Ice Fishing

 Nick has had a solid two weeks of ice fishing.  As long as the ice is thick enough, he fishes.  Not playing basketball this season has had its benefits, as far as Nick's fishing goes.  Mike bought the same gear that Nick has and because it's Mike's slow season at work he's been fishing with Nick.  Even Jay has gone out on the ice a few times.  Although Nick wouldn't admit I think I'm a little less freaked out by the ice fishing this year.  My only rule is he can't fish alone.  He finds a partner every time.  Yesterday him and Mike were invited out by Nick's math teacher to a small pond not far from where we live.  They fished the entire afternoon and Nick caught this catfish.  Clearly it was good day in Nick's world!!  

Florida cousins weekend

Cora moved to Florida in October.  Me, Kim and Amber flew down to spend the weekend with her this past weekend.  We had some hiccups, like Kim getting Covid before we left.  Don't worry she recovered and was obviously not contagious but I was afraid she might have been too tired to make the trip but I was wrong.  She did great!  Then our flight got cancelled.  We were able to rebook but it required Cora driving 2 hours to another airport to pick us up.  The weather on Saturday was beautiful and Kim, Amber and Cora went parasailing.  I went along to observe and cheer them on.  

 What a blessing these girls are to me.  It was so nice to get away from cold Illinois and spend some time in the warm Florida sun.  It truly brings my heart such joy to be around my cousins and it was so nice to see where Cora lives and works.  She and her family have adjusted to life in southwest Florida beautifully.  I know this weekend will go down in the memory books with all the laughs we shared.  

Happy 20th Birthday!

 Jay turned 20 yesterday.  Even he said it feels weird not to be a teenager anymore.  I had Jay's birthday dinner last week (more on why I did that in my next blog) and we celebrated with his sweet girlfriend, Gabby.  Jay seems to be in a really good season of life right now.  He is working in the career field he enjoys and hopes to get an apprenticeship next year to become an electrician.  He moved back home about two weeks ago.  He said he wanted to start saving some money, so he has landed back at home.  Jay and Gabby will soon celebrate one year of dating.  I'm so glad we are through the worst of covid and these young kids can do normal things.  

I pray that God blesses Jay abundantly this year and that he can start to discern the holy spirit within him.  That he continues to make wise choices and invites good friends into his life.  Here's to another year around the sun!  

NYE in TX

Last week me, Mike and Nick traveled to TX to ring in the 2022 with the Ausili's.  Granted I was asleep by midnight on NYE but who cares!  We still had a relaxing weekend with our dear friends.  Sadly Jay was not able to join us and Faith was visiting her friend, Anna, in AZ so we were a group of 6 this time.  

We made dinner together on NYE.  Sieb grilled steaks and Nick helped with the mashed potatoes.  

 This picture may look like they were hiding from the camera but they weren't.  Nick was cracking Ausili up over something.  Never a dull moment.  Although Jay and Faith were missed, we really enjoyed our visit.  It was a quiet and relaxing visit.  Nick got a 12 hour flu bug so that slowed us down a bit and the weather was so cold.  

Embrace the change(s)

 I don't like new years resolutions so therefore I don't make them.  I do, however, like to come up with a thought, word or phrase every new year.  Last year I didn't come up with anything.  When 2020 ended I was just happy to see it from my rear view mirror.  2021 brought many blessings but as I slowly step into the possiblities of a new year, the weight of all that was 2021 is heavy.  I am bombarded with prayer requests (which I am humbled by and thankful for).  The suffering is real and raw and there are days I depend on the holy spirit to pray for me because the suffering among those I love is so deeply is  overwhelming.  My immediate family is doing fine which I am so thankful for.  There have been so many changes these past five years.  I could say I've accepted these changes but I'd be lying.  There is a part of me who just wants her 30 something year old self back.  I was so sure by the time I reached my age I would be sitting on easy street.  Wrong again.  I'm reminded of what I tell Jesus everyday.....I know nothing.  As I turn a new year I think it's finally hit me that more changes are inevitable.  I might as well embrace them.  More dear friends of mine will be leaving Illinois which breaks my heart but maybe this time it will be better equipped to repair itself since I just experienced a similiar loss a few short years ago when Ausili's left.  My mom's speech won't get any better without a miracle.  More decisions will rest on my shoulders and Kim's as we navigate mom's health.  I may never have a back and forth conversation with my mother this side of heaven.  Covid will continue to be a thorn in everyone's side.  Friends and family members will still encounter health crises.  My boys will continue to age and hopefully get married, bringing different dynamics to the family that will require change and adjustment, not to mention they will certainly endure times of tribulation balanced out by times of celebration.  

This year I want to embrace all the change(s) from the crappy to the joyous.  While I have always prided myself on being a glass is half full kind of girl I am giving myself permission to mourn what I have lost but also keep perspective of what I have gained.  Mary (of course it was Mary, right?) gave me such good advice right after Christmas when she could see I was struggling.  She said to start creating my own magic, decide how I want to bring that magic alive in my house.  I don't know what my year will look like - only Jesus does and it's through Him that I can get through another year of changes whatever they may be, embracing them one prayer at a time.