Forever family

I was greeted at the door with smiling Isaac, soon surrounded with Hannah hugs and Rachel quietly slipping into the room to see if I noticed. Zach, all of his long newly acquired height sprawled out on the couch,  was playing his favorite war game on his new mini, while Belinda picked up that last bit of homeschool clutter before getting the dinner on. The table finally set, we sat to lively funny conversation with lots of noise amidst an enjoyable moose taco cuisine only to lead to an insistent hearty invitation to go outside and see how Isaac sleds on the new sledding hill. Donned in borrowed wool over pants and all my own winter gear, I followed them all out ...the only man made lights being all of their new headlamps each over wool hats. The wind was blowing and the temp felt -15, as the stars sparkled and seemed so close I could touch the sky. The kids took turns re-smoothing the sled run, Rachel down that hill the most of all triumphing each time she climbed back up to try again. The crisp cold air was filled with the smell of spruce smoke from the wood stove assuring us all that warmth followed soon enough. John laughed and cheered then moved on to splitting a few rounds of wood. Meanwhile I breathed it all in, soaking in God's goodness and beauty in the midst of those I love. After a bit of time, we stomped into the house and dropped all the winter gear while the youngest two excitedly fixed gourmet hot chocolate for us all. Some cozy conversation around the fire as our cheeks lost the numbing feeling and our bones warmed up, and then all too soon, it was time for John to read bedtime stories to a very sleepy precious foursome. I love these, my adopted family, and as we part for a new season of adventure, this night will forever be in my heart and memory as a treasure not sought out  but handed to me freely, in love from my Papa in heaven.