Saturday, January 31, 2009

9 & a snowcave


I sit here in a quiet house and can't help but think, 9 years ago today a mom was born in me.  Ella turned 9 today.  We celebrated her all week this year...she requested three different meals, she built a snowcave with Tom today, &  tomorrow we'll go swimming as the finale to the week.  
I just have to pause on that snowcave thing though.......Yes, this was her request.  To go with her dad up to Hatcher Pass on her birthday, build a snowcave, & then sleep in it!  I just can't imagine doing that, never mind asking to do it........and ON your birthday? Wow, I love the adventurous spirit within this girl.  Tom was as giddy as he typically is just before going out on the boat or on a hunt with some buddies this morning. The two of them researched how to build a snowcave online and we even watched Bear Grizz build one on his show this week.   I wonder what would ever possess someone to want to sleep in a snowbank?(Other than survival that is)   I get chilly when our bedroom gets down to 60 degrees!  Tom assures me it'll be a toasty 32 in the cave.  As they were leaving, I asked him what they were going to do in the cave at night.  He wasn't sure.  I suggested they talk:)!!!!!    I can hardly wait to hear the details of this adventure and see the pictures.  I know there will be pictures because Ella is going to write her expository speech next week on how to build a snowcave.  I'm guessing they've been asleep for hours already because what else do you do in a dark snowcave but sleep and try to stay warm?!!!  

As I was tucking Claire into bed tonight we wondered how the two of them were doing.  Claire said, "I'd rather sleep in the trunk of a car than in a snowbank.  I'd be so cold!"  While Claire and I think they're crazy, I think it's pretty neat that Tom does these things with her.  What fun memories for a daddy and a daughter. 

Every year on the kids' birthdays, I tell them about the day they were born.  I tried to tell Ella her story this morning and she darted away from me...."No--ooo!  You do this every year,mom!"   Well, I thought it was special.  Not so much to Ella.  How fast the 9 years have gone.  As I sit here eating one of Ella's birthday cupcakes, I wait and I type.  Owen will predictably wake in just a few minutes at midnight for his final feeding of the night.  He still nurses and snuggles and is soothed best by mom.  As tired as I get some nights, I need to remember, soon he'll be sleeping in a snowbank and not needing me quite so much.  

That mom in me that was born 9 years ago?  Can't help but think..how far I've come... yet how far I have to go.  Each phase of childhood is sweet.  I plan on enjoying it all.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't believe she is already nine! It is so amazing looking back at how some phases as a mom one struggles through, like sleepless nights and how I would love to just hold Hannah as a baby nine years ago and really cherish her in the midst of the sleepies! Jason and I looked at Alese this past week and both of us got a little sad that she is already so BIG! Thanks for sharing your special week.

lund family said...

It's amazing how quickly the time goes by. These kids are incredible gifts . . . it's so neat to see them develop into who God intends them to be. And, the creative ways He does that (snowcaves?). Thanks for sharing!