January 25

There is evidence all around me that it is late January.  Remnants of snow that was once white and clean, is now in dirty piles in my yard.  Soggy leaves cover my flower beds, mulching my hibernating plants.  The calendar is empty, the bank account nearly there, Girl Scout cookies have been ordered, and my energy feels gray like the sky overhead. It is about this time in the month that I feel desperate for hot sun and open windows.   And yet, even with it's icy undertones, there are still "happies" to experience with all of us snugged in during the cold, windy days.  Movies to be watched, Christmas presents to be played with, chores left undone over the holidays to catch up on, fireplace to be enjoyed.  Even though January is not my favorite month, I appreciate it's stillness.  Less activity, less expectation, and less planning. Looking at the weeks ahead, we have things like Kindergarten open house for Michael, Marky's first winter youth retreat, Girl Scout activities for Maddie,  the expectation that a tooth is soon to be lost for Meredith.  The stillness is fleeting, and in May I will long for it.  So for now, I will endure what I don't like about January and embrace what I do enjoy.  Thank you for new beginnings, for a new season, a new year, a chance to put somethings behind us and press on with hope to things we know are down the road.  January - it's not all bad.      

When it is like THIS out

The best place to be is HERE

wearing your jammies

in front of the fireplace

drinking THIS

not caring that you have THIS (major bedhead) 

and you just might end up having a pillow fight like THIS

and it will be the BEST morning EVER!! 

Double Digits!!

Maddie is 10!!!

M - most generous and kind 

A - always thinking of others

D - darling 

I - I am so happy that I get to be your mommy

S - super, smart, smiley, sweetheart

O - one of a kind

N - Nobody else in the whole world fills up the Maddie-girl shaped space in my heart.  

You are my sweet second born daughter, who rocked the world when you arrived.  We were nothing before you came along.  Thank you for being you.   You are so unique and gifted in so many things. I love to watch you grow into your own style; I love that you get excited over long division; I love it that you enjoy playing with Barbies with your little sister and legos with your little brother; I love it that you love to eat hot wings; I love it that you do are such a great piano player. You are absolutely and truly so dear to me, my lovely daughter.  I love you  more and more each day.  

  

Happy 10th Birthday!