Merry Christmas

 Christmas was a little different this year. We have a big trip coming up so our xmas was "toned down." Plus the boys are older and that in itself just makes xmas feel different. Parents of littles, enjoy every minute! This is us on xmas eve. We took this picture and sent it to the Ausili's in TX!  As Jay approaches the legal age of 18 I am so thankful for us being together and healthy!

 Christmas eve was spent with just us and mom. Normally we spend it together all 9 of us (Kim's family and us) but this year we did things differently.  Did it feel "weird?"  Yes!!  Our plan was to go out to dinner (my family and mom) but the call ahead seating had a 4 hour wait so we improvised.  We ordered in food and had a quiet night with mom. It was really enjoyable!  I could tell mom really enjoyed it.

Christmas day we spent with John and Linda. Linda hosted us and it was much appreciated! And I have to add...the weather in central IL was 60 degrees! I loved it.  So yes it is true this Christmas felt different because we did things differently but just the same I am so grateful for family, our health and the precious gift of Jesus!

His Niche

Four years ago I was scared and as a couple, our emotions were raw.  Then we had no idea of how Mike's job loss would affect us.  During the last month of 2015 and into 2016 we had no idea what we were going to do or what God's plan was.  Slowly God revealed His plan for Mike and by March 2016 we plunged into Cornerstone.  We navigated choppy waters but God's faithfulness has always calmed the waters when we needed it.  For four years Mike has remained steadfast in his commitment to his business.  There have been times when we have wanted to throw in the towel but the truth is Mike is good, like really good, at what he does and I truly believe he is a blessing to others.  I like to say that Mike is God's "frozen chosen."  He's a quiet man of faith but every time I see him in action with a customer I can't help but to think he truly is the salt and the light.
A couple of years ago Mike realized that doing custom wood projects in his shop was not feasible due to his limited space.  He got hung up on the fact that his business name was "Cornerstone CUSTOM Carpentry."  Why have the word "custom" in his business name if he couldn't actually do custom work?  However, changing his business name was not an option and he moved onward.  Fast forward to now, 2019.  This past year has been nothing but custom work.  When someone hires Mike they work with only Mike.  They get exactly what they want.  Mike's attention to detail is the custom work I'm referring to.  Recently one of his customers wrote him a thank you note that read, "We have very limited knowledge of construction methods.  To know that you were at our home, could be trusted, and were doing things the right way meant so much to us.  You went above and beyond whenever you saw something you thought needed to be done or corrected.  We have been blessed by your decision to follow your dreams, and use your God given talents."
Just last week Mike said to me, "I think I've finally found my niche."  That you have, Sieb, that you have!!  God is good!

Texas Thanksgiving

 We are home today after spending 3 days in TX with the Ausili's for Thanksgiving!  We arrived during the evening hours on Wednesday and had a late evening  flight home last night.  We so enjoyed our time with them.  It was wonderful being together!  Faith's friend, Daisy, surprised us all.  It was just like old times.  On Thanksgiving Sieb installed a door for Ausili's then Sieb and Mike took the boys to Cabela's.  When they got home Sieb prepared our meal.  Jenny joked to one of her co-workers that she wasn't cooking for Thanksgiving, that her friends husband does that.  She just provides the food.  Of note in the picture above of all 8 of us.  We look happy and we truly are but it was like pulling teeth to get this picture.  You would have thought we were dealing with toddlers.  Only me, Jenny and Faith were agreeable.  The rest of them were ridiculous!

 On Black Friday we went shopping.  Jenny and I took the older teens while Mike and Sieb took Nick over to Krum, TX (an hour drive one way) to visit Googan Baits.

Nick LOVES fishing and going to Googan Baits was on his bucket list.  He was so happy he got to go!
I miss the Ausili's since they moved but the beauty of a life long friendships like ours is we get together and pick up right where we left off.  Our kids are now 19, 17 (Jay and Curt) and 13 and they are like siblings.  They can argue like it sometimes too.  Ha!
Mom and Kim enjoyed their Thanksgiving with Craig's parents. I am thankful for so many things this year; my mom's recovery, having dear friends who welcome us into their home, and my healthy family.  I look forward to taking things slow in December and to the big trip that awaits us in 27 days!!!

