2019

Every year I feel like there is more hard and more good. More challenges and more blessings. More of a need to balance and, of course, pray. 
2019 I got out of bed every morning and did my best. That, I suppose, is my accomplishment.

On the days I least wanted to get out of bed and had the least amount of energy, I was often blessed by a stranger. I cannot tell you how many strangers God put in my path in 2019 who MADE A DIFFERENCE. 

I did more walking (thank you friends) and more self reflecting in 2019. 

In the two or three years after my mom passed away, I watched other mothers with adult daughters and felt so lost, sad, and sometimes envious. As the years went on, I felt I was healing in this department. I miss my mom every single day, but I could feel happier for my friends making memories with their moms. I saw grandmas with grandchildren and saw the JOY in their faces. Sadly, I experienced some regression in this department in 2019. Sadness seeped in and lonesomeness met me some days. Moms and daughters have a bond. Those daughters' moms and those daughters' kids share a bond. 

I miss my sisters incredibly. Our kids are very busy, so frequent visits cannot happen. We simply treasure the time we do get. They "get me" and I "get them" - it is certainly a blessing.

Praying for additional healing in 2020. 

2019 was a year of sweet memories, growth, hard stuff, and learning

I have become more of an introvert except when it comes to teaching. Teaching, working with kids, and volunteering fuels me. 



My attitude of gratitude became greater, because it had to. 

These 4 kids are amazing. 
Daily, I learn through them.
Also, I have been blessed my so many students! 

I am so very thankful for the many blessings that come in so many different forms. I am also thankful for the disappointments that led to blessings. 
I am so thankful our kids are making good decisions and have a strong work ethic!
I am so thankful for family and friends.

I have goals for 2020.
To get up each day and TRY. :-)
To TRUST God every step of the way. 
To travel, even if this means within Washington. This family doesn't do big trips real well. 
I plan to volunteer more in my community. 
I plan to eat more veggies.

To my blog readers, thank you! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

A Sunday Update

Merit and team had two games in Tri Cities yesterday, both out of league, the second went into double overtime. It was the most exciting game I had seen in a long time.
It resulted in a loss but was very fun!
My brain is cluttered and my heartburn is lingering. 
I tried a sip of coffee this morning - something I have not been able to drink much of lately - and I could not tolerate it.
I have to think that maybe just going really bland for a while could be the answer. I finished ten days of Nexium. 

Yesterday was fun and wild. I took Willem, Hazel, and Oren to Get Air between Merit's games. It was so a busy! I should have known, Saturdays and Sundays are. Although crowded, it was fun but Willem would have had a lot more fun with Merit there.
Merit left at 4:30 this morning to go to a baseball event in Seattle.
I am proud of his work ethic.
Willem and Merit have a lot of basketball coming up. And although Willem is in town this coming weekend, Merit is in Spokane and Idaho. Looking at the schedule makes me cross eyed but we will figure it out. 

I think my cluttered brain and heartburn may have me turning to more lemon ginger tea and taking bigger breaks from facebook and instagram. 

I feel very thankful that the Oren and Hazel are enjoying their time with each other and Christmas toys so much! The building and imagination is really fun! All the toys at my feet and creative play is really terrific.

It's so much more than a game

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

5 wonderful Christmas blessings!

1) the roads were great for travel

2) after many months of Merit having issues with his back and pelvis, he is enduring 2 1/2 - 3 hour practices and playing games - Praise the Lord. We prayed so much for healing for him!!

3) cousin fun

4) Family willing to host all of us; Lesha and Rob, Lissa and Trav, Stan and Adie, Grandma Alma, Tasha and Reese

5) Most importantly the GIFT of Jesus!

Just got back from grocery shopping, the fridge was empty - Soon I will work the concessions at the high school basketball games tonight.

I think we can find ourselves over Christmas missing something or someone, but grateful too for those around us and our many blessings.

I could sleep for two days straight I think, but life does not slow down.

Phil, Brenda, and Ryp

Ryp is a happy, happy baby

 Kai and Vance

 Merit and Willem

Hazel Jane

Grandma Adie and grand kids

Santa filled their stockings!

Grandma Alma's

 Aunt Jill calls :-)

Ice cream Sundaes and friends...

 A perfect way to spend a Wednesday afternoon!
Ice cream sundaes and FRIENDS!

Fast paced, fun days!

I made soaps with kindergartners yesterday and today. These are Christmas gifts for their parents. I joined forces with 40 kinders and we made 45 soaps!! The kindergarten classrooms smelled amazing! We used essential oils and a melt and pour base. SO much fun!

This morning I took about an hour to make more Christmas tags. My goal is to get some to the Favored Farmhouse too!

 Many of our high school players came to cheer on Chief Mo and Frontier's 8th graders!

Willem is a baller. 

Oh this game was a blast! Chief Mo vs. Frontier! Many of the Chief Mo kids Willem plays tournament ball with. Packed house, close game, Frontier won! 

The middle school basketball season flies by quickly! Only 3 home games! 

December 15

Connell, Washington is not a town well known or at least it does not seem to be. Far from a tourist town, it is located about 50 miles from our home, our travels brought us there yesterday because of basketball. Side note; our travels have brought us to so many interesting Washington and Oregon towns because of basketball and baseball. 
Maybe what I like most are the towns that are not considered tourist towns. I used to love Leavenworth. I still think it is beautiful! But the December crowds have encouraged me to go in January. 
The antique/thrift store in Connell was certainly nostalgic and the brick building had me drooling. 
The burgers at Burger Factory were terrific and the atmosphere just as good. 
The basketball jamboree was really fun too! Way to Go Smash!

I am catching my breath in December. Running, going, over thinking, praying, enjoying, over thinking, running...


And reminding myself what we are really celebrating; Jesus Birth

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:19

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Romans 15:13 is my verse for the week

Hazel and Oren, concert day

Two hour delay due to slick roads AND it is the Christmas concert! 

There will be one performance instead of two because of the delay!

The gym will be packed and I may need to park a mile away... but I am excited!

We have 17 boxes of citrus fruits to deliver after the program! 

Merit and I, it is a baseball fundraiser.

And it is Vance's birthday! Dinner out will wait till Sunday. We will all be ready for that. 

Connie is not a house cat, she snuck in for the picture, seriously! 

Connie was not about to miss this big day for Hazel.

You would NEVER now they were fighting three minutes before the pictures was taken.

#letthegoodtimesroll

Cozy night, a little snow may be coming...

 Merit 
Cold Days
Good Memories
I am SO thankful his back is doing okay!! SO thankful! An answer to many prayers for sure - Another physical therapy appointment tomorrow, but he has had so much improvement since November 2nd.

For months, running on the basketball court and jumping and landing caused a bite of pain in his mid/lower back. An hour or more on the court and his back was done.
He can now handle 2 1/2 - 3 hour practices.

 Nellie Girl

Hazel Jane

It's supposed to snow tonight.