Happy New Year

 What a year!  In January our President was in the midst of being impeached.  In March....March 13 to be exact, our entire country shut down for what we thought would be 2-3 weeks, max.  Nine months later we as Illinoisan's are still under lock down orders. Some children haven't been in a classroom since they walked out of one on March 13. Some kids haven't played sports since their spring or summer season ended. Seniors- mine included - didn't get a graduation ceremony.  Masks are now the norm. Vacations were cancelled.  Family events were put on hold.  Small businesses have been struggling and some haven't survived.  People weren't able to worship at church on Easter. Then in November we had what I believe to be the biggest election of my lifetime.  Biden supposedly won but under deep suspicion of fraud. If Biden is truly our President then I accept it and I pray for godly wisdom for him.  In fact I have already started praying for him and our new V.P. but I also believe there is still much to be uncovered and I shudder to think what my children's futures will look like.  Despite all the unknowns there was still a lot of good from 2020. I was able to live in the moment and just "be." I resisted it at first.  I am pretty sure I spent all spring swearing and crying over all the missed opportunities.  Summer came and with it came nicer weather and more opportunities to be "normal." I have actually traveled three times since the pandemic and I savored every second of those trips. Relishing the time with friends as I knew it was a rare gift. The fall was difficult but I am thankful our school district was in person so it was somewhat normal for Nick.  However, the fall has been very difficult for my sister and her kids. My mom broke her arm right before Thanksgiving and we are thankful it was her "bad" arm.  While it is true the pandemic hasn't done her any favors I am thankful she can still live at home with her dog. Then December hit and for the first time I can remember I loved December and was reminded of the real reason for the season. December has always been my busiest month.  Both boys played basketball and every week night was spent at games. It was a juggling act of getting presents bought, attending parties, planning menus and going to basketball games.  But this year there was none of that.  My December was filled with coffee and prayers in the morning, work during the day and evenings spent around the breakfast bar with my family, laughing and sharing. Truly I will always reflect on December of 2020 with fondness.  Eventually life will get back to normal (I hope) but something tells me I will long for these 31 days of December 2020 when it was just us, my small family of four, laughing and talking every weekday night, just as God intended. 

Nick's E.R. visit

On Dec. 17 I got out of bed in the morning quite proud of myself.  We as a family had managed to stay healthy, knowing that on on Dec. 18 we were flying to TX.  2020 has not been an easy year and we were looking forward to spending time with the Ausili's.  Covid had not struck any of us and for 8 people, that is a big deal. Then at 9:30 a.m. I got a call from Nick's school nurse.  He had terrible stomach pain and although he didn't have a fever (an indicator of Covid) he was sweating profusely.  I took Nick to prompt care where his pain got even worse.  Prompt care was concerned enough that they sent him to the E.R.. Covid wasn't even on the radar but we were all worried especially since we had a flight in less than 24 hours.  Nick and I spent the day in the E.R. to learn Nick was constipated.  I can't make this stuff up.  We went to TX with packets of miralax and pepcid and needless to say most of our laughs in TX centered around when and how big Nick's poo would be.  
 

Our TX weekend

We went to TX Dec. 18 - Dec. 21 and I have to say it was awesome.  If we could go every year for Sieb and Jenny's birthday it would be perfect.  We celebrated Sieb's birthday on the 19th and Jenny's on the 21st.  The Ausili's are our family and we love and miss them but every time we get together we pick up right where we left off.  The weather was beautiful, upper 60's and sunny most days.  Our flights were on time which for me is a big deal because I seem to have the worst luck with flights.  

These pictures look cute and they are but once again they paint a picture of what looks like kids who were agreeable for a picture.  I can assure you they weren't except for sweet Faith.  My boys especially were ridiculous.  But Jenny got the pictures and it was worth all the complaining. 

 

Our Xmas "bible study" get together

 In November Kim and I came up with an idea to do a bible study and since we are still living in the mess that is 2020 we decided to keep it small.  This group of women are my absolute fav's. Our bible study started meeting this month and it's our goal to meet once a month.  Yes, it's a small goal (ha) but it is a goal.  Shannon had us over on Dec. 23.  Her home was lovely and I don't think there was a time when we stopped laughing! 