Seasons of change

I was looking through old pictures today because I was searching for one particular picture, one that I knew was pretty old.  It required me to sift through a few of my old scrapbooks dating back to when Jay and Nick were babies.  I was on a mission so I didn't spend a lot of time reminiscing but as I quickly went through the pages looking for the one particular picture I stumbled on pictures of my grandparents at Kim's pool, sitting in their lawn chairs, waving at the camera.  There was a picture of Jay at 18 months old smiling a toothy grin in his dinosaur jams (my favorite).  The picture of Nick with his beautiful blond hair and big blue eyes, just learning how to walk, in his adorable monkey outfit.  The picture of Jenny and I, taken in front of the Christmas tree, pregnant with Jay and Curt.  Pictures of Mike working on a home project (that is the one thing that hasn't changed).  A sweet memory of my mom dancing around her kitchen with Jay at age 2 and his "Dancing Elmo."  A picture of my dad before he went to the nursing home, cuddled up with Jay in his Halloween costume at his dining room table.  And many pictures of Kim and I looking a lot thinner than we are now!  I can remember when many of those pictures were taken like it was yesterday, but then some of the pictures remind me how just how old I'm getting (in years, not in how I feel.....wink, wink).  It's true that all good things must come to an end and in this life, we must enjoy every second because it all changes. My grandparents and my dad died.  Jay is practically a legal adult.  Nick will be in high school next year.  Mike runs his own carpentry business.  Mike and Jenny moved to Texas, and dancing for my mom would be very difficult (not impossible but difficult) as she has suffered two strokes.  Kim and I being fat is just part of being middle age - what fun.  The message I am getting from God these days is one of rest and to enjoy the company of my husband.  Mike and I don't have much in common.  It's true, folks!  The only TV show we watch together and enjoy is "Hoarders" on Sunday morning before church. Don't get me wrong, our marriage is solid.  I've always said Mike is easy to love but sometimes hard to like, but with every year that goes by I like Mike more.  What I'm having trouble with is being still with him.  I'm uncertain what the next season of my life will look like but as with most seasons that have already passed I look back at them with fondness, knowing even though they are over, there are new seasons just over the horizon, waiting to be experienced.    

Friends

 Nick and his buddies.  Nick is the shortest one out of all of them and it's not like Nick is short.  I've decided his friends are just giants and they all seemed to have grown overnight!  Both of my boys are blessed with good friends.  Nick has gotten particularly close with Chase, a boy who just lives a few county roads from us.  They play basketball and run track together.

We never see Jay anymore.  He's a typical senior - never home, always hanging with his friends.  It's all perfectly normal stuff and I'm sure it's preparing me for the upcoming season in my life where he transitions from high school to college.  I really like Jay's group of friends!  They are a group of about 6 of  them that have been friends since middle school.  Recently I asked Jay which one of the boys was his "favorite."  I know, it was such a "mom question."  He looked at me like I had two heads and said, "Mom, that is like someone asking you which one of your boys is your favorite."  My impression is that these boys have each others backs.  Today Jay and four of his friends went to Chicago to watch a Bears game.  Many of Jay's friends have already turned 18.  I admit I didn't love the idea but I knew if I said No it would only be based out of fear so Jay is at his first Bears game today - having a great time with his boys, I'm sure!!!

What we're up to

I came back from my relaxing girls trip and boom, reality hit.  Nick got the mother load of poison ivy (again).  This kid gets poison ivy every year and he gets it BAD.  He gets it in places where he shouldn't, if you know what I mean, and then it spreads to his entire body.  I took him the doctor because getting a steroid is the only thing that seems to calm the itching and gets Nick some much needed rest.  I got a flat tire this week, my second in three months.  Our concrete patio was poured today.  Mike worked so hard on placing the stones for the patio all summer.  It's super exciting to see it all come together.  Mike makes it look easy but trust me that man spent hours this summer putting stones in place.  It took time, money, effort and incredible patience.  As for Jay he and his girlfriend broke up about a month ago.  He has been spending much of his time with his friends, as most senior boys do, but he's also been good with helping Mike around the house.  Due to our travel plans over the holidays we felt it would be challenging for Jay to find a job right now so the plan is to get through our travel plans and he will find a job in early 2020.  He should have an easier time finding a job since he'll almost be 18.  Be still my beating heart!  Jay has decided not to play basketball this year.  It's bittersweet for Mike and I.  During his junior year when he walked off the basketball court for the last time it was probably a good thing I didn't know it would be his last time.  I will truly miss seeing him on the court but Mike and I completely understood why he made the decision he did.  Last season was less than favorable and it truly brought out the worst in us - never a good sign.  Nick has had basketball try-outs this week and I'm confident he'll make the team.  Certainly going to one boys games this season will be a lot easier to juggle but I will still miss seeing Jay play.  As for me I'm enjoying this time of year but don't look forward to winter.  The signs that winter is coming are all around.  The air is crisp and the leaves are falling.  I'm looking forward to our trips we have planned and I'm truly enjoying every second of Jay's senior year (even though he has no clue what he wants to do next year.....kinda frustrating but understandable).  I am thankful for my mom's good health, my daily laughs with my sister, my sweet friends Mary and Sarah, who have filled a void in my life with Jenny being gone.  We will be reunited with the Ausili's over Thanksgiving and I can't wait!

