Christmas cheer, finding peace in the corners

A week or so ago we went hiking along the canal in Ephrata. Fresh air, even when cold, feels so good! We think this little church is so welcoming... an episcopal I think. These are its front doors. 

We soaked up the sunshine and a change of scenery.

 There is a family here in town (Montlake Park area) that go ALL OUT for Halloween! So much bright, fun, decor, and many spots for photo ops! Hazel, Oren, and I went this Halloween. They encouraged everyone to stay "six pumpkins apart." It was so fun! Well, they are all decorated for Christmas. It is fun, festive and full of cheer! Willem and I took a peak at it the other night. 

Some of us still have another several days of quarantine so how fun is a drive to look at Christmas lights, the house mentioned above included! And get a hot cocoa or smoothie for the drive. :-) Something to look forward to tomorrow or Sunday. 

We watched The Upside today - I would recommend it, it is a really good movie.

I need to fold a bunch of laundry and I'd like to write some letters - 

I also want to decorate for Christmas but with some energy zapped it feels kind of like an undertaking. I feel so much better though.

Many people with Covid have difficulty breathing we thought we had escaped this dreaded symptom, but it hit Willem 😢

I find myself humming and whispering to myself 

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness... "

Finding peace in little pockets and corners. 

Covid Crazy

 We are old school over here. 

We have never signed up for Netflix. I do not know what hula is. Hula? Hulu? 

I don’t have an app for anything. 

Quarantine has made me wish we kept up with the rest of the world, well  just a tiny bit. 

I was the last person to get a texting plan. I was so irritated when my dentist sent me two texts reminding me of my appointment when I was paying PER TEXT. My poor dentist. I am in my 40s not my 90s. 

Some how we keep busy. 

Mostly being behind the times a bit.

(And the boys sanitized before touching the redbox screen. 😂)

I typically find joy in the journey. 

This week’s goal is to keep sanity in the journey. 

Merit is praying he may get a bit of his sense of taste and smell back for Thanksgiving dinner. 🙏

Today was so much better for me than yesterday. 

Vance’s symptoms seem to be mild except for a headache that keeps coming back. 

Two big thanksgivings! 

Wonderful friends made us dinner the past two nights! 

These kids are entertaining each other and making memories. 

Tuesday

 We are quarantined and I feel so very lucky for space to stretch, large fields surrounding us, the creek... 

Covid has hit the Jansen household. Merit started showing Covid symptoms last week Wed. He was tested Friday, we got results Monday that he tested positive

A throbbing head made it difficult to go to sleep last night and joints aching made me feel so yucky. 

I think Merit's worst day was Sunday - and his sense of taste and smell is not back yet. 

Vance has had congestion and aches and a bad headache. 

This morning was an ugly morning for several reasons. 

As the day went on things looked up a bit. How cool is it that I can pull up to the feed store, give my credit card number over the phone and they load up chicken feed in the back of my car, no contact. 

I am so thankful for grocery pick up! I ordered all of our Thanksgiving meal ingredients that way! 

My friend Marie brought us a huge taco dinner and dessert! 

Happy Monday

 Monday morning  - a fresh