December 2021 - New Paths

Between Christmas and New Years, I got  call from Jason's Ped. and he wanted us to come in to talk about Jason's bloodwork soon. My first thoughts were... well, it's either his thyroid, celiac, or leukemia.

Turns out it was Celiac... Jason needs to go gluten free. 

A sigh of relief along with - oh boy - more to deal with in this crazy phase. I needed to go out and get a bunch of food, and snacks so he didn't feel left out or frustrated... but I didn't have time. 

Instead, Shantel surprised me with a few bags of snacks just for him. I cried. God keeps filling in those gaps that I can't. He uses faithful people, and I'm so grateful. 

Let's all be faithful. To whatever He asks us to do.

 

December 2021 - Christmas

It's Christmas!!

All the kids waiting at the table for a few more of company to come. 

We enjoyed the yummy German Pancake, and had Bible time, and then bam - it was present time. 

This guy was thrilled with his hockey stick from Katie. 

Special to have both Will and Amanda and Ryan and Serenity for Christmas. 

With my new to me boots - which Katie also loves!

Michael slept through most of the gift opening- so when he woke up, we gave him his first Christmas presents. 

Serenity and Katie trudged through a lot o mud and mess to get branches for our table for Christmas. We had a few people over to add to our mis - and it looked so pretty. 

Another Christmas in the books. :) 

New memories. 

 

December 2021 - Decorating for Christmas

The kids and I decorated for Christmas one evening - and it was so much fun. We finally had space for decorations, and we could do red and green and white for decor - no more royal blue balls... lol It looked so pretty. 

Even Michael got into the festive spirit.

Lego art by Erik who let Michael play with it. 

Katie and her friend did some gingerbread house decorating.

Fun to decorate our new place for the holidays -much more space. Keep the old traditions, and hopefully add a another one to the list. 

We did advent for the first time as a family - helped that we were quarantining for almost a month - all the kids enjoyed lighting the candles - even Adele and Jason - and listening to a devotional about Christmas. 

November 2021- First Snow

The first snow always comes that last week of November. Hurry - bring all the snow gear out.. and then wait a month before using it again. :) 

But they had fun, enjoying this new space in the winter

Little girl in pink 

 

November 2021 - More Life

Laura, enjoying her bday present of a chef's hat and apron while making waffles

Kayla getting a snuggle with Michael. 

Charity - one of the nannies that kept us from sinking during Michael's hospital stay -came to see us.

Deanna and I - after their year photo shoot. 

Playing on the boy's bed. 

Making airplanes (a gift from Heather and the girls) and then we flew them in the gym. 

Getting bathtime in - with lots of loving in between. 

Going off to work somewhere. 

So much cuteness

The day Kayla showed the kids here engagement ring - announcing her and Derek's plans!

Lots of cuddles.

Kitten cuddles.

Daddy cuddles. 

I think in the middle of this, was when we got the 'vid. We had Ben and Deanna staying with us for a week while they did work, staged and then sold their house... and in that time, all the kids got a stomach bug. That made for lots of fun, and me and Deanna running into each other at 3 am cleaning up throwup... good memories. Then a couple days later, I was positive... and thus began our quarantine. ;) That was back in the days when it was 2 weeks...but then James got it... so it was almost a month of quiet. And it was well needed. We really enjoyed our time at home with just us, so while a few days of sickness was not fun, and the tiredness - crazy... (especially since some of Michael's night nurses were unable to come) it was still a gift, and we came through it fine.