This morning I got up at about 5:15, drove out to Stone Mountain Village, and walked up Stone Mountain to watch the sun rise. Unfortunately, I could not see the sun until it was well above the horizon, but the clouds were beautiful. Walking up in the dark was fun - actually, the city glow provided more than enough light to see by, even under the trees.

For Christmas, I was at Stephen's parents' house in Birmingham, Alabama. It was a lot of fun, and nice not to be around here alone. We spent some time with his sister and her kids - Anna(11), Amanda(7), and Chris(5) - which was fun (and tiring!). On the 26th, we went to visit Stephen's grandmother and another lady - Miss Helen - at the old age home where they live, and played hymns and Christmas carols for the folks there. His granny is hilarious, and Miss Helen is really an amazing lady - I have been thinking about the things she told us constantly since then.

We saw the third Lord of the Rings movie - it's pretty much required viewing, eh? I thought it was okay - but after talking it over, I thought it was better, and now I wouldn't mind seeing it again! The cinematographic and sound tricks become a little tiring after the first two movies, but it is still fun.

Yesterday evening, I went with a couple of friends to see Big Fish. It was sweet! Family, go see this movie now!

That's it for now. Ciao.

Pictures of You

I've been looking so long at these pictures of you
That I almost believe that they're real
I've been living so long with my pictures of you
That I almost believe that the pictures are
All I can feel

Remembering
You standing quiet in the rain
As I ran to your heart to be near
And we kissed as the sky fell in
Holding you close
How I always held close in your fear
Remembering
You running soft through the night
You were bigger and brighter and wider than snow
And screamed at the make-believe
Screamed at the sky
And you finally found all your courage
To let it all go

Remembering
You fallen into my arms
Crying for the death of your heart
You were stone white
So delicate
Lost in the cold
You were always so lost in the dark
Remembering
You how you used to be
Slow drowned
You were angels
So much more than everything
Hold for the last time then slip away quietly
Open my eyes
But I never see anything

If only I'd thought of the right words
I could have held on to your heart
If only I'd thought of the right words
I wouldn't be breaking apart
All my pictures of you

Looking so long at these pictures of you
But I never hold on to your heart
Looking so long for the words to be true
But always just breaking apart
My pictures of you

There was nothing in the world
That I ever wanted more
Than to feel you deep in my heart
There was nothing in the world
That I ever wanted more
Than to never feel the breaking apart
All my pictures of you

I spent most of today so far practicing carols for our yearly church Christmas Party tonight. Earlier this week I made a list of potential candidates, chose six or seven, downloaded and collected the lyrics, and started practicing them. After several hours of googling, trying different keys, and playing around different chord variations, I think I finally have everything figured out except the transitions from one song to the next. Whew. Lots of work. Of course it doesn't help that my new toy is sitting right here too, distracting me.

Last night was the annual St. Paul's Christmas Polka Party. It was pretty fun - everyone seemed to enjoy Stayin' Alive and Billy Jean more than the polka, though. You can't beat disco music with an accordion.