The world is finally warming up! The ice in the back yard is almost gone, the grass and dirt is slowly drying out, and the sun is up both early in the morning and later at night. I was able to move some seeds from inside (I started them about a month ago) and move them outside. Mushu (our Madagascr Dragon Tree that we've had since we lived in Halifax) will be moving to the deck for the summer starting tomorrow because the air no longer hurts anyone's faces. I am so excited!
I spent a chunk of the afternoon and evening outside today, with shoes (I really wanted bare feet but it was so mucky), and I got some seeds in and watered. I sat facing the sun and just enjoyed feeling the amazing warm on my skin. I am recharging after being bundled up and cold for the last 7 months.
Something I've noticed is that there is always a sense of transition here. The days are getting darker, but as soon as they're dark, the days start getting lighter. We transitioned from summer to winter and as soon as winter “arrived” the transition started again to summer. The ground is warming up but there are still no leaves on any trees or shrubs. The air still has a chill in it when it's blowing, but I'm glad its blowing because it's helping the ground dry out.
The dogs are enjoying being able to go crazy in the yard, though it means more baths for them. I tried prepping the garden last weekend but the soil was frozen about 6 inches into the garden beds. This weekend is a different story, thankfully.
I've started a practicum (yay!) and even though the class is chaotic (went from 10 and 7 year olds to a class of 4 year olds) it's a chaotic rhythm I know, understand, and love. This week I made bread with them (broken into small groups) and they had so much fun. The pride they felt when they told their caregivers that they had made the bread was amazing. And it opened up some fun conversations with the children. “I've never baked before.” Well that day they did!
I am so incredibly grateful for the weather shift (finally) and for the chance to learn and grow in new ways while I discern what paths I ought to take professionally. I see where I have gifts and they pull in so many different directions, it's sometimes a challenge to see clearly where I want to be. I've already put so much of myself in my passion (my own children, spouse, and our home) that sometimes I'm surprised there's anything left for a professional outlet, but it's definitely there and it's itching to come out now that the Monsters are all getting older. They still need a lot of input, it's less physically demanding than toddlers and preschoolers, but it's emotionally demanding. Wouldn't have it any other way, though :)