8:49 p.m.

It's a very cold night here at Possum Cough and this weekend, they're calling for it to get down to about 10 degrees. Don't y'all wish you were here with us? We sure do!

There are still about 11,000 people without electricity in southwest Virginia. Thankfully, we aren't included in that group. When I was on my way to work this morning, there were about 15 or 20 utility trucks all caravaning down the road to start yet another long day of trying to get electric lines repaired where the snow and wind have knocked trees over. It's been very violent weather this month. I love the snow, as you all know, but I have to say it was not my friend Christmas week as we waited and waited for our power to be restored. But we could have had it so much worse than a lot of people and for that, I'm very grateful. I surely do appreciate turning a light on now or opening the fridge and having cold food. It made me feel sad to throw away so much food but it had to be done. Eight bags full!! (actually, some of it was weird looking stuff that had been in the freezer too long and was unidentifiable...we all know about that, huh?)

Ready for some pretty snow pictures?? Okay....here we go....

This is our outdoor refrigerator -

Kitty finds the buttermilk -

This next one gives you an idea of how deep it was...

Peeps and Bonnie frolicking (this was a week after the big snow - that's how long it stayed on the ground)...

I'm very glad no one was hurt in Lufkin the night before Christmas eve when they had an F3 tornado blow through town. It makes what we went through seem like nothing much at all. I'm especially glad Joshua and Mollie missed it by 30 minutes.

And I'm very glad that Jason, Karen, and kiddos are all feeling much better.

I'm off to get ready for bed now. I love each and every one of you and miss you all very much.

Mom

7:39 a.m. Thursday

Good morning, y'all! I hope and pray you are all well rested, safe and sound this morning. I'm home from work and getting ready to start my day but not without wishing my precious Ruth and Rhiannon the happiest of birthdays. I was recalling the night they were born and how sweet and perfect they looked, laying in their little beds in NICU. We are so grateful that you are healthy, happy, and beautiful.

Happy birthday, little girls. You'll never know how much Meemaw and Peepaw love you.

We had HORRIBLE wind here yesterday. It was reported that all of Gate City was without power right before we were due to come home. Thankfully, only part of the town was blacked out and we were fine up here on Copper Ridge. You'll recall that old bird tree out front? We loved that tree because it was a sanctuary for all the little birds around here. Well, that wind pulled it up from the roots and toppled it right over. It landed right next to the fence without hurting it, or the house, or anything. It looks so bare where it once stood but we'll plant more in the front yard to provide shade for the house and a new home for our birds. I'll post a photo soon.

Peeps is going to get off work a little early today and we're going to drive to Gatlinburg and look at the Christmas lights and decorations and perhaps get in a little bit of shopping. We'll return early Saturday. We may even go to Dollywood. We went once during Christmas several years ago and it was so beautiful! They have thousands and thousands of lights all over the place and there is a parade at night along with lots of Christmas music. If that doesn't get you in the mood for Christmas, nothing will. We are still anxiously waiting for the day when Ruth and Rhiannon are old enough to take to Dollywood. Y'all might remember us telling you how we saw a man pushing a stroller with his twin grandchildren the first time we went there and we talked about how sweet that was and that "one day, we'll bring our grandbabies here". So....that is our plan and then when Jackson is old enough, we'll do the same for him as well as any other grandchildren that we are blessed with.

The picture at the top of this post is of Bonnie in her first snow. She loved it...she jumped and spun and yipped at the snowflakes!

I love you all very much. Please be careful in all you do.

Mom