my gift on his birthday

 strange how every year on his birthday, i feel like i'm given the gift.  i love Jeff's birthday, i really do.  it's such a great chance to pause and celebrate all that this man means to me and our family.  i won't gush too much here because he gets uncomfortable with that (which is exactly why i should haha), but i can say with certainty that back when we started this journey of life together God knew what challenges would be ahead.  He knew of the grind and the mess and the days we'd need to push hard with grit just to move forward.  knowing all of that, He chose Jeff for me.  that leaves me in awe and so thankful for the way God's plan was suited perfectly for my needs.  i didn't deserve that gift, but by grace it was given to me anyway.  this guy is a rock, as solid and sure as the warming February sunshine.  his stability gives balance to my "over-thinking-beat-myself-up-relentlessly" brain.  he makes me laugh every single day and he loves me and our children (and our kids on loan) so well.  with Jeff, what you see is what you get.  thank goodness for that.

look at us, just babies...

here's to you, Jeffrey.  thanks for sharing your life with me.  i'm convinced i'm among the luckiest, except i know luck had nothing to do with it :)

super bowl 2021

 i'm certain i've never enjoyed a super bowl as much as this year.  not even so much for the football, although i'm trying to get there too.  nope, must be more about the desperate times, and a severe shortage in entertainment and celebratory events.  i loved preparing food for my family this year too.  i tried two new recipes, along with the required traditional chili and nachos.  it was a nice relaxing evening.  i'll let you in on a little secret though, my highlight wasn't when Tom Brady walked off the field with another win and ring.  it was actually when poet, Amanda Gorman, recited her beautiful tribute to front line workers.  loved that so much.  that girl is going places.  

anyway, another super bowl in the books, covid-style.  blessed~ a fun night! 

these two

 Adam won't admit it, but he's smitten.  

 and for some reason, so is baby C.  the feeling is totally mutual.  i tell Adam it's hardly fair.  i haven't seen him change one dirty diaper or wake up even once through the night to console him when he's afraid.  it doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's 100% real.  if all of us (yes the whole family) are in one room, his eyes are on Adam. and it's not even like he says much to baby C.  nope, in typical Adam fashion there are very few words exchanged.  still, they connect.  it's super sweet.  i guess ;)

it happened

 well....this is timely!!

after much weather watching and checking the extended forecast, finally the temperatures have dropped long enough to pull off an amazing ice rink.  Jeff, with help from the boys, has pulled it off again!  and the timing couldn't be better.  

hopefully we get a few solid weeks out of this beauty before spring temperatures bring the inevitable thaw (that will also be nice)...no skating parties this year or large groups of hockey players, but still an outdoor reprieve from this crazy winter, and for that we're grateful!

a perfect walk

 this walk was a good one.  pretty snowflakes, nice temperature, beautiful trail, my handsome boys, clearing the mind and a nice mood reset.  all so good...  

last supper

 two whole weeks with this girl home was a Christmas gift in and of itself!  so nice to have her around again...and baby C. sure didn't object!  they are sure cute together...

but, all good things come to an end they say, and she did have to get back to start another term of school.  i asked her what she'd like to eat for her "last meal".  Hannah helped me make it (come to think of it, she also picked up a few ingredients at the grocery store :)), and i'll admit, i thought we totally nailed it.  nothing fancy (not that my cooking ever is fancy.  nope- way more ordinary, but hopefully delicious. i'm good with that. one day though, one day...i have plans to expand my culinary techniques and dive into some other cultures, when there's more time, and it's gonna be great too!) 

anywayyyy, she requested puff pastry flatbreads~ caramelized onion and margherita specifically.   

i sure miss you Hannah, but your extra long break of Christmas 2020 will always go down as a silver lining. 💗

so...i'm back

a timely blogging break.  one less thing to think of as we hunkered down for a simple homespun Christmas and family holiday of the most unique kind.  it was still wonderful though.  of course, so much was missed as we had exactly zero gatherings with extended family and friends.  even so, there was loads to celebrate and be thankful for.  we all are healthy so far~ our extended family members too.  Jeff had a string of days off, away from work, with time to rest and catch up on the ever present list of things to do.  our oldest two were home, Joelle for less time as she had shifts at the hospital to return for, but it was still so fun to have all eight of us together under one roof for four days.  i didn't get many pictures, i'm awful at remembering that part.  what i do have is from the girls or Jeff as they managed to catch a few, although most of the Christmas 2020 shots were of sweet baby C it seems.  and how i wish i could post those...

 

Layla made the cookies, and the boys ate them...fast.

i really enjoyed the food preparation during this lockdown Christmas of 2020.  it felt like i literally cooked for two straight days.  but somehow it was spaced out and relaxed, and i kind of rolled from one meal right into the next.  it worked, the family ate well, and i enjoyed that part. it makes my heart happy.

Christmas bouquets and cozy fires...

God is good.  grateful for many things, big and small, and silver linings during this difficult pandemic. looking forward to connecting with and hugging our families and friends soon.  can't wait for that.

in the meantime, 2021 is...well...underway, shall we say?!  i hope and pray for a better year, but however it unfolds, i hope i walk in closer step with God and daily (that's where it gets tricky :)) seek His plan and purpose for my life.  can't go wrong with a plan like that.

blessings all, be well!