Christmas in Montana
“All is calm.
All is Bright! ”
The Christmas of 2017 is labeled in my mind as the whitest of Christmas' It was truly magical to disconnect from everyone except my family for a few days as we disappeared into the spruce forest - winter wonderland of Montana. My aunt and uncle gave us a lovely little cabin guarded by an Native American Head (on the door) on their property between the cows and chickens where we would make our home for the holiday.
It felt a lot like stepping out of the world I live in and slipping into a newness that is also older than me or you. Being unable to disconnect from my surroundings with tv or texting or Instagram was kind of refreshing. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Instagram and being able to join people in their adventures around the world. Truth be told, without texting or social media I would have zero friends due to the schedule I keep, but not having those things for a few days gave my momma, siblings, and me some much needed closeness. The only thing that would have made it better is if Jessica could have come!
Just pretend I am in this picture... Someone had to take it... LOL
While I have your attention, I thought I might tell you a bit about who the crazies in these pictures are...
Ryan
I couldn't ask for a better big brother. He has always been that solid strength in my life... The one to call when I'm stranded with car trouble... or when I get the jeep stuck knee deep in mud... I am not sure how he feels about being that for me, but I couldn't be more grateful. Words aren't always the most important way to say something nor have ever been his way to get the point across, but this man will get you out of a pickle then hand you a beer. I know that for sure. :)
Olivia
The word resilient comes to mind when I think of Olivia. She has been given her fair share of rough ground, but I have never seen her give up. She just keeps on keeping on. I've seen her grow and change... It is fun to be an older sister... To watch people grow up right next to you.
Juli
The baby of our little family and the sunshine on a rainy day. Juli is always cracking jokes and laughing. She is a goofball while also being a well of wisdom. More than once she has looked through the fog that I am walking through and reminded me of what is important! More than likely she has more coffee than water in her system, and never EVER give the girl red food coloring... Trust me.
Momma
This woman is incredible... I don't know where to begin when describing how loving and giving she is. Life is a wild ride, and she always has reminded me to slow down enough to truly appreciate how amazing it can be.
This is it until next year... It was beautiful... wonderful... full of joy and a memory we'll have forever! I wonder where Christmas will be next year! Paris? ;)