Finally!

My Pilates videos are in! Only I can't pick them up yet because I don't have a car today... but tomorrow I will. I'm really looking forward to trying these out!

Music to my ears

Sunshine had her piano recital last night, despite the icky, rainy, icy weather. She played beautifully. The two pieces she played were a Christmas hymn, "What Child Is This" (one of our favorites), and a classical Italian lullaby called "O mio babbino caro". I was so proud of her. She's getting to be quite a young lady. I nearly cried watching her up at the piano in her lovely black skirt and red blouse, looking so ladylike.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving me this daughter who makes me so proud. It is only by your grace that we have her, and that she loves you, too. And thank you for her modesty and that she desires to honor you in this area.

And thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to us in the first place.

What Child Is This?
Words by William Chatterton Dix (1837-1896)
Music: Old English melody ("Greensleeves");
arranged by John Stainer (1840-1901)

What Child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping,
Whom angels greet wiht anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Refrain:
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear; for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
Come peasant, king, to own Him!
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him!

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." Luke 2:15

Humor

It's hard to listen to a good read-aloud when the cat's smacking the dog around.

Last night while Daddy was reading aloud from Jotham's Journey, the Advent candle was lit, the Christmas tree lights were on, Honeybee was sorting flashcards to keep her body still while Daddy read, and Sunshine and Songbird were listening intently. Someone suddenly noticed that this little 3-month old kitten was repeatedly smacking the nose of this 45-pound Lab who appeared to be helplessly taking it. The cat was up on her hind legs in boxing position with front paws in full action. The dog was just lying there taking a beating. Daddy's words were falling on deaf ears at this point.