Life has been insane lately to the point of almost being ridiculous. I realized that since we returned from Red River January 3rd, life has been constantly busy. One thing after another after another.

And while they are all good things – it is just all happening so close together. I sometimes feel like my kids lose out. I am feeling the need for the three of us to get out in the world and simply be together.

Chris and I were blessed to have two little adventurers just like us and I love that. Today after school, the kids and i picked up a snack and went to Town Lake Park.

Yeah, we just had an hour, but we needed to soak up some sun and it was good. As Quinn as I are holding hands heading into the store to grab our snack, she kisses my hand. My son hugs me and kisses my shoulder out at the park and says, “I love you.” They miss this me – the one who is relaxed and who is available and who doesn’t always have something to do.

I feel the shift of the seasons approaching and I know my life will slow down too. I am already planning outings for us and a few family projects. We will be outside a good bit which will be awesome. When we are outside we seem to always be in the now, always in the moment, together.

And if there is any question it makes them happy – Tyler is upstairs building with legos and singing while Quinny is on the floor next to me doing puzzles and also singing.

Well, I’m a lucky man
With fire in my hands

Happiness
Something in my own place
I’m standing naked
Smiling, I feel no disgrace
With who I am

Happiness
Coming and going
I watch you look at me
Watch my fever growing
I know just who I am
— from “Lucky Man” by The Verve

Spent many beautiful hours out in wide open spaces soaking up the sun, admiring the trees, watching the clouds, and breathing. Much needed, much enjoyed.

And so this is how I have decided to survive 2010 – have fun! I picked up a free mag at the store that had homemade donuts on the cover last week. What fun! Never done that. Sounded like a good weekend thing…and we should invite some friends to join in and so we did.

CRAZY week and leading up to that morning it was starting to feel like a bad idea. I was tired, cranky, annoyed with the kids….Chris woke up with a migraine 15 minute before friends and kids due to arrive.

But then our friends get here and suddenly all is right with the world. My girlfriends jump in the kitchen helping cook food and clean up, they listen to me ramble about future plans, and we laugh.. a lot. Oh, and the donuts were incredible. We made strawberry jam-filled, blueberry fam filled and plain rolled in cinnamon sugar. We have made plans to have a regular breakfast club every 4 to 6 weeks and just rotate houses. And so it begins.

Later that night, I hook up with another circle of friends, have many drinks and pizza and laugh for many hours. This is the medicine to a hard day, to a dismal outlook, to a down cycle. This is what needs to be peppered in regularly.

Last night I felt so very alone and bummed and so it was such a gift to have a day filled with so many wonderful (and hilarious) people. I am trying to make time for fun…and so far, so good! :-p

After our hike we relaxed in our cabin. The cabin had lots of windows in the back room that let lots of lovely natural light in. We then went back out in the afternoon to check out the Frio River and naturally the kids could not resist the water. They spent a lot of time playing around here.

As the sun began to set, we headed back to the cabin for a yummy dinner. Then we closed the night around our Yule log and made smores. Honestly, I wanted to include more ritual than I did, but time slipped away on me. No matter, we will be back next year and I can add a bit more to our celebrations.

The next day we had hoped to hike at Lost Maples before heading home. Sadly the park was closed that day. We took it as a sign from the universe that we needed to get home. It was just as well.

All in all a fantastic solstice! Come with us next year, won’t you?

Winter solstice out in nature is heaven. Running from the holiday insanity for a few days to get grounded, to connect with my little family, and to breathe in the goodness around us.

We had done this 3 years ago and I commited that this year we would make it an annual tradition. I love Texas in the winter! Its’ beauty comes through its simplicity, its nakedness. No snow or leaves to hide behind – just bare branches stretching to the sky. The sun finds its way through and creates amazing dappled light, shadows, sunsets and sunrises. While it may be a time of sleep for much of nature, its majesty is ever present.

The first day there we went on a 4 hour hike with the kids. The weather was incredible and we all had an amazing time! I have to share some of the pics from the hike!

with so much love in my heart and a clear head. Nature heals, inspires and cleanses me like nothing else. Feeling grounded and ready for 2010. I look forward to sharing images from many of our adventures over the next few days.

To kick off the advent season, we head out to nature to collect greenery and other natural goodness for our advent wreath. After we come home, the kids and I work to create our little wreath. As the weeks go on, we will remove what is dried out and add new fresh bits from around our house or other nature walks. I always love this hike – the entire little family goes. You can feel the excitement brewing for this special time of year to begin.

The hike was great! Wonderful grey weather. We saw lots of insects – butterfly, moths, and these bugs on a cactus that the kids insisted I take a picture of. We ended up in this cool spot where the kids played before we left. Sadly, they found bits of glass and decided to pick up as much as they could find. It is sad to see how people treat these beautiful places.

All in all, a great hike with lots of goodies for our wreath!