Merry Christmas

I have so much to blog about this past week but today is Christmas so I'll write about what we did and go backwards.  Makes sense, right?  Ha!  After what has been a hard year for the country, we as a family, have so many blessings.  First we've stayed healthy.  None of us have gotten Covid.  Jay and Kim are the only ones in the family who were tested for it and both tested negative which is pretty good considering all of Jay's friends got it.  Second, we are all employed.  My heart aches for small business owners who have lost their life's work in the restaurant business.  Third, our four kids have continued to thrive.  Kim would certainly say that remote learning has been no picnic and that her children have suffered academically from it but again all four kids seem happy and well adjusted even during this time where nothing feels normal.  Fourth, my mom is doing well.  She broke her arm right before Thanksgiving and will be in a cast for another four weeks.  The pandemic has not helped her socially or physically but mom is a trooper and marches forward.  As we always say we are grateful she lives in her home with her dog.  Fifth and most important....in all the craziness that has been 2020 we have Jesus which quite frankly He is our hope, our joy and our light.   

Christmas eve was spent at my mom with the dogs.  We all loved Xmas eve this year.  It was relaxing and cozy filled with lots of laughs.  

I adore this picture of Harpy and her dog, Calli.  She is full of innocence and kindness and this picture reflects who she is.  

I bought Kim glasses that reads "Brad's Bar" for her basement bar.  She loved them. 

More dog pics.  One of them was always on a lap during the day.  

Since March we've gotten use to watching church from home.  This year all 9 of us watched church from my basement.  While there is nothing like the feel of being in church on Xmas eve we all agreed that we loved watching it from the comfort of home this year.  

My boys - ages 14 and 18.  I mean seriously can they be any cuter or taller?  Parents of littles...don't blink.  Savor every moment.  

This was Jay's most exciting gift - a car washing kit.  He was over the moon about it.  So cute.  We also got him a North Face coat and a Yeti lunch box.....such "adulting" gifts.  

Nick's big gift was a tool set.  We also got him more fishing stuff.  I was certain Nick couldn't possibly need more fishing things but apparently it's impossible to have too much fishing stuff, according to Nick. 

My momma.  I loved what she did this year.  She buys Kim and I jams every year.  This year mom called her friend, Donna, and Donna took mom out to get the jams bought.  Thank you, Donna.  And God Bless you, mom!  

Ausili's annual xmas even picture from TX wishing us well.  We spent last weekend with them (more on that later) and loved every minute of it.  

 Our annual xmas picture back to Ausli's from IL!  Merry Christmas, everyone!  

Happy Vs. Joy

 The sermon my pastor delivered this morning inspired this blog so thank you, Mike Baker! However, if I'm honest this has been on my heart for a couple of months now, I just wasn't exactly sure how I wanted to write it.  Mike explained that happiness is different from joy.  Joy is the hope we have in Jesus Christ. He also said we as humans are addicted to happiness.  All true! For me personally I can find blessings in 2020 but I've spent a lot of the year grumbling, unhappy over the current state of affairs until about six weeks ago.  I noticed my attitude started to change.  It's probably something no one else has noticed which proves just how small the change is - ha! When I put a word to this change it's joy.  I started to find the joy in what has been a very difficult year and I believe the year(s) ahead will be just as challenging.  Believing that the years ahead will be difficult and uncertain (this is my just opinion mind you) I still have peace and joy. For example I have missed my grandparents and my dad more than I ever have since they passed. It has brought me great joy to think back on my childhood and my past with them, knowing one day I will be reunited with them.  I remember my dad driving to Nanny's house to pick up the turkey on Thanksgiving. Often times as I'm in the kitchen (which is a lot these days) I think of my grandma as she prepared for the holidays every year in anticipation of hosting her large family.  I'm not sure I would have reflected on them so much but I've had time to do so. This December especially is filled with nothing but time. It's been the first year on Dec. 13 that I have all my Christmas presents bought and wrapped with my Christmas eve and day menu planned.  Even though I don't have sporting events to go to or parties to attend I have found the joy in being home and enjoying my home and family. My husbands schedule has slowed down significantly as he begins a transition into a new career journey - a big blessing of 2020. It's been a joy to have Mike present more and see him relaxed. Being with my friends also brings me great joy.  My friends fill my cup every time I'm with them. My dogs bring me joy and make Mike and I laugh nearly everyday. The year 2020 has taught me that even in the midst of challenges there is still heart felt joy! 

