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| Our house in the long-awaited snow! |
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| Yup, we'll be shoveling that! |
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| our front stoop |
Well, winter is finally here and we couldn't be happier! We've received just about the perfect winter storm here in the Twin Cities, with more than a foot accumulating over the weekend when we can largely stay nice and cozy at home. Indeed, this morning was about the best morning we've had in a long time—waking to a beautiful winter wonderland, curling up together with a good book, sipping our coffee and tea, all with the knowledge that we are onto the next step of our adoption process—the home study.
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| a walk around the block |
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| winter morning |
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| winter morning |
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| our first ornaments |
What a wonderful feeling to know that we have reached another mile marker in our journey! It is in these moments that we stop to reflect on where we are, how far we've come, and how lucky we are to have each other as we navigate this journey. And today it was as though we were given a day to do just that. In fact, as I pulled out loads of holiday decorations, there were waves of nostalgia for us both as we were flooded with memories of our past few years of trying to build a family...Dreaming of building a family from the very beginning, we picked out our first ornaments together as a married couple, onesies printed with
snuggle bug and
peanut; holiday sets of dishes complete with cups just right for a kiddie sized hot cocoa line our kitchen counters; cherished heirlooms move us to imagine the holiday traditions, stories, and celebrations we have been waiting to share with a little one...
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| our first Christmas as a married couple |
But the best thing of all? Each of these memories brought a smile today, no tears or worries or angst. The moments were happy, hopeful moments focused on our future. We would be lying if we said that past holidays haven't had their share of challenges. Indeed, as most who have experienced fertility issues can attest to, the struggle can seem to take over at times. There were days that were simply defined by the treatments we were undergoing, the revelation that we would have no upcoming due date, or the pain as other couples shared the very news we so badly wanted to deliver ourselves. No, it hasn't always been easy, but we have been hand in hand, supporting each other all the way. And now that we can say we have taken another step in our adoption process, we feel as though we are that much closer to the child that will become part of our family.
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| walking Erik's family pup, Oliver |
As I went over the top with decorations today, I watched the snow fall...and fall...and fall. And all day I watched neighbors help each other shovel, kids jumping in the snow and throwing snowballs, grown men and women trailing a sweatered pup, and fathers pulling their own little ones down the sidewalks on sleds. It was beautiful, heart-warming, even encouraging, because
that is our future.
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| Reindeer Pup |
So here's a sneak peek for the families wondering what a future with us might look like, or at least what those winter days surrounding the holidays might look like. Here's a sneak peek at the relaxed wonders of the day and the magic of the holidays. In the coming weeks, these are the rooms where we will have lively dinners with friends and family, the tree we'll gather around as children work hard on decorating cookies, and the fireplace that will crackle as we exchange gifts during our own little Christmas celebration, all the while imagining what a joy it will be to share it all with a little
snuggle bug, a little
peanut in the future.
Wishing everyone the magic of the holiday season!
- Erik & Suzy
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