The snow makes everything so beautiful. I just love it so much to have these seasons of winter when everything is hushed. I don’t think I could take it forever because there is something to being able to walk outside without coats. And be warmed by the sand. In the mornings I’ve been getting up and going straight for my coffee and readings. We have the best couch and I bring out with me at least one blanket.

The boys started back with school today. The bigger kids had a late start and didn’t have to be there until nine. Dad was back to work and even wore more dressier clothes. He said he’s been wearing clothes like this all along but I thought today he looked more professional. He does Bible study twice a month at the high school so he left for that before lunch. I made a casserole for the rest of us who were here. I actually made two so that the big kids would have an extra one that they could use for their lunches.

I’d asked my son about supper and he said chicken strips and cheesy potatoes so that was his birthday meal. Josh picked up a few things that he can use to hopefully clean up one of our vans that’s been sitting for a couple of years. Looking back we probably should’ve kept driving it at least every once in a while. But he’s hoping he can get it working and then use it for a vehicle. The back is covered in crayon.

The kids went to the Y after school. We’ve had this membership for years that gets used sometimes and sometimes doesn’t. The three older kids ran on the treadmills and I used some variation of recumbent bike that also had arm handles. Before that Ethan and I had gone to Walmart. He wanted to pick out a birthday present for Laura. He wants to get her a Cardinals shirt but I didn’t know that until we were there. Any time I’ve ever bought a Cardinals shirt I have bought them at Target. We found a few things.

Mr. Clean erasers and some marshmallow stuffed animal. Elianna and I drove home together and the boys followed fairly soon after. We had our birthday dinner and party plus the ice cream cake he wanted for dessert. I was actually very full afterward. Before that Dad and the boys had played outside in the snow drift by the indoor chapel. Zorro was there too and took another long nap. I had one too in the day.