December in 2020

While 2020 has not been a great year there is still much to be thankful for.  Harpy turned 13 last week. She is such an innocent and sweet girl. Kim threw her a Hawaiian themed party and we gave Covid the middle finger and attended. There was no way we were going to miss this girl turning 13. 

 The weather thus far has been nice.  Nice enough that Nick invited this cluster of boys over this weekend to ride four wheelers! 

As the end of 2020 comes to an end I have to say this has been the most unsettling year with a very uncertain future.  Never in my lifetime I have experienced such a year. I look around me and there is no doubt the fundamentals, values and principles America was founded on are being chipped away.  I'm witnessing things I never thought I would.  Illinois and other blue states have crippled small businesses.  As I drive through town I see tents up in parking lots just so restaurants can still try to serve food.  The tents have heaters in them b/c Hello.....it's December in IL.  My heart goes out to restaurant and bar owners.  In my opinion (so I don't get fact checked) the backbone of our society is our small businesses and our children and what Illinois specifically has done to crush small businesses and our children is absolutely disgraceful. Yes, my son has been in school and I'm incredibly grateful but my niece and nephew have not and they are suffering academically, physically and socially.  There is no data driven science that proves the virus is spread in schools (in fact it is not - fact check me on that) nor is it spread in restaurants.  If the goal is to crush the U.S. economy then we are well on our way for the "The Great Reset." Wake up, people! 

Tonight, thoughts by Jay

 Back when the boys were small there were nights I thought I might lose my mind.  Funny how things change because tonight is one of those nights I'm pretty sure Jay thought he might lose his mind. Picture it (Yes, I know I sound like Sophia on The Golden Girls) an almost 19 year old boy/man who is living at home because all the plans he had were derailed by Covid. He doesn't seem to mind living at home.  Mom and Dad for the most part stay off his back until dad wants to have "one of those" conversations that revolve around your future which by the way happened just the other night. Then your brother fills the entire pantry with his white cheddar cheez-its making it impossible to find anything you want to pack for your lunch because unlike Nick.....you work full time. All Nick has to do is get up for remote learning which he does in bed with his dog for 5 hours a day while you're out freezing and raking leaves.  Plus there has been a slight problem with the ice maker in our house which granted is a small problem in life but every morning and afternoon you hear your mom going crazy with trying to break up the ice which sticks together which isn't supposed to happen but neither nor mom or dad have bothered to fix it thus far.   It's the same song and dance every morning and afternoon, hearing mom frantically trying to break up the ice and it sounding like nails on a chalkboard from my room.  Tonight you may have reached my your limit.  After being quarantined for a few days with possible Covid you  learned your Covid test was negative and you returned to work because that's just the kind of worker you are. You came home to find your mother asking you a million questions wanting to double check that in fact you were negative for Covid.  Does your throat hurt?  Have your lost your taste and smell?  This was after I already went over these questions with her this morning! Then your brother sits in "your chair." and your mom is annoyed with Nick because he had her order something for him for Christmas from China - apparently mom thinks they may never see it now.  She was complaining about this while she chipped away at the ice that was stuck together AGAIN - with no mention of maybe having the ice maker fixed.  Meanwhile I'm trying to take a pre-test for Algebra so I can attempt to take the real test in January, if and when I get hired as an electrician apprenticeship.  All I want to do is start saving some money so I can get out of this house! 

Signed.......Jay 

Happy Thanksgiving

Even though Covid is ridiculous this year (don't misconstrue my statement.....the virus is real, I'm just sick of it), we still managed to get together just the 9 of us at Kim's house.  We were so thankful to be together especially after mom fell out of bed 3 days before Thanksgiving and broke her arm.  Once again we were so thankful she broke her non functioning arm or Kim and I would have been faced with putting our mother in a nursery home during Covid or caring for her oursevles, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.  Not an easy task for either of us. 

                         Mike fried the turkey again this year and it did not disappoint. 

 Mom with her grands! 2020 is a year for the record books.  Our kids have grown.  Jay graduated in the middle of a pandemic and mom broke her arm. We are all starting to wonder if life as we knew it will ever get back to normal - whatever that is.  But we are thankful.  We have somehow all managed to stay healthy. We are all still employed and we got to be together for Thanksgiving.  God is good!

