How are the boys?

 Lately life has been more challenging than usual for my mom.  On nights when she sleeps all night her next day tends to go better.  Like all of us we function well when we get adequate sleep.  Mom deals with  signficant handicaps and if she has several nights where she doesn't sleep well her body lets her know it.  I talk to mom every morning on the phone and I know almost immediately when she picks up the phone rather she has slept all night.  This morning I could tell she didn't sleep well.  She reported to me she had been up since 2am and on top of that she's been dealing with diarhhea which is going on several days now.  I could hear the frustration and despair in her voice this morning which caught my attention because mom is always so upbeat but this morning she had had it.  She could hardly formulate a sentence.  Finally after what felt like 5 minutes of her trying to get her words out I told mom to relax, that I would ask her yes or no questions, something that is much simpler for her to respond to.  I determined she wasn't in any pain and that she didn't need me to do anything.  She just needed someone to listen to her.  Life in general is wearing my mother down but she continues to have a positive attitude.  I prayed over the phone with her this morning which seemed to encourage her.  As we ended our conversation mom asked the very same question that she has asked me since the day her grandsons were born, "How are the boys?"  Despite having no sleep, diarhhea and completely broken speech mom still wanted to know how the boys were doing.  I literally had to bite my lip and breathe to keep from crying as I told her all about Nick and Jay and what they were up to which wasn't much different than what they were up to yesterday but knowing what they are doing is still important to mom.  Ninety percent of the time I don't let things with mom get to me.  I just focus on the positive and what needs to be done for her to move forward but it got to me this morning.  It was a good reminder to never take a day for granted and to cherish every conversation I have with her.  

Luke is 12

The youngest of mom's grands turned 12 last week.  Kim had a birthday dinner for Luke on Saturday night.  

Aunt Mindy and I posed with the kids.  Aunt Mindy is truly awesome and beats me hands down in the best aunt award but I sure love my niece and nephew!  We had a great time with family.  Oh and the weather has been really nice lately too.  An added bonus. 
 

My FL trip

Back in the fall Jenny asked Sarah and I if we wanted to meet her in Florida in early February.  Her entire family was going to experience Disney.  Jenny had no interest in going to the parks, nor did I.  Sarah couldn't go but I used my AA points and booked my free flight and the plans were set in motion.  It was an added bonus when about three weeks ago Faith and Anna decided to join us.  Even though we didn't go to the parks we did do a ton of walking!  We had 2 days of travel and 3 days of laughter, relaxing and catching up.  It was wonderful.  My heart is full.  

I love Jenny's parents.  I have so many fond memories of their cabin in TN where our families vacationed for years.  It was wonderful to catch up with them.  

I've been traveling a lot lately.  I don't have any big trips planned at the moment but I do always like to have something planned to look forward to.  In a few weeks Kim and I are getting together with our cousins for an overnight and then in March Kim and I are getting together with her friend, Lindsay.  Today I'm back at work, back to reality.  I am very thankful for the time I had with my dear friends.  Each trip that I take where I am financially able to go and healthwise able to do it, I'm so thankful.  
 

Nashville

Late this summer me, Shannon and Mary were relaxing on my patio when we came up with an idea to go to Nashville to celebrate Mike and Mary's 50th birthdays.  We picked late January - a date right between Mike and Mary's birthdays.  Wow, did we have fun.  I know I say it all the time but God has blessed me immeasurably with the most beautiful friendships, not to mention my awesome husband.  The five of us had a wonderful time together.  

When we arrived on Thursday night we got settled into our AirBNB.  Then we headed to Broadway where we enjoyed live music at Kid Rock's restaurant.  We then walked around Broadway, heading in and out of other bars.  It was cold that night but we survived.  Thursday was probably the coldest night because the rest of the weekend I was able to be out and about without a coat.  It was 60 degrees on Saturday. 

On Friday Mike and I got up and walked to the neighborhood coffee shop.  We picked up coffee and bagels for everyone.  For lunch the five of us ate at Martin's BBQ.  We then went walking to Leon's candy shop and after that headed to Mattheson's where Sieb got a giant cookie.  We spent over an hour at Standard Proof whiskey bar.  We also went to Tootsies and ended the evening at a pizza place.  

 On Saturday we literally went from 9am until 11pm that night.  We went to Biscuit Love for breakfast then drove to downtown Franklin, TN.  We shopped and later in the afternoon we went to Leipers Fork Distillery.  We ended the night at Fox and Locke with a live band and let me tell you it did not disappoint.  This was probably my most favorite as far as live bands go.  We truly had such a nice time.  I was in bed and asleep by 7pm on Sunday night (no joke).  It was a wonderful weekend filled with good friends, wonderful food, amazing drinks and lots of laughter.  

