November isn't quite over but I think I will lump the last week into December's post. It's been a really interesting month for me personally. Lots of self-reflection and working on some areas where I could use more freedom. Had a really good series at church about Victory in our lives and actually READ a book that challenged how I approach the church body. You know I don't go really deep on this blog anymore as I was convicted a few years ago about letting my kid's story be their to tell, and with Trinity being almost fifteen while I don't regret that choice I will say I have chaffed a little bit over having to curb my natural inclination to bear all in writing. I keep a journal now for my own and my children's tracking of our mental and emotional well-being but it doesn't allow room for all the thoughts in my head so I opened an account on the online journal site Penzu but of course I'm terrible about making use of it and I don't like how all the entries seem so disconnected. You can't just turn pages like in a paper journal (which I also fail at whenever I try). As usual, I have my Advent study from She Reads Truth to help me be mindful through the season. I'm so excited to get to it next week, I haven't been doing any particular studies this year in the Word and boy do I feel it. Also personally convicted that we listen to more Christian music in the house, it was such a huge part of my faith building as a child. Isaac is still taking his swim lessons but has joined the homeschool group. Blake's winter basketball rec season is coming up, and Trinity is doing REALLY well in her trumpet lessons. Blake continues in piano and Jeremy is itching to get Isaac going on the piano as well since he has a really great ear for picking out melodies. The kids have been preparing for Market Day at CC. It's the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving so this month it is still in November. Trinity made wreaths with moss we gathered from the forest. They are so pretty! I spent two hours eyeing the fireplace wall for all the silverfish that came out of the wood as it dried and sucked them up one by one as they appeared on the lighter colored stack stone. Talk about crafting #reality versus the Pinterest version, lol! Blake baked sugar cookies (not very tasty but I'm pretty sure kids don't care). The cousins are here for the week and helped him frost them. There is a ton and the whole thing was completely run by the kids so well done! The highlight of the month is FIRST, how long my sister and her family got to stay and SECOND that my brother drove them over so that he and Nat and I could go to the NEWBOYS reunion concert. When Peter Furler came on stage we went wild. Talk about reliving your youth. It was super fun. I will of course link a ton of videos because it. was. awesome. I had my sister grab some family snapshots so we could make some shutterfly cards for the first time. Took the kids to see the new Grinch movie. Very cute. I also hosted a fun worship team building night where we laughed A LOT over 90's trivia and the last few pictures are of a gift store that I have driven past a million times and it looks so "hippe" that I've avoided it figuring it was a pothead selling agates or something but turns out its the most beautiful high end home decor stuffed into a dingy cabin you will ever find. Blake wanted this $85 cowboy had sooooo bad. Wannabe Tim McGraw I think. . . and I don't even listen to country but he sure is adorable. Blake not Tim. =) Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family I can't be with. I love and miss you all.
we needed pinecones for the wreaths so when a tree had fallen partly over the road from a wind storm I pulled over and busted two huge branches off and threw them in the van!
Trinity got sassy with me so her chore was to remove all the pinecones from the brances lol. Even after the wreaths we could do a few more entirely of pinecones I think.
The kids and I got to see Matilda with our dear friend Evangeline Opong-Parry having a starring role. Blake loves this movie and was not familiar with the broadway version. The man who played Mrs. Trunchbull was perfection. We had a great time although Isaac was DONE by the end. A three hour show and we didn't get out until 10:30. . .super proud of how well-behaved they all were. Great show!
Phil Joel's band opened
forest floor. . . .
Trinity bought herself a digital drawing pad
results of our sparkly unicorn facemasks
first attempt
