A Winner and February Photo Dump

How I enjoyed reading your comments and putting 'life status' and 'likes' to the names I have no faces for! Thank you so much for commenting and entering the giveaways this month; it would have been no fun at all if you hadn't participated. And now, the winner of the last giveaway is .... Luella, who said: "I enjoy your blog so much because we seem to have a lot in common. I am a homeschooling mom of five, who are just a bit younger than yours (12-3). I have been married 15 years, and I like reading, gardening, and doing puzzles. I live in Ohio so ....anxiously awaiting spring!!!"

Email me your address, Luella, and I will get your surprise package put together and headed your way!

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Thought I'd take a quick look back at February and see what tidbits I could show you... So, here is February, mostly in pictures:

We saw quite a lot of this kind 

of scenery

all throughout the month...

And did quite a lot of this. 

But I can truly say I've 

enjoyed winter this year. 

I don't think I've ever said that once 

in the last 10 years. The secret?

I haven't had to go anywhere!

I should have pictures of sledding too. The children did a LOT of that this year. 

Got up one morning to see this truck stopped in the middle of the hill that goes past our house. Chris managed to leave for work by going right out of our lane, instead of left, and I got to watch the rescue team. The snowplow maneuvered around and backed up to the front of the stranded driver. With the help of a neighbor man, they shoveled cinders in front of each tire and got the poor guy headed on his way!

One day, I drove the car down the lane for Jasmine, and remembered 

why I usually hate winter. 

Do you like my fancy sliding tracks?

Pro tip for a mask crisis while shopping...

(For Mennonite women only)

I turned a year older on the fourth. 

My children sent me into my room in the afternoon with snacks, and instructions not to come out until supper.

It's great having big children!

And then, the weekend after my birthday, Chris and I spent two nights at this cute Airbnb in Teutopolis, IL.

It was a case of November's disappointment becoming February's blessing, because that was not the original plan at all.

My three sisters and I had booked the Airbnb for November (Illinois is halfway between AR and OH) and at the last minute had to cancel because of covid exposure. The kind host let us re-book, and I chose the weekend after my birthday. Alas, by that time my oldest sister had gone back to Belize and the reasons for getting together weren't as strong and winter forecasts weren't that exciting, so Chris and I used it instead. 

It was a very lovely getaway. 

Last, but not least, the annual quiz finale was also in February.

I didn't go along to watch the finals (I confess: I finagled my way into getting a day at home all alone and enjoyed it to the absolute fullest) but I was kept quite informed via texts from a husband who missed his calling as a sports announcer and takes any opportunity to fill that role. 

This is only a small sampling. I can't handle the pressure and literally turned my phone on silent while all the breathtaking events were coming in that led up to our team making it in the finals!

Isaac was the coach for the only team from our school this year. They got a really late start because of covid and not being sure there would be any quizzing at all. They struggled at quiz meets and buckled down hard on studying and we were all amazed to have them make it into the finals and win first place!! Jennifer worked hard at memorizing and I was proud of her. Isaac did a fabulous job of maximizing the strengths of his team members and I was proud of him, too. There's nothing quite like watching your children grow up and take on big responsibilities!

That's it. 

And now it's March and hopefully one step closer to more sunshine and blue skies!