Happy 21 years, Jay

 Jay's 21st birthday is today.  Where has the time gone?  We celebrated last night with a family dinner.  We have no plans tonight but tomorrow night Mike and I are taking Jay to a high end distillery in Peoria.  Jay's really excting news is he bought a new to him but used truck over the weekend.  I'm not gonna lie.  I don't love it.  First off it's huge.  I call it "The Boemoth."  I can't even get up into it without a step ladder but my biggest concern is the loan and the payments.  They aren't small.  But this is part of growing up and certainly there will be times when Jay can't do something because he has to make his loan payment.  

My prayer for Jay this year is that he draws in closer to Jesus, that he gets really comfortable in his own skin by knowing who he is in Christ.  I pray for his future wife, that she would love God with her whole heart and adore Jay.  I am truly praying for abundant blessings over Jay this next year.  

The first Bass Bash

Last night we had a huge fundraiser for our fishing team.  I am beyond thrilled because we made enough money to pay for our upcoming spring season and most of our fall season.  Yay!  I am so proud of the group of people who got this team up and running.  When I wrote the proposal in the spring of 2020 I could not have envisioned where this team would be today.  We have a solid coach, a committed group of parents and kids who love to fish.  It is our goal to make sure the team continues to grow and more kids get exposed to fishing.  Out ultimate goal is to one day see a kid on our team get a fishing scholarship to college.  As our coach said in the world we live in today these kids are the future of fishing and the outdoors.  It's good that fishing gives them a reason to stay on the right path.  Speaking from my own personal experience with Nick.  Fishing keeps him grounded and out of trouble.  

 Mike was a rock star last night.  He was our "accountant" and had to keep track of what was sold, who bought it and for how much, all while listening to a an auctioneer.  In usual Mike form it took him a bit to get an ear for it but once he figured out what he was listening for he dove right into it.  

I'll have more to post this week.  Jay turns 21 tomorrow.  I know, crazy!  

Happy New Year!

We celebrated NYE with Mary, John, Kim and Craig at our house.  It was a quiet evening.  Just the way I like it.  Mike made brisket so as usual we ate well.  I swear I'm going to start back to my healthy eating lifestyle this month.  I've completely fall off the rails but I'm giving myself a pass.  It's hard to stay on track in December.  Now whether or not I'll participate in dry January remains to be seen.  I have started making a "drinking check list" at the beginning of each week and that has worked well for me.  I don't like going head first into a major change in January.  I like making gradual changes throughout the year.  In any case I am looking forward to 2023 and all it has in store for me and my family.   

My sister!  I'm not sure how I would do life without her.  It was a rough summer for us but by the grace of God we got through it.  I know one major change we had in 2022 was moving mom into Luther Oaks but we are all so happy with that decision.  Mom has settled into her new apartment and is thriving.  Kim and I were able to catch our breath as the summer came to an end and we entered the fall season.  God answered our prayers and gave us a season of rest and grace.  

My boys hung around long enough to eat with us.  Everyone was thrilled to see them, even if just for a short time.  It's been a rough week for Jay.  He and his girlfriend of almost 2 years broke up.  Jay is doing fine and I truly believe 2023 will be an awesome year for him.  He turns 21 in 15 short days.  He will interview for his apprenticeship in March and he continues to prove he has a good head on his shoulders.  There have been so many prayers from my momma's heart for Jay, especially these last few months.  My biggest heart cry is for him to truly know Jesus.  Jay is a believer so I can rest in knowing that but I want him to know who he is in Jesus.  I want him to be comfortable in his own skin. I've left it at the cross.  I know God has plans for both of my boys. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.   

My table completely filled with the ones I love.  That's a perfect NYE in my book.  

 This is what a 30 year friendship looks like.  Mary and I say all the time God sure knew what He was doing when he put us together.  I am so thankful for her friendship.  She has prayed me through so many hard situauations these past few years but she's also been there with a joyous heart in my times of celebration.  I just adore her.  

As I reflect on the past year and enter a new year I can truly say I am optimistic in what 2023 will bring.  I have three heart desires right now that I'm intentionally praying for everyday.  I don't want to share them just yet because they are between me and God right now but I'm confident God is going to answer them, in His perfect timing.  As He does I will write about them.  I always love to see how God shows up!  Peace, joy, and hope to 2023!