snowed in - Blizzard of '15

I had no idea how much my mind, soul, body and heart needed a couple of unexpected snow days. We lingered in bed, baked muffins and cookies, drank hot chocolate, lit a fire, read "The Snowy Day", made orange snow cones, watched Levi and Magnolia play and cuddle, did a little redecorating, relaxed in the hammock and papasan, cheered on Maggie's crawling, introduced Levi to "Mary Poppins", shoveled the driveway and watched snow plows out the window. It was practically perfect in every way..(as Mary Poppins would say).

sledding through woods on a snowy morning

On Saturday we woke up to the most gorgeous snowfall. Levi immediately exclaimed, "It's CHRISTMAS!" (apparently in his mind, you don't have snow without Christmas and you don't have Christmas without snow- this has disappointed him on more than one occasion recently). This was Magnolia's first snow and we were eager to bring the kids outside to experience the fun and beauty of it all. We got some chili cooking in the crockpot, then headed out to our favorite nature reservation.  We spent a glorious morning pulling them through the gardens and woods in matching red sleds. They both were as happy as could be, but we were particularly surprised at Maggie's utter excitement about the whole thing. She couldn't stop giggling and would start flapping her arms uncontrollably if we stopped the sled for even a moment. Almost immediately after we left, the snow turned to rain and we were so thankful to have had those precious hours to spend as a family enjoying such a perfect winter wonderland. (As I write, a "historic" blizzard is moving in and we're preparing for some cozy hibernation for a couple of days. I'm not complaining...) :)

Dear Magnolia - 9 Months

this moment - Magnolia and Grampy

{this moment} - A Friday ritual

Joining with SouleMama

Better late than never... (The Winter List 2015!)

these days...

These days, I'm...

- writing our "Winter Survival List"
- watching my husband work and write through his last semester of grad school 
- hanging in my hammock
- cuddling my kids by the fire
- thankful for care packages left on my doorstep, at just the right time
- reading and scribing the book of Philippians with my church family
- painting my brother AND sister's wedding paintings (finally), hoping to finish by spring
- enjoying the "emergency date kit" Brian gave me for Christmas
- teaching art lessons inspired by Dr. Seuess, Andy Warhol, Snowy Owls and a Robert Frost poem. 
- soaking in Magnolia's constant smiles and giggle and Levi's sweet, smart personality
- listening through the 99% Invisible archives
- reweaving a seat on an antique children's chair
- loving 11am-12pm when the sun hits our rainbow maker just right and fills the kitchen with dancing color
- reading daily through my well worn copy of "Streams in the Desert" with a friend who needs it's encouragement just as much as I do
- processing through a hard week, spending most days at my parents', keeping my Dad company and trying to encourage him as he battles through a very dark valley..and praying that he gains enough weight and gets well enough to try a clinical trial in the near future.
- thankful for hope and comfort in Christ

blessings that dressed our wounds

so the last year left us with some hidden bruises, Lord ...... 

and yet there were still blessings that dressed our wounds.

You held us, when we didn’t want to hold on,

You loved us, when we couldn’t love ourselves,

You carried us, when we didn’t know how to carry on.

And You pull us near...

and Your Word gently lifts our chins: 

"The Lord bless you & keep you;

the Lord make His face to shine upon you & be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up His countenance upon you & give you peace.” 

You lift Your countenance, Lord, You lift Your face, 

& You shine right upon our unsure faces & Grace entirely blankets us ....

You lift Your face & look us slow right in the eye, look us full in the face — 

and looking deep into Your face -- there it is: unwavering peace.

And all the unknowns of a new year with all its question-mark-days, 

undo themselves in the certain peace of Your steadying, holding gaze.

- A.Voskamp

Thankful for, 

- grace that blankets, unwavering peace
- a fun and restful winter break and good time with friends and family
- a fresh new year

(special thanks to my Uncle Jon who gifted me with this amaaaaazing hammock chair for Christmas! I can't believe I lived a full 30 years without one!)