5 years

 My text to my husband this morning read.....5 years ago today you spent your day at church surrendering. His quick response of "Time flies," sums it up. These past 5 years are a testament to God's faithfulness. They have been the hardest 5 years of my life but I wouldn't have changed any of it except for maybe this blasted pandemic and probably the Ausili's move. But as a family we are so much sweeter and better. And as far as Mike goes God provided abundantly for Cornerstone and at this 5 year mark Mike is stepping into a new endeavor that undoubtedly God opened the door for which still allows him to keep Cornerstone but he will be scaling it way back. 

In these 5 years we were able to keep our house which trust me 5 years ago tonight I was uncertain if this would happen. Anything the boys have needed we have been able to get for them. Financially we've been able to visit the Ausili's at least twice a year. God brought Mary back to town and her and John have been a huge blessing to my entire family. In this 5 year span my grandparents died, my dad died, I had my own health crises, Mike started his own business and will be starting a new adventure soon, Jay graduated high school, Ausili's moved, my mom had 2 strokes and we've just gone through the most historical election of my lifetime (thus far) and we've been in the depths of Covid since March. I'm still standing and everyday I'm so thankful for my God. He is faithful, merciful and gives me more grace that I deserve.

Girls night

 A lot has changed since I posted last week. After a very close election it was determined on Saturday that Biden got the 270 electoral votes to win the election.  That being said, there is the suspicion of corruption and fraud. If there was fraud then the American people have a right to know. I don't care if you're a republican or democrat. The number of people who voted in his election was historic. I have more to say and write about this but honestly I am just numb right now.  I need more time to really think through and articulate exactly how I'm feeling and honestly I need to make sure I write placing Jesus up front and center and right now I'm really struggling with that. It's not that I don't trust God because now more than ever I do, but I have to make sure I don't play into the divisions that I am witnessing all around me. 

On a positive note I got together with my girls on Saturday night.  A much needed distraction. We went shopping and then ended the night at Kim's bar.  We laughed, ate and drank! A perfect night in my book! Kim even made us special apple cider vodka drinks.  They were delish! 

Election Day 2020

 I'm not sure I can articulate exactly how I'm feeling today but for documentation purposes I will tell you what America is going through is historic. Our election is still not decided.  Questions about fraud are happening and lawsuits are being filed. It is my personal opinion and observation that something stinks and unless it gets resolved I fear what our future elections may look like. I promised myself I would stay away from the news and politics today.  I've spent a lot of prayer. My brain is working overtime and it's difficult to quiet my mind and my heart in order to have the quiet time with God that I so desperately need. All we can do now as a nation is wait and pray - like our lives depended on it. 

On a positive note Nick and I volunteered on election day and we loved it (the picture above is us at the polling place we were assigned to).  We we're poll watchers.  Nick has a big heart for politics.  It will be interesting to see how the Lord uses that fire within Nick. 

May God have mercy on America. 

My blog; Through the years

 This weekend we set our clocks back one hour.  That time change always messes with my head for a few days and last night it was cold so I crawled into bed early.  I am sick of all the election news but because of everything going on right now with the pandemic and the election I've had a hard time settling my mind enough to concentrate on a good book so I grabbed my 2009 blog book.  2009 was the first year I started blogging.  Nick just happened to settle in with me and I ended up reading him several blog entries.  He was 3 when I started and Jay was 7. How time changes.  We laughed together over several stories.  Those boys were always up to something.  Back then my blog was filled with their shenanigans.  I was a typical boy mom who was trying to juggle it all; trying to be a good mom, a decent wife (ha) and a full time worker with a commute. None of it was easy but I remember being told many times from older parents who were no longer in the trenches that I would survive and I have. Nick asked me last night how my blog today differs from my blog 11 years ago. I thought that question was really intuitive. I believe my blog today is more reflective of who Amy is. Not Amy as a mom, not Amy as a wife, just me. It's probably because I have time to be more reflective of who I am and where I've been and how those experiences have shaped me. What hasn't changed is the love I have for my boys. I certainly have made mistakes along the way but I have always been pretty enamored with them. I have enjoyed every stage of parenting - even the teenage years.  In fact the teenage years are when I've really got to see them develop into the men that with God's help we've built them into.  We had a saying in our house: You raise girls, you build boys.  Back in 2009 and beyond when I was ready to lose my mind over their behavior my mom would remind me the boys were under construction! My stories have morphed from the trenches of parenting into the mess of menopause. I like to think that even in all the mess, it's a testament to a life lived well.   

