Happenings...

Late lies the wintry sun a-bed
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;

Blinks but an hour or two; and then,

A blood-red orange sets again.

Before the stars have left the skies

At morning in the dark I rise;

And shivering in my nakedness,

By the cold candle, bathe and dress.

Close by the jolly fire I sit,

To warm my frozen bones a bit;

Or with a reindeer-sled, explore

The colder countries round the door.

When to go out, my nurse doth wrap

Me in my comforter and cap

The cold wind burns my face, and blows

Its frosty pepper up my nose.

Black are my steps on silver sod;

Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;

And tree and house, and hill and lake,

Are frosted like a wedding cake.

Winter Time

by Robert Louis Stevenson


This fall, and now beginning winter, has truly been a precious time for us. Experiencing new things together, learning new things together, and just being together. Family is so beautiful, and as we grow and find more peace and joy, I just smile and thank the Lord.

Some moments of pure beauty I find myself breathing in deep and thinking, How can I thank you enough Lord? Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more?

The snow is beginning to melt...

I feel it should be spring,

but winter is just beginning.

More hot cocoa, more snuggles, more fires, more books...

We are all perfectly happy with that.

Take a walk in the snow or at the beach,

warm yourselves by the fire,

hug your husband or your children...

feel joy.

Have a lovely evening!

How I love him

My husband is so wonderful.

Through our marriage we have enjoyed giving our children gifts on Christmas, but we typically do not give much to eachother. Maybe one small thing. We would just rather spend our gift money on the children.

This year he completely surprised me.

I have said for years that I would love to get a sewing machine and learn to sew. I want to sew clothes, quilts, and everything else. It has just never been a priority for us.

He took his mother to the store and had her show him everything I would need to sew. He bought a sewing machine, box, thread, scissors, bobbins, seam ripper, and some other things that I don't even know what they are yet!

Christmas morning, as the kids were opening their gifts, he pulled out a wrapped box and brought it to me. He made everyone pause so I could open it.

A sewing machine and accessories.

He has already had his mama give me a lesson.

How I love him.

Snow Fun! Way too many pictures.

A first winter in the snow instead of the warm California sun!
We had a snowy weekend, the first snow of the year, and for the kids and I, the first snow we have ever woken up to. It was pretty amazing. The kids haven't gotten over it yet.

Trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues

Early morning Ian and the snow babies

Some fun snow playing pictures

Yes, Ian got a snowball right in the face.

To a nice, warm diner for some hot chocolate, games, and laughter.

God is so good.

Though this is my first snowy winter, I decided no snowy winter is complete without apple pie. The apple pie I made.

One sweet picture of Ruth and Josiah. She likes to lay by him and snuggle.

We had such a wonderful weekend, and now, while the snow is still falling, we are staying warm by the fire. The kids are drinking hot cocoa, mama drinking coffee. With soft music, games and books, we are enjoying being inside, out of the snow.

Hannah has fallen asleep on me, so I'm going to put her down now.

Have a lovely day!

What does it mean when...?

What does it mean when you are singing and your baby walks up to you, takes the pacifier out of her mouth and sticks it in yours?

Hmmm...

I don't have a title

Today is my mama's birthday. Happy birthday mama, I love you so much!

Here are some pictures...

Layla, doing her schoolwork




Josiah, my 4 year old reader



Josiah, my goof ball



I couldn't leave these pictures out... I was putting Hannah to sleep one night. Everyone else was already in bed except for Ian and Ruth. They were playing while I put Hannah down. This is what I found when I came out...


So precious.

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him."
Psalm 127:3