She was able to visit us the weekend of Thanksgiving, and we had A LOT of fun!
We made and ate lots of good food, decorated our Christmas tree, went and saw a movie, and had a couple of Thanksgiving meals!
The Sunday that my niece had to head back to school, Blake took myself and our trio on a Costco run!
It was much needed, and it was fun to do together.
Jazzy even went along!
We stopped for dinner after our Costco stock up and then headed the two hours back home.
I had a second Costco run at the end of December with Kayla!
We were getting her stocked up before the baby was due!
I, of course, had plenty more that was needed that day as well.
The day after our first of the month Costco run, we had our Azure Standard grocery pick-up.
That certainly is one way to feel stocked back up and stocked up for the holidays ahead!
Our Azure pick-up is literally less than five minutes away and it is a BLESSING!!
Once you see all of the good things that came out of our cute little kitchen in December, you will know why I needed all of that grocery!
These guys can EAT.
Especially because they are all teenagers and young adults here these days.
If you know me, you know I love to feed people.
My Mom was this way!!
When we visit my Mom, who now has full-time care for dementia, she will say “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming! I would have went to the grocery store!”
It brings a little sob to my throat in thankfulness to know that I am like my Mom this way.
She taught me a lot!!
I made a few things ahead and froze them for when our newest grandbaby was due to arrive!
I also sometimes deliver a meal “kit” (instead of a meal) to my in-laws and my mother-in-law will just put it all in her crock pot to cook all day!
I am part of a small group of ladies from church – we call it a “huddle” – and this is the book we are going through!
We meet once a month, and it has been FANTASTIC.
I have prayers all over my journal for the last year asking God to show me how to find community.
Not only did He hear my prayers, but He answered them in the coolest ways.
School continued on for us until we took a break for the holidays!
We enjoy structured days, and we enjoy non-structured days too – but most of us do best with the structure!!
Including the gal typing this post!!
We finished our snowflake project too!
It starts to become more urgent when a bird hits our sliding glass door and gets injured, which is what happened this time.
There is just SO MUCH to enjoy in this life of ours!!
These small things are never lost on me!
I find it interesting that the Lord prompts me to notice and be grateful for such seemingly small things – because my brain is FULL, you guys!
But I do notice them.
And I do thank the Lord for them too, right on the spot.
Christmas lights.
Fun books.
Sunrise drives to town.
Cute puppies.
Fun games with my kiddos.
I think this next photo is hilarious.
I also think I should have put this photo before all of those bulk grocery shopping photos!!
The boot belongs to one of our giants.
We currently have two giants living here.
That is my foot next to his boot – my NORMAL size foot.
The boot on the other hand is a NOT normal size 14.
Send food.
Lane would say to send him a longer bed, poor guy!
Bunk beds are not made for giants!!
We used up the last of our garden onions in December!
We have PLANS, you all, to grow many more than last year this year, Lord willing!!
The seeds are already started – so I will keep you posted how that goes!!
One random Monday at the beginning of December, the Stipes invited us over for dinner!
Oh goodness, I loved saying it that way!
Addie is a GREAT cook, and we enjoyed our meal and the fun we had there!
I might really like snooping in all of her kitchen cabinets when I am there, but can’t you see why??
Wedding gifts are FUN to keep looking at!!
Speaking of the Stipes – they went ice skating with our trio one weekend!
They had a ton of fun!
I stayed home where it was warm and quiet – just saying!!
We found an amazing groomer for our Jazz, but it was not easy!!
There are not many available groomers in our area!
I drive to La Crosse to have Jazzy groomed every six weeks.
I enjoy it though!
And she never gets too long and crazy looking in between her cuts!!
Here is a before and after:
We had some snow this winter – but not much!!
This was a very good thing for my in-laws who are not used to much snow.
But not a very good thing for children who like to play in it and sled!
The snow always bring the red cardinals to our bird restaurant too – and we did not have them show up much this winter.
Our monthly Hymn Sing is extra special around Christmas time!
We enjoy this evening at our friend’s place SO much.
I enjoy helping with my grands while we are there too!
There are always projects in life, are there not?
Some are self-induced, some are not!
We are working on a huge painting project.
It is going sssllllloooowwwww – but that is OK – because it doesn’t really matter in the end!!
It is fun though.
Another fun project was sprucing up the laundry nook with some baskets for organization.
A before photo would sure help you appreciate this as much as I did!!
I also have deep cleaning projects every winter.
This school/office closet in the photo below gets very crazy before I realize it is time to clean it out!
We have a lot of people who live in this place and it takes intention to not let things get a way from us!
I also spent one whole afternoon on the project of wrapping Christmas gifts!
Guys – I am trying to streamline this – but goodness, I am not there yet!!
This year we gave each family member something to read, something to wear, and something to use/do.
It was easier to shop this way with the categories laid out and all.
But this is not streamlined quite yet!
Large families out there – tell me what you do!!!!
I have good helpers here with all these projects and daily jobs.
They are never allowed to leave.
Don’t tell them just yet though, ok?
I am hanging on tight because I already know what happens!!
And now for my signature.
THE SKY.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the sky.
The heavens declare the glory of God!!
December was full and wonderful and so fun to look back at!
Next up is Christmas!!
I just looked at the photos I downloaded and do I have a fun story for you all!
Until then….
