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!!!