TN Girls Weekend

 Bless Sarah.  She is so intentional!  This summer she texted Jenny and I and asked that we put a date on the calendar for all three of us to get together for a porch swing weekend in TN.  We picked October!  And this time we flew!  Once again flying spoiled me.  My new philosophy is if I can't afford to fly, then I wait until I can!  Sarah and I flew together and had to give Jenny the thumbs up that we were on our way.  The beauty was all three of aligned our flights so we arrived within five minutes of each other in Knoxville, TN! Jenny's sweet dad, Wayne, was our Uber!

 Jenny bought us our own Yeti cups for our cocktails, of course!  Every night we would fill them up and sit on the porch swing (see below). We would cover up with a blanket and talk and laugh!!!

 One day we wore our Waco shirts (yes, we are dorks) and went for a beautiful drive on the Foothills.

 Sarah is obsessed with Myers Briggs.  While porch swinging she quizzed Jenny on a Myers Briggs test!

                                                 Views of the mountain.  I love TN!

                             We went shopping at our favorite shop, Roost, in Maryville, Tn.

 On Friday we went to the spa.  I got a Swedish massage.  Sarah got a deep tissue and Jenny got a hot stone.  We loved it!

 There is a story with this picture.  We wanted to make it look like we had been hiking.  Notice me all hunched over and Sarah with her walking stick.  In reality I think it just looks Sarah is pulling a corn cob out of my butt.

I have the best girlfriends!  I don't know what I'd do without them.  It has been hard for Sarah and I to have Jenny being so far from us but it makes being reunited that much sweeter. I have compared it to when we pull away from God and we come back to Him.  He must be so happy to have us back.  That is how I feel about my girlfriends.  I love them dearly.  Until next time!

All About Nick

For weeks I kept telling myself I needed to devote some blog time to Nick.  I've blogged a lot lately about Jay because he's a senior and things are a changing with him but Nick has things going on that are pretty exciting also.  First off this boy is entering his 6th month of no soda and no sweets!  Kid you not.  In May he decided he was done with soda and done with sweets.  He hasn't given an inch.  When he and I were in FL in June I tried to tempt him with a churro dipped in chocolate.  He was having none of it.  Who knows whether or not he'll eat cake for his 14th birthday.  His will of iron is like Mike's so my bets are on No.  These days Nick is playing football and fishing.  When he's not playing football, he's fishing.  I thank God that we live where Nick has access to a lake.  Fishing is truly his passion and as Mike says, he's darn good at it!  Football was met with some mixed emotions this year.  Nick has played but I haven't sensed that he loves it.  I keep telling him to hold on until high school but whether or not he plays next year remains to be seen.  One of Nick's greatest strengths on the field is his sportsmanship.  I see it over and over and again.  He helps a teammate up or another player on the other team.  He provides encouragement when needed.  This season we carpooled with another player who is 3 years younger than Nick.  I loved hearing their conversations.  Nick encouraged this boy and told him the "ins and outs" of football.  One of Nick's greatest gifts is encouraging others.

The pathway to somewhere

Yesterday Jay and I went to visit SIU.  Here's the thing.  One can look at this picture and assume many things but here's the truth, this picture is of a 17 year old boy that has absolutely no clue what he wants to do when he graduates high school.  The visit we had yesterday was very fruitful in that it cemented a few things: Jay is not ready for a four year university.  I believe that socially and academically he would struggle.  He agreed.  As the day progressed the more I thought he would be better served to start out at a junior college (like his momma did) but by late last night and today I'm not even sure that's the right fit for him.  It's a very confusing time for Jay and us, but Jay has to make this decision himself and for himself.  Mike and I can't do it for him.  Yesterday I saw so many kids who seemed to have it all together.  It was kinda annoying, just saying.  My dear friend, Sarah, who is an academic advisor at our local university reminded that there are a ton of kids walking around her campus who have no idea why they are there or what they are doing.  Jay is the square peg that doesn't fit in the round hole.  I certainly don't want him walking around any campus wondering what he's doing.  My prayer for him in the months to come is that he finds his way, that he hones in on something that he enjoys, and feels natural to him.  I know it's there.  I witnessed it first hand this summer when he got a job making more than "the other guys" and by the end of the summer had received a $3 raise and was also working on jobs by himself because he proved he was a hard worker and could be trusted.  

