Again I Say: Winter?

It was over sixty degrees today.  Sunny.  Beautiful blue sky.  Just like it is in spring, not in January, nearly February.

Of course I’m not complaining, but instead I’m taking Abel for walks.

Walks where his sweatshirt might be okay, but the blanket might not be necessary thanks to the warm, warm rays of sunshine.

At least it made for cozy napping.

Good Sunday Morning

I had the opportunity to go out with friends on Saturday night and so I did, staying out past midnight (wild woman, I know!) to enjoy the company of people I hadn’t seen in awhile.  Casey was glad for a night with Abel, feeding him dinner and putting him to bed.  I didn’t request for him to get him up with him in the morning too, though, so I was up to feed the little guy, play with him for a bit, and then put him down for his nap.

I decided to go back to bed myself.  Normally I would go to church on Sunday, but I felt like the rest would be better.  It turned out it was a great choice.  When Abel woke up from his nap, I went and got him and brought him back to bed.  The three of us snuggled for a bit and then we got up and had a delicious breakfast.

I think this is something I’d like to do once a month.  Though I’ll give up a day of worship, I think it will be so worth it for the extra rest and the wonderful rejuvenation of a morning spent with my loves.

Tasting My Dream

This week has been really great. The shake-down is going superbly and I’m excited for how it’s making things look and feel. I also did well in developing a good daily schedule for both myself and for Abel, most every day including exercise, getting fresh air (thank you mild weather!), and taking quiet time to pray and journal a little.

Basically this week has been a taste of the life I’ve dreamed about, talked about, planned for. For so long I’ve desired to be a stay at home mom, to spend every day taking care of house and husband, creating a comfortable home, raising and loving a little one, and spending time being creative.

In recent years I’ve thought about a “word of the year” and this year I chose intentional. My definition of and purpose for the word may vary to it’s actual definition and use, but my perspective of it helps to make happen the things I mentioned above, as well as those ING things I talked about so long ago. By being intentional, thoughtful, purposeful, about doing the things I envision and aspire towards, I can fill my days with the best my life has to offer – which is some pretty darn good stuff!

Shake-Down

Shake down (noun): a period of appraisal followed by adjustments to improve efficiency or functioning

I’ve begun a full home shake-down. It involves a deep clean from one room to the next, emptying out, cleaning the nooks and crannies, and putting back only the things we use, need, or really love. Since this process is nothing new, there isn’t much extra left. I’ve already done a lot of work, but I recognize there are still things I just keep moving around without using or loving.

I’ve been in this head to head with our stuff for a long time, and I’m starting to think it will never end. But I keep on trucking, reducing a little at a time on a quest for a home that’s cozy and comfortable. It’s probably a lifetime work in progress, adjustments needed as we move forward and our family grows and changes, but this time I am so close to a happy place where the slate will feel fresh and ready to build upon.

As Abel and I develop more consistent, routine days, I crave adjustments to the way I ran the house before he arrived. This overhaul is just the first step and I’m looking forward to what’s to come post revamp.

Proud Papa

We took Abel to his first live basketball game on Saturday.  He did really well, taking a nap before halftime and not fussing through the noise.  He even went right to bed when we got home.

Casey was so excited to have him there and I know he’ll love sharing this passion with our little guy for years to come… especially when Abel starts understanding what’s going on!

Winter?

On Friday, it was so nice out we kept the windows open for most of the afternoon.  On Saturday, Casey went into DC to play nine holes of golf and said there were people out in abundance enjoying the sunshine and a temperature of over sixty degrees.  Yesterday wasn’t bad either.

But today?  Today brought a taste of winter, with cooler temperatures and a dusting of snow.  It fell in a heavy flurry, at first just soaking in, but eventually sticking into a light layer on trees and the ground.

Casey isn’t impressed, but he really can’t complain too much since he just played golf two days ago – a week into January – and the snow will probably be melted before lunchtime tomorrow.

Although much more than this makes living in Virginia miserable, since people can barely function in even as much as we got today, I’m glad for a pretty dusting on the trees.  It’s a little taste of winter, which is like a little taste of our home away from home in the north… although Mom said it was sunny, not snowing, there today.  Go figure; I suppose these are the days I can use as argument to move back up there!

This Week's Favorite Things

{ Flowers from Casey for the 10th anniversary of our first date.  He said they weren’t what he wanted to get, but I think they’re so sweet. }

{ My sleepy Mason fan, taking a power nap before the game. }

{ Dreaming about the boots I’d like to buy… someday. }

  

{ It was so nice out today, Abel and I took a walk and I had the window open most of the afternoon.  Looking forward to similar weather this weekend! }

Home for the Holidays

We traveled north to Vermont on Christmas Eve to celebrate Christmas and New Years.  As usual, the visit went by (too) fast.  I’m trying not to dwell on the quick passage of time though, but instead on the treasured moments, and especially Abel’s experiences, at our home away from home.

Abel was gifted toys and clothes and books this Christmas, but more importantly he was lavished with love from our family and friends, particularly his grandparents.

There were plenty of hugs and lots of cuddling from his Grammie and Grandpa (Casey’s parents), including a night alone on New Years Eve so that Casey and I could go on a date night.

 

At Nana and Grampa’s (my parent’s) house, there were hugs and nurturing, along with plenty of adventure and activity, including bundling for a push in a sled by Grampa, one from when he was a kid…

A bounce in the Johnny Jump Up while watching Tata do a jig…

And even a bit of piano playing.

He is still very little, but I can already tell visits to Vermont are going to be as cherished by Abel as they are by me and Casey.  Our little threesome is truly blessed by an amazing family and I am so glad to have their participation in creating magic for our little boy during future Christmas seasons and “every day” visits alike.

To Sum Up

In my effort to soak up the joy of our time in Vermont, I’ve barely thought about 2012.  Hopefully I’ll get some goals and intentions in mind this week, but until then, here is a recap of 2011.

In January, we found out I was pregnant and in February we got sonogram proof.

In March, Mom and I went to the DC Big Flea and I went in for the “gummi bear” sonogram.

In April I worked on some nesty projects and and my bump really began to show.

 

In May we traveled to Texas for Casey’s cousin’s wedding, stopping in Nashville and Memphis along the way.  We also found out we were expecting a little boy.

In June I went to Rhode Island for my family’s annual camping trip.

In July we celebrated the little guy at our first baby shower and went on our babymoon to Virginia Beach.

In August I took an awesome trip home for my cousin’s wedding and for my Vermont baby shower.  Both events were great, but the week in between was grand.

In early September, we finished preparing for baby’s arrival (including painting the nursery and putting in hard floors) and on the 16th he arrived, rocking our world with an abundance of love.

 

In October we were visited by the new grandmothers (first Casey’s mom and then mine) and celebrated little buddy’s first Halloween.

In November we took Abel’s first road trip, traveling home for Thanksgiving, where he was introduced to all our family and friends who hadn’t met him yet.

Finally, in December we celebrated Abel’s first Christmas with a tree and presents and another wonderful trip to Vermont (more on that visit in a post tomorrow).

It was an eventful year.  Our lives changed as drastically as they ever will, but it’s been in the best kind of way.  This upcoming year is already filling up with plenty more events and I’m looking forward to more firsts for Abel and sharing this wonderful life with him and Casey.