Big Sky Days

january

I liked it.  As usual, the month came and went fast but it was nice.  Life is chugging along here and we have had lows and highs but it all seems workable, doable.  We have been sorting things out and realizing what needs some sorting, too.  I love a chance to see through the details and take a look at the big picture. And I love that promise of a new year that gives a feeling of strength to begin again.  

So, onward to February.  Today is cloudy, snowy and full of winter.  The sun hasn't got a chance to make a showing today but I guess that is the way some days.  It feels appropriate and, strangely, hopeful.  

I got a chance to ski again this weekend.  First time of the season.  My arm felt okay and was a bit achy afterwards.  But I did get to ski with some beauties.  And it was a real role reversal with Henry, as he escorted me down the black diamonds with the promise of skiing behind me in case I needed help.  I was reassured and amazed by his calm encouragement.  It was a little glimpse into the future that felt, like the weather and the month, just about right.  

Oh, I would be remiss to not mention baby Wilson's arrival into the world a month ago.   Here he is perfectly perfect on his birthday.  There wasn't a dry eye in the house on the day he was born.

 

to be thankful

He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.

J.A Shedd

It is a nice time to have a broken arm, if only, to have a chance to remind myself what I am grateful for instead of dwelling on my limitations.  

My spirits had been very low as I was trying to adapt to this broken arm.  But I got a chance to turn it around and Thanksgiving really helped with that process.  So lightness is returning.

These smiling faces add to my cheering up!

The rest of our weekend has been relaxed and slowly paced.  We created and read from our gratitude jar.  And did some reading.  Exercised!! Wrapped some presents for shipping.  Made some snack basics: granola and hard boiled eggs.

And started the holiday decorating.

Everything is slower and requires more help with one arm.  I reminded to let some things go (eh, the dirty floors) and teach my kids how to do some more on their own and have Henry help Lila more.  I am reminded to delegate and ask for help.   And especially, to breath and fill up with patience when I feel the most frustrated.  

I am most thankful for another amazing day with my beautiful, unique, and crazy kids.

 
 

 

 

today

What did today bring?

:: freshness of thought

:: quiet play

:: scraps for the chickens then, fresh eggs for lunch

:: a sunny moment where I took a walk in our garden admiring the flowers that be and the ones on the way

:: some overdue desk re-arranging

:: dog snuggles and people snuggles

:: big air and laughter in the pool

:: veggie soup for supper

:: the fresh feeling of spring

 

It was a happy Thursday. 

a new year

 

Welcome 2012.  

Flipping that calendar over to a New Year comes with mixed emotion for some.  Another year older, etc....  But for me - right now -  it is a welcome, hopeful change.  I have shyed away from writing down my resolutions for the past few years, making it harder to take stock on what has changed and grown.   This time after an evening of staring off into space, I wrote them all down and I got really joyful because I am looking forward to a new beginning.  I have already shared this list with my closest friends and perhaps sharing them here will make me a wee bit more accountable.  

  

In 2012 I want to...

-Go on a trip, a big trip, with just my husband.

-Explore my spirituality - it has come up too many times this year to ignore.

-Stop apologizing or overthanking when I don't really mean it and I just don't know what else to say.  Try to just let it be.

-Ride in a century ride (a 100-mile bike race)

-Work on making new friends.  Nurture and be grateful for the friends I do have (all of you!!)

-Be loving towards my brother and accept that I cannot change him. (Definitely need to attend some Al-anon meetings.)

-Be present and mindful with Lila and Henry - have more shared fun.  And breath-in deeply before yelling.  

-Raise more chickens, grow a big garden, and create more homefood.

-Listen to my patients, spend the time to really hear their words, see the world from their perspective - even if for just a moment.

-Attend a continuing education conference that will help me be a better clinician.

-Take control of my finances and turn the fear into action.

-Spend more time with my family.

Isn't she full of life?!  It is contagious!

Well, maybe the list is huge.  And maybe it will turn out to be too much, who knows?  However, it is nice exercise to think about the things I want and think that there is a new beginning to get started on them.  Cheers to 2012!  

 

magic

There may be some in this home who question it all and waver in their belief but,

a magical story continued for today.

So, in those early hours we woke to

surprises and

make-believe and

a yummy tradition.

Merry Christmas!

 

winter solstice

“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” – Mother Teresa 

We made a wreath to honor the winter solstice.  We took some time to celebrate the lengthening of days and perhaps a try at connecting with our past and the earth. 

I have felt my mood to be in flux this month and the cycle of the earth around the sun and moon around the earth is something to consider.  It puts things in perspective for me and makes me feel what is out there that is larger than life.  Larger than paying my power bill on time or doing yet another load of laundry.  Larger than me and my circle of day to day living.

I guess this may be the root of why I really wanted to celebrate the winter solstice this season. Although, the idea has been on my mind for a few years.  But this year was different.  It seemed there was lots of chatter of the solstice every which way I turned - a dear friend of mine had a yoga class dedicated to it, another went for a solstice ski.  The solstice just kept coming up in conversation and I thought maybe the universe was telling me something.  And I decided to listen.

