Hosting 40 & Cousin Love

One of our people turned 40 last month.  God placed Randy smack dab into the middle of our world 8 years ago and he has stayed front and center.  This family has been present for all our things and us for theirs. We've done so much life together.  Randy gifts us the ability to laugh through the muck and has been present to allow us space and grace to trudge through when laughing isn't on the docket. Living 3 doors down from these peeps has been one of life's greatest blessings. We don't live 3 doors down anymore, but that hasn't phased our ability to be right there in the mix for each other.  We hosted a surprise chef dinner for his 40th and loved every minute of watching his family honor him and celebrate 40 years ridiculously well lived. Cheers Randall. 

My brother, Ross, and his family popped in for a much anticipated visit recently.  This was a "how many sleeps until they come" kind of concurrence for our children.  Cousin time with Ross and Kira's 3 is a favorite past time.  The weather was amazing during their visit, allowing for outdoor adventure and bonding.  We loved having them here sharing in our world.  And we all whined when they had to leave, wishing we could do this every week.

 

 

  

Winter Happs

My 36 pound camera has been nestled into the bookcase lately.  I've found a teeny bit of freedom in NOT hauling that sucker out for every detail of our life.  But then I miss the pictures.  So, a balance will need to be discovered.  Below are the highlights that have made the photo cut this winter.  Some wonderfully good times have been had over here.  Our cups definitely overflow.

We begin with The Swoopers Nature Club, a project Dude took for homeschooling.  He wanted to lead, organize, and direct a club with his besties.  Swoopers was born from his love of nature and "swooping" birds.  The Golden Eagle is their mascot, he created a flag, decided to study volcanos at their first meeting...it was darling.  And a complete cluster.  This will NOT be a monthly club occurence.  We decided on quarterly.  As much as he desires to lead, Mama rallied the nine 8-10 year old children and Mama was tired.  

Next up, my sweet, sweet weekend away with some lovely ladies.  We rented the most charming barn on acres of quiet, rolling, mountain kissed property.  We ate like queens, drank hot coffee and tea under fuzzy blankets, bonded over "all the things," slept in, walked the prayer trail, dreamed of coming back, watched some of the IF conference...again, my cup runneth over.

Misc. homeschooling fun.  We've been working on self confidence and motivation through work that speaks to who he was created to be.  Every morning he draws a Pokemon mascot and we've discovered quite an artistic little bone in him.  Hes made volcanoes, lava lamps, tons of recipes coinciding with the country he's studying, visited Botanic Gardens homeschool scientist days, explored Backcountry Wilderness on their homeschool days, hiked the Platt River with Carson Nature Center's nature days, joined a weekly archery club and Lego Robotics club, and we just started volunteering weekly at a rescue horse ranch.  He's in charge of feeding and releasing to pasture their lamas, alpacas, chickens, sheep, Moonshine the cow, goats, and last but certainly not least, Wilbur the pig.  He's learning to sew and started with a customized to him apron, courtesy of his fabulous teacher, Miss C.  They have written plays, made props and acted it out for yours truly, created an audio background for a chapter of Harry Potter...cool stuff people.  He loves school again, which was the goal.  
   

He decided one random Tuesday to make cards for the family.  Mine spoke to my tranquil side, Enzo's spoke to his deep deep desire to dominate just one squirrel, Daddy's spoke to his fantasy life of becoming an F1 driver, and Squirt's was a Frozen card.  Obvious choice.  I love this little boy's sweet, pleasing heart.

And then there's this one.  She melts us (most days) and reminds us how blessed we are to call her "ours."  She plays house and school like nobody's business and might be the most independent 6 year old I've crossed paths with.  She LOVES cleaning our toilets, loading the dishwasher and scraping food off plates in the sink.  She's been known to have breakfast made and ready for the family on Saturday mornings (at 6:50am) and insists on laying out our clothes for us in the morning.  Our little gem.

  

 

 
We've taken on a few minor house projects...wood walls, new back splash, hardware and lighting in the kitchen.  We're building up the courage to invest in a bathroom and apartment in the basement, which will provide a home for all the 17 year old orphans Dude wants to adopt.

The dog.  Our therapy.  Our happy place.  Our fuzziest little love.  He hates water.  Unless there are ducks taunting him.

So much winter time spent on our local trail system.  Its been incredibly mild, allowing for a lot of fresh air and deep breaths.  We're bound to run into people we love when we're out breathing.

 A little bit about me?  I've been attempting to find space for writing (see below), design work with my talented partner, Dara, and homeschooling.  And perhaps a few other things.  Peace of Home, our design company, has taken off in the past few months.  We're busy busy busy with very little time. But loving it none-the-less.  Our current project is a stunning mountain home.   I've become addicted to Stitchfix (Have you tried it?  If not, do it.  Just do it).  I decided I deserved a little Stitch Fixing and so I granted myself that fashion treat.  What do YOU deserve to do for yourself?  

Last, but most certainly not least in this list of Winter happs, my handsome and loyal husband left his vocational home of 7 years, which was truly a home for our family, for a new adventure.  He is one week into the new job and is already being challenged in big ways.  This is a huge shift for him and he's excited about this new path.  He deserves the opportunity and we're praying for God to work through him in awesome ways.  His former employer organized a going away lunch party, complete with catering, speeches, and gifts.  The kids and I surprised him by showing up and hiding under the table.  Dude's idea of course.  

 That be all for now.  But there's more to come, so hold tight.