We are home from a whirlwind of a weekend. Our days jam packed with parties, people, laughter, and (mostly) content exhaustion. I love our weekends in Illinois, back to the life we once lived. And I love returning here. I love it without thinking this time. It has been slow in coming, loving returning, that is. To what is becoming known as home. To quiet spaces and a small family of four. To the home we are creating, filled with reminders of what I value.
Like our grateful tree, which I pass just after entering, reminding me to pick up my hammer and choose contentment when I might otherwise groan at the pile of suitcases awaiting me.
It's February now, so we are clearing off our grateful tree, jarring up our named gifts, and making room for new ones.
January, winter's wind and all, offered much to be grateful for, and we followed along most days with Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare prompts.
Some of my favorites include:
"an unexpected package" (Because how stinkin' spoiled am I to have such amazing friends? A hand stitched journal arriving unexpected. A starbucks card sent to my mailbox just because. These are the kind of friends I want to both keep and be.)
"uncle steven," occasioned by this prompt: a gift that brings laughter
"Daddy" ( Need I say more?)
And "Michigan," a truly unexpected gift that is better than I could have asked for.
Love.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim. I loved it, and it brought tears to my eyes. I love the reminders, too. I needed that. Thanks for sharing. Love you.
ReplyDeleteah the mailbox was full! love it :) it is great that you feel that MI can be called home now.
ReplyDeleteLove the jar filled with a month of gratitude.
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