The turtles

This summer Nick decided to get a fish tank.  He filled it with fish and turtles from our lake.  I would have never thought our family would be so entertained by four turtles but this is a season of Covid when movie theatres are shut down, restaurants are starting to close again (thanks to our "wonderful" governor but I digress) and sports are still not being played so we have resorted to full blown entertainment from a bunch of turtles.  When Nick announced he was naming his big bass Anthony Weiner and one of his turtles Jeffrey Epstein I realized my 14 year old was naming his creatures after sexual predators.  I shrugged it off, after all it has been a good source of entertainment as we've watched Anthony Weiner get bigger and bigger.  Last night Nick took Weiner out of the tank to examine his mouth.  His concern was whether or not Weiner's mouth was big enough to eat Jeffrey Epstein!  I can't make this stuff up.  Turns out Anthony Weiner's mouth is getting bigger but not quite big enough (yet) to swallow Jeffrey Epstein.  If it weren't for Covid we might not have had such entertainment from turtles named after such notorious felons. 
The picture is of the deck Nick made so Jeffrey Epstein, Cleopatra, King Tut and Gilford could sun themselves!  That Nick....he's always thinking. 

Jay - the giant giraffe

Jay went to a Halloween party last night.  I let him borrow my absolute favorite costume!  When I told him he could borrow it, he said, "I wasn't even going to ask because I know how protective you are of that costume."  Ha! 

 One of my all time favorite pictures.  The $100 some dollars I spent on this costume was and always has been worth every penny.  Nick loved me being his momma giraffe that Halloween when he was 4 years beautiful and oh so innocent.  

The Book Signing

Mom really wanted to have a book signing party for Kim and I.  Even in the midst of COVID, we had a successful and safe party. It meant a lot to Kim and I to do this and we enjoyed every second of it. I know it has made my mom proud and I am humbled and thankful. 

We have received so many positive comments on our book.  If you ask me what my goal was with the book it was to inspire people and encourage them but it was also to tell my dads story - a story that he certainly never could have told himself because of his disability.  I wanted people to know he was broken, just as broken as anyone else, including Kim and I, but I wanted people to see him for who he really was - a wonderful father who at his core loved his girls and loved our mom. I also wanted my mom to have a clear understanding of what she went through which due to her stroke she can't remember everything. I want it to be a keepsake for our four kids, even though Lauren will probably be the only one to read it.  I joke that my boys might read it one day but it will probably be after I'm dead and gone and they are missing me (or something like that, ha). 

Jenna has been my friend for YEARS!  We like to say we're old church friends and we are.  Every time I am with her I'm reminded of how much I miss her as we don't see each other as often as either of us would like.  I sure love her though.  She makes me laugh out loud every time I see her.  

My dearest friends (above and below).  I am so humbled by my friends who showed up to cheer Kim and I on.  I'm so blessed with amazing women in my life. 

My dear friend, Karen Neal.  Next to Mary, she is the other spiritual confidante in my life.  She offers me sound, biblical advice. 

My boy!  Jay showed up before the party started just to say Hi.  Again, I joke he probably won't read the book but my hope is one day he'll crack it open and it will provide him encouragement at the time he needs it most. 

Sweet Jenna and Mary!  I am forever grateful for Mary's beautiful foreword - which I should note didn't require one edit!  Her words were eloquently beautiful and I'm so honored her words are the first words you read in our book.  

Even in the mess of life, God is good! 

Best Weekend Ever

The beauty of being friends with Mike and Jenny for as we have been is we know each other's children. We know the best parts of them and we know their quirks.  For a boy mom like myself I get to be a part of Faith's life.  I have never spent much time thinking about what my life would be like if I had had a daughter.  What's the point, I don't have one, and truly at my core God knew exactly what He was doing when he blessed me with Jay and Nick.  All weekend I was surrounded by mother's and daughter's and I was reminded of the beautiful bond between them and I am incredibly thankful Faith has invited me to be a part of hers. She is truly the sweetest and I pray that one day I'll be a wonderful mother in law to daughter in law(s) who will invite me be a part (however small) into their lives. 

