HAPPY 2020

The New Year is upon us!

 What a year 2019 has been!  So much has happened all packed into a small little year, but we are so thankful for God's faithfulness to us.

As I look forward to the up coming year, there are always things I like to think about improving upon.
Each year, I do set goals, (I know some do not like New Year's resolutions, but I'm a weird one that loves them.) and this year is no different. 

I want to spend more time enjoying nature this year.  The above photo is one of my favorite places to visit, and I hope to visit NM again this year.
I hope to improve on my office skills this year.  I'm thankful that I improved on them from last year and all books are caught up to start the new year fresh!  Yay!
(this is huge for me)
So this year, I would like to keep things up ALL the time, not play catch up at the end of each month.
I also want to spend my hours in the office, more focused.

I would like to spend more time with my grand children.

We will start our 4th year reading through the bible.  Each year it is richer and richer. :)

This year I would like to intentionally save and intentionally spend.  What does that mean?
Spend less money and save more money.  Make what we DO spend money on matter and not waste.

I would like to spend more time developing a proper herb garden.  Last year I planted dill and cilantro as well as chocolate mint.  We still have plenty of dill that I was able to dry and it is fantastic.
I used all the cilantro as I love it better fresh, and we have some mint left.
This year I'd like to add chamomile and a few other herbs as well as Aloe Vera.
I'd also like to get the porch painted and re-stained.

And each year I always ALWAYS want to walk more closely with The Lord, My Rock an my Redeemer.... Without Christ, there would be no future to look forward to.

So, how about you?

Christmas Part 2

We have had such a great week.  We had so much fun going Christmas Light hunting before Christmas.  Then, we cooked and baked and baked and cooked and had a wonderful visit with family and friends.  And it is just the 4th day of Christmas! :)

Christmas Cookie Decorating with friends

Same visited by himself before Christmas. :)

Sweet Erika!

Daddy opening a gift and Sarah abruptly stopped him..... it was for

Erika!  LOL

I think she likes it.  You know your kids are all grown when they  get a trash bag to put the wrapping in. :)

Two of my favorite people!  :)

Hmmmmm.  I wonder what this is?

She was so proud of her ginger bread house!

She made it with lots of sprinkles!

He was proud of his too!

I think he likes it!

Erika's long time friend. :)

Learning to play Azul.

Oh, its a box!

Face masks... Don't those fellas look thrilled?

The was our "Merry Christmas you filthy animal" post. :)

The day after Christmas left overs.....



I LOVE THIS!  It is in the kitchen. :)

Time to rest! :)

Let The Christmas Photos Begin! :)

Well good morning! Sebastian! :)  Oh.My.Heart!

Just a Little Christmas Shopping with the Girlies!

We had SO.MUCH.FUN. Together!

 Guess who got NEW Purple High Tops!

 SHE DID!

 Spring Rolls

And then there were dancers from The NutCracker.... and more!

The Floor!

I LOVE IT!  Thank you Mike!

Getting New Floors

About 4 years ago, when things started happening in our family that we never thought possible, (not sure why that is)  our dining room tile floors were severely damaged.  The cracks in those floors have been a daily reminder of what was, and of what is no longer!
I'm thankful for the deep lessons learned about what "was"... and I'm deeply thankful that what was happening then is happening NO LONGER!....

BUT... that daily reminder was still there and it brings with it, pain. 

It is quite costly to replace floors.  Last month, during the black Friday sales after Thanksgiving, Mike found the perfect flooring at the right price!  In fact, we were able to purchase enough flooring to cover the dining room, living room and hallway so it will all match.  (We plan to leave the kitchen and laundry room the same.

So, they started the process at 8:00 a.m. and this is what it looks like at 1:45. :)

 There was actually some sort of linoleum underneath and then underneath that a very old sub flooring, so they are headed to get new sub-flooring before putting down the rest of the floor.

One of the coolest things happened!  They were putting all the old floor in the large garbage dumpster out front and it was completely full.  There was NO.MORE.ROOM.  Right when Mike was talking about what to do, as the garbage is typically picked up on Mondays, the garbage truck showed up and dumped the dumpster.... YAY! God provided by having the garbage man show up a day late! :)

I can't wait to see the end result.....

Mom Dad and Me Books..... continued again....

We still use them.

Miss Erika is home from college and this was waiting for her on her bed. :)
We still write in it and I LOVE it! :)

The Christmas Program

Last night was our church Christmas program.  Sarah and I sang in the ensemble, and Sarah sang a beautiful solo from a song called "He Who Is Mighty"....  It was lovely!

After the program there was a refreshment and visiting time.  We got to visit with our friend Kathi, who used to be just our social worker, but is now our friend, and with Keith and Albina and baby Sebastian. :)

                               Fun times!

 Keith, Albina, Sarah, Sebastian and Erika

                        Sarah trying to get a grin

 Kathi and Me taking photos.

                    Keith and Albina

Celebrating the Holidays

We had two Christmas parties in a row. Our ministry group party and then the college group party.
I REALLY need to learn how to take better photos.  My in house photographer is not always handy. :)
But here are some highlights of the ministry group party. :)

And then here are some photos of the college group party:

Everybody had a good time! :)