And Here Comes Winter...

Today this is what downtown looked like at about 4pm.  Granted, not a LOT of snow, but snow nonetheless.  Right now it is a mere 11 degrees outside and it is only getting colder as the weekend goes along.  By Monday and Tuesday we are looking at negative temperatures in the mornings and highs of just 8 and 10 degrees!  I think it is fair to say, winter has finally come to Montana!  It is cold enough that I had pity on Jack tonight (who was out in the chilly garage) so as to warm up by the fire.  He's loving it!

Shelly is doing a night shift tonight (6pm-6am) which means that I can't sleep no matter how tired I am, thus, I stay up late doing things that I rarely make time for - paying bills and updating our blog!  Here is a quick blurb about the Basye's...

Ellie is doing quite well.  As you can see she is FULL OF LIFE with lots of energy, smiles, passion, and yes, attitude.  I told a friend tonight that I can hardly imagine the attitude she'll have when she hits her teens if she already has this much at 19 months, but I guess I've got some time to prepare myself!  In all seriousness, this little girl is such a blessing to our family.  A family saying is that we love Ellie and Elijah so much it hurts.  Sounds odd, perhaps, but I can truly say our hearts long with great affection for these kids.  They really are great blessings to us.  Ellie can now say a number of words, her favorite ones being "no!" and "mine".  Yeah, that is the attitude thing coming out. :)  She absolutely loves her brother Elijah, playing with Jack, being outside (except for when she gets too cold), dancing and anything that plays music.

Elijah... equally full of energy and zeal.  This kid never seems to stop from the time he wakes up (7am) the time he hits the pillow (8pm)!  Elijah has been attending pre-school at the YMCA three half days a week.  Though the first week or two were somewhat difficult for him (most of the other kids in his class are an full year older than him), he has transitioned well and really does enjoy school.  He is forever telling us about what he is learning, practicing his letters and writing his name, coloring or telling us about what Mrs. Shannon (his teacher) has been teaching their class.  Elijah absolutely loves people (no surprise there if you've ever spent 5 minutes with him), playing pretend (tonight it was sword fighters and pirates), watching Cat in the Hat on PBS and helping daddy do "man jobs" like chop firewood.  Recently, while the weather was still good, I took Elijah fishing at a friends lake and their pedal boat.  We had a lot of fun though we didn't catch anything, perhaps because of Jack swimming alongside us the entire time!  I also took Elijah hunting which was a lot of fun.  Though we didn't get to shoot, we did see some deer and Big E got to play with a knife!  What could be better than guns, knives, and a father and son?!

Shelly has finally made it out of the "sick" stage of pregnancy and is doing much better, though she is still quite tired.  At her second doctors appointment they thought she was measuring a little big so they called for an ultrasound (twins run in Shelly's side of the family).  I was outright HOPING and PRAYING for twins, but to my avail Shelly was just further along than they first expected, much to her relief!  Her new due date is May 18th.  Lately she has been able to feel the baby move around, especially when she is sitting still or laying down.  Though she still looks amazing, slowly she is beginning to look more and more pregnant, but with a "glow" of course!

My excitement?  This past month I had the opportunity to go hunt with my dad in Wyoming.  We had a great time hunting and we were even able to get ourselves a 5-point elk 10 miles up in the wilderness.  Fortunately we have some great family and friends that were able to give a lending hand to pack it out.  Otherwise, balancing family and work, I honestly just feel incredibly busy.  I enjoy what I do, I'm just busy.  Lately I have been spending time with my good friend Roy, my former Hells Angel buddy who is now a follower of Jesus.  He has been battling cancer now for almost ten years and slowly it is taking a toil on his body as it spreads in his spine and throughout his body.  I'm grateful for this friend and our time of getting cappuccinos, going on a Lowe's run or as he instructs and challenges me in my thinking about God, the life of following Jesus and the Church.  Yes, I give great thanks for this friend.  May God's peace be with him.