Elkhorn

Little Cabin in the Woods

Balcony Vista

Fun with my Girls

Sweet Sisters, Moonchild and Ladybird

Hoola Hooping Cousins

January Sunrise

Hunting for Joy

Here we are.
It's the first Monday of a new year.
I'm dragging my feet this morning. Time to exercise. Time to start school. Time to take down Christmas. But I just don't want to.
I want to linger awhile more in the cozy place between Christmas and New Year's Day. The place where the rush has slowed and peacefulness settles. The place where lights still twinkle and quiet music box tunes still soothe.
Usually the return to routine is welcome. But not this morning. This morning I'm having to hunt for joy and it's hiding well.

Christmas Gnomes

Wishing You A Merry Christmas!

Silver Falls

Finding opportunities that our whole family is available to spend out together are becoming increasingly rare. In fact, in the course of this summer I think we will only all be home for about two weeks! But I'm beginning to realize that that doesn't mean those of us that are at home shouldn't find some stolen moments to enjoy time spent in our beautiful Oregon countryside.

The Quiet Zone

Here I sit, all alone at my counter. Cameron is away on his senior retreat, Elaina and Faerynn are visiting much loved cousins in Washington, Shannon, Allison, and Bethany are all off to work, and Daniel and Chesterton are both still sleeping.

This house is sooooo still, just John Tesh on Pure Hymns keeping me company. It's a small glimpse into the days ahead. The days after the next three in line graduate. And I wonder what I'll do with my days then?

Yesterday I decided to take the afternoon off to do whatever I wanted. It was a loooonnng afternoon. I read a little, slept a little, watched a movie with Daniel, started a card game....then Allison and Ann-Marie arrived and we went to a riverside park in Salem for a leisurely walk. Guess what? I much prefer the busy days of caring for my family. I like the rhythm of my days.

Today I'll set to work trying to establish a new routine for the summer. I'll figure out when I'm going to do all those things I've been saying can wait until school was finished. I'll restore order after a busy few days of party and company. And I'll enjoy the quiet while I work.