Sunday, November 23, 2014

We've Been

We've Been...


- trying out new gluten free recipes
- licking spoons
- listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving ( I can't help myself)


- organizing bedrooms
- wrapping gifts (trying to be done before December)
- reading Froggy books (my boys are crazy about them)


- dancing indoors when it's too cold to dance outdoors
- playing legos
- slacking off on our workbook pages


- trying out our second hand winter gear
-looking cute as a button in our second winter gear
- making the most of our sunny weather (a storm is a brewin')


- trying to pretend it's summer and chug lemon water (who really wants water when it's cold anyway?)
- making a 6 foot long grocery list for upcoming visitors and festivities
- having family movie nights
- eating tons of bananas now that berries are out of season
- enjoying our warm home
- giving out care packages to those without
- remembering those around us that feel sadness instead of joy during this time of year
- growing closer as a family

Monday, November 17, 2014

Snow

The snow came and hasn't left. Unlike last year (maybe it just hasn't been that long yet) I haven't felt cooped up really at all. We'll just say that I think I've finally mastered the art of layering my clothes and keeping my feet warm...a hot drink in my hand and the curtains pulled all the way back - it's been peaceful. It's been pretty calm. It's been what a snowy week should be. 


Yes, do you see my child in the 20 degree weather without pants on ? It's all for the sake of filming - she and Brady would run out and say a few lines, his i pod posed and ready to go, then they would run in and warm their hands and head back out. The fun only lasted 20 minutes or so and then Trinity let her brother know she had had enough and that she wasn't wearing a long coat and boots like him and she was gonna find a blanket. 


There...now that's how to dress for the snow. 


Snow
Gentle flakes
Soft and white
Drifting, falling
Through the night
In silent wonder
As I slept
Glistening secrets
Darkness kept
With morning light
Appearing bright
Peering out
Brought pure delight
The mundane world
I thought I knew
Had been transformed
To something new
The filters
I’d been seeing with
Could not survive
This viewpoint shift
It shocked me into
Present time
Beyond the trappings
Of my mind
Here and now
In awe and wonder
Dissolving illusions
I’d been under
Nature’s beauty
So intensely real
Hearts spill open
And people feel
In this space
We come alive
In this joy
Our spirits thrive
Seek the beauty
In all things
Feel gratitude
For what life brings
Stop and smell the roses
Breathe the sparkling air
The magic in that flake of snow
Is lurking everywhere.

Dan Coppersmith

Monday, November 10, 2014

Goodbye Warmth, Hello Chill


The day started sunny...almost balmy. I went outside to our shed (in search of a holiday box) and was surprised how comfortable I was in just a long sleeve shirt.  I called the kids to come enjoy the last few moments of our true autumn weather...clouds were approaching. Only minutes went by when a huge gust blew through our yard, leaves swirled and fell and the air immediately went from warm to crisp to almost biting. I guess the Arctic Blast we've been hearing so much about on the weather channel arrived...and we watched it come. 


The kids started flapping their arms,  trying to keep up with the whirlwind of leaves flowing around the perimeter of our yard. My littles were laughing, taking joy from nature ... the power of it, the mystery of it, the colors and the touch of it...the chill of it. Deep belly laughs filled our yard and I watched the joy...I took it in and placed it deep inside of me, a memory I will never forget - my babies dancing in the leaves, arms lifted almost in praise...loving their little backyard, loving the beautiful earth we've been given, enjoying each other...enjoying what matters


I watched the clouds covering our bright sun, the rain of leaves falling on our yard...and bid the warmth a rather glum farewell. 


The littles weren't glum...they were still laughing and running and exerting whatever energy they could while their was still space (our basement starts feeling a bit snug during long indoor days.)


They call him "Wind In His Hair." 


The last of my yellow leaves...it's now snowing outside and by the time the week is over the world will be bare and brown ... with maybe a little white here and there. Good bye 60 degree weather...hello 8 degree highs. Hello warm slippers and tea. Hello increased energy bills. Hello winter squashes and greens ... good bye berries and organic grapes (see you when prices are down.) 


After our wind dance and our good byes to fall weather ... we came in and unpacked our holiday mugs, made cocoa, and snuggled on the couch.


Hello snuggles. Hello Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Hello cookies and cocoa and stories all day. Hello early winter. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

That Kind of Day


It's a Mario and Luigi Day.
It's a Chilly Fall Day.
It's a Sunny Sky Kinda Day.
It's a "Hang with Your Bud in the Backyard" Sweet Day. 



It's a "My Baby isn't a Baby Anymore" Day.
It's "Prop That Kid Anywhere" Sort of Day.
It's a Piano Music Day.


Today is a Day I Can Exercise.
It's a Clementine and Date Snack Day.
It's a Healthy Heart, Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Day.


It's a Love On Your New Best Friend Day.
It's a "Glasses Are Cool" Day (and everyday.)


It's a Blessed Day.
It's a Good Day.