do you ever just stop what you are doing, look around at the life you are building and allow yourself to feel utterly grateful? I’ll be the first to admit I am terrible for taking those moments..more apt to focus on whats not working or a to do list thats growing instead of clearing. Its a horrible habit we allow ourselves to get in to. Yesterday was a regular day here on the farm but I was shown so many beautiful moments amongst that ordinary day and I couldn’t help but stop and allow the gratitude to overtake me. I had been watching instagram and seeing everyone’s first snow all over the country and I knew that Tuesday night the snow was supposed to start falling. So I was like a kid on Christmas Eve, pacing by the window, looking to the sky..watching..waiting. When I went to bed I went to our front porch, opened our door and was greeted by the falling snow, piling up gently on our step. The sky was pitch black and there wasn’t a sound to be heard..it was so peaceful and beautiful. I went to sleep that night knowing I would wake up to a white blanket and I am almost positive I fell asleep with a great big grin on my face.
Wednesday morning I woke up early, tip toed down the hallway and came to our kitchen window and all I saw was white, sitting on our spruce trees. I cannot explain to you the joy I felt..utterly ridiculous. I sat in the dim light, drinking my coffee and anxiously awaiting daylight so I could see how much fell and run outside to play in it. I recalled childhood memories of the first snow and I felt so grateful that I live here, in the most beautiful country that allows us the chance to experience every season at its fullest. Once daylight came, we bundled up and took to the snowy yard while it lasted. Hudson loved being pulled in the sled and I knew that this winter is going to be one for the books with him.
the day was slow and quiet. After a crazy busy Spring/Summer/Fall, it is a very welcomed pace! We spent most of it inside which is rare for us but again, enjoyed! I love the shorter days and colder weather because it encourages your to hunker down with your loved ones, stay cozy and cuddled and enjoy the comforts of home. I felt so grateful to have Adam home and inside with us, working in his office or playing with us. The sound of him playing with Hudson and the giggles that could be heard throughout the house were priceless. How on earth did I get to be so lucky? Don’t get me wrong, parenting is hard and some days its a struggle to keep it together but man..you have to feel grateful for your family .. they are truly the best blessing we have in our lives!
That night I ran out to the coop to lock the ducks and chickens in for the night. The heat lamp was on to make everyone comfy but you could still see your breath in the air as you exhaled. The ducks were snug in their corner and the chickens were still scratching about while some were setting up to roost. I watched this unfold before me and I couldn’t help to think, “this is mine..this is my life, how cool is that?” Sure most people don’t think much about little things like their farm animals but I never saw this coming in my life. Its such a good life! Its hard and its labour-filled but the rewards are so freaking worth it.
the snow has melted already and the chickens are back out in the garden, fertilizing and turning over the soil for next year and I am already dreaming up ways of filling this space again with greens, vegetables and more flowers than I know what to do with. Sure I could point out a hundred things in this photo that I’d like to work on, change etc..but yesterday reminded me that I need to take more time to feel grateful for everything this life has given me. And today, I celebrate 4 years of marriage to the farmer who made it all happen…