It's winter right now and we wake up in the dark, a tiny sliver of light sometimes coming through the bedroom windows, the moon still visible if the clouds are low. Our mornings are as full as ever as we get ourselves and the boys ready for the day, the hustle and bustle of those first hours feeling so comfortable as we all busy ourselves with the usual breakfast-making, lunch-packing, and toy-playing. It's cold outside, so we spend more times indoors, which can make for long days when it's snowy or rainy or the winter wind blows a little too cold. It's so cozy though, and as much as I have been longing for warmer weather there's something about big comfy blankets and warm, wooly socks and movie marathons that satisfy something in my mama heart. Our right now is one baby walking (no, running!) everywhere and learning new words every single minute. The constant chatter and the non-stop exploring and the always-opening, pushing, pulling- it's amazing to watch. Tiring in our adult world at times but it's fascinating to be here as this little person become a bigger person right before our eyes. And Henry, he is growing like a weed. On quiet days sit him down with a numbers book or a word search and he'll be occupied for a good 30 minutes, until it's time to run-run-run again. Skateboarding is on his mind the most, and watching him learn the basics and add more to what he can do every time he's out there has been such a delight, and a bit scary too, but he's spreading his wings and for that I'm more excited than anything. Right now is about family. It's our unit of four but also my sister and Lucy, and my parents. It's going through hard times but being there for each other, knowing that this immediate circle of us, this circle is solid and our love is a safe haven for those of us that need it. Right now is about growth and change. We're getting better, always trying to be better, and I think that has been so important for us- never stopping, always asking how I can do this more efficiently, be kinder to each other, make better choices. Right now is for planning family trips in the spring and summer, getting excited about all the places we haven't yet been. It's for working hard at being intentional in all areas of our life; being present and there for the people who need us. It's for seeing little bits of spring on those special warm days, tiny little buds poking up that remind us that there is more coming- just hold onto each other, stay close during the storm, and before you know it sunshine will be pouring into every corner of our life. We've got this.

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