part of the bigger picture

Clay and I were given a gift certificate for The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, and had been saving it for a snowy day. Last night suited us just right, as the snowflakes danced their way merrily to our frozen world. Add to that a grandma and grandpa who were very willing to come spend some time with three very special grandkids before they leave for nearly 2 months. (As an aside, Mom – I hope this doesn’t become a yearly thing. Though this being the second year already, I’m not full of hope. Just wishful thinking.)

Off we went for an 8:30 reservation for 2, no kids, just me and my man. And my camera. It goes everywhere with me now that I’ve undertaken the 365 project (blame my other blog for the fact that I’ve been neglecting posting here). I keep hearing and reading that we’re supposed to make date night of the utmost priority now that we have kids, and every time we do actually get out for a date we realize we need to do it more often. But then life runs away at the same breakneck speed, and little boys make messes, and little girls nurse the day away, and the house is a disaster, and it’s all I can do to get my kitchen clean before we head to bed and start all over again the next day. (I rarely go to bed with the kitchen dirty. It’s a sanity saver to have one corner of the house clean when I wake…and it’s good to have a clear path to the coffee maker in the morning.) Add to all the hubbub the fact that a family of five on a single income doesn’t leave a lot of frivolous spending money lying around, so date night out of the house rarely happens.

Anyway, back to yesterday. It was wonderful. Delicious. We started with baked garlic shrimp, followed by house salad for me and Caesar for Clay. I think that’s when the bread basket arrived. Mmmm…… Drinks? Rickard’s Red for Clay and Newcastle for me. The main course meant a three mushroom sirloin for me and a New York striploin for Clay, along with amazing potatoes and veggies. Dessert? Of course. Three little shot glasses of delight – a carrot cake for each of us, and a brownie to share. Oh yum. We chatted, laughed, and thoroughly enjoyed each others company. I’m so glad I married that man!

We came home to a sad little girl, so once she was settled and put back to bed, we finished off the night watching 24. There’s really no better tv show in the history of the world. If you like action, you’ll love Jack Bauer. We finished season 7 so we are all caught up and ready for season 8 next month! It’s going to be so hard to watch only one episode each week rather than 2/night like we have been!

It was so wonderful to take some time out of the crazy busy Christmas season and just relax with my wonderful husband, enjoy some great food and marvel and how great our God is. We definitely want to make this a Christmas tradition from now on.

I was at the mall today to get a Christmas gift for my niece, and saw this message clinging to a store window:

Buy one, get one 1/2 off.
One For You, One For Me!

I could go off on a rant about this picture, but I won’t.
I’ll just let the picture speak for itself to the fact that there is a deep sin problem in the life of every human being. I pray that we can remember what this season is really about, and worship the God who entered human history as a baby, Jesus, to seek and to save what was lost. Our God is a giver, not a taker. We continue to try to take all that we can get out of him, yet he gives us grace upon grace.

Lord, humble us and cause us to see what it really means to be generous, as you have been generous with us.

Too cute!! I love this stage of foot grabbing, endless smiles, and happy babbling.

My Project 365 blog is up and running! I have begun the daunting task of taking (and posting!) a picture every day for an entire year. Check it out!