Winter In Virginia

When I first moved here back in July, I asked someone, "Does it snow here a lot in the winter?"

Their answer: "No, not really. I think last year it snowed. . . maybe. . . seven times, or so."

I'm sorry. Come again?

Well, if that's the measuring stick for judging snowfall, then no, it doesn't snow here a lot. But let me tell you, from this deep-South, born-in-Shreveport gal, it snows here a lot. A whole lot. In fact, I've lost count of how many times it has snowed.

Most of the time, the snow doesn't stick--which is a mystery to me. I thought if it was below freezing, snow always stuck. Well, no, that's not the case.

Often, the snow will drift down lightly as I'm walking into Bible study. Or cooking dinner. Or coming home from the grocery store. Just a light dusting, flurrying down, dancing along the streets.

As I did with summer and fall, I have found winter in Virginia to be breathtaking. I was so sad when the leaves fell; and yet, their departure unveiled a new beauty. The wrinkles and folds of the mountains--the snow resting on their peaks. It's a beauty I've only ever known in pictures. And now, I look out of my dining room window over five mountain peaks covered in snow.

We've only had a couple big snows, where we can't leave the house. It's wonderful. We stay in our jammies all day, watch way too much television, and venture out (only once, usually) to play in the snow. Nathan doesn't feel the cold. I promise. I've never known another human being who just did not feel the cold. He would play out in the snow for hours. Little brother, on the other hand, lasts until his first fall. Then, there's tears. And sniffles. And pathetic cries and looks that say, "Hey, mom, are you crazy? I'm 13 months old. Take me inside!"

I'm even getting used to driving in the snow!

A little.

Okay, only a very little.

I am ready for spring to come warm us up. It does get very, very cold here in the winter. There have even been several days where it has been colder here than where my sister lives--in Anchorage, Alaska! Yike-a-rooskies, folks. Put on your mittens.

Maybe it's the beauty of the snow. Maybe it's the majesty of the white mountains. Maybe it's this slower pace--this quieter life--that I've found here in Virginia. I'm not sure which.

But it's magical here. In winter. In the bitterly cold. I'm so very happy God has put us here for residency.

The Sweetest Letter

Today, Nathan wrote some letters to send to his uncle who is currently serving overseas. (By letters, I mean alphabetical letters.) He then dictated a letter for me to write. It's absolutely too precious and hilarious and Nathan-ish not to share on here, so that I can remember it forever.

Dear Uncle _______,

I will send this to you. These are my letters: N-A-T-H-A-N. It's snowing outside. I will be right back.

After Halloween, it was Christmas. I got a Batmobile and that sword. I'm learning about Halloween and Christmas at school. My friends are Alex C., and Jacob, Caleb, and Isaiah--he has a weird name. He weirds me out.

I miss you and I love you. Have seen any bats, Uncle ______? Vampire bats drink blood, and fruit bats eat fruit. Brown bats eat mosquitoes and moths. And bats fly and they have teeth.

Love,

Nathan

Lazy Day

I was exhausted before my feet ever hit the floor this morning. It was one of those we're-going-to-be-in-sweats-all-day, the-house-probably-won't-stay-clean sort of days.

It. was. glorious.

This afternoon, Nathan and I sat on the front porch while Jack napped. I drank coffee, Nathan drank orange juice, and we talked. About bats. About volcanoes. About lava. About Hawaii. About school. About our favorite colors.

And then Jack woke up, and we decided to play outside until it was time for supper. Tricycle, new Lightning McQueen scooter, chalk, plastic golf clubs, baseballs, the whole shebang.

It was a fun time with my boys. I can't even believe how grown up they look in these pictures. Slow down, babies.

Christmas 2013

On December 18th, we drove alllll the way to Little Rock to spend Christmas with my family. The stressful factors of doing Christmas in another state aside, we had a splendid Christmas surrounded with so many people whom we love.

My mother spent hours cooking and baking her amazing-as-always (don't-want-to-think-about-the-calories) food. And we played games, laughed at jokes, watched movies, ran errands, reminisced, and enjoyed being with each other.

The hubbs and I even got away for a couple of evenings. We went to the capitol building to see the beautiful Christmas decor. I think the Arkansas State Capitol is magnificent at Christmas time. When I lived here, I went to go see the decorations every year.

On Christmas Eve, after much demanding by my three year old that Santa did NOT want cookies this year but rather cupcakes, we got busy baking. I'm guessing that since there were only some crumbs left over on Christmas morning, that Nathan was right! Santa wanted cupcakes!

Christmas morning was magical. Nathan's pure excitement. The smell of breakfast casserole in the oven. All of us sitting around the Christmas tree. 

Now that we're all scattered all over the place--literally--I really cherished my family being around for Christmas more than I ever have.

