An update as the year runs out

We are at the tip top of Idaho, in Coeur d'Alene, spending time with our daughter's family. It's cold and wet in some form almost every day, but seeing clouds hovering over the tops of the mountains makes it worth it. We talk of plans to spend part of every summer here, to love on this part of our family and to escape the long, hot Texas summers. It would not be a sacrifice to do so. Gorgeous, gorgeous.

In a couple of days we'll head back home, to finish the year off, and New Year's Day, my absolute favorite of the year, will be upon us. I'll start it with cinnamon rolls, good coffee, watching the Rose Bowl, then excitedly pulling out my brand new moleskin,with the word "CONSIDER" written on the front.

I don't remember who said it, but it's a great quote: 'wherever you are, be all there.' So for a couple more days we'll soak up the sound of these voices, their faces, how it feels to hug them close. We have plans to go see the eagles feeding on salmon tomorrow, then a last big night at Red Lobster (our 5 year old grandson's pick!) before we pack the suitcases and head out. Sometimes it's tempting to look ahead, get in a hurry, but when we do that we miss the gifts that only today can offer. 2011 only has a few more days left before it's a wrap. I want to finish well, make each and every day count.