December wrap up

 How can December be over?  How can my 13 year old (almost 14) be this tall?  How can 2015 be over?  Am I ready to begin another year?  Actually, I am ready.  2015 brought joy but it also brought struggles, struggles that will continue into 2016 but I am proud of the choices we've made as a family in coping with those struggles and I'm most proud of Mike, who when faced with a blow made choices based on integrity, honesty and an open heart.  Anyway, Laura and I planned and delivered another "Socks for Seniors" event.  It is my gift to my dad every year.  Sadly, this year he didn't seem to enjoy it as much.  I chalk it up to him being another year older and more set in his ways.  He was bent out of shape because it was past his bedtime. 

This Socks for Seniors night was a hit.  The weather cooperated so we had a big group turn out for the event, which the residents of the nursing home always enjoy.  Every resident at the nursing home got a new pair of socks. 

Bless my mother.  She helped out this year.  She mostly kept dad calm and kept reminding him he couldn't go to bed until Socks for Seniors event was over. 

And here's our whole crew.  See what I mean when I say we had a huge crowd this year.  My dad is right smack in the middle.  He's looking around and I know he's thinking, "You've got to be kidding me, I'm staying awake for this!"  LOL. 

A momma and her boys.  Mike took this picture on Christmas Eve.  Can you believe how tall Jay is?  I can't. 

More Christmas Eve pictures.  We did things a little different this year and it worked so well.  Kim was kind enough to host Christmas Eve lunch this year.  We ate lunch, played cards, went to church and after church we concluded the evening at mom's with more food (imagine that?) and gifts.  It was truly a lovely day with family.  And for once, it wasn't a hot mess!!

Nana with all four of her grands and they all appear to be looking at the camera.  That in itself is a Christmas miracle.

                                       Luke with his new boots his nana got him from TN. 

My boys on Christmas morning.  I love this picture of them.  We had such a nice Christmas.  It was relaxing and calm and joyous.  We are truly blessed. 

And that is my December wrap up.  More to come in 2016.  I am anxious to blog as to what's been going on with us and I will.....in time.  I am looking forward to spending New Years with family and friends.  I welcome 2016 and all it may bring.  I see 2016 as an opportunity!  Happy New Year to all.

Happy Birthday, Mike

 Today is Mike's 43rd birthday and I'm convinced it will be his best year ever! The above picture is from a few weeks ago.  Mike is crazy about these thumb print cookies from Folsom's Bakery in Rock Falls, IL. 

 The boys, well mostly Nick, made Mike breakfast in bed for his birthday.  What a great way to start his day.

Mike continues to help coach Nick's basketball team and you guess it, they had a game today (sadly, they lost).  Happy Birthday, Mike! 

Joy

The Christmas season is in full swing.  Our tree and house are decorated for the season, although, we're hardly home to enjoy it.  Basketball season always seems to be the busiest during December.  Last night we were all home.  No practices, no games.  It was nice.   Our family is still going through changes and I have the feeling those changes will be on-going for quite some time into 2016.  But with those changes, there is great joy.  We are all learning to trust God more.  If I've learned anything during this season of my life, it's that I know nothing.  I'll have an idea in my head of how I think something should go and God will blow my "perfect" plan into oblivion & of course His plan is way better than mine.  So, although the road ahead is unknown, I trust that God has a much better plan and as our pastor said during the first Sunday that we happened to be back at church after an 8 week absence, "When the storm clouds come in and there is nothing you can do, you press pause and wait."  Oh, how Mike and I love that phrase around here.   And so my friends, even though this Christmas is a wee bit scary for me, I am filled with great joy.  Joy that my boys are happy and healthy, joy that my husband has a heart that is open, joy that we have family and friends that love us and I have joy in my heart over the gift of time.  Kind of ironic since I wrote I have a slight fear of the unknown and I don't know when we'll get the answers we're looking for but I'll explain everything one of these days and it will all make sense. 

This and that and Happy Thanksgiving

 Jay is playing basketball these days and is loving it.  This year he's team captain and he starts.  He's worked really hard the last several years to get to where he is today.  Mike and I have really enjoyed watching him.  On this particular day Aunt Mimi came to cheer him on.  It's official, Jay is taller than his aunt.

 This picture warms my heart.  This is how we've spent many, many evenings the last 2 weeks, cuddled up together as a family with our dogs.  Cole still hasn't figured out he's not a lap dog but with Nick and his dog, all things are possible. 

 Nick's friend, C. has been coming to our house after school on basketball practice nights.  It's been fun for both the boys and I always enjoy having friends in. 

 We spent thanksgiving at my house this year and it was such a nice day.  The kids played, we ate and played games.  One game wasn't so successful (Apples to Apples) but we tried. 

                                My mom, Kim and Nick played cards.  Playing cards is always a hit. 

                                                         Jay towering over his nana.

 Ausili's came out late on thanksgiving night.  The picture below is the selfie Faith took of all 8 of us, not bad if I do say so myself.  This thanksgiving I felt especially blessed.  God is SO good, SO big and Mike and I have especially felt His love.  He has filled our hearts and mind with such peace and we are thankful for each other, our family and friends. 

A thankful heart

I've taken a break from my blog for awhile.  I haven't even looked at it and when I pulled it up this morning I noticed my last blog entry was from Nov. 10.  On Nov. 11 my life changed dramatically.  I will forever compare my life with how it was before Nov. 11 and how it is after Nov. 11 and trust me, in the storm that was brewing and the cyclone that came in, my story is one centered around great joy and peace for my family.  It's not something I'm going to share just yet in my blog but eventually I will.  It is a story that needs to be shared but it's also a story that isn't finished being written yet.  I can tell you God has his hands all over this one and I'm completely overwhelmed by His love, His grace and His mercy. 
We are busy preparing for Thanksgiving which I am hosting this year - turkey and all.  My dear mother bought the turkey and delivered it to my house so here's to hoping it all goes as planned.  This Thanksgiving I see things and people through a different (and more positive) set of lenses.  Nov. 11 changed me and this year especially I am so thankful for an abundance of blessings.  I am looking forward to spending the day with my own family and my mother and my sister, brother in law and my niece and nephew.  I am thankful for the laughs we will share, the food we will eat and the fire Mike will build (yeah, that too). 
I will post pictures in my next blog.  Life has been busy, as always.  Jay is playing and enjoying basketball, as is Nick.  Mike is assistant coach for Nick's team and I just trying to keep everyone fed.  Ha! 

Cooking 101

Nick is loving working in the kitchen these days.  He wakes up every morning and makes eggs for him and Jay.  He insists on helping me with dinner and he loves making spaghetti.  I am really trying to let him have free reign in the kitchen.  Sometimes it's hard because he makes a bigger mess than what needs to be made but I have to remind myself that it's okay, that's how one learns.  Recently I suggested that perhaps I could sign Nick up for a cooking class.  He was horrified.  He told me he would not take a cooking class.  I assume he thinks it would be too "girly girl" for him and Nick is 100% redneck.  He told me he'd rather learn from me or his nana. 

Honor Roll

Jay made the honor roll for the first time in middle school.  What an accomplishment for him.  He's been so close before but never quite made it but maybe 8th grade was the trick.  Ha.  Jay and I went to his honor roll breakfast this morning at school.  It was so well done.  During the breakfast I nudged Jay and told him that I had never made the honor roll in middle school so good for him!  I did get a grin out of him for that one.  Keep moving forward, Jay and as your nana and I always say, it's not how you start the race but how you finish the race that matters.  What will your finish line look like?