February has felt like a whirlwind — and somehow, it’s already almost over. Things have slowed down the last couple of days, but even in the middle of the busyness, it’s been a great second month of the year!

Last week, Danny’s family visited for several days. We had a great time with them — shopping, hitting Universal Studios for a day (roller coasters!), and eating what may be, in some circles, considered “too much” delicious food. At the same time, I was prepping for a big retreat for high school students, which took place this past weekend. Once that wrapped up and Danny’s family headed out of town — earlier than planned, to beat the snow that was about to descend on the Mid Atlantic — and after my day of jury duty, our friend Julie came to stay with us. She flew in a day later than planned, from Massachusetts, where they haven’t been able to get out from under the snow this winter.

Meanwhile, yesterday my brother took us to visit Lake Woodruff Wildlife Refuge, and we all experienced what a normal winter day looks like in Florida:I love Florida, and there is no time that I’m more grateful for it than during the winter, when the news is filled with stories of Niagra Falls freezing over, planes trapped on tarmacs behind snowbanks, predictions of more storms to come.

Life is good, when it feels as if it’s moving too fast and when it feels as if it’s moving too slow; it is good when we’re caught in the middle of the worst of winter and when we’re enjoying our “winter” in Florida. It can just be hard to remember that sometimes. I get so caught up in waiting for what’s next that I’ll ignore how wonderful things are right now.

So here’s to appreciating the balmy winter and the brutal Florida summer, the “right” pace of life and the pace that doesn’t match our preferred rhythm. Here’s to all the things.

(And yes, here’s also to the fact that next month, we get to trade even this mild winter for spring!)

~ Laura