May 25, 2008

The Here and Now

Days before we were slated to head west, we had a major switch of plans, last minute (in true Karen style). Because so many things kept happening, pointing clearly to the many and varied reasons not to go, I finally gave myself permission to change my mind. I discussed it fully with the boys, and they were ok with our decision. (I think it helped that they each were promised a crispy hundred dollar bill???) We're still planning on heading to Minnesota sometime next week (i think?) to hang out with John for a while. We're putting our house up for sale and have made an offer on another house in town. We weren't looking for a house, but this house literally *found* us. It's a duplex with a 1/2 acre yard. We'll be 'downsizing' in house living space, but gaining a lot in the yard, which the boys love.

Sage isn't crazy about the idea yet. And I'm sure all the rest of us feel torn, too, leaving this house. I know I do. It's a great house. Buuuuuuut, the way this is all working out, so effortlessly, so perfectly, I have to remind myself to trust in the Universal nudge that it's all meant to go the way it's going. There are many benefits to us making this move. I'm completely at peace with whichever way it goes; whether we stay or go, we'll be just where we need to be. It's a good feeling to be at Peace about it. In another time, I would have been consumed with the thought and done everything I could to force it. It's much better this way.

We're off to enjoy the warm, sunny day today on our bicycles. I'm sure we'll land at the pond in search of crawdads at some point. We've had gobs of rain lately, with more predicted tomorrow and Tuesday, so we'll be taking advantage of the sunshine today.

All Good Things...

May 2, 2008

First Blizzard of 2008

And it just so happened to occur on May 2? Yes, indeedy. We do live in South Dakota, after all! No worries, though, we're back to 50 degrees tomorrow and then 60 on Sunday. I can live with that.

We woke up to snow drifts and blowing snow, so much so that it was difficult to see across the street. By about 3:30, the sky was blue, the sun was out and so were the boys, playing, digging, building and making new friends. Since it was an official "blizzard", everything was closed, including the schools, so we had the fun chance to play with our neighborhood friends. Robert (next door) and Caleb (across the street) were both stoked to have the day OFF! :) We're so lucky... and Grateful, yes, Grateful most of all.

Another neighbor from across the street did a good deed by coming over to help shovel our sidewalk. His name is Sam, and the kids have taken quite a liking to him. I invited him in after we were done shoveling, for a cup of coffee. Well, that was at about 5:30. It was 10:00 when he left. He's a very interesting man with a huge heart. And he *really* talks to kids, like, for real. He's interested, and the kids know it. They were all so excited to talk to him, making it difficult for them to take turns, allowing everyone a chance for some of our new friend's attention.

I whipped up some pasta with veggies, and asked Sam to stay for dinner. He graciously accepted, and as we were finishing eating, Saylor and Stone started throwing the angel hair pasta up to the ceiling. Sam got a HUGE kick out of this, and so, naturally, joined in. He's convinced he missed out on a whole lot by having to go to school. (he's Dakota Sioux, so actually went to a boarding school, where they made him cut his hair, change his name, stop speaking his native language....unbelievable...)

We had a lovely day...truly lovely. Hope yours was, too!
I took these pictures later in the afternoon. The snow wasn't blowing much at this point, but we've got a couple good drifts in our yard. Good, heavy, wet snow, too. Our new baby grass underneath is (hopefully) enjoying the drink.


I wasn't able to get the ceiling in this shot, but it's well covered with various sizes of organic angel hair pasta...oh, the JOY! Pictured is our new friend, Sam. It was so cool to see a grown-up join in the fun of pasta throwing with the same zest as the boys. You should've heard the conversations going, and the giggling by everyone (especially the grown-up!). Good Stuff! They're all making plans now to cook up a *whole* pot of spaghetti (the cheap stuff) and tackle another ceiling in our house. We're thinking a tarp would be a good thing to put down, first.