I am very aware that during these first few months of the year, I go into partial hibernation mode!  I enjoy the quiet, peaceful moments…..I cook a lot with my sweet girl…..I start to purge the clutter that surrounds me (you know, dealing with those cupboards/closets/drawers that fill up with a variety of items)….I organize…I read…I start re-teaching myself how to crochet….I learn to ski at age 39 (no joke and totally fun)….I craft a bit….! This pretty much sums up my 2012 thus far!

This month we endured a crazy snow and ice storm, we lost a special member of our family and we enjoyed playing with the newest additions to our family. We spent time with friends and family, celebrated a birthday and filled ourselves up with the positive energy of those we love to share our time with!! I’m always grateful for that.

So, I searched for pictures that reflect all the feelings from the past month!

This is Kona – she was 12 years old. She was our first “baby” and we loved her with every bit of of us! And so did our kids. She became our angel on  February 9, 2012.

A little about Kona….she loved to eat our chickens, she protected us from all potential dangers, she loved walks, she loved to swim, she loved to eat off my kitchen counter, she attacked the vacuum, she loved her little black lab brother, she was the best dog mom to my kids, she loved to drink water from the hose, she loved to be a snow plow, she loved peanut butter and rice and we loved HER more than anything. I know she is happy and pain free now. But we sure miss her.

And as you have seen in previous blog posts….this is my sister and her sweet baby girl. At the ripe age of 6 weeks, she has incredible boundaries and knows what she likes and doesn’t like! She likes to move, she likes to bounce and she likes to see the world from a little further back. I respect that about her. Way to be clear about what you like at a young age! Isn’t she scrumptious!

Now, this could be an example of why she had to lay out her boundaries so early. Her big sister LOVES her! I crack up at these pictures as I see my sister’s hands in the pictures gently redirecting the situation!