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.  

This House

 My cousin, Adam and his wife, Nicki, bought our grandparents home after they died.  I have not been in the house since my grandparents lived in it but last night Nicki posted this picture.  Suddenly the memories of this home flooded my memory.  I think of my grandparents especially this time of year almost daily and the older I get the more I miss them and cherish them.  I had so many happy memories in this home.  Every Christmas our entire family would pile down in the basement to open presents, after the meal was eaten and the dishes were done, of course.  Often times we would pull into the driveway and grandma and grandpa would be waiting for us on the porch.  When we left grandma would be in the front window waving to us.  Grandma's sugar cookies and her peanut butter fudge were in abdundance during the holidays.  Driving to Sterling was a long drive so we would always spend the night.  I'd wake up every morning with the same greeting from grandma, "How did you sleep, Amy?"  Then she'd prepare my oatmeal which my mother could never perfect.  Only grandma knew how to make the oatmeal I loved.  

After the holidays were over last year I remember feeling disappointed with how the holidays had played out.  Nothing had gone wrong and I had plenty to be thankful for but it was an odd Christmas.  My in laws didn't come on Christmas Day.  Jay had moved out and although he spent a good amount of time with us it was an adjustment for me.  Most of my sadness came from the past and having a hard time moving forward.  I realized at the time it was not healthy.  Time marches on and I know I need to be thankful in all things/time.  I voiced my sadness with Mary one day after Christmas last year and as always she provided me with sound, godly advice.  She said I needed to make the holidays my own.  I had to decide how I wanted the season to look for my family and be intentional.  That's exactly what I plan to do this season.  Someday I want my boys and grandchildren to look back at my house and think that is the house where I was loved, cared for and blessed.