Kings & Queen of the Hill

There are so many posts I want to make before the end of the year but there are only a few hours left and I am certain I won't make the deadline. So instead I am posting this picture and a few random thoughts from our adventures in the snow.

1. The boys were talking about being King of the Hill. I love "our" boys because they shared the Kingdom - even with this little queen.
2. I cherish my relationships with my cousins. I am especially grateful for my cousin, Ryan. He is a great man and I would be blessed to find anyone so wonderful in my life (Joy - you are wonderful too!). We have known each other our whole lives and I am so thankful that we still keep in touch despite the miles and the great big lake in between. During our snow adventure Ryan ventured outside without the proper snow gear because he wanted to keep an eye on his boys. He encouraged fun, kept the boys warm, and carefully kept everyone safe without making a big deal of it. He even carved stairs into the snow mountain so that Queen Alaina could reach the top. Seriously, a wonderful person.
3. Not everyone eats snow - but they should. The Queen immediately began filling her belly with fresh crisp cold snow. She just wouldn't stop and when she fell over face forward into the snow she just stuck out her tongue and took advantage of the situation. It's a great life lesson that I am learning.
4. I love the snow - just love it - especially for how it makes everything white. It clears the visual noise - you can even see how it does this in the picture. It reflects light and it is makes me think of the word "clean" (I know not all snow is clean - there even is acid snow!) Most of all I love it because of this verse:

Isaiah 1:18 (AMP) Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though
your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red
like crimson, they shall be like wool.

And this is the thought I leave you with as we head into the new year.