Night Shoveling

I've always loved the song "Nightswimming" by R.E.M. and tonight as I stepped outside and looked at the driveway, I couldn't help but to start humming the song. I changed the lyrics a little in my head...
Night Shov'ling,
Deserves a snowy night....

Yeah, we got at least 10 inches of snow today. We went to bed last night and there was no snow on the ground at all. I peacefully slept, completely oblivious to the forecast of a predicted 18 inches today. It sure arrived, in all of it's white, fluffy gloriousness. And it's due to continue....all night. Hope we can get out of our awfully sloped driveway in the morning. Hence the shoveling tonight.

Just like the second line in the song, it was a very quiet night...only the sound of our shovels breaking the still, dark, snowy air. And even though shoveling in and of itself isn't pleasant work, the whole situation directed my brain towards humming one of my favorite songs, which makes me think I must have been happy doing it.

Happy Birthday, Joe!

Happy birthday, Joe!! You are a whopping 33 years old now and still as young as ever. You enjoy playing in the snow, jumping out of the shadows to scare me when I walk by a dark room, and fishing with your dad. You still make me laugh with your funny dances and on-the-spot backup singer lyrics. The world hasn't completely stamped out your childhood whimsies.

But, in your "old age" you have matured in such inspiring ways. Your understanding of God has flourished over the last 15 years, and I know I can trust that your soul lives with Him. Your love for me is deeper than I thought possible, with each year displaying a new facet of intensity. You consistently aim to improve yourself at work, never remaining stagnant and always winning respect. You are quite a connoisseur in the areas of fine wines, cuban cigars, and good whiskeys. You are consistently adding to your list of "things to be proud of", and I am consistently proud of you.

I'm sorry that you had to spend your 33rd birthday at the DMV. I'm also sorry that the crab legs were frozen and that I was sick all day and went to bed at 7. I'm glad you got to spend the evening enjoying a cigar with Matt and eating chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cake. At least something went right. :)

I wish you many amazing blessings this coming year....I love you!

Perfect Start

It's a perfect start to the new year....Joe made me breakfast. Silver dollar buckwheat pancakes, pepper-crusted bacon, and hot coffee. So delicious and moderately healthy. Our favorite Christian music played softly from Joe's iPhone and we had thirty minutes of great conversation. Down at our feet we could hear the sound of wheels turning in Jack's head as he planned a great bacon heist. Fortunately for Jack, Joe is a sucker for his power of persuasion and he scored a piece without having to lift a paw. I use that trick sometimes too. :)
Twelve hours into the new year and all is happily well. May this be an indicator of the delights this year will bring!

Happy New Year!

We wish you a new year filled with adventure, love, and an overflowing of God's amazing blessings!

Catching snowballs

It is an absolutely gorgeous, peaceful winter day....perfect for taking Jack to the "park" to play. His preference: catching snowballs.

Holidays 2010, Part 1: Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from the Zrelaks!

Thanksgiving, as well as the other holidays celebrated this year was a little bittersweet. Having Joe home to spend this special day with was wonderful. Of all of the things I am thankful for, he ranks right up there in the top three (being edged out of the number one spot only by "Knowing God") so his presence made my heart glow a little brighter. However, being so far from our dear families and others we love made it a bit harder to cradle a thankful spirit. You'd think that after 11 years of being away, we'd get used to it, but that is just not how love works. We're resilient, though, and we did our best to remember the amazing blessings we've been given.

We have a warm, cozy home. Joe has a good, steady job. We both enjoy good health. Our marriage is balanced and forgiving and full of love. Every year, I get new, amazing, beautiful nieces and nephews. Our dog makes us smile. We make incredible friends every time we move and have a network of "places to stay" all over the country. Our bellies are always full. I feel deeply loved by my family, even from 3,800 miles away.

And those are just the big things. The little, everyday things could fill every last little bit of free space on my hard drive. I'm thankful that I realize this.

This particular Thanksgiving day was shared with friends. I spent the morning making side dishes for the meal with our neighbors Dana, Jen, Trevor, and Tyce. My contribution: cranberries, stuffing, green bean casserole, and festive broccoli (yes, broccoli has high amounts of festive potential). Dana fried a turkey. Yummmm. If you haven't ever tried fried turkey, I highly recommend that you do. It is not oily or greasy. It is tender and delicious. Trust me, I was hesitant at first too.

Our Thanksgiving spread

Our meal with the Cunninghams was delicious. We enjoyed each others company and stuffed ourselves silly. There was simply no room for dessert so we cut a couple of pieces of homemade sweet potato pie (courtesy of neighbor Roni Harden) and pumpkin pie and brought it home for later.

When "later" arrived, we had our very good friends, Ryan and Lindsay, over for dessert and wine. I had baked up a delicious apple pie (courtesy of Mrs. Smith) to add to our spread of tasty treats and we uncorked a bottle of Frog's Leap Zinfandel.

So thankful for good friends.

Also thankful for Ryan's festive sweater!

The wine was delicious and the conversation quite enjoyable. We filled our bellies with pie and had many good laughs.

While Lindsay and I enjoyed a good chat in the nice, warm house, Joe and Ryan enjoyed a good cigar on the back deck, huddled around a heater.

Smoking by the light of a propane heater

That evening just kind of felt the way life is supposed to feel. Relaxed, safe, connected, and fun. I'm so thankful for those moments.

Overall, the day went well and by the end Joe and I were ready to curl up together in our warm bed and simply rest in the thoughts of our blessings.

"Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." 1 Chron 29:13

Snow Angels

Monday night, 10:52pm:

"It's beautiful outside....a fresh layer of snow three inches deep covering everything."

"Sounds nice...."

"Let's go make snow angels!"

"You are kidding me, Joe. It's cold out there! We're not dressed for it."

(Sexy grin)

"Ok, ok. Can I at least put shoes on?"

"Sure."

Joe has the coolest ideas. Literally. :)