Sunday, March 9, 2008, Nashville, TN, 6:06 p.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Louisiana here.

I am taking a brief sabbatical from my family. Had to get away; the kids are driving me crazy with wanting to go outside to play in the snow (do you know how much time is involved in getting them in/out of their snowsuits??).

Also, not being able to go to church today has gotten my whole schedule shot to pieces. The roads are too bad; therefore, church services were cancelled. The police are telling people to stay off the roads; if they do venture out, they risk getting arrested unless it's a time of emergency.

Nice.

I can just see it now. Louie-the-jailbird. Who am I to argue with the police?? LOL

The kids have been holed up in their rooms, trying to find ways to amuse themselves. Some are reading, some are watching their favorite DVD's or listening to music, watching tv, or playing their handheld games--anything to keep their minds busy, occupied, so they don't become bored.

It's been rather quiet; quite nice, actually. It's so nice not to have kids hanging off you or screaming at you!

Bill is lying on the couch, watching "America's Funniest Home Videos". As usual on these non-church Sundays, he's laughing his head off. He sounds like a man about to rupture something! LOL

The babies are lying in their cribs, sleeping like--well, babies! LOL They look so cute; they must be dreaming of food; their little mouths are really moving! LOL It's adorable! They've been nothing short of wonderful!

The weather outside has quieted down considerably--it's partly cloudy out, but very cold. Snow is covering everything, even the roads. Ice everywhere; still accidents being reported. There may very well be no school tomorrow for the kids; however, I have to go to work. My place of employment (the hospital) never closes; I'm needed any time of the year, doesn't matter if it's a holiday, a wekeend, a sunny day, or a snowy blizzard raging outside my window.

No days off for this busy nurse/mother unless I'm scheduled or take time off--and then I have my other job: motherhood, which there is NO time off--EVER.

The only time I get a break from the kiddies is when I'm in my room (like now) or when I'm taking my shower.

*Sigh* Seems like a mother's work is never done!!

Bill is off tomorrow, so at least there'll be someone home with the kids if they don't have school tomorrow. Also my parents will be here; they hardly get out unless it's to the doctors or to get their prescriptions.

Sometimes they'll go shopping or to the local senior citizen center, where they'll play games, socialize, etc. Oh, and of course, every Sunday and Wednesday they go to church.

Two weeks from today is our Cantata. We are really getting excited. We have been practicing hard; seems that things are finally starting to come together!

I hope there's a good turnout!

We were supposed to have gotten an inch of snow from the storm. We ended up getting a foot and a half. Sixteen inches of the white stuff. Some inch! LOL The older kids spent all afternoon shoveling out our driveway. Bill and I gave the little shovelers $100 because they did such a good job. They loved that! :)

Well, I am going to go now; want to be able to watch "Extreme Home MakeOver" and then "Oprah's Big Give". I will write in here again soon; take care and may God bless you mightily!

~Love, your friend in snow-covered Tennessee, Louisiana Mayrah. :D