Snow Baby!

I just can't help it. I. Love. Snow.

Period.

End of discussion!

Here's why:
1. It is a buffer for noise. It makes the world much more quiet.....awwww....silence.....
2. Life slows down. No one wants to get out in the cold. Forget about driving. We are staying home.
3. Two words: Snow angels.
4. Throwing snow balls for Captain. He can't find them. (because they're white on white)
Hi-lar-i-ous!
5. Playing with the dogs. While I make snow angels, 3 dogs trample me.
6. We live in the country which means many photo ops! Please see below.

Our boys!

Rosemary still thriving through the cold.

(I think I can say my pepper plant is done.)

My piggy bench.

Happy Winter Everyone!

Toy Shopping

“Toys simply make life more fun!”



Opening their gift certificates to a toy store, as a Christmas gift, my 7 year old niece said, "That's nice, but what comes with it?"

WHAT?!?!?! What comes with it? You know what comes with it? You get to experience toy shopping all for yourself. Rummaging through all the store as to offer, learning lessons of having options and choosing which toys are right for you with the amount of money you have, budgeting, purchasing, taxes, the whoas of other shoppers....I mean it'll be FUN!!!!!

OK I know receiving a piece of paper for Christmas is not the most wanted gift for a 5 and 7 year old, but maybe the memory of shopping for their own toys might make it a Christmas-break worth remembering....at least as an aunt that's what I hope for....awww I can only dream.

Here's how it went.....



We are ready to SHOP!!!!



Running to the next toy, then the next, then the next...



Hmmm this would be nice, but so would this...



Hi guys!



Outfits for Barbie is worth considering.



What have I here????



BARBIE!!!!!!!!



YES!! THAT'S IT!!!! ART SUPPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Getting a great lesson in shopping, budgeting, paying....



and HAVING FUN!!!!!

 

I am VERY proud of my nieces! They did great picking out toys they wanted in the price point they were given.  I hope they had as much fun today as I did!  

New Tradition

A new chapter, or maybe tradition, has been placed before us to either continue on with, or simple let pass. I felt like taking hold of that tradition and carry it forward. See, Shawn lost his dad, Charlie, 17 years ago. Every year, Shawn's mom, like clock work, would place a wreath at Charlie's headstone for Christmas. Since she is now in a nursing home, someone needed to do it. Like a school girl waving her hand with excitement, I wanted Shawn and I to be the ones to do it.

From the store to home, the smell of cedar and fir engulfed my car. Goose bumps ran up my back at the thought of this wreath going to its final placement, taking the same path Charlie did. It road in the back seat of my car, from LaGrange to Smithfield. Strong and beautiful.

A cold, dreary December day has been turned into one filled with warm thoughts and love....meant to be carried on....

Charlie,

I am told many stories about you. Some crazy and wild, but all of them nice. I think we would have gotten along very well had we met. You would be very proud of everything Shawn has accomplished, and even more proud of the way he does what's right even when it's hard. I look forward to that day when I can hug you and say, "Thank you for raising a good man!"

Merry Christmas, Charlie.

Your daughter-in-law,
Sarah

HOLD ON!

On my way home from a tough workout today, I had the realization that life is very similar to working out with friends.

Today, in particular, was a reminder that when times get hard, or challenging, we need someone or multiple someones to cheer you on with, "You're doing great!"

Something so simple as, "Push through this" is all we need to get the job done. Through the burn, we know that we'll have a great support group that helps us finish what we've started.

Life will ALWAYS throw us curve balls, (or pelt them at us). It's relying on those around us to help us put one foot in front of the other. Keep your head held high, because everyone goes through these gut wrenching times. Have faith that you are exactly where you are meant to be and listen to your cheerleaders around you saying, "You've got this."

So when life is difficult and hair-pulling worthy, HOLD ON! You'll get through it! Change is only accomplished when you push beyond what you thought you couldn't handle. Grab hold to the tough experiences in life/ in the gym because you are growing....strong, confident, and tough!

Fall

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”
― Henry David Thoreau

Many Autumns, Shawn and I enjoy hiking and exploring. This picture was taken from Natural Bridge.

I will never forget the first time I really smelt Fall. That distinct, musky aroma that a change is occurring.  A passing of a season.

It was a late Saturday night, arriving home from college after a game. The two hour drive I knew I was looking forward to time spent with the family, and just being someplace a little more familiar, but what I got when I arrived I didn't know I was really needing. I was in my early twenties. Yes, even though I grew up in this very same location, the smell of Fall didn't get my attention until I was twenty-something. 

It was dark, cool, and the sky clear. As I stepped out of my car I wasn't anticipating being greeted by this scent. But the smell came rushing up to me, like a long lost friend. I remembering standing there in the dark, taking a deep breathe, as if I was trying to fill my body with it. I wanted to take in all I could. I didn't even know I was missing it/ wanting it/ needing it. A peaceful thought came to me, I was home. 

Ever since then, when Autumn comes around, I take time to search out that same smell. I'll walk through the woods or through the fields, and once again take in a deep breathe. Filling up my lungs. I find myself taking a moment to say thank you for this season. Like it, I must change, die, and be made new again. Appreciating, that yes, I am home.

Forever Together

When you're having a bad day, tell me.
When your day is great, share it with me.
When you need a hand to hold, grab for mine.
Don't count me out.

When you're feeling lonely, I'm here.
When you want to dance, I'm your partner.
When you need advice, I've got it.
Don't count me out.

I'm here. I'm always here.

When your night is dark and long, I'll greet you with the sun.
When you can't see me, use your mind's eye.
When you don't hear my voice, quiet your thoughts, because I'm speaking.
Don't count me out.

When you laugh, I'm laughing too.
When you celebrate, I'm cheering too.
When your path gets fuzzy, I'll guide you.
Don't count me out.

I'm here. I'm always here.

When you raise your glass, I'm toasting too.
When you kneel to pray, pray with me.
When you're singing, I've got the beat.
Don't count me out.

I'm in the little things and in the big days.

I'll be that butterfly that catches your eye.
I'll be that smell that stops you in your tracks.
I'll be that song that reminds you of me.
I'll be that chill on your skin and the goose bumps up your back.

Our relationship has not ended. Only changed.
I'm here. I'm always here.

Charley A. Klosterman
May 28, 1947 - August 18, 2012

my own.

"Work is love made visible."
- Khalil Gibran

There is something humbling, exciting, and soul filling when you look around and see all you've done with your own two hands. The pride that comes with saying, "I did it."

Let it be house work. 12 loads of laundry, clean, folded, and put away. Let it be climbing a mountain. Step by step. Let it be whatever. You did it and that is awesome.

As I stand in my garden watering the tomatoes, squash, peppers, I look around at all Shawn and I have accomplished and completed with our two hands. I couldn't let that moment go uncaptured...

 The scallons we grew on the chopping board I made...

 the gate to the garden made from rescrapped wood. Keeping the dogs out (somewhat) and the veggies safe (somewhat).

 The herbs rooted in a raised, reclaimed wood box...

Deck furniture and a classic milk jug re-done and appreciated daily

This is our little piece of God given land. Entrusted to us to cherish, and build up. May we always find the work of our hands simply rewarding...and from love.

Have a great week everyone!