Winter Wonderland (and some breaks from it)

This winter has flown (or, as they say: "the days are long but the weeks are short"), and for the sake of record-keeping, here's a recounting in chronological order:

- New Year's: What a gift to welcome Gpa Kirk & Gma Nancy to celebrate. Highlights included "pizza in", celebrating Uncle Drew's completion of his master's program, and just spending quality time together (also re-celebrating Christmas with D & M, and watching the kids enjoy the boxes, and Karis commanding everyone while she "played ship")

- Late January, Sanibel Island: We were so thankful for an escape to warmth and sunshine. We fell into an easy rhythm with Grandpa Kirk, Grandma Nancy, Uncle Drew, and Aunt Melanie . . . morning walks on the beach, seashell-scouting/picking (all of Karis's "for Everett and Marissa"), lunch, outings, dinner, kids-in-bed, games. I don't take for granted what a gift it is to spend time with family and just so wholly enjoy each other. Memorable moments were watching Karis splash in the water wearing her "surfer girl shirt", watching Tangled as a family, reading Olivia books, chasing Judah up the stairs, me and the kids very successfully all sleeping in one room together, stumbling on yummy coffee and ice cream and burger joints. So refreshing and beautiful.

- A late January weekend visit from Gpa Bob & Gma Lorie: swimming at the hotel, delish dinner at Good Day Cafe, fun chats. Memorable to some of these times is the way Gpa Bob carries Judah around restaurants and Karis chases them

- Karis got to ice skate for the first time, guided by master skaters Uncle Stevie & Aunt Debbie

- Trev got away in February to the men's retreat. Me and the kids filled the days with lots of play dates and treats (donut date within 20 minutes of waking up Saturday morning, lunch with friends, dinner at EPC with D & M) and early bedtimes

- Me and Judah got away to Amery, WI for a children's-leaders-team church retreat. So beautiful, and precious time with dear women. Reflecting, thanking, dining, supplicating

- Valentine's Day:  the wonderful traditional "pizza in" with Gma & Gpa and Drew & Melanie. Followed by a weekend of birthday and job celebrations (OPH, Eat Shop, and Stellas - yummy fun!) and a sleepover for Karis at the hotel (which translates - some fabulous quiet time for mommy)

- March get-away in Alexandria: Gpa Bob & Gma Lorie invited us to join them for a weekend in Alexandria. The place was gorgeous and I felt very spoiled with a birthday celebration, time to rest and get lost in a page-turner Bobby brought to share (the Invisible Thread, excellent). Memorable Judah moments are the way he plays peek-a-boo and teases, and the way he and Karis interact so hilariously (and mostly safely). Memorable Karis hilarious braved the big waterslides and got her face very wet - I even joined them on Sunday morning and was grateful to tap into my "wild side" (ha)

And now, it's already the middle of March. Which means, we're celebrating Gpa Kirk's birthday, and mine too. All month long, of course!

Oh, and we're celebrating Trevor starting a new job this week! To heighten the celebration, we got water in our basement on his first day at the new gig. He handled the mess with so much grace and composure - he's an excellent home owner and I'm always grateful to see his character shine through in those unexpected situations.

I had a revelation about him starting work, a humbling one: I was a ball of nerves his first week of work . . . . and I realized I can relate to Trev's exhaustion, etc. when I give birth. He's the one doing all the work, and I'm the anxious and spent one. Hmmm, put that into perspective for me.

I recently read this verse that made me think of this season of life. Psalm 13:5-6
"But I have trusted in Your mercy
my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
because He has dealt bountifully with me"