Let light shine out of darkness!

First off, hooray for this:

So Pastor Craig challenged everyone to pick a focus word and verse for the year.  I've done that the last couple years, but wasn't planning to do so this year until I heard today's sermon.  Anyway, I cheesily decided to open Youversion and go with the 7th verse of whatever chapter was open... I cringed when I realized it was Ecclesiastes... but I liked it:"Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning."  ~Ecc. 11:7

So my word for 2014 is "LIGHT."  God brings light out of darkness.  His light is sweet, and it's awesome to see a new day dawning - a new year dawning - a new season dawning! =)

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ."  

~2 Corinthians 4:6

And now, a lengthy picture update:

Happy ice crystals on my windshield -- so pretty!

Truth!

The Wilsons at our NYE dinner at Russo's!

Kelly and Jeffrey Edward - cuteness!

Laura's sandwich and my ziti - yum!

The 7 of us... I invited several people, but we ended up with exactly the Vegas group, which was fun!! 

The cookie cake Mom picked up for me -- everyone went their separate ways after dinner, so Laura and I ate this by ourselves as we watched Modern Family and rang in the new year with the puppies in our PJs! :)

Sammy Sue taking a nap with me... she insists on being in the crease of my neck, which is super cute, but not so awesome for my allergies (I'm terribly allergic to the puppies, but hoping it will fade away with time). lol

Two puppies ready to come in from their little playpen outside (Mom and I put a baby playpen out there for them - my fence isn't secure enough yet for them to just run around without me watching them)!  

Fun sidenote:  I spent more time in my backyard the first day I had them than I had in the 7 years prior. lol  It's actually pretty nice.  I haven't established a routine of walking them yet, but I have significantly increased my activity just by playing with them and cleaning up after them. lol

Fluffly little Sam-Sue.  I just love her floppy ears!

Laura with the puppies on New Year's Day!

Bellsy (Ella Belle) in a bucket. lol

Later that night, Sam tipped the bucket over where it made noise on the tile, and now they're terrified of it. :(

I introduced them to Boo.  Lots of tail wagging at first, but then they attacked him so I had to put him up. lol

Snow on my front yard plants today.

The sunset last night.

In the last few days, there's been a lot of hanging out with the puppies (obviously), some reading and writing, and hanging out with Laura, Tiffany, and Kelly!  I'm really happy I finally got the dogs - and glad I got two rather than just one.  They don't cry at night or when I leave because they still have each other, and that makes me happy!  I don't like the allergies and I'm ready for them to be housebroken, but I love most everything else - it seriously cracks me up just watching them walk - like tiny little front kicks all the way. lol  And I love that they follow me everywhere (although I am terrified of accidentally stepping on them - eek).  They're super precious and their little personalities make me smile!  Here they are meeting their new friend, Kelly! :)

Also, Tiffany and I went to see Frozen, which was the best movie I've seen in a long time!  I LOVED it - the story, the music, all of it.  I've downloaded the soundtrack, and I plan to see the movie again ASAP. lol

That's all for now - Laura starts at work tomorrow - get excited!! =)

Now I'm off to watch Downton.