Winter Wonderland

Snow! Snow! While we swam early this morning our world turned white.

Yesterday we cut our Christmas tree in the rain, it was the quickest our famiy has ever chosen a tree! Now the tree is trimmed and the snowy backdrop through the window is just perfect. I have never had a Christmas tree and snow at the same time (at least that I can recall)...it is a welcome novelty.

The downside is that my daughter still needed to go to school and she has never driven in the snow. So this Mama is worried and my imagination is working overtime.

Siding

Every week brings new and exciting changes to our new home. The siding is about 70% finished, and I send a hearty thanks out to the poor siders working in the downpours of the past few weeks.

The electrical wiring is complete and the audio wiring is in progress. Oh yes, and doors! I think that once the house is all seeled up it'll be ready for the plasterboard. Do I dare move the count forward to three months, we've been stalled at four months for so long now?

An Early Morning Farewell

With sleepy eyes and sad hearts we made a very quiet drive to the airport. Most of our friends know our family to be extrememly quiet travelers under normal circumstances, but we are especially so at 5 a.m!
The week with cousin J went far to quickly. But the girls made the most of the time, filling their hours with music, books, Quiddler, and of course TEA.
Having J here was just like duplicating one my own daughters! And we're trying to entice her to move this direction someday. Only I don't know that I could face my sister again if she actually succumbed to our plea.
Now, we need to reenter the real world and catch up on all that's been set aside during this week of visiting. Big Sigh.

Windows!!!!!

Monday's Unexpected Visit

Good to see you J and W....next time under different circumstances!

Sweet Mama To Be

February's bride is now counting down the weeks until her own little one is safely in her arms.
Almost makes me want one more, just to feel that anticipation once again....almost, but not quite, I'm enjoying life on this side of motherhood!

And, of course, all the girl cousins want to share in the experience..where is little G kicking now?

Cousins, The Best Of Friends!

Iowa, Idaho, and Oregon Cousins...who will be the next to wed?


Please, won't you move to Oregon?


The younger set of little ladies.


So happy to be together again!

To Have And To Hold

"First Dance"

It was our great pleasure this past weekend to witness the wedding of my niece to her Marine. It's awfully exciting to see this next generation growing up, but a little scary too as I watch and wonder how long until my own daughters will be walking down that aisle? It just wasn't that long ago that I was sitting at the kitchen table doing preschool with my sweet little nieces while my sister taught piano lessons! And now they're both grown with homes of their own. How swiftly the years are flying by.

Slowly But Surely

The roof is completed! And progress is being made inside too. Pipes are in place, waiting for tubs, sinks, and showers. Electrical boxes are appearing everywhere. Windows are neatly stacked against the garage wall and doors have been ordered. It's good to see progress, regardless of how slowly it may come.
The rains have started in earnest now....and the house is still sitting atop the hill! That's good to see.

The Joy of Granting Little Wishes

It must have been nearly a year ago, Moonchild and I were enjoying a cuddle with a book about a trip to zoo. She began to ask what we might find in the zoo, if we went. I realized that this youngest child of mine couldn't remember ever visiting the zoo. And why should she? The last time she had gone must have been when she was only a year old!


But at that time we were in the midst of selling the house, packing up, and preparing to move. I quickly made a promise that when we were settled again we would make time for the zoo! Then the promise was pushed to the far recesses of my mind.


Throughout the year she dropped reminders and as her birthday approached the much longed for trip became fixed on our calendar. With great excitement we piled into the van, all eight of us available on the same afternoon (phenomenal these days). And made the journey into the city.


Miss Moonchild was delighted with each exhibit. And I was delighted with the time spent frolicking with all of our children. How many families have teens that still enjoy a day at the zoo? I am blessed beyond measure.


So, I thank you, my Moonchild, for your patience and for a wonderful family day. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to the zoo.