Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas 2022!  Last night my sister and her family and my mom came out.  I remember last year we had great weather.  This year, not so much.  We've had fridgid temps with blowing snow but thankfully it had settled down enough so that everyone was able to make it out.  Mike made a brisket and it did not disappoint.  The picture above is the annual picture we send to the Ausili's.  It shows us in our "real" habitat.  Ha. 

We had all 5 dogs with us last night and they were actually very good.  Mike and I recently bought Cole, Copper and Walker a huge bed so all five dogs were able to make themselves cozy.  Notice they all have sweaters and coats on.  The temps have been sitting right at zero and below zero, too cold for any dog, let alone vizslas.  

Our boys!  Every year that goes by I count my blessings that they are with us.  It was so nice having Jay living at home during the holidays.  He's turned into a foodie, like his dad, and between the two of them we ate well all through December.  It was also nice to have Nick home for longer than 5 minutes.  Granted he's starting to act like a caged animal but he's coping.  He intends on working full time during break.  

The boys attempted to ice fish today but it hasn't been cold for long enough for the ice to be at a safe thickness.  Once they got on the ice and saw water pooling up they decided to come back in.  Thank goodness because everyone knows how much I hate ice fishing season.  I'm certain it's taken years off my life.  

My mom is a trooper.  She struggles more and more with each passing year but she loves being surrounded by her family at Christmas.  Last night sweet Jay literally lifted his nana into the car so Craig could drive her home.  As she got in the car I said, "You did it, mom."  She said, "Just, I just barely did it but I got it done."  Due to mom's mobility issues and the fridgid temps we elected to watch church from the comforts of my living room.  It is not the same - not even close, but it was the right decision this year.  Maybe next year we can go to in person church.  

My sister got the boys these cups.  Read it closely.  It's so spot on.  Today it is just me, Mike and the boys.  It's a slow, stress free day.  We leisurely opened gifts this morning.  After ice fishing was a bust Jay went to the gym.  Nick is relaxing.  I am blogging.  Mike is organizing.  We intend to have our big meal at 5pm tonight.  Our Christmas days have sure changed.  Mike's parents no longer come out and Ausili's are in Texas.  The more I age the more I realize you just have to adapt to the changes and find joy in every changing season.  This Christmas I'm joyful that my family could be together.  Considering the terrible weather we had I'm joyful we had power this Christmas.  I'm very joyous that we are all healthly and my mom is thriving.  God is good. 
 

Merry Christmas Eve

 Last night my bible study group got together for our 3rd annual Christmas gathering.  We are missing one member, Katie.  I am so thankful for all these women.  We formed this group during Covid in October 2020.  We meet once a month.  We've said countless prayers over one another, laughed together and cried over the many heartaches we've encountered through the years.  It's our faith in Jesus that sustains us and brings us great joy, even during times of sorrow.  I am honored to call each of these women friends.  

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. 

It's Nick's world, I just live in it

I realize this is a pretty random post considering it's Dec.23 but I haven't blogged about Nick in awhile.  I've intended to but time got away from me.  I have just finished working for the day today.  Mike, Jay, Nick and Chase (in the football picture above) went shopping out of town and I have a little time before my bible study Christmas party.  I figured I'd sit down and write what Nick has been up to.  It's never boring with Nick.  He continues to keep busy with his friends, despite the fact he opted not to play football or basketball.  Our football team did so well this season and although he didn't play Nick went to every game to support the team and Chase.  The picture above was taken after a Win.  Nick ran onto the field to congratulate Chase and another parent captured this awesome picture.  

 Nick continues to fish and his boat he bought in August is finally finished and out of our garage.  Mike literally covered it yesterday and moved it out.  It ended up taking four months to finish.  Considering Nick now has a boat and his hobbies are well...expensive, he got a part time job in late October.  His friend, Brantson (above) and Brantson's dad recommended Nick.  Nick works at a fabrication shop about 10 minutes from our house.  He loves it and in true Nick form, he's learned a skill.  Over Christmas break Nick intends on dividing his time and working full time at the fab shop and at the machine shop he worked at this summer.  Nick always has big plans and has a way of excuting them so they come to fruition.  I will say at this stage in my life and his he takes very little effot from a parenting perspective and it's challenging for me, probably because he's my "baby" and I want to hold on to him as long as possible.  He's hardly home so I don't see him.  By the end of the week I miss him.  Last night a winter storm rolled in.  All four of us were home by 6pm and had dinner together and we stayed home the rest of the night.  It was my Christmas miracle.  Nick went to bed early last night because he was tired.  I went up to his room and wrapped him in a huge hug.  I was so thankful to just have him home for longer than five minutes.  Ha.  

