Phoenix -- from the Ashes, not AZ

Little wolf is now 2.

Big E is almost finished with her 1st grade year.

H-nut starts kindergarten in the fall.
 
Today Mr. J and I have been married 8 years, which means a decade together.

We still live at the dacha.

We added another little dog: Lees (fox in Russian) is a miniature pincher and more hassle than he's worth most days.
We adopted rabbits, and gained their baby bunnies.
We buried the chickens.
We harvested a turkey raised from a poult. 
Nemo our cat disappeared about 2 months ago, leaving a hole in our hearts.
I work full-time as a technical writer for a large international banking company--most days from home.
Mr. J works as a project manager at the same company, but right now he is healing from a back injury on medical leave.
 
The biggest thing we have gained in the last two years is gratitude. Challenges strip us down and give us the chance to change in ways we don't seek out, but are essential.

I am grateful for a fresh start every day.
I am grateful for days of health.
I am grateful for BIG FAT laughs.
I am grateful for a belief system that has stood the test of time and life experience and increases in strength, giving me insight and truth, opportunities to improve, and love for others.
I am grateful to share life with other people that are doing their best.