Monday, December 22, 2008

One foot of snow and counting...

It's been awhile since we've seen this much snow in these parts. The van had a 7-inch layer of snow when I went out this morning to shovel a path to it. Good thing Bill bought me an extra large mega ice scraper-brusher thing last week.

The newsman said to stay home and off the roads unless you absolutely had to go out. But he hasn't been cooped up in our house for 3 days like me. So I bundled Annie up and took Olivia and her for a drive over to the mall to pick up brother Andy from work this evening. Big Mistake. My all-wheel drive van plows through anything, but not everyone else was driving a van like mine. So the main hazard wasn't the ice and snow, it was the cars and trucks ricocheting off the curbs and each other. Olivia, optimist that she is, kept whispering through clenched teeth, "we're gonna die, we're gonna die." "Well, yes," I said, "it's true that we're all going to die sometime. But right now, I need you to quit clawing the dashboard, because you're freaking Annie out."

It only took us about a half an hour to drive the 3 blocks nearest the mall, but we eventually found Andy walking in a snowdrift that used to be a sidewalk, picked him up, and made it home without bumping into anyone. A bonus: I think Olivia's blood pressure has probably returned to normal by now.

Meanwhile, the relentless snowstorms haven't stopped Annie from making little steps of progress. We worked on scooting down the stairs all last week, and she pretty much has it down. One leg on the next step down, then the other, bum slides down onto the next step, "Yeah!" she yells. It's very cool...and then we practice walking back up the stairs. She's got a lot of strength in those little legs, and it is fun to practice with her because SHE enjoys it so much.

With 3 days 'til Christmas, I have much to be thankful for--all-wheel drive vans, bums that scoot down stairs, husbands that buy ice scrapers...and a Creator of snow-flocked trees Who loved us so much that He gave us His Son. My wish for you is that Emmanuel--God With Us--surrounds you and your family with His love and peace this Christmas, and that He give you all the desires of your heart.

And I do thank you for continuing to pray for Annie--your intercession is a gift.

Jean

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:18-23

4 comments:

Gretchen said...

Merry Christmas to all the Sullivans. Jean, you're a writer, girl! You need to publish...

And, yes...thank You Jesus for ice scraper wielding hubbies, progress and hope, and that You are indeed with us. Oh, how we need You.

xxxooogretchen

Jean Sullivan said...

:)

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm I was sure I responded here but the ice must have frozen my brain! So I will wish you a Happy New Year!!

Susan said...

Jeannie,

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas. Praying that 2009 will bring miraculous improvements for Annie!

Love,
Susan