Much needed family time

Last night Aunt Karen, Kim's family, Michelle's family and mom all got together at my house.  During Covid.....it's a huge blessing to be able to do this.  Nick had just gotten out of quarantine and we were all healthy.  I hadn't seen Karen or Michelle since July (Jay's grad party).  And I hadn't met that sweet baby boy, Jensen, yet!  We all had such a nice time together.  Lots of talking and lots of laughs!!  

These three girls!  Harpy started at private school this week and she loves it.  God is so good! 

Awesome picture of my mom holding Jensen.  She got her cast off this week (yay!).  Kim was clearly making mom and Jensen laugh in this picture. 

Here's the thing with this baby. He looks so much like my dad.  I can see it through his eyes and his smile.  My aunt agrees and says the lord works in mysterious ways.  He knew this baby (who would look like a little Brad) was just what we needed! He is certainly a bright light in what has been a very dark time.  

 

Happy 19th Birthday, Jay

 Jay is 19 today.  I mean seriously how did that happen?  It's true what they say that your kids grow up in a blink of an eye. These days Jay isn't so little anymore.  Even though things are so unsettling with our country and we live under the tyranny of Illinois politics, along with a pandemic that marches on our kids are resilient.  Jay has spent his first year out of high school working full time in his landscape job.  The work dried up at the end of December but he still manages to keep busy.  His friends are his anchor and he spends the weekends with them, hanging out. He plans on taking an exam next week for an electrical apprenticeship position.  If he passes he'll move on to the interview phase.  I am praying for Gods will for his career and his future. Since life as we knew it is completely different than it was a year ago Jay has spent a lot of time at home. During the last few weeks when his work wasn't busy and the weather was cold, he'll come down to my office to chat during the day and will sit at the breakfast bar at night while I make dinner.  We've had some good discussions and I can see so clearly the man he's turning into.  Happy 19th Birthday, Jay!  I am so proud of you and I know God has big things in store for you. 

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!