Getaway :: Spring 09

What does a family do when they get the news that there is no work for Daddy for a few months? Go on vacation, of course.

Tim has been given a hiatus from the working world until things pick up. This is something that we anticipated a bit so it was not a huge shock to us. Still a shock, but not a huge one. With things as they are in the construction world, we are glad he does have a job to go back to. But until then, we have decided to look at this in a positive light.

More time with his boys, the most since they were born. A chance for me to polish my skills in my profession. A change, certainly, but not necessarily a bad one.

But, back to the vacation.

We figured before I headed back to work we would take advantage of the time and leave for a trip to the Cabin. Traveling is getting so much easier with the boys, less to pack, less to worry about. This time we took their clothes and toys and little else.

No Packn'Plays for nights and naps, now they seem to enjoy sleeping together so we put them on a mattress at the end of our bed. My heart grew ten sizes the first night when we snuck in to check on them and found them totally entangled, head together, legs wrapped around each other. I have not seen that since they were four months old.

We actually came with no equipment at all, just a fun little wheelbarrow they are currently obsessing on.

Sure, they still barfed on the mountain road up, but we are getting better at catching it.

The weather up here is definitely not quite Spring-like. I love that we rushed to a vacation at 6000 feet elevation while a lot of my blog friends are fervently asking for sunshine.

The temps up here rarely reached 50 in the sun and the nights plunge down to the 20s or so. Snow is still deep in most areas. Not a bother, considering we will be baking in blazing summer temperatures sooner than later. They did not really need their sun hats here so I found a few moments to knit up a beanie for Mace (Owen still has his bear beanie from my sister. Memes, he loves it). This was knit from top down with Noro Cash Iroha (lovely silk wool combo).

I was a little worried that he might not like the feel on his forehead. When I presented it for inspection he grabbed it and took off, giving it his own seal of approval by letting it stay on his head.

Now I cannot seem to stop kissing their heads.


It is nice to be here in clean air, taking a few deep breathes and a few very short hikes, time to contemplate the ‘hows’ and ‘what next’ and sew just a little bit too.

By hand, slowly taking shape, cut and painted and pieced and stitched. A new metaphor for our days.

So good to be a family, with family. To watch and welcome all the changes. We have a full month of April ahead; Easter and a huge party for my almost one year old niece. The boys’ birthday week with a much anticipated visit from Grandma Mona. Work re-entry. That should be interesting. I just hope it does not cut into my crafting time too much. Said with tongue in cheek, you know. It’s just the cold temps are making me want to cast on for a snuggly sweater or blanket. A notion sure to be dissuaded by the imminent return to home and heat.

I knew our split decision to get out of town felt right. It was nice to have it confirmed by a visitor. We were down by the lake, wandering through the snow patches and throwing sticks into the ruffled lake surface, dodging the freezing wind. Then I noticed Owen standing and a butterfly landing on his back, graceful and quick. Of course, I shouted for Tim to grab the camera but little butterfly left quickly. A minute later I was packing up to go when I felt something flutter near my ear. I turned to Tim and he had camera at ready this time.

My blessing. My message needed. My gift.

Life gives you lots of things. Lemons, lemonade, love and butterflies.

I will have to remember that in the coming months.