today my facebook memories made me want to write a blog post. to revisit some of the moments here, in this space.
eight years ago today we were in fergus falls, minnesota, with blizzard conditions - i remember the wind being steady at thirty or more and the temperature dropping deeply and quickly as the snow pounded us.
five years ago today: we were in camp crook, south dakota and it was in the fifites and i had the school kids outside working on nature journals. we all had bare hands and light jackets and there was a light breeze just playing through our hair. maddie's drawings were making me smile, and so was the way that she interacted with the younger kiddos.
three years ago today: we were in miles city, montana and it was twenty-three below and so very snowy.
we still had our chaco-dog. and we were getting settled into number six-twelve. i had started painting the kitchen blue.
that evening we went out to supper with kyla - the first of many meals the four of us would share with kyla (although that time, she picked up the tab - in a rather sneaky move).
two years ago, it was a bright, cold, snow-covered day, and isaac played a basketball game. ben asked isaac what his favorite parts of his basketball game were. isaac said he really liked getting an assist to his buddy ryder. he also was stoked that he scored his first points today - 9 of them! and he made a free throw. and he got to play point guard. and he had some excellent passes. so there was that.
last year, it was cold and snowy and icy
maddie was applying for a fisheries internship - and is applying for the same one this year (because an older applicant was chosen last year). isaac had been playing hockey, and is again this year. (we all like hockey so much better than basketball!)
and this year, we are in the middle of a week of temperatures that do not want to be above zero - a polar vortex. we have a dusting of snow on the ground.
we pattens had some hard news yesterday that we are all processing and praying about. ben and i both continue at stable and engaging jobs. the kids are continuing with in-person school. there are only five active covid cases in our county as of our morning update. everytime i remote-start the truck, i am so grateful that we were able to purchase it. everytime i drive up to our house, i am so grateful that it is ours. everytime i walk in the door, i am so grateful for the coziness and the artwork made by friends and the books full of good words and the laughter and love. we have so much to be grateful for. and i continue to count blessings and gifts, even on the most frigid of days.
i pray that you, too, have blessing and gifts to count today.
love, e