Welcoming Winter

With lots of laughter and play.

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ICE

Yes, the ice.We lost power on that Thursday night...I swear I heard every tree cracking and falling within 5 miles. (There is just that amazing 'quiet' that comes when there is no power) Early Friday morning was spent with our front door locked open (in 10 degree weather) dumping buckets (a kitty litter bucket and one 5 gallon--seeing our garage door is powered and we couldn't get in to get buckets) of water out the front door from the basement--yes, our pump is powered and with all that rain our basement was beginning to flood. My poor husband spent 4+ hours running into the basement filling up buckets and dumping them outside to have to run back down and fill up again--nonstop. (I helped when I could--trying to NOT get in the way). I had just done a huge foodshop (I shopped hungry)--not even thinking we may lose power--so we had a lot that needed to be thrown away. Friday and Sat were spent at home--trying to brave the cold and stick it out, thankfully our basement had water so we could flush the toilets, but by Sat night it was in the 40's in the warmest part of the house and so we headed over to friends--who also didn't have power but DID have a woodstove. It was warm, but dark with 6 kids to entertain. We stayed with them till Monday morning where we were able to come home to power and men arriving to install our new furnace--so exciting to have REAL heat for the first time in SO long. We were again told that we are VERY lucky to even be alive. Our last furnace had major issues and we had been unknowingly dealing with Carbon Monoxide exposure--which was coming into the house with the heat-- for the past 2 or more years that we have lived here (which explains SOOOO much--my husband will blog about that at some point). My friend Robin and her kids basically moved in on Monday and were with us still Thursday. It was great hanging with friends. Glad for things to be back to normal.now. Praying for all of you that are still without.

my babies turn 5

It feels strange to have no children under the age of 5. It seems like just yesterday that I was bound to a couch, wearing a camelback (hydration pack for water intake), nursing two-- 3-4 lb-- babies--what seemed non-stop, and having a 18 month old looking up at me with tears in her eyes needing me to get her something and knowing that if I move an inch it will upset everything, smelling of spit- up and wearing spit-up--unable to remember the last time I showered, knowing that sleep was something of the past and something I would have to wait years to experience again. I survived. Step by step, one day at a time--I made it. This is all to say that you all can and will as well.
We took the girls on an exciting 'date day'...dressed in their new party skirts and their big girl purse stuffed with big girl goodies. Had a princess party for them that night, which included games of kissing frogs to find their prince. My sweet little babies are turning into such beautiful young ladies. I just adore being their mommy and look forward to the years to come.
I love you girls.

neglect

Life has been busy. Our furnace died about a month ago--still trying to get a new one, then our fridge had issues Thanksgiving morning, then we had issues with sewage (thankfully--not big issues with that). Then there was--Thanksgiving, Hannah and Nora turned 5, and Christmas prep--not to mention school and all other activities (ballet, drama, Awana). As much as I love the month before Christmas and all the excitement, I am looking forward to the cold, dark, short, slower days of January. I haven't just been neglecting my blog--my house is crying out to me as well. Just thought I would jump in and say that I hope you all are having a wonderful December. I will pop in again soon.

breathing deeply

My girls 'smell things'--like me. I love to breathe in my surroundings. When I am in the woods I search for that familiar smell, the same with the rain, the snow, spring, etc...I find that my girls do as well. The minute we step outside the door I hear a comment with how it smells that day. Now, when we drive to the ocean, they ask me to roll down the windows so they can smell the ocean. It is just not the same to them to be driving by the ocean-- seeing it--without being able to smell it.We had a November beach trip, which was just wonderful, and it was like a visit with an old friend. I needed that 'visit'. I had an aching to be reminded of what an awesome God I had and sometimes I need to just get out in 'His art' in order to find that reminder. It is not just a reminder from what I am seeing but to be able to breathe it all in. To smell it, taste it, and feel it--along with seeing it. Some days life can just be too much and I forget to breathe, I start to lose focus, get discouraged and forget that my strength needs to come from my Daddy and that He is much bigger than all of this. I am so thankful for his creation. I am so thankful for those moments of fresh air and beauty. I am so thankful that HE is the one in control.

Twin Tales

These two have been the biggest goof balls. They are beginning to understand that they look alike and that others confuse them--not to be mean, but because they really can't tell them apart. They have started exchanging clothes and one morning at the kitchen counter I noticed and told them that they are going to confuse me--they both smiled--and when I went to turn around in the corner of my eye I saw them slap 5. Can you believe that?! I couldn't. Then just recently I was in the upstairs bathroom and I could hear them getting dressed for the day...there was a bit of whispering going on--some laughing--and then I heard Nora say something about wearing Hannah's clothes--then I heard one of them say--"it's a deal"--then the funniest thing--I heard a slapping of hands followed by a "GO TEAM!"--...the twin scheming begins. Hannah already refers to herself as "we".

November

I love watching my girls create. When they paint I sit with them and watch. I love to hear their stories and listen to what they are imagining when they begin mixing colors and then without any hesitation--none at all--they begin filling a canvas. With the smallest bit of thought put into it they begin and just as quickly they have a finished product. I sometimes say--"Are you sure you are finished...is there anything else?"--which is always answered with a--"yes" and without looking back they walk away. I am amazed with how confident kids can be with their work. I love having new art to decorate my kitchen.