Roll Tide

 This past weekend we met the Ausili's in AL to visit Faith and be together!  It was bliss!  It was a very long drive (11 hours each way) and even though Mike was a thorn in my side (he would rather have flown), it was so nice to be reunited.  Jenny found a cabin about 30 miles outside of Tuscaloosa.  She nailed it with her pick!  It was a rustic cabin with lots of privacy and a private lake.  Nick was in heaven.  He barely got off the water.

 At night we would sit out on this porch, light a fire and laugh.  It was just like old times.  Faith surprised us and didn't have to work.  All 8 of us were together for the entire weekend.

                                     A view of the dock.  We spent a lot of time out on this dock!!

 We arrived at our cabin at 2:30 a.m. Friday.  We went to bed for a few hours, then got up and visited Faith at her soritory.  The pictures below is of Faith greeting her "brothers."

 What a campus University of Alabama is!  I was wowed by it!  I can see why Faith loves going there.

 I love this picture for so many reasons.  Mike Ausili and Nick are buds!  It was nice to see them hanging out together doing what Nick loves best - fishing!

 This picture looks dumb but it's so funny!  Nick would throw the football at night with Ausili or Sieb.  This was Nick trying to catch the football as Ausili threw it him from behind!  Nick's stance is so serious!

 Love this picture of these four.  I am once again so aware that all things change.  Jay and Curt will turn 18 in 2020 and graduate.  Faith will be 20 in May.  It's not that I think there will ever come a time when we don't get together but eventually Faith will meet someone, the boys could move.  I guess what I'm getting it is I realize our days are numbered where all 8 of us are together.

Until next time!  What a fun weekend.  Lots of laughs, and memories.

She had me at "I brought a book for you."

Jay met Saylor about a week or two after July 4, so right about now they have been dating roughly six weeks.  I hesitated to blog about her because she is 18 and Jay is 17.  They are young!!!  I have no idea where they will be in six months from now, let alone a year from now.  But I like this girl.....like really like her.   She brings out the best in Jay.  She has a smile and personality that lights up any room.  She is thoughtful, kind and does what she says she's going to do.  She seems to know who she is and from what I've seen she calls Jay out on things, something that introverted Jay desperately needs (just sayin son)!  About a week ago she came over and Jay was not home yet so it was just her and I.  She handed me a book and simply said she brought me a book  to read.  I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights.  For 17 years I have lived in an all male household and not only do none of them care about reading but they are all dyslexic.  I looked at Saylor and said, "Did Jay tell you I like to read?"  She responded with a big fat No, which made me laugh because it reminded me once again I am the mother of boys!  They are a joy to raise and never boring but they could care less what books their mother reads.  I hugged her and graciously accepted the book.  I had it read in about 5 days and can hardly wait to discuss it with her.

August meetings

 Eight years ago I took a big leap of faith.  I quit my 16 year job that I had gotten when I was in college.  At the time there were a few people who thought I was nuts.  My sweet grandmother was one of them.  I desperately wanted to work from home.  I was confident I was doing the right thing.  It was a door God opened for me and I walked through it.  I have never looked back.  When I made the bold decision I knew God was orchestrating it.  He protected me for what was to come.  My entire department ended up losing their jobs or being forced to take different jobs.  Mike, who also worked for the same company at the time, lost his job.  I remember hearing about all this from the comfort of my basement office.  I started this job when Nick was in kindergarten and Jay was entering 4th grade.  I've been able to be present for them.  It relieved a lot of stress for me - no more commuting and flexibility to attend their school functions.  God is good.  My department has changed people over the last few years but we have one awesome group.  Wanda, our fearless leader, hired me eight years ago and since then her unit has only grown.  I'm very thankful!

 As usual August meetings did not disappoint.  Here I am with Brian and Nancy.  We were waiting for Keith Urban to perform.  I really like Keith Urban but I had no idea how excited I was to see him in concert until he came on stage!  I literally stood for the entire concert, dancing and singing.  I didn't care.  I was having fun!!

Until next time, Cincinnati!  So thankful for my group of co-workers and my job God blessed me with 8 years ago!