A blessed Christmas 2013! No doubt about it!

2013

I'm going to be honest with you. 2013 was not my favorite year. 

There. I said it. I put it out there. 

2013, see ya sucka'.

While there was the preciousness of Jack's first year of life (and oh, it was so, so precious), the joy of Scott's medical school graduation, the excitement of my sister getting married, the excitement of my husband's first paycheck, and the wonderful surprise of my job getting approved for long distance, there was also some other not-so-awesome stuff.

I am an optimist. If you read my blog, you know this to be true (maybe annoyingly true). But I do think that we learn from stressful situations, tear-filled nights, arguments, and loss. 

Moving thirteen hours away from my family? Not easy. Moving into a nasty apartment with a neighbor who constantly screamed at us to be quiet and our stuff all in boxes and my husband working two months of nights and me not knowing a single person? Not fun. A family member being carjacked and attacked one month after I'd moved away? Devastating and scary. Four of my friends having babies while I was away and couldn't help them and couldn't hold their sweet little ones? Big bummer. Being in Little Rock with my sons while my husband set up our new life in Virginia and being apart for nearly two months? Really difficult. A family member leaving to go to a dangerous country and fight for the freedoms we appreciate? A constant worry for my family. 

[My computer just sent me a random message that an error occurred. I'll take is as a sign that you get the point.]

2013 was a year of unexpected change. It was a year of growth. Mainly it was a year that left me looking like that picture above (minus the makeup and the neat-looking hair). It's been hectic. Insanely hectic. And exhausting--emotionally and physically exhausting. While I love the fact that my husband is finally in residency and doing what he loves, of course it's no secret that lots of the burdens of parenting and running a house fall on my shoulders. [Side note, Baby Ryan #3 will be making his/her appearance in FELLOWSHIP, people. That's in like five years, for you non-medical peeps.] 

My hope for 2014 is that it's a little bit calmer. A little bit less stressful. I'm glad my boys are getting to ages where each month seems easier than the last. I'm glad we're settled in our new home that I love. I'm glad we've got friends. I'm glad we have a church and a life group that we adore. I'm glad that my husband is loving his job. 

So there. I've been candid. 2013 was a year to remember. Maybe I'll laugh about all the craziness years from now. But for today, this first day of 2014, I'm glad to see a new year on the calendar. I'm glad to close that chapter of crazy. 

So, here's to 2014! I'm welcoming you with open arms (NOT criss-crossed arms), baby! :)

Stuff

Somebody is one. One! I know. I can't believe it, either. His one year check up went great. I had to laugh that while he was only in the 60% for length, he was in the 97% for weight with a head circumference in the 99%. Lordy! He's a big boy, and never, ever, ever in the history of babies did a baby like to snuggle as much as this one. Oh. my. mercy. My heart can barely handle it.

And guess what else?

He's walking! Yep! He walks like a tiny zombie. It's hilarious! Wobbly, and with outstretched arms. 

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So, guess what Nathan and I did the other evening?

We went to go see the movie he's been beggggging me to go see: Frozen!

[Side note: Thanks, Aunt Coco, for making him want to go see it so badly! If I had a dollar for every time my child said, "It's like a little baby unicorn". . . ]

I really won Wife of the Year here. I had been pestering my husband for days, "If you can get home just a teeeency bit early one evening, I can take him!" Well, finally--sort of--the day arrived (because I forced it to arrive). Yes, I called my husband, he met me out at the front of the hospital, I left the baby with him (no, I don't know how he gets his work done with a one-year-old child on his hip, but c'est la vie), and Nathan and I sped off to catch our movie!

It was really good! If you haven't seen it yet, go see it! Honest to goodness, I laughed louder than anyone in the theater. It was mildly embarrassing. One thing about Virginians: they're a tad bit more reserved than us Arkansans. Just saying.

When we got home, I thanked my husband profusely. His response? He was just glad we finally got to catch the movie. Now, that's a wonderful man, if I do say so myself!

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And, speaking of Nathan, guess what today was at school?

JAMMIE DAY! Now, if that's not fun and precious and sweet and Christmas-y, I don't know what is!

And double bonus! He was the leader today! He brought Honey and Cinnamon Teddy Grahams for everyone. And his show and tell? Okay, I'm not kidding you here. I woke him up this morning, "Nathan! Get up! You get to be the leader today! What do you want to bring for show and tell?" He thought about it, and replied, "My little firetruck from Walmart." It was just the way he said it. I busted out laughing!

He wore his Cars jammies that BeeGee bought for him and his Lightning McQueen slippers that Aunt Coco bought for him. I'm not biased or anything, but he was hands down the cutest kid in there.

They made jingle bell bracelets and ice cream cone Christmas trees with candy ornaments. [Oh dear heavens, can I bottle this age!? Pretty please!?]

