"Grant me, O Lord, a sunny mind, Thy windy will to bear!" -- Emily Dickinson

November has been a month of contrasts:  From Birthday celebrations to hospital visits; from family gatherings to secluded snowy days.  Here are the highlights of the past two weeks:

Madeline's birthday play:  For her party, Madeline decided this year she wanted to produce a play in which many of her good friends would participate.  Madeline worked hard to write the script, design the set, create programs, and transform our home into a theater.  We asked her friends (and daddy) to come in costume and everyone participated in making her play a success.

The first snow:  The next day it began to snow.  And it snowed.  And it snowed. And it snowed.  Our first snow in our new house turned out to be amazing fun.  We now live at the top of a big hill, perfect for sledding!

Madeline's birthday:  Royal treatment was the theme of the day, as Madeline received breakfast in bed and a night in a downtown hotel with mom, dad and Michaela.

Thanksgiving:  We filled our home with family as we joyfully celebrated just how much we have to be thankful for this year.

Hospital stay:  The day after our Thanksgiving celebration, Michaela had to go back into the hospital for fever and low counts.  Thankfully, it was a quick 2-night stay as the doctors discovered she had a treatable sinus infection.

Kids Marathon:  The same day, Madeline and her friend Isaac participated in the Seattle kids marathon.  They each logged 25 miles on their own (with parental companionship) in the previous weeks and ran together the last 1.2 miles on the day of the race.

And now on this last day of November contrasts, I am mindful of the light in the dark, and I am reminded of the poem entitled, "November" by Emily Dickinson:  "Grant me, O Lord, a sunny mind, Thy windy will to bear!"