I got to meet Faith's roommate, Lauren.  Her mother, Tami, came and they were both so delightful. I enjoyed getting to know them. The cool thing about Bama is kids from all over the country go there. I met people from NY, CA, NJ, and NH, just to name a few. That being said there is a reason we go to college when we're young.  I did great until about 8pm on Saturday night.  By then I was exhausted.  I laughed at myself when I got into bed on Saturday night.  I had my sleep mask on, my snore strip on and my 2 tylenol pm by my bedside. It was pitiful but honestly I did great Thursday and Friday night which is pretty good for this 46 year old!  

Faith - Thank you!  I love you to the moon and back. I loved seeing where you live, meeting your roommates and friends.  Mostly you made this boy mom feel extra special!  
 

The Sickly Sieberts

 *I'm part of a writing group.  A few months ago one of the topics we were asked to write about was "A Story Our Children Should Know." Below is the story I wrote.   

It’s funny how fast your children's childhoods can pass in a blink of an eye. There are certain seasons you think you’ll never forget but time marches on and memories fade. Some seasons you try to forget and for me it was years filled with illnesses, stitches, E.R. visits, surgeries and even hospitalizations. . My son, Jay, who is now 18 wins the prize as being my most sickly child. However, Nick, my 14 year old, although wasn’t as sickly but more injury prone which is demonstrated by his yearly mother loads of poison ivy prompting doctor visits and steroid injections. 

During Jay’s first year of life he battled ear infections, high fevers and what seemed to be a runny nose that never stopped dripping. He endured five ear infections within three months and when he was eleven months old he had surgery and got ear tubes. I was hoping the tubes would cure a lot of the issues he was having but as we headed into winter he was so sick his pediatrician thought Jay should be tested for cystic fibrosis.  Thankfully he didn’t have it. When Jay was two he used his nightlight as a step ladder in order to see a tractor. He cut his foot which prompted our first trip to the E.R. There was also the time he got his fingers caught in an elevator door and the time he grabbed my hot curling iron, a battle scar he still sports today. 

When Jay was four and Nick was six months old Jay got walking pneumonia and Nick got RSV. I remember I spent days going back and forth between Jay and Nick’s rooms giving them nebulizer treatments. Eventually they got better, however, Nick got RSV again two years later while I battled an awful case of fifth disease.  This bout of RSV wasn’t as friendly - of course it wasn’t, it never is when mom is also sick.  Fifth disease was odd because for me I would run a fever at night but be fine during the day so I was still working.  I would work all day, come home, run a fever and then have to sit outside with Nick in the cold because the cold helped silence his cough and calmed him down. Of course it couldn’t have been a steaming shower!  You might wonder where my husband was in all this. While he is instrumental in building the boys into who they are today, he was pretty much worthless when it came to illness and small children. 

When Jay was in second grade he had his tonsils and adenoids out which was a turning point for him. He had so many issues with strep throat that after he had his tonsils and adenoids out it’s pretty fair to say he rarely missed any school after that, other than the occasional stomach flu. When he entered high school and played football and basketball he suffered two concussions. It was after the second concussion we decided his football career was over. 

Respiratory issues aside we’ve also had our fill of vomit in our house. In December 2007 my niece, Lauren, was born. She was a preemie and remained in the Nic-U while the rest of my extended family spent Christmas Eve together. Around 2 a.m. on Christmas morning I remember the dreaded sound of “I’m a child getting ready to barf” as Jay ran down the steps in order to make it just in time to our bedroom as he proceeded to throw up all over our carpet. I remember as we got him cleaned up he walked past the Christmas tree which had presents underneath it and in the most pitiful voice said, “Boy, that Santa sure got here fast.” I was horrified because we had been with my sister all evening.  If we exposed her to the flu she could not visit Lauren. The flu ended up going through all of us that December but thankfully never hit my sister. 

