Now You're a Boy

We took a "listen and look" walk yesterday. It was windy, but sunny and quite silly to see the world in a state of half-winter.

There were many shouts of "iceberg ahead!" as we ran into big mounds of snow left from the blizzard about two weeks ago.

Ezra insists on having a hood on outside at all times now. Maybe after being bundled up in the bitter cold for a few months he finally got used to having something on his head?

I asked Ender what we should look for to know if it was spring yet and after he answered he asked Ezra for an idea of what to look for. Ender soon realized that Ezra didn't know- it was all new and exciting information for him! Ender quickly took over, telling Ezra about buds, when the flowers would show up, warmer weather, rain, planting . . . And when Ezra said he was sad because he didn't know all those things, Ender put his arm around him and said,

"That's okay. You were just little last year- but now you're a boy and you can do the same stuff as me."

It's true- last year Ezra was two, hitching a ride with Ender and I as we went outside to explore, but this year he is three and he wants to see and find and know for himself.


I'm so excited to be able to add this little boy to our outside adventuring!

Have you been out adventuring yet this week? Take a trip out, even if it's snowy and cold, to find out what is going on out there!

Bringing Winter In

We've been working our way through the winter craft list. My boys are kings of scissors and glue during this season! Basically I printed a bunch of things for them and they have free time in the morning to make whatever project they'd like. Ezra cuts very well for his age so he's able to do most of these projects on his own, but some 3 and 4 year olds would not quite be ready for this with their own skills, but you could still cut for them!

Here are some of the crafts currently on the school table in some state of progress:


Snowman Dress-Up

Make a Penguin

City at Night

Snowman Card

Handprint Wreath


And of course there is the entire winter section at The Crafty Crow that I haven't yet dived into...



We also have a few more wintery foods in the works this week:

Peppermint Cocoa

Snow ice cream

Pioneer Woman's Mac and Cheese

A New Beginning

The sun greeted us this morning and along with it temperatures in the mid 40s, maybe even 50s by this afternoon! We've already been out to walk and play and it is beautiful - though it's a little weird to see piles of snow still built up from plowing when it's so warm out.


Doesn't today seem like a good day to begin counting gifts?

1. The surprise of 50F in February


2. The prayers of friends


3. An  Voskamp's gift of words and love that I am trying so hard not to gulp down in just a few sittings


4. Little hands clasped behind my neck


5. God speaking through Chris Tomlin


6. Second Chances


7. God's provision, precisely when we need it


8. The cello joining our family of instruments


9. Starting a new knitting project for the newest nephew due in May


10. And best of all, a new (and now official) permanent job for Brian!


Thank you so much for your prayers, dear friends, as he's been looking for work these last several months. Not only is this job with a great local company but it is in a field he has always wanted to work in AND doing a job he really enjoys. It also means big changes in the next year for us toward the intentional life we've been working for. He gets to work a little less and be home more, and I will work significantly less in the near future to have more time with our home and family. The prospect is so exciting, and at the same time a little scary. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts, friends!