Wrapping It Up

With the end of the year, comes another photo book for my shelf.  I've neglected my Canon for far too long and really need to get back in the swing of using it to capture our real moments.  My phone is more compact and handy, but the quality is not the same.

The year ended with a great cooked meal, some visits from Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle, Bianca, and the baby.  The girls and I snuck away to celebrate with my best friend, Auntie Val for a little bit.

Grandma and her youngest girl

Bubba and Monroe

Did some dreaming with E while the meat smoked.

I prefer to be home on New Year's.  This year I had agreed to a desert trip, but a series of unfortunate events changed those plans and I didn't mind one bit.

New Year's Day dawned with gorgeous weather, so we decided to head outside and explore.

There were SO many deer!

It's neat that we are at a point where everyone can walk and hold their own things, and not complain too much.  We finished the hike with some Subway and football.

Later mom came by with some home made sandwiches, so we toasted the New Year together.

The next day we decided to explore a little more and took the Polaris out.  It was cold but everyone had a really good time, and that made me happy.  I might not be the most adventurous one in the group, but I do all right getting out there and having fun. . .eventually.

 There are just some things that I don't do well, and adventure in the outdoors is one of them.  However, that being said, I have a really good feeling about 2016.  With the kids being older, it is easier to get up and go.  I think we've become more balanced and are used to the addition of a fourth kid. I am softening up and easing up on my own idea of perfection and just trying to enjoy the moment, hands free, face to face, and with real live connection to the people I love most.

Part of 2015 was incredibly lonely for me.  I missed the relationship I had with my youngest brother, but God answers prayers.  I have never seen more answered than this year.  It fills my heart with joy (my word for 2015) that such beauty rose from ashes.  Through it all, joy always remained, I just had to look a little deeper.  The best parts of 2015 remain the cherished memories I have with my family...those in my four walls.  These moments were rich, deep, full, chaotic, simple, and oh so sweet.  I do not take this job of being home with them for granted.  I am so excited to see what the future holds for all of us: )  Happy New Year!

Weekend Warms Up

This weekend we got out of dodge. . .again.

I must say, the desert sky did not disappoint.

The rides in the Polaris were plentiful and a step up from Driving Miss Daisy, because E wants to keep me coming back.  So none of us complain.

Little and Kendra drove up for the day and joined us.  They are such troopers.  It is a true JOY to have our whole family together. 

The rock climbing was abundant.  The mine was really cool to explore until we saw a rat.  Then I may have run out screaming with all the kids at my heels. . .

Janessa was so excited our neighbor was there.  They are the same age and just love every minute they have together.

Night skies and roaring fires were a nice touch to the already full weekend.  I didn't read nearly anything I brought, but I made memories, had face to face, intentional one on one kid time without the distraction of devices, and a genuinely good time. 

Friends are the family we choose.

Sometimes it takes being away from it all to be reminded that who you are as a family is enough.

Desert trips are not generally my favorite, but I am realizing maybe the desert wasn't the problem. . .it might have been who we were sharing it with. 

Filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be away, surrounded by God's glory with all that I need.