In 2013 we went to TN on vacation. Nick ended up getting dehydrated our first day and got a migraine headache and threw up. It was scary but thankfully he was okay. It was the next summer in TN when the boys got some kind of flu bug and they spent our last night bent over a toliet. I would run back and forth between the boys improvising with a waste basket a few times. In the morning I left a $10 bill on the counter for the cabin owner to buy a new waste basket since my boys had annihilated hers. Somehow we made it home with just a few throw up stops during the 10 hour drive. We made it home just in time for Mike to start complaining about his stomach.  It hit me 2 days later. Good times. 

Then there was the summer when Nick was 3 and Jay was 7. As older brothers often do, Jay was terrorizing Nick and Nick thought he might be able to get away by jumping through a window. That Nick can be resourceful when he wants to be but I’m not sure how he thought he would jump through the window but he tried. He ended up shattering the window and cutting his arm which by the grace of God required no stitches. This incident happened on Mike’s watch and Mike said when he heard the glass shatter Nick was barefoot.  Mike immediately told Nick not to move, knowing he’d cut his feet. Nick froze. Although Mike fell short in dealing with sick kids, his effectiveness in getting the boys to listen was always top notch.  

When Jay was in third grade he and his dad got into a rough and tumble wrestling match on the floor. While wrestling Mike accidentally rolled onto Jay’s finger, breaking it. What was innocent and playful fun between father and son turned into an interrogation from doctors and nurses. It got even worse when Jay’s finger didn’t heal and an infection developed. Surgery was performed and an infectious disease doctor had to be consulted. After two days in the hospital and having to endure being asked about 100 times how Jay broke his finger, we were finally released to go home without a D.C.F.S. escort. 

My children were probably not any sicker or more injury prone than any other kid. After all they are boys. They did survive their childhoods and so did I, which oftentimes as a full time working mother who had a one hour daily commute was kind of a small miracle.  I choose this topic as a story they should know because one day - God willing - they will be a parent and when you’re in the trenches with your kids, no matter what is it, you don’t ever think you’ll get out of it but you do.  It’s a matter of moving forward, seeing the humor in things and knowing that eventually you will get on the other side of it.  

What Jay is up to

 It's been quite awhile since I blogged about Jay. He continues to work full time for the landscaping company, the same company he's worked for since May. He's been told they should have work for him until the first freeze, sometime in December. As we continue to navigate through this crazy world we live in Jay is navigating right along with it.  He'll be a first time voter in November and seems to me to be an informed voter.  He's a typical 18 year old boy. He works, he plays, he eats all of our food and even though we tend to see him on week nights only we sure enjoy having him around.  Mike and I challenged him a bit to start thinking about what he's going to do with himself come winter. He made it clear he did not want landscaping to be his life career but he has no interest in going to school especially now since most colleges are E-learning.  Then I stumbled across an idea - an idea that I hadn't thought of before: trade school. There is a trade school very close that is in person learning in the exact field Jay is interested in - HVAC. Jay's curiosity and interest was sparked. He tells me he'll be moving forward with this so there should be more to come on this in the weeks and months ahead. It's a 9 month program and our hope is they will have a good job placement program at the end. 

Our book

Well Kim and I did it.  We are published authors.  I still can't believe it. Although I'm sure our book won't be a best seller it is our hope it brings encouragement to someone who needs it - that is demonstrates even during some of the most challenging times that God is with us - ALWAYS - and there is nothing like a sister!  
 

Cousins Weekend

 It's Labor Day Weekend, the official end to summer.  What a summer it has been.  I doubt I'll ever forget the summer of 2020.  Despite its challenges there have been blessings and this weekend was one of them. Me, Kim, Cora and Amber got together at Amber's house for a cousins weekend.  We loved every minute of it. It was so fun. The four of us laughed while we walked down memory lane, remembering cute things about our grandparents. We are also grown women now. We are wives and mothers and as with all things we face a lot of hard and difficult things. It was good to listen to one another and share what is going on in our lives both good and bad.

Amber was such a sweet hostess.  She had goodie bags for us and these cups were included. Such a thoughtful thing to do. We all agreed we needed to do a cousins weekend more often!

