Find the beauty

January can be so full of inconsistencies - snow, delays, closings, vacation, you name it.  There were moments like these.

And than moments like these.

And simple these like these.  Any difference between how these pillows look?

Same pillows, they just look different to me now.

the beauty

Pet Sitting

We miss Pauli dearly - not the hard parts - poop pick up - clean up, gosh there weren't THAT many hard parts.  I love having an animal in the house - that unconditional love - their mysterious ways, their desire to have your attention.  When my folks where planning their month in Florida I requested instead of me making trips to their home to care for Mazie, I asked if she could come live with us.  

Lets be honest - my folks are high maintanece folks to pet/house sit for.  They are VERY involved with their pets and house and want you to be involved too - Why not be able to face time with her here at our house.  The first 48 hours Maize spent with us, 44 of them were spent sleeping on CHRIS's side of the bed - 

#hysterical

My folks didn't believe Maize would lower her standards to drink out of the toilet.

Caught in the act.

She was loved on by all of us.  Almost tolerated this photo

Curled in for this photo

She even made for a great reading partner

And than there was Nora.  Nora is our friends the Izzo's dog who needed someone to watch her for a few days in January.  She was such a sweet dog that I couldn't say no - I knew she would be just fine with Maize.  But not fine enough to clear it with my folks first =)!  

Moments like these were an absolute treasure.  Just Drew and a dog.  She would fetch the ball until he stops throwing it.

She is even ready for round 2 when Shane wants to head outside.

She was the PERFECT house guest.  So good to my boys and happy to see me every time I walked through the door.  

Just an sweet kind face.  When Nora looks at you she says, how can I help you and love you more?

Meanwhile, Nora did LOVE cat food.  So for a few days, the cat litter pan stayed in our bathtub and the cat food was on the master bath tub shelf.  Maize was in cat heaven.  She didn't have to go far at all.  Chris - not so much.  

But it was so worth it for snuggles like these.

Things that come in the mail

Always fun to get packages - especially when its your christmas presents from Texas.  

Liz promised the boys (NOT ME) that she would ship the back to us, really no rush PLEASE.  Well they all arrived in no hard done.  With the Salsa we grabbed too!  That was meant for THEM to enjoy!  Either way, I know tay is not easy putting those huge packages together, but you guys sure made the boys day.  Barbara I know you were the one behind this and thank you for your time.

Another package of juicy oranges from Florida!!  We miss those rosy Carlson faces, the oranges are delicious, even if I did have to go to the Simsbury Post office to get them =)!

As I look at these photos (since I don't blog as frequently as I would like to) I am reminded of all that was really going on during this time and want to be able to record it.  

Shortly after we left San Antonio Wyland got very sick and went to the hospital in San Antonio.  He had several terrifying nose bleeds that just wouldn't stop.  His overall health caused great alarm for Barbara and the rest of us.  

I believe God work in ways we may never appreciate until we are in them.   With Wyland's lung condition we had urged them to leave Northern Virginia and move close with either us in CT or Liz in Texas.  As interdepenace (a word a good friend recently used in a different situation pertaining to a different family yet I thought it was fitting for us) is truly valuable an an art we have lost in these generations.  We know moving is hard - wether you are a young family of 5, a person of 1 or a family of 2 who is done moving.  So that is a hard decision for them.  So in many ways, God had a hand in the timing of that decision.  Barbara and Wyland have yet to return home as I write this blog in April.

Liz is thankful to have them close and be able to help.  Being recently divorced and now a single successfully working mom - having her mom as support and living an inter dependent life really works right now.  Liz has moved upstairs to the guest room (after 2 nights on the bed she bought a new frame and mattress to which Chris and I said AMEN after having slept there over the holidays).  

Thankfully as I write this Wyland's health has stabilized yet not gone back to the level of health he was at prior to Christmas.  He is constantly on an oxygen machine and does not possess the desire to do much more than go for walks or watch TV.   Liz's boyfriend Robert is a wonderful help to Wyland, Liz and the family and truly a blessing in her life.  Its amazing looking at things today seeing and appreciating how very different they are from 1 year ago.  How nothing could have been prepped in anyway, yet how they are all making the best of being together and seeing the bright pieces.

The Beauty

Bitter cold temps for over a week and than a thaw lead to some of the most gorgeous photos of our Farmington River.  

I asked Chris to stop on our way home so I could snap a few, but I am thrilled I have some more talented friends who did the same thing.  

These were my attempts.

Not bad right?

This is Elena who took our family photos - clearly she knows its all about the lighting, angle and photo.  Amazing the difference.

Tiffany took these and honestly amazing.

Truly beautifully captured - very talented eye.

Cycle for Cancer

Cycle for Cancer - we as instructors donate our time, 

than we recruit our friends and family to buy the bikes and cycle with us!  

I snagged the 8 and 9 hour and Chris joined me!  even got a few guys from last year.  

Thankful for my friends that joined me.  Clearly the the favorite song was Billy Ocean - yes I know this to be true!

https://youtu.be/mEvOvVfZ5Kw

Gotta say, the champagne afterwards went STRAIGHT to my head.  Thanks for sticking it out everyone!

One babysitter, 2 hours or cycling, 2 bottles of champagne and even 2 beers with the Kelly and Jeff - #datenight!

Exactly why I love this couch

Because Maize will join Drew on it while he is reading his book.  He pets out without losing his place in his book!

Here is quiet time on Saturday - I just wish this was everyday!

Pretty sure I got the best seat in the house - cracking fire and snoozing Drew - yes please!

The snow storm that caught us by surprise - 14 inches later!

It went from a casual bit of snow - to a bitter cold storm - just like that!  First the bitter cold, see the frozen lake out there on top of Gun barrel??

Check out how much milk we had - yup, from my folks before they left for Florida.  Thankfully we don't put any in our coffee anymore!

Garage fridge is so cold its exploding seltzers!

just the day before, Shane and I thought about filling the bird feeders and putting them outside.  Thrilled to see them being used first thing this morning!  Instant benefit!

Now for the bitter cold yet beautiful snow day.  We DESPERATELY wanted to get on NBC for the snow monster.  Here is Nick 'swimming' in the snow

https://youtu.be/5vWWkBaPtgA

And Shane and Drew falling like snow.

https://youtu.be/j0DAddK0xl4

Shane Chillaxing

Exactly where I want to be, if even for a bit.  This is Hygge - or at least so I think.

Someone relocated from the basement.  I would imagine to enjoy the beautiful view - or escape the chill of the basement.  Either way I loved his presence, when the kids weren't going nuts...

The beauty of a snow storm.  see my chilly chickens out there....

Finally, the snow blower gets its first Leadbetter workout.  He may have waited 60 minutes too long, but it worked!!  (I promised not to tell that NEITHER gas tank was filled so when the gas ran out, we were thankful for a smaller driveway - and that the gas station wasn't too far away)

Just about at the top - goggles were a MUST - christmas lights too apparently.

See what I mean?!?!

School was called, work was cancelled, practice, etc...  But who had to work tonight?!?!  Me!  So lets load up and check out the snow at sundown.

Only snow lovers here.

Nick was thrilled to see the bumps on Gunbarrel and while he raced up solo, he sadly got stuck on the lift for almost 20 minutes (did I say it was 5 degrees)  the poor kiddo.  Thankful to see him on the flip side shooting down gun barrel followed by a caring set of parents helping him find his parents!

Great and chilly night for all!  This right here defines why season passes are awesome - just an hour os so and that was plenty!