In the Bleak Mid-winter

Snow.

It transforms an otherwise barren world into a thing of dazzling beauty,

especially at sunrise!

I slipped outside for a few minutes before the little people woke up to take some pictures.
Oh, that light!!

The quiet morning beauty was food for my soul.

And this little cutie wanted to join in the fun!

As much work as it is to get little people dressed up to go outside,

I'm deciding it's worth it.

Fresh air is one of the best tonics for the blues!
Even if there is a pile of wet clothes on the floor after we come back inside.

I'm one of the lucky ones.

I get to stay in my cozy house, and enjoy the beauty.

My farmer husband isn't quite so fortunate!

Somebody is waiting anxiously for a promised sled ride!

I'll admit, I wasn't too disappointed that I got out of pulling a sled! 

Although, admittedly, it is good exercise

especially when you're wearing your husband's boots 

because you have none that work in the snow.

Auntie Liz is her hero!

They went sledding and made snow angels!

In the meantime, I had some fun of my own.

Everything looks different with a blanket of snow covering it!

The cozy place we call HOME.

A sleigh would be perfect on these roads!

And since we love snow so much, we made some snowflakes for the wall.

Hadassah thought it was great fun to cut paper!

And I made the art because I needed the reminder

To live in the moment, and to trust.

I find beauty in the bleakness of winter 

and strength for the moment

if I can stop

&

rest.

Be still

And know that I am God. Ps 46:10

The Little Man

For the last few months, I feel like I've been playing "catch up".

After the holiday whirlwind,

and taking a mini vacation to NYC with my man (more on that another time),

my to-do list was growing rather than shrinking.

I've finally made some progress on the stack of bookwork,

and am starting to de-clutter all the stuff that's collecting around this home of mine.

Meanwhile, this little guy hit the 6 month mark...and just moved to 7 months, but who's counting?!

So here are a few of the pictures I snapped of him that are less-than-perfect,

but I think they capture his totally adorable sweet self!

And that's what counts, right?

I'm starting to become pretty vocal and can scream loud enough to make Mommy's ears ring!

I have a grin that can melt the coldest heart.

My eyes are the same beautiful blue as my papa's.

I'm alert, aka nosy - and don't want to miss a thing!

I'm a happy little guy unless I'm pushing teeth through. But then, who likes a toothache?

// Nicholas Edward's 6 month Stats //

Weight: 18 pounds

Progress: Sits well by himself & is almost crawling

Teeth: 2 and working on who-knows-how-many

Favorite Activity: jumping and swinging in his jonny jump-up

Food: Loves bananas, yogurt & avacodo with applesauce

Personality: persistent, alert, happy

Loves: bathtime & playtime with Hadassah

That's our little man...squishy, sweet and so precious!

We love you, Nicholas!