What I want

Here I am on a Sunday night reflecting on a few things that are on my mind. We are still living in a pandemic watching the numbers rise. Our nation is divided. The riots continue. The hated and Satan seem to be winning - even though I know with every fiber of my being God wins and love always comes out on top. So tonight I decided to make more than a wish list for my fall.  I want it and I want these things badly. There is no particular order to these so don't judge on order.
*I want unity and God is the only one who can make this happen.
*I want to sit on my patio with Jenny and Mike and enjoy cocktails at dusk. I want to get up in the morning and have coffee (me) and Pepsi One (Jenny) with her.
*I want to enjoy every minute with my children during these months. Recently I have looked at my children and other children differently. All children are treasures from God.  They are a gift and should be protected and treasured. I've always known this but for some reason my heart is screaming for children lately which I can only say is the Holy Spirit.
*I want this pandemic over. I want a cure or a vaccine.
*I want to go places without masks.
*I want to spend a day with my mom doing everything she wants to do.
*I want to grow closer to God. I want Him to use me for his purpose.
*I want to see what happens with the new opportunity for Mike (more on this later).
*I don't want to miss an opportunity to do anything - ever.

That pretty much sums it up.

Nick's first day of high school

This year would have been a bit different anyway because I only had to register and buy school supplies for one child. The pandemic of 2020 has changed everything. Thankfully our school district gave the option of in-person learning or virtual learning. Teachers, parents and kids have had to readjust how they teach, how they learn and parents are along for the ride, trying to figure out how they will home school their children and hold down a full time job. It's computer screens and chrome books, lost football seasons and masks.  On Monday our teachers went back to school.  My friend, Laura and I spread kids and parents at the schools with signs to welcome them back (hence the picture above).

I feel like I had my emotional breakdown with this pandemic in the spring. At this point I've gotten better rolling with the punches that seem to hit hard almost weekly these days. I am incredibly thankful that our school district is at least giving in person learning a fighting chance and I'm praying all the time that our district can be an example to other districts. Today was Nick's first day of his freshman year. My heart was a little heavy this morning knowing my baby is starting high school and my other baby is working a full time job. If I really stop to think about all the changes over the past two years it almost takes my breathe away.  As I was driving home from dropping Nick off this morning it did occur to me that things are slowing down with parenting.  I'm well aware that I have another four plus years with Nick but he's incredibly independent, as Jay is. I'm looking forward to the years ahead and maybe focusing on some things I want to do. Enjoying my home more, enjoying my husband's company more and sucking the life out of Nick (ha, just kidding, kind of).

Notice how Nick is holding his fishing pole. I just love this kid. He makes me laugh everyday. Fishing is his passion. The school start time starts an hour later this year (thanks Covid). Nick has big plans to get up really early and get a few hours of fishing in before school starts!  I saw a neighbor today that lives on the lake and she told me she would missing seeing Nick out fishing in the mornings.  I told her to keep her eyes open and she will still find Nick out on most mornings. I am certain that if you ask Nick in 10 years what he can remember about the pandemic of 2020 he will say it was the best time of his life! His life has been carefree centered around the things he loves; fishing, time with friends, hanging with family and just living his best Nick life!

Praying for a wonderful year for this kid!

Our Weekend

Life during COVID is challenging and it feels like it's only getting worse with no end in sight. This weekend was really nice because I did "normal" things and I was able to refocus some of my energy into something positive. Laura and I are orchestrating a welcome back get together for our teachers tomorrow morning. It's a small thing we can do to let our teachers know how much we appreciate them especially since our school district is one of the few that is opening for in person learning - many districts are doing virtual learning only. Laura came out on Friday night and we made our plans over cocktails! Laura is my friend who gets things done. She is awesome!

On Saturday night we had our annual shrimp boil. I enjoy this more and more with each passing year.

Another alligator was smoked this year.  It's kinda gross to see them come out of the smoker but they are really good to eat.

Here's me trying to be discreet and snap a picture of Jay with his friends.  It takes very little to amuse me.

                                              A selfie with Jenna and Erin - two of my favorites.

And the food! And there was a lot of it this year.  I'm pretty sure the IL Dept. of Public Health would say this is not COVID approved. The food was again delish this year.

                                                         Me, Brooke and Darla!

This is Nick and J. - she's going to be a senior and she is the sweetest!  She is also good friends with Jay. I don't know what they were talking about but it was sure cute.
I went to church today in Minier.  The christian church was having service outside in the local park. It felt so good to be in church, at a service, with other people - social distanced of course. It was lovely.