Through the Windows

Hello you turkeys in the tree. We see you, and now we can't take a nap. Seeing 23 of you parading through the back field is just so neat.





The precious moments we share. We gather. We store. We are treasuring them all.

Celebrating...

~piles of couch pillows. Balancing, tumbling, loud happy play.


~smiles beautiful that fill a room
~delight in the brand new wonder of a baby

Cold Snap's Gifts

January's Arctic Blast is winging it's way through the air. I remember the times as a schoolgirl and teen when I came home from school and turned on PBS. With my jacket on I would bury myself under blankets, make toast and look forward to my Mom coming home from work. She would make a warm dinner, and just her being here made all the difference in my day.

Now I'm grown, and I face these particular days with my own little ones, who have all sorts of energy to keep me hopping. Like the gift of herself, I know that in spite of the cold temperatures, my children are happy when I'm happy. So I'm giving thanks when I'm facing fires that won't burn hot and a kitchen sink pipe that keeps freezing. :)

• Jeremy's arrival home and his busy bee ways that stoke the fire's coals and melts the ice
• beef stew and homemade bread
• hot cocoa and BIG marshmallows
• crafting with paper and scissors
  

• blankets forts

(Sophie in the background using the portacrib as part of the fort)

• friendship and the words that impart love and life
• Little House dvd's
• Ann Voskamp's new book
• siblings who play together
• blogging (and I'm many times embarrassed I carry on here so, but it's been a huge blessing to me)
• a good camera that the Lord provided the money for and Jeremy had the foresight to insist we get it. The things I slow down to see have really brought me joy.
  

Midwinter Surprises

Early morning deer we watch from the window.

And, as if on cue, we read Jan Brett's Hedgie's Surprise this week, all about a chicken laying an egg. For us, a gift from the hen house. Not one, but two eggs this week.

"See how the flowers grow."

they neither toil nor spin....29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" ~Matthew 6

It's January. The month I have never considered to be one of my favorites. Yet this year, when I ask for the eyes to see, I see and find His love warms still. His truth and truths remain. There are momentary open doors of refreshing that light up the north side of this mountain.

I give thanks for:

~princess dancing in the living room
~rain forest safaris
~early darkness that gives way to firelight and candlelight
~games of "Simon Says" before bed




~homemade chocolate cake, homemade chocolate frosting

~wisdom for today, and resting in God's knowledge of where tomorrow is




~My mom, dad, sister and niece's soon relocation

~A long heart to heart with dear friend

~Seeing my brother Derek play guitar, worship and sing. I'm so proud of him. I'm so encouraged by him.

~watching the fast rip roaring rides on the sleds

~Jeremy's vision for home remodeling with my decorating and nesting heart in mind. So much fun.

~thrift store shopping and surprises

~a cardinal in flight with the background of white. Only a Creator could design such a pretty sight!

Snowflakes, Snowmen, and Snowplay

Thinking

My word for this year is Quiet. In the midst of noise, within and without, I embrace it real close. (I think Jeremy might be smiling real big just about now when he reads that. ;) )

"If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot. " ~John Bunyon

"A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder." ~ an English proverb

^{Isaiah 30: 15} This is what the Sovereign Lord,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it.

Jan Brett books are checked out from the library and adding nice warm colors to our winter days. I tend to need these extras in the winter. It seems that I lay out the books, and the learning fills in all the empty spaces. Last week was The Mitten. We drew, cut out and hung paper mittens, talked about and looked up the Ukraine, Bannon did some copywork from the book, drew hedgehogs, and wrote a story about a hedghog.

This week is The Umbrella, and the kids are liking it!

~Watching National Geographic video on toucans
~Drawing toucans
~The book, Bannon will be copying passages and learning about rain forests.
And I am so thankful for our woodstove. I didn't appreciate them growing up. But now, in Old Man Winter's snow and cold, it is so nice to sit right by it and read, drink warm drinks, type up a blog, or hug a little one.
Have a *cozy* night!

New Day

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." - Marcus Aurelius

New Year's Together

~Enjoying the rides

~electronic and board games

~friends


~creating

~football (starting with the very young too :)

~making as many curls as I can
~and a new tradition: New Year's Second Breakfast (after much and more Lord of the Rings fun!)
The bird feeders are filled and I am watching the chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals, blue jays, and even a pretty red-bellied woodpecker with the kids. We start up school again this week, and we are prayerfully facing the New Year.

A promise I'm lingering on:

Psalm 1- a leaf that won't wither. That won't fail to be green, be fresh and vital. Sustained by living water. Thriving. Strong.

Now that's some really good news to meditate on for the New Year. :)