Lucky 2015

This happened on New Year's Eve (Katie, 5, in her Olaf hat, lost her second tooth)

I have this feeling that 2015 is the beginning of our lucky years in life.  The year started in a lucky way.  Our dear friends invited us to spend a few nights at their cabin in the Uintahs.  Our children played together beautifully.  We had adventures on snowmobiles and sledding down a perfect hill right outside the front door. 

To me, there is something magical about being at a cabin.  It is like time stands still.  There is no need to rush.  There are no pressing deadlines.  It is peaceful and calm and it feels like no big deal to watch three movies in a row or spend hours assembling a puzzle just to take it apart again.  It is a time to sit back and savor the moment with friends and family.  I love it so much and feel blessed that our family had this opportunity.  We always wish we could spend more time with these friends (all of our friends really!).  But, life is so busy.  Weeks and months seem to fly by without us making any plans or seeing each other.  It was fun to spend some uninterrupted time together at last.  

As Brian and I retired to a bed in the loft in the wee hours of January 1, I suddenly remembered that 15 has always been Brian's lucky number.  Maybe some part of him has always known that the year '15 would be the beginning of the best luck of his life, hmmm?

Katie posing with a snowman she and Isaac built in our front yard (she added the face and a nose of string cheese all by herself)

The weather has been so accommodating this winter and I think it is part of the reason for my optimistic mood.  Long stretches of cold get me down.  But, this year, the weather was perfectly sunny and warm right up until after we went to bed on Christmas Eve.  Then, it dumped snow all night long so that we could wake up to a breathtaking blanket of white.  It was just the right addition to an already perfect Christmas.  We've been able to enjoy the snow for the entire Christmas break and now, guess what?  It's melting away.  The temperature is back to hovering just below 50.  It is outstanding.  This is the way it should be.  Enjoy the snow while it is fresh and then flush it away before it gets dirty and icy and sticks around forever during the never ending stretch of unbearably cold days.  I could definitely get use to a winter like this.

Brian finished laying the hardwood floor in Sophie's room earlier today

I haven't posted any pictures yet along this journey to make a new basement in our home.  Sophie's room is coming right along.  Brian seems to think she could be sleeping in it by the end of the week.  Wow!  I guess we will see what happens.  I'm not sure if he is taking into account building the loft bed she requested.  But, look at all the work he has done.  I love how the floor turned out.  He has to wait two days for a closet door to be delivered so he has to take a break from working on it.  I can't believe he is downstairs right now digging away in our dirt room (it is 9 p.m.) to stay busy.  

Once Sophie's room is finished, the kids will all have their own rooms -- hooray!  

Ultimately, Isaac will move into a third bedroom downstairs along with Sophie and Ian.  In order to finish his room, we need to cut a window and pour the concrete floor before Brian can even begin with the framing, drywall, wiring, etc.  He scheduled the cement cutters for the window on Wednesday and he thinks the cement may also be poured this week.  The dirt must be leveled in preparation.  

It is exciting to once again be able to move ahead now that we closed on our 25th Street house.  

Finishing our basement is exciting.  But, it's not the reason I think 2015 will be lucky.  I think it will be lucky in other ways too.  Time will tell.  I'm excited to see what is in store.  If you are reading this, I sincerely hope your 2015 is lucky too!