"We need the tonic of wilderness. We can never have enough of nature."
(Henry David Thoreau)
Today we drove almost an hour south of our home to hike in a canyon we'd never spent time in before.
It makes me happy that the boys are in their element there, exploring in the woods.
I loved watching Bruce pick up huge sticks and admiring how handsome he is when you call his name and he looks at you and his ears rotate forward and he looks, all at once, noble and majestic and friendly with those kind eyes of his.
I don't know what it is but Claire has theeeeee cutest little bum and legs right now, and watching her in her new little hiking kicks made me happy. She's getting so big. And she'll tell you: "I'm the baby of the family, but I'm not a baby. That means I'm the youngest."
I loved watching my sister and Claire and Bella and Bruce up ahead on the trail.
I loved cold river water on my feet.
I loved the beauty of the canyon, the sideways slabs of stone, the mix of trees, the rushing water, the fact that it felt as though we were all alone in it.
That moment with my sister under the falls.
It was cold, we were laughing, and I love that we grabbed each other's hands.
I loved a few quiet minutes with Mia,
talking as we strolled along together.
I loved talking with Christa about the wonder of life--from the incredible detail in a single cell, to how amazing bees are and the intricate order and precision of all natural things--and the witness these things are, to both of us, over and over, of the existence of God.
And no matter where we go, I swear we always come home with more sticks. Cuz...Benji.
Love these boys.
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