Liam had just gotten over having a fever. He had asked me if he could play fight with dad again and I said ” you’re going to have to take it easy” and he responded ” but mom, taking it easy is sometimes hard, dad’s going to beat me”.  Meaning if he takes it easy, his dad’s going to win.  Lots of truth to that, it is sometimes difficult to take things easy, to be patient enough to wait until you’re fully better, fully healed. Being told to take it easy is such a hard thing to be told to do. So wise of him to understand that at such a young age.

I love winter! I love the month of January. It’s a newfound love, maybe the past several years as I’ve learned to understand what winter really means. I’m beyond hoping the days will pass so that the Spring or summer would arrive. I’m past trying to fill and plan the days so that they are full and time passes. Now I want to be inside of winter, just like a child. To fully be present and appreciate all that winter brings.

I found these beautiful pieces of artwork in an old sketch book that Lia had a couple of years ago. Maybe she was around 8 or 9 years old. Kids have such an imagination. So raw and natural. No limits. I miss that.

Time for rest and renewal just like a cactus in winter time. They stop growing and they get to rest over the winter to prepare for blooms in the Spring and Summer. No anxiety here, they welcome rest knowing that there will be plenty of blooming come spring time.

Nonna turned 80! We saw a solar eclipse. Lia started homeschooling. Isabel and Andrew were crowned king and Queen. We lost sweet little whiskey. We hatched our own chicken eggs. Isabel entered her senior year of high school. Lia got a bat mitzvah. Melina turned 15! And entered 10 grade. Dad started surfcasting, and Liam started kindergarten.

Oh, and I forgot my little free library we put up in the neighborhood!

May we always have reasons to celebrate together!

A real queen! She is the queen of our hearts, the center of our family. Happy 80 years of really being alive. She lives and enjoys every moment to the fullest. Cheers to you mom!

A love and hate relationship…love wins this time!