octolilly [through the years]

I think I have reached the point where snow is no longer dreamy. Winter can pack herself up and head further north because my longing for Spring is alive and well.

Bundling up with coats, gloves, scarves, hats, boots, and applying lotion liberally so we don’t turn into angry chapped versions of ourselves – it’s too much. Waking to put on a tee and shorts and dashing into the sun? Yes, please.

We’re stir crazy.

Drew’s fists have been pummeling, his anger raging, and I’ve been exhausted trying to think of new things which will entertain him.

Watch Mommy watch the snowflakes falling. Watch Mommy cackling maniacally.

After a few weeks of CRAZY, we have finally found a bit of peace. His fists have stopped wildly flying about, his anger melts sooner, and even though I’m still horribly sick, my patience is better.

We make charts. We play Minecraft. We have a new timeout chair. And a new rule about no talking during timeout gasp and oh my, it works beautifully. We craft when he gets fidgety. We have new music for dancing. I found my patience again.

~

We also put on stage productions.

{He starts this by saying once upon a time… but I didn’t catch it very well at the start of the video.}

Excuse my not-so-adorable breathiness. I’m still sick. 😉

~

A few days ago, we attended a wonderful birthday party for one of Drew’s friends, Noe.

{go see the whole set}

~

Our Valentine’s Day was a bit low-key and yet still perfect.

I did this Pinterest Project!

Daniel bought me beautiful roses, we gave Drew chocolates, we crafted and read Valentine books, snuggled, received a basket of gorgeous fruit from my parents, and had yummy chili for dinner (complete with cheese hearts).

Drew wore the ribbon from Harry & David for the rest of the evening and crawled up on the hope chest for pictures before bed.

{go see the whole set}

All in all, a great way to spend the day with the two people whom I love most.

We’re in South Carolina visiting with our family for a week!

I haven’t caught up with Octolilly like I’ve wanted to but it’s okay. We’re wiggly. 🙂 We made it through flat tire drama in Kentucky and are relishing family time now.

We just spent a few days in Maryland where we celebrated Thanksgiving with our family. Other than Drew being sick for the majority of the time, it was a good trip. I hadn’t seen most of the Bergey’s in over a year and I also got to visit with Miss Dottie, Trish, and Uncle Bob & Aunt Glenna. We enjoyed food, shopping, toys, games, raking leaves, and horsing around.

It felt really weird to drive away knowing that it’s very likely that will be the last time we celebrate a family gathering in Baltimore. Daniel’s parents are probably moving in the next few months so who knows where the next Bergey party will be. With Tim and Dani in Missouri, Ben in college in West Virginia, us in Michigan, and Steve and Cassidy in Maryland – I see a lot of travel ahead. Not that we mind!

Over the holiday, Daniel also took the opportunity to sort through years worth of computer equipment, toys, and nostalgia from his parent’s home. We brought back a box FULL of thirty-year-old legos in great condition and as you might imagine, Drew has been creating with them ever since we got home.

Now we’re on that inevitable holiday slide where time passes so quickly and before you know it, you’re taking down the Christmas tree. But I’m trying really hard to soak up the Christmas music, holiday planning, and hall-decking because this really is my favorite time of the year.