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And, on a completely separate note, guess what?

I'm a Virginia resident.

Gulp.

My license plates and drivers license say so.

I almost cried when I drove away from the DMV! Isn't that weird!? I don't know why.

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Tiny Biscuit has a follow up appointment today. Here he is last Friday before his doctor appointment.

He was wheezing, and they tested his oxygen levels and he was at 95%. Almost at the point of needing steroids but not quite. Then I got to experience a breathing treatment. Oh my. Restraining a one year old is so much fun! NOT.

And they sent us home with a freaking nebulizer! And all these tubes and medicine. Crazy. My husband said they were completely over reacting.

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In less than 48 hours, I will be pulling out of the driveway and heading to Arkansas for the first time since moving here. I can't wait to see my friends and family! (And to get my hair done--heavens, I cannot find a decent hair person here!) XO!

Warmer Weather

For the past three days, the temperature in (freezing cold/overcast) Virginia has been. . . warm! In the fifties and sixties! Hey, I'll take it! I know the colder weather is on its way back here, but we've been playing outside and loving every minute of it.

So, have I mentioned we're the "young-uns" on the street? Well, we are. I absolutely love our neighbors! I do really, truly believe we provide a little (maybe more than a little?) entertainment for them when we're outside. Jack eating dirt. Nathan running around. Me shouting at Nathan to not get so close to the street. Me digging dirt out of Jack's mouth. See? That's entertainment right there, folks. Pure and simple.

When did he turn fifteen and not tell me about it!? Time, would ya' slow down just a hair!?

Here's a perfect couple of images of these two. Big bro, relaxing. Little bro, coming to wrestle.

YAY for unexpected warmer weather! Yes, we are expecting snow and ice on Sunday, but for the past few days, we've been able to play outside. Woohoo for that!

Jack Turns One

Happy first birthday, "Jack Bean"--as I usually call you. I think, perhaps, you have severe name confusion, poor darling. I call you "Jack Bean," "Bean," and "Beanie Baby." Nathan calls you "Jackabo," and Daddy calls you "Jack Attack" and "Huge Jackman." See? Name confusion, probably.

 

Nonetheless, Happy birthday, Jack! I can't believe you're a year old today! My friend Bekah texted me this afternoon, "Happy birthday, Jack! Can't believe it's already been a year!" I, however, have felt nearly every day of this year. So, sweet boy, I do feel like you should maybe be turning two (except that you just say a handful of words and can only take four steps). The past year has been crazy, to say the least!

We found out we were moving to Virginia, put our house on the market, sold it in four days, moved in with my parents, moved into an apartment in Virginia, bought a house and moved into it, started Mother's Day Out and CBS--and, whew! That's how one year ends up feeling like two. Capisce?

When I think of those first several weeks, I think of the smells of Christmas, you in jammies wrapped in a blanket, friends and family dropping in, sleeping on the couch, and Octonauts on--constantly--in the background to keep Big Brother preoccupied and happy. I never dreamed a newborn could be as easy as you were.

You are my snuggle bug! You love, love, love to snuggle. You take two naps a day--a short one in the morning and a longer one in the afternoon. And before each nap, we snuggle in the rocking chair and read a book. Heaven! Absolutely heaven!

You love no one on this earth as much as you love Nathan. You follow him around, you crawl on top of him, you splash him in the bath, you give him kisses, you steal his food, and on and on. I never dreamed you two would already have this bond. You cannot imagine how happy it makes my heart.

You love to eat--anything and everything! Oranges, apples, chicken, green beans, cake, hamburgers, casserole. I can't believe what you'll eat! You stopped your bottle at 10 1/2 months, and you're an old pro with that sippy cup!

Your laugh. Oh my goodness. Can we talk about that for just a second? Loud, gasping, infectious--it's impossible to not laugh along! And those dimples?! Stop it. I can barely handle the cuteness.

You go to bed right at 7:00, and you're up around 6:30. Your naps are around 9:00 and 2:00. You snuggle with two blankets when you sleep. And you sleep with your biscuits up in the air. Precious!

Unlike your big brother, "cautious" is a foreign word to you. You plow ahead no matter what. You climb. You explore. And as a result, poor baby, you nearly always have a bruise and/or a scrape on that big (97%) coconut of yours. You took your first step at ten months, and now you'll take as many as four steps before you sit down (er, or fall). You're my risk taker--no doubt about it!

Your life verse is Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing." 

My prayers for you are full of petitions to God that you would love Him deeply, that you would serve Him, and that He would make your paths straight. He has great plans for you, Jack Bean.

I love you more than words can ever say. I prayed for you before you were even born, and I pray for you every day. I take so much delight in you!

You are a loved little boy! 

Happy 1st birthday, baby!