Winter Returns

Ah, yesterday was refreshing with the warm sun melting most of the snow and the kids being able to play outside without coats or even a jacket on! The boys enjoyed splashing about in the puddles and completely covering themselves in mud. I was able to air out the house and bring that fresh, crisp smell back inside. (Although, now, I see just how much dusting I need to do. LOL!) The sunshine seemed to linger longer than normal and following me where ever I went. The geese even cooed "hello" on their way to Canada. Ah, yes, spring must be here!

HA! Yesterday was just a treat - a harbinger of warmer times in the distance, as alas, today it is winter yet again. The wonders of winter! Winter always reminds me of what is important in life. It is when the warmth of our home and family seems to beckon us to tend to it even more - to enjoy the blessing of security it provides against the frigid temperatures and outside elements. It is when we most look forward to returning home to our families and we remember just how blessed we are to be in their warm bosom. Today, we will celebrate the return of winter by keeping one another warm and cozy while we enjoy reading books together and making a delicious treat to warm our tummies and our souls. It is the simple things that are the most rewarding.

Please excuse me as I cuddle up with my little ones while I read them book upon book under the warm blanket on the couch. If only DH could be here to share this time with us it would be PERFECT!

Enjoy your day - whatever the weather!

Beautiful Blessings

• The quick and easy recovery of my grandma who had a heart attack and splint put in a week ago.
• The boys giggling as they are playing in the backyard. Such a beautiful sound!!
• The unseasonably warm day.
• The presents of my wonderful husband who is working from home today.
• The peace of knowing that all that *needs* to be accomplished will be.
• Our loving and supportive extended family.
• The time to spending reading on topics of interest to me.
• The rich resources available to us at our public library. (Our oldest son checked a framed print out to display in our home - he wanted it for his bedroom, but we aren't so sure it will be in one piece if left in there. LOL!)
• Watching our oldest go into the prints room at the library and see one that he said was "beautiful" and ask if he could check it out (we had never done so before). It was great to see in interest in art and appreciate its beauty.
• The geese returning from the South.

What has blessed your life today?

Wonderful Winter Day!

Today was one of those wonderful winter days! DH took our boys, the two neighbor boys and myself sledding. It was a blast! (Okay, I only went down once and it was on a SMALL hill and even then I said some things on the way down that Mom would have washed my mouth out with soap for - oops!) All of the boys had a blast sledding down the big hill with the exception of the little one (2-1/2 years old). The little one prefers to stay with me at the top and provide moral support such as "Awesome, Daddy!" "You okay?" and "Good job!" It is too cute! But, our older son (4-1/2 years old) LOVES going down the long STEEP slopes!! He doesn't even mind when he gets a little snow in his face if he wipes out. It is such a treat to watch him and see how much fun he is having! Daddy even enjoyed the slopes. He had made sure to get a sled that would hold his adult body. He had just as much fun as the younger boys.

I even remembered to take my camera to capture it all - until it was time to walk out the door! UGH! I was the last one ready as I got everyone else ready so in the rush, I forgot to grab the camera. But, we have some terrific memories! Then, we all came back to the house for hot cocoa and some Guitar Hero. What could be better than that? We had a great day!