Christmas was

Christmas was...

a walk through the cold and damp woods with my little family, my mom, a good friend and her girls. on this morning, if these woods nodded off to a winter's nap, they were certainly nudged awake to the sound of little girls giggling and chasing each other through their tree boughs and mossy floors.

dinner and always-good conversation with two of my brothers, the hubby's brother, and a good, old friend. only female at the table and totally fine with it. 

a gathering of all five of my siblings and their families at my mom's house. and the realization that time does not stand still. 

many miles travelled on I-10, some of them in the company of robert earle keen. it's not crazy christmas without at least one good sing along with this one....

a christmas eve bonfire in our backyard. then, a peaceful walk to the patch of woods across the street to offer the woodland critters their own christmas treats. and hot cocoa for ourselves, of course. 

'twas the night before christmas. waiting for sleep. the joy of bringing santa claus to life. taking in the quiet moments of the whole evening. setting gifts out. sitting and gazing at the tree and knowing deeply that these are our happy, golden years.

a little one sleeping in on the big morning, and then doing what she normally does every morning...talking to dolly in bed for 15 minutets or so until I gently reminded her that she might want to get out of bed sooner than usual today.

 

a morning of barn play and learning the ways of an adorable pink cruiser. she is growing up. proud parents glowing.

a quiet family walk/ride up through town. 

a couple of special days with byron's family. and a wish that these sweet cousins could play together more often. 

happy, happy grandparents who sit on park benches with their grandkids content to watch turtles sunning if only for just a brief moment and who then take said grandkids cowboy boot shopping.

now we are home. a whole new year lies waiting for us. though i'd be lying if i didn't admit that i find the new year's unnerving. the finality of one more year gone by. the unknown of another on my heel. still, i'm so very grateful for each and every new day. and so very excited about the unfolding of it all - this great, big, beautiful life. 

to you: thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my humble little parts, for reading, for commenting when you can, for finding something here worth pausing for. 

happy new year!

xo, 

nichole

 

Comments

[Rach]

Thanks for the peek into your world. Beautiful and centreing (is that a word?!) as always. You always remember to notice the joy. Love the "these are our happy, golden years". Something I would like to remember often.

[Nichole]

Thank you Rach. I think 'centering' is definitely a word! Happy New Year to you and yours!

[amanda (sweetpotatoclaire)]

what sweet photos. love the B+W one of her bike and barn near the tree, and the one of her and Byron walking/riding through town. parenthood definitely makes the years fly by even faster, doesn't it? but yes, the unfolding and anticipating..... is grand. love to you and yours from NC.

[Gwendolen]

This made my heart ache a little (in a good way). Your voice mirrors my own...the excitement of time marching forward but the knowing that it is happening too fast for this mama's heart. Such beautiful moments over your holidays, Nichole. Just lovely. xo.

[Nichole]

Hm...Thank you, Gwendolen. We are creeping up on five years as parents and I am constantly awed as to how we got to this point. How SHE got to this point. It's such a special journey. xo.

[Nichole]

you should see her on her bike! she is sight to behold. i can not get over the fact that she RIDES along side of us -- and so efficiently. when we are out together, i'm constantly looking over towards her and reminding myself that this is real! she pedals with us! it's a wonderful stage of growth!