Trees

Yesterday on my short walk through our woods I saw fresh deer tracks and two deer beds that were probably still being used only a few hours earlier.  The ice from storm the day before still clung to every branch and twig making the whole forest look like someone had glazed it.  It was breathtaking and as usual, my pictures do it no justice.

Once I'm outside I always wonder why I have such resistance to it.  But I always do.  It's too cold, too cloudy, too slippery, and on and on...  But I'm such a happier person after I've gotten some fresh air.  Tended to our chickens.  Made my own tracks through the snow.

Life is strange these days.  The trees help remind me what's important.  Where I should focus my energy.  Even how to get energy.  I need to remember this.

Up North

Such a fun weekend!!  Thank you Katie and Kris!!

Five

When Nora finally woke up this morning Jackson and Grace (already awake) came bursting in the room unable to contain their excitement.  I think I have butterflies! Jackson (not Nora) said, encouraging Nora to hurry! and get up so she could do the treasure hunt he made her.  Grace was equally pumped having spent the morning arranging the "critters" she got Nora into a little scene.  The way the tend to her on her birthday is so precious.

This is the first birthday she opted out of having a family party in exchange for a friend one (I only have it in me to do one party per child) which we will do in a few weeks.  So that meant the day was fairly quiet.  Bad winter weather kept us all close to home with a few scattered visitors- my mom for lunch and Grandma Sam, Grandpa Scott, and Great-Grandma for dinner.

She told me it feels very different being five.  And she even put on some of her size 4 clothes and declared they no longer fits.  Clearly she is much bigger now that she's 5.

A Good Thursday Morning

A New Year

This seemed the best way to bring in this particular new year.  Though I am feeling a little apprehensive entering into 2017, I was relieved to say goodbye to 2016.  It was a hard year for me in many ways. On the morning of New Year's Eve, with Ryan and the kids running a few errands I found myself all alone with an hour and a half at my disposal.  After finishing the dishes I practically ran upstairs to light my candles.



That evening we continued our usual tradition (not sure how many more years we'll be able to keep this one up) of spending the night, just the 5 of us.  We played several rounds of our new game, went on a night hike and made our wishes for the new year.




{Grace in a Christmas patch}


{Through the forest, looking up at the trees}





It was really one of my favorite New Year's Eve's.  After the kids went to bed Ryan and I started a movie (Brooklyn-good so far) as we always do, but still need to finish it (as we always do).  It was a quiet and peaceful and hopeful night.  Just what I needed to let go of the last year and start fresh with a new one.