Our celebration was imperfect.  Yes, perhaps.  But, maybe perfect enough.  I wasn't sure what traditions would work for us to honor and my husband was gone for most of the day, but we still celebrated.  We gathered and reflected and sang a song together by our yule log.  We each made a secret wish for the season.  We created.  This is the season to wish one another peace on earth.  And I do wish for that and for peace for the earth itself.  But I also wish for peace right here -  tucked inside this home, for this family and for this day.   

merry and bright

This holiday season has been full.  And unfortunately, a bit tough.  I haven't had much time to reflect and pause and feel the brightness of the holiday season.  But, in truth, we have had many merry moments and the excitement is building!  I have a new camera cord, school's out, the solstice is tomorrow, and there is snow in the forecast... 

 things are looking merry and bright.

thankful

Ah, Thanksgiving.   My favorite holiday.  

As I prepare the feast, I have a few moments to pause and reflect on what I am grateful for today.

:: my beautiful family - their health, their warmth, their love, their light.

:: my parents and the new fact that they are moving to Bozeman!!  

:: my brother and his strong tenderness.

:: our hearth and home.

:: a warm spell which melted the fresh snow and makes for a perfect Thanksgiving weekend.

:: yoga - which is helping to heal my injured foot.

:: Anne Lamott's writing or just books in general.  But Anne Lamott has the perfect recipe for me, right now, while I drink my coffee each morning.

:: my friends.  I am thankful for all of those friendships through the years and the support and joy they bring me.

:: all the Prithams.  I am grateful for supportive and loving mother, father, sister and brother-in-laws.

:: our chickens, who gift us with fresh eggs every day.

:: our dog, Ruby.  She has her flaws but I think, Garth Stein might be right, dogs are old souls and can sometimes teach us the most about being human.

:: my job.  My job to stay home to be with my kids and help them grow-up and my job to work as a Nurse Practitioner at the Cancer Center every so often.  It is a really lucky combination and I am especially thankful.  

:: and last but not least, my sweet husband.  I am most grateful for his support, his wisdom, his steadiness, his humor, and his love.

So with that, I will turn back to the meal that needs to be prepared.  We will have our feast of Roast Hutterite Turkey with gravy, Cornbread Stuffing, Sauteed Mushrooms with Carmelized Shallots, Mashed Potatoes by Uncle Dave,  Chopped Salad, and Cranberry Sauce.  I have made homemade rolls and my sister-in-law will make 2 pies, that are a surprise to me! We will keep with our tradition and read from our gratitude jar and this year I will include this quote in our toast:  

"I'm grateful for anything that reminds me of what's possible in this life. Books can do that. Films can do that. Music can do that. School can do that. It's so easy to allow one day to simply follow into the next, but every once in a while we encounter something that shows us that anything is possible, that dramatic change is possible, that something new can be made, that laughter can be shared."  By Jonathan Safran Foer

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

our (belated) weekend

Can I still review our weekend?  On Tuesday?  Oh, I think so. 

But it is a dazzling, beautiful fall day.  Full of sunshine and spinning yellow aspen leaves and a fresh dusting of snow on the mountains.  So, I will not stay here long today.

But what is October without pumpkins?  I had to show off our trip to the pumpkin patch this weekend with some friends.  

First there was the tractor ride, with Henry at the helm...

The Quest for the Patch.  This was done after a disorienting tour through the corn maze.  I was so confused I couldn't even take a picture.  These kids couldn't stop running and switching directions and yelling, "This way!"  Whew, it was a lot. 

Quickly, pumpkins were decided upon.   And, of course, sat on to stake claim.

The tractor ride back was bumpy but full of pride.  Everyone's precious cargo was held tightly and shown off to the other passengers. 

A group photo.  Everyone's personality is coming through on this one.

And last bit of running about while we paid for our pumpkins and said our goodbyes.

The carving was done, at home, the next day.   Our jack o' lantern has a classic design with triangle eyes and a few buck teeth.  Not much changes on our pumpkins from year to year.   We then roasted the pumpkins seeds and gobbled them up in no time.  

That is our sweet pumpkin story for 2011.  Now here is the song that I have sung every year since 2005 - when Henry's preschool teacher taught him the lyrics for Halloween when he was 2.  We all sang it this year to celebrate the season.  It is especially nice to sing it with the jack o' lantern glowing and with a soft voice. 

"Jack o' lantern, jack o' lantern,

what a beautiful sight.

You were once an orange pumpkin,

now you light up the night."

 

 

 

a list of (recent) loves

We have had a slew of recent visitors and I had a trip out of town.  This recent flurry of activity leads me to write of list of recent loves for today:

:: our apple tree

:: birthday cake and some special birthday kids

:: fancy shoes

:: balloons and fall warmth

:: family coming to the rescue

:: lego love

:: chicken soup

:: and loving cousins

As always, the list is ever changing but also feels sort of the same.   I think it is always the simplest things that are loved and cherished the most.