Sorry, I've been on vacation. But, I'm back!

I realize that it has been way too long since I last posted. My only excuse is that up until this morning, I have been feeling a little empty of words.

We have spent much of this holiday season house bound due to snow storms and cold weather. This meant that a family that is often going in many different directions has been forced by mother nature or more accurately, GOD, to be together in one place for a long period of time with very little external distractions. You'd think that would have given me plenty of subject matter to write about, wouldn't you?

Well, as it turns out, not so much. I've been in something of a haze the past few weeks. It's like we are all moving in slow motion, or maybe time really has stopped!

We have been doing a lot of cooking and eating (oh my poor waistline!), and a lot of reading and tv watching. We've played games, cleaned, organized toys and donated a lot of them. We've visited a little bit with family and friends, but for the most part, we've just been home together.

It's been quiet (well as quiet as it gets with three rowdy girls running loose). I believe this has been a time of rest for us. Many friends that I have heard from over the holidays have said the same thing. A forced time out, a time to take a breath, to recharge, to refocus.

It was difficult to do at first. You know, be still. I'm not good at that. At least not when there are other people around. If I'm alone, no problem. I love to curl up with a good book just as much as the next girl. However, if there is even one person home, forget it. I get anxious and become driven to do, do, do. All I see are all of the projects that need to be done.

So, it took a few days for me to really be still. I drove poor Christopher Robin and the girls banana's while I was adjusting to the stillness. I wasn't the only one struggling though. We all went through a little bit of busy-ness withdrawl. There was pacing, arguing, and whining until finally we all came to accept that we were stuck with each other for an undetermined period of time. Everything started getting better after that.

In one of my previous posts I mentioned that we were planning on going to the snow this year on Christmas day. Well, God brought the snow to us instead! Isn't that awesome! He knows me better than I know myself and he knew that bringing the snow to us would be so much better. The first time little 2 year old Tigger went out in the snow she only lasted about 5 minutes before she was crying and cold. Each time she went out, she lasted a little longer and by the time the snow was melting, 1o days later, we had purchased the proper gear for her and she was having a blast sledding and playing outside.

Without talking about it, Christopher Robin and I worked out a good system for dealing with the snow. I kept the hot cocoa going and was in charge of dressing and undressing the children and maintaining a small amount of order in the laundry room where all the snow stuff went. Christopher Robin and Roo were in charge of everything outside which included, clearing walk ways and playing with the little girls and the dog. I liked that system very much!

Spending several days in the snow at our own home was so much better than driving up to the snow for one day. I am so thankful for the memories we made.

As our rest time comes to a close and we begin to prepare for life to return to it's normal, busy rhythm, I have found that my words are returning to me and I am once again ready to write about our family experiences and my random thoughts about life as a mom, wife, and friend.

I hope your Christmas was a blessed one and that this new year will be one filled with all the good things that God can bring to you.


Kim