it’s just what we do

I used those exact words last week to describe the way my little hometown rallied around the Smit family. Amy actually wrote a post tonight describing the flood of support she received from the community because today, we find ourselves under water. Literally.

And again, our little hometown came together in support of those who needed it. I had no idea how aggressively the water was rising. I mean, I was acutely aware that I left a balmy Florida morning to return to a 46 degree driving rainstorm that lasted from early afternoon and through the night, but I didn’t realize we were that close to flood conditions. Then, this morning, the school closed after an initial two-hour delay and I was like, ‘whoa, it must be bad. i’m sure no one wants to add more days to the end of this already extended school year!’ Continue reading

uncle harry’s sunset

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[67.375] for harry

south haven, march 8, 2013

Last Friday was a really rough day. I woke with a caffeine headache (of course!) and the knowledge that my Uncle Harry had opted out of further intervention to heal his failing body. I left work early to get some rest and in anticipation of that call. I was laying on the couch when my mom called and let me know that he had decided to go home at 4:20 in the afternoon on the same day when previously his dad was born, and his older sister was buried.

The sun was beaming in my window; it was warm and beautiful and I had this overwhelming feeling that I needed to go watch the sunset. I took my camera in the hopes that it would live up to what I’d hoped and as I sat there through tears and smiles thinking of that mischievous guy, I snapped a few photos. I sent this one to my cousins and let them both know that they were on my mind and that I watched this gorgeous sun saying goodnight just like Harry had a couple hours earlier. They opted to use the photo for the funeral program (which was a huge honor!). Inside the program was this poem:

Do you know the hour when the sun goes down is a beautiful time of day, when your task is done and the shadows fall and your worries are laid away?

Well, it’s just as true that the close of life can a beautiful sunset be, every task well done, let the shadows fall, there’s no fear of eternity. – G. Gilbert

Goodnight, Uncle Harry. Your smile, quick wit, pipe and plaid shirts will never be forgotten by this niece. Thank you for sharing that final sunset with me.

best snow day ever

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I started getting that sick feeling Thursday night. You know the one, right? It’s that anxiety-inducing feeling that results from deteriorating weather conditions and the assumption school will most likely close the next day. I know, you can just call it Mama Llama Drama.

But still, balancing a hefty workload and an almost seven-year-old (who had just been ‘crowned’ Citizen of the Month) is no easy feat. I was thankful to get a couple extra minutes of sleep the next morning. I’d gotten the call and turned the alarm off. When I did wake, I left all the lights off and sat quietly with my laptop on the couch so CJ could continue to rest. I think that lasted ten minutes before I heard his little feet shuffling on the carpet.

Next thing I know, he was sitting next to me. Well, on me. He was sitting on me. Surely, the day was going to go really, really well.

We talked about playing some Uno and making some breakfast as first steps. I will admit that I was totally okay with the fact that I didn’t have to rush anywhere first thing. Oh, and that I didn’t even have to shower if I didn’t want to. Booyah.

After breakfast, I told CJ he could watch a movie so I could focus on a few things and then we would go pick up the girls. He stole the DVD player away and I found him in his room a few minutes later.

precious moments

precious moments

We picked up the girls and took some of the back roads home. The snow was just beautiful and I couldn’t help but get out and snap a few pics along the way.

[32.365] all eyes

whatchu lookin at?

Funny story. When I saw these moo cows, they were all saddled up to the fence. I got out of my car and I’m not sure if I shut the door too quickly or if I was too loud when I exclaimed, “hey, what’s going on, guys?!” but they all freaked out and started running (air quotes, question mark) at the sight of me. Thankfully, they didn’t get too far because I fell in love with the snow-covered beasts.

Later in the afternoon, I told the kiddos that I had a couple calls I had to be on so I could hide out in my room but I would need them to play the silent game keep it down a bit. Just before my second call, though, we turned on the kids music channel and they started dancing around. It literally melted my heart. Their smiles; their clasped hands; the cousin love. I couldn’t help but watch them.

it was hair-raising

it was hair-raising

yay, we did it!

yay, we did it!

The girls stayed until just before dinner time. When we got to Grandma’s for dinner, both of them mentioned it was the best snow day ever. I’m sure it was just because they got to be somewhere other than home while their mom and dad had to work, but I don’t think they realized that they made it a great snow day for me, too. When I looked  back at the moments I was able to witness and be a part of that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise, I was so thankful. Snow days rule.

those everyday moments

I must admit that it’s been very difficult for me to focus on anything this weekend other than those families impacted by what happened in Newtown, Conn. on Friday. I wrapped gifts late Friday evening and watched as emotional news anchors recapped the events of the day, and on Saturday, as one of the victim’s fathers described his last conversation with his daughter in Portuguese, a language he had been sharing with her. Continue reading

thanksgiving

It came time to go around the table and say what we were most thankful for … and I blanked. I couldn’t talk and I passed. I’ll make one small excuse and note that my grandma went off on a bit of a tangent about working nights (her family will be happy to know that her first comment was that she was thankful her children were all alive). Continue reading

a day at the beach

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We had a beautiful day here Sunday. I was so thankful for what would most likely be the last glimpse of that warm touch of the summer sun that I made an excuse to head out to the big lake. I had also heard there would be wind … which means waves … which means photo opps. Woot! So, let me put this all together for you: Sunday, warmth, sun, lake, wind, waves, and last but certainly not least, family. That equals out to be about the best day ever (performed a la SpongeBob). Continue reading