate this.



Yummmmmmmmy.

Today, Carter and I took the time to get some serious finger painting done.



We painted some other things, too.



I saw this today, and it made me smile.



I find them at random times and in random designs all over the house. They're like crop circles....only they're made by a really cute four-year-old instead of creepy aliens who are trying to take over the earth.

I also got some Christmas shopping done today, and figured out what I'm doing for neighbor gifts. That alone puts me light years ahead of where I was this time last year. Yay me!

Brendan and Camryn are staying here this weekend, and Randy has the day off tomorrow, so Christmas decorating--here we come!

I love this time of year!