Mom's award for the ugliest sweater at the home

 As promised here is the sweater I took mom out to buy last week in the rain but it was worth it.  I mean really is it any surprise that she won the ugly sweater award at the home?  Mom's heart has been joyous lately and I'm so thankful.  She is actively involved in activities at the home.  Just this week she went on a shopping trip and last night she went out with other residents to look at Christmas lights.  No doubt this year has been hard but in usual mom fashion she finds the best in every situation.  Today I stopped in to see her.  Central IL is preparing for a big winter storm.  Mom and I agreed that it is comforting that she doesn't have anything to worry about during this storm.  She doesn't have to worry about getting Walker out to do his business, finding someone to plow her drive or worry about getting her mail.  It is a blessing to Kim, mom and I to know she is taken care of and continues to be a ray of light to everyone she encounters.  

Happy 50th Birthday, Sieb

My dear hubby turns 50 day and I mean it when I say he just gets better with age.  Mike and I have literally grown up together.  We met when I was just 19 and he was 21.  We've been through a lot together and still like each other.  ha.  I planned a "celebrate Sieb" weekend.  It started on Saturday night with a trip to a whiskey distillery.  Mary and John joined us (they are celebrating their 12 year anniversary today also).  We really had a great time.  

On Sunday night I invited a few of Mike's friends over (Craig, Neal and Joe) and they had steak and drank whiskey.  I knew that having a big party for Mike would be like torture.  I think he really enjoyed the whiskey distillery and having a small group of friends over.  Today we relax and celebrate all the things we love about Sieb.  
 

Holiday Parties

I had a full and fun weekend.  On Friday night Mike and I went to the "Welcome Home Haiti" event with friends of ours that we don't see often enough.  On Saturday night I went to a "favorite things" party with Kim at her neighbor, Chan's house.  On Sunday I attended Chan's daughters baptism.  

 The month of December always flies by.  Next week is Mike's 50th birthday - more on that later.  I do have a few things up my sleeve.  

Wonderful

 My mom has living in her new apartment at the "home" for four months now.  She has settled in nicely and compared to the train wreck we had this summer, life is well wonderful.  Mom's favorite phrase these days is so and so is wonderful, you girls are wonderful, Gail (her therapist) is wonderful and so on and so on.  Mom's outlook is bright and I've thanked God many times for this season of grace and restoration He has granted all of us.  We needed it!  True to our nature we also have lots of laughs.  The "home" certainly provides us with some interesting stories.  Last week mom told me she and another resident passed by the Christmas tree that was in the main lobby.  Mom commented that the tree was pretty and the other resident agreed but said she was sad Christmas was over.  Mom called me and shared the confusion over when Christmas actually is and we laughed together, as we always do.  I said, "Well mom it could be worse.  At least you know when Christmas is."  Mom lives next door to a married couple.  I got to meet them this week.  The wife introduced her husband to me as her dad.  The husband rolled his eyes and said "I've been dealing with this crap for 90 years."  Once mom and I were safely in her apartment we laughed again.  Confusion at the "home" is a common theme.  Mom is also playing "secret santa" to her neighbor down the hall, Milford.  Several weeks ago mom decided she was tired of sitting with the women for breakfast so she boldly started sitting with the men.  If you ask me this was wise on mom's part.  She is after all the youngest person at the "home" and still has all her mental capacities.  Plus morning is her best time of day.  I'm pretty sure she shines at that man table every morning.  Anyway one morning Milford shared that he hangs a stocking on his door every Christmas season but no one ever puts anything in his stocking.  Mom being the thoughtful person that she is directed (she's bossy too) Kim to pick up some goodies to fill Milford's stocking.  Milford commented this week that sure enough he found the loot in his stocking!  Mom stayed silent on her role in the secret stocking stuffer.  Yesterday mom bossed asked me to take her out so she could buy an ugly Christmas sweater for some event at the "home."  I did what I was told and we came home with what might be the ugliest but funniest sweater I've ever seen.  Just wait, I'll post pictures in another blog.  This current season of good health mentally and physically for my mom has been a joy for all of us.  It's been so nice to see mom be mom and we are so thankful!  

Happy 15th Birthday, Lauren

 Lauren's birthday is always the start of the Christmas season for us.  I am so thankful for this niece of mine.  She always makes me smile.  She is so kind hearted and easy to be around.  School does not come easy for her but she works hard and her hard work has paid off.  Her and Luke love attending their private christian school.  They can quote scripture and know their bible way better than my sister and I.  It's been worth every penny and I know Kim and Craig have never regretted their decision.  Lauren turned 15 over the weekend and got her drivers permit.  It's hard to believe she will have her drivers license next year.  Happy Birthday, Lauren.  I pray this year blesses you abduntantly.