It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. This is the scene that we awoke to this morning, and frankly a lighter version of what we went to sleep to! If you notice, it's the winter version of Eli's garden! It snowed all day and it's dumping on us again. Jim has never taken a sick day from work but he does take the occasional weather day, and today was one of those days. He did take the van for a test drive and had to chain up to get home so, that's where he stayed thankfully. Oh, and I didn't end up going to my OB appointment either but I checked on the little one and he/she is still alive with a heart rate of about 173 bpm this morning.

Not only is it beginning to look like Christmas outside, but inside as well. Only, it's not that decked halls, cookies baking in the kitchen look. It's the gifts boxed up, emergency kit assembled, clean laundry and half packed suitcases all over. Nice. I cannot leave the house a mess so any time that we leave for a little while, I'm like a crazy person. This year however, I just haven't felt good from the nasty virus that I am still trying to kick and I've had a headache (feels like a stress headache) for the last two or three days which makes it hard to do much... which stresses me out even more. Speaking of stressing out, I thought I was going to lose my mind when I thought about packing for a week. I can still wear one pair of my jeans (eeep) but they don't feel good at all. I had just done some clothes shopping the week before Eli's heart stopped so I knew that I had an outfit upstairs in my drawer but it was like my own little mini jack pot when I opened the drawer. I actually have three pair of pants that fit now and I can just continue to wear some of my looser fitting shirts. Sure, it's not enough to get me through a week but I can do laundry.

Speaking of Eli... one of my girlfriends sent us a Christmas card today and in it was the most perfect little silver angel ornament. I've wanted to get one for Eli but haven't been able to make myself do it. What a wonderful gift! Jim hung it right near the top of our tree right out front and the crystal on it catches the light just perfectly!

We'll be heading out e.a.r.l.y. Saturday morning and heading towards Montana via the Columbia Gorge. We are hoping to get out in front of the next nasty snow/ice (yay!) storm that they are predicting for this area later that day and into Sunday. We'll be going as far as Missoula and staying with Jim's aunt and uncle which is such a warm and relaxing stop. Then Sunday morning I have my own personal "beauty" appointment set up. Karleigh may join me and Jessie may trim her hair while mine sits and then we'll be on to Billings. Hopefully we'll get to grab some national championship Griz gear while we're there... the game is tomorrow in Chattanooga (Mel!) so GO GRIZ! And please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a safe trip. Jim has put his mad Eagle Scout skillz to use and has all sorts of emergency preparedness stuff for us so hopefully we won't need any of it! Hopefully I'll get a chance to check in again but until then, Merry almost Christmas!