some everyday

it has been a rainy and cold January, which means our house is a wreck with all the forts and inside play. when the sun has been out, so have we! we need it! these children keep me busy and tired and i am grateful for this work the Lord has given me.  i've been thinking a lot about this precious mama as she nears the end of her life.  go read her book for a little perspective!  i'm thankful God has used her cancer to encourage so many to love those in our lives well...i like how she says to "open our hands to our story" and encourages to love without holding back and protecting ourselves...something to ponder as i do life with these people under my roof.

she has been reading the boxcar children (thanks Grandma for this Christmas gift!) and it is the first time she has really been hooked on reading.  hurray!

we took a chilly hike with a bunch of friends.  so fun!

oh my preciousness.  they look alike to me.

after 2 years of considering, we finally joined costco.  i mean, these kids eat SO MUCH food!  g is always on the lookout for good helmet boxes.  i wonder sometimes what the neighbors must think about the kids riding their horses (bikes) with boxes on their heads.

making a feather collector

we have been reading the burgess book of birds in the mornings lately with some of these resources.  graham said, "look! swallow's nests!" i love love burgess and so do the kiddos

i love his outfit

downy woodpecker

identifying animal prints

chubster is 22 lbs and still sweet as pie, though a terrible night-time sleeper.  i go back and forth about whether i care about that or not.  i do treasure the baby stage so this time around.

i joined a book club, so mar and i spent part of saturday afternoon like this.  so. sweet.

sponge curlers are the thing these days

the box sled

life is thrilling