kids

Oh the many faces of Karlee!! She missed school on Tuesday since she spent the night in the bathroom. Literally! She threw up so much she ended up grabbing a towel to keep her warm and she slept on the floor. Poor girl. Finals are next week and I'm sure she wants more time to prepare. Just over 4 months and she'll be graduated! Exciting times ahead. 

Carson wanted cake tonight but I didn't want to make one. I dug through my recipes and I found the winner! Cake in a mug cooked in the microwave! He was impressed. It ended up being more than he could eat. 

His friend AJ stayed the night last night. They played Wii and included Mason in a game of monopoly. AJ kicked their butts! I think they all had fun. 

I took this picture of Mason after he finished playing the piano. He was amazed at how much better he felt once he was finished. He said he was shaking. He agreed that the next recital he would be willing to play a hymn. That's my/our goal...to play the hymns. 

This morning he got together with scouts and passed of his welding merit badge. He enjoyed it enough that it peaked his interest as a career option. That's saying something. 

Here's her profile! Doesn't she look great?! About 2 1/2 months and he'll be here. I can't share the potential name yet but the initials are DCM. I'm hoping he comes the last week in March while I'm there for spring break. I'm ready Kinz! Are you??

Bailee keeps sending me videos of her doing crazy fun things! This is her at the top of a sledding hill. Can you see people sledding behind her? She's having a blast at school and she hasn't even been there a week. I hope she continues enjoying herself and making new friends. 

recital

Mason had his piano recital today. He was so nervous.  He was third on the program. He also said he was glad to being early, by the end no one would remember how he did. There's something to that theory. Mason played the Star Wars theme and Deck the Halls. He played them both very well.

I really wished they wouldn't have left this chair in the way. It was left close to the piano for the teacher if they needed to sit with their student. 

This is a picture of all the students that performed today. There is one boy, Miles, from Carson's school. Most we did not know,

all good...almost

Bailee sent me a couple pictures of where she'll be this semester. She'll be at Badger Creek to live, attend class and work. She's very excited about it. I hope she'll keep sharing pictures. 

This was my view as I was cleaning up breakfast this morning.  I'll never tire of of God's beauty!

Yesterday I put all of Christmas away and tidied up the storage room. It is a beautiful sight! 

Then today, when I arrived home from work, Karlee had made cookies for ME! I've soo needed these this week. If Bailee was still at home I would have asked her to make some but I hadn't asked Karlee because she often has too much homework and I didn't want to add more to her day. This was so sweet!

Monday was tough at the office. There was a special needs person there, it was only the second time I've seen her. Nobody told me her name or shared any special information about her. I was sitting at Toni's desk working on the computer and hanging up keys when all of a sudden she came at me with a key in her hand. She barely missed my left cheek. Jose mentioned she was deaf, so it was difficult to communicate with her. I figured she wanted to hang up the keys. I started putting the keys on the counter for her to hang up. She then came at me again and the key made contact with my forehead. Jose them came and stood between us. Shortly after I moved from Toni's desk. 

Jose and Toni have become more friendly, I think they're concerned once Brian here's about this there will be trouble. Funny thing is I still know know who she is. If she's there again I will not sit near her. I'm sure she'll remember and I'm not about to make it easy for her to attack me. My forehead still hurts...

stats

I've enjoyed my Fitbit more than I thought I would. This afternoon, on our way home from church, I checked the rankings. I was pleased to see I was first! It's rare for many reasons. 

When Staci was training for her half she was kicking my butt. Marcia is often #1 though. She walks miles everyday. Since I've stopped running, due to a painful knee, I'm lucky to be 3rd or 4th. Althea is another that is often above me as well. 

Just the other day I found out that Terri had a Fitbit. I almost didn't invite her to join me with her being a nurse and all. I had a feeling she walked a lot at work. 

I've checked the rankings again and Terri is first by maybe 700 steps... Tomorrow is another day. 

hard working day

We've worked hard all day. Brian put our Christmas tree away and dusted off all the fans while the kids and I cleaned and cleaned the basement along with all their regular chores. The only Christmas left is ALL the snowmen on the entertainment center. I'll probably get around to putting them away Tuesday. 

We made room, in the basement, for our new/used ping pong table! I found it on Facebook for free! Brian's favorite number! 😂 Shortly after we put it together the boys, Brian, and I played a few games. So fun!! 

The week before Thanksgiving I found the air hockey table for $50. Carson can no longer say our house is boring!!

Plus I cut a few heads. Boys need haircuts so often. 

Tonight we facetimed these cute faces!

Retta got this huge bear for Christmas! I'm not sure how she can hold it up. I'm sure it weighs more than her. 

McKinzie's belly is growing. We can't wait till April to hold their little one. Come on Spring! We're ready!!

New Years Eve

We had such a wonderful day yesterday. Mason had a scout activity at church. They used bow and arrows, knives, and tomahawks; all what a boy loves.

Then the boys cleaned up the sidewalk from the sleet this past week.

During the afternoon we went ice skating at our local rink. I think next time I need to bring my own laces. 😂

It took me a couple laps around the rink to remember how to skate. Luckily I never fell.

The kids seemed to wear out sooner than last year but they stayed strong and kept skating with me. Except Karlee, she took a break and sat with Dad for a bit.

 We were taking a selfie so Dad thought he should do the same with the big camera.  He took a great picture!

In the evening Karlee went over to Chloe's while the rest of us stayed home with good food!

Those👆🏼are peppermint sugar cookies I bought in a tube. They were so good! I'm sure I've eaten most of them. Michael was able to stay the night. All the boys had fun (so loud) together.

And of course we made donuts!! 

🎉Happy New Year!! 🎉

wrapping it up

Today's plan is to put away as much Christmas as possible. This day often causes me to reflect.

This is my favorite nativity. The second one I bought. I love the white clothing and pale faces. This family is so pure.

These are the two snowmen I got for Christmas. McKinzie gave me the ornament while Carson made the one below at school. I still love snowmen!

Do you see that tall snowman on the freezer? McKinzie gave it to me for my birthday. A bonus for having my birthday so late in the year. 

I'm so grateful for our large storage room in the basement. Most of the Christmas bins are open and waiting to be filled as I slowly carry everything down. 

I'm often distracted by old Christmas cards. I love rereading and remembering about their families. We've made so many friends along the way. 

I've put most of it away today. The living room, kitchen, dining room, entry way, mantle and tree are all bare. All that's left is garland, entertainment center and tree. Still plenty to do tomorrow. Needless to say, I'll need to put everything back to normal too.