The past few days have been crazy in the Hoekstra home! With the winter weather that we’ve encountered we’ve officially had some snow days. The kids are thrilled. And while my school was closed today too, it is not a huge deal for me because I am working online this semester.
Snow days are good for hot chocolate, cuddling up on the couch with a good book (or a good Netflix series), catching up on laundry, house work, and simply spending time together with family.
January is a big month for birthdays in our home.
On January 20, Memphis celebrated a birthday! If you are not friends with Memphis on Facebook, he turned 4. I can’t believe that in 2016 Sam and Memphis were paired and became friends for life. We had a small family celebration. Memphis got a new toy and a birthday cookie (dog friendly, of course). We shared stories, Sam talked to Memphis about being another year older and such a good boy. I even recorded Memphis eating his birthday treat.
Friday is a big day in our home. Our daughter, Kirsten, turns 16. I also have a birthday and turn another year older. It is hard to believe that I was just prepping to go to a junior high girls state basketball game when plans changed back in 2003.
With these snowy days I have had some time to reflect and think about how much our family has changed. We’ve been so blessed in so many ways. I think about all the times I have spent worrying if I am raising good humans, the times I have asked the kids about their friends and who they spend time with, wondering if the kids really hate doing chores (but know one day they will realize how helpful they have been), and then I also think that sometimes I have been the mom who has failed.
I think with reflection we can learn and grow. I know that our family has gone through those very processes and I am grateful that we have a loving home full of laughter. These snowy day moments are some of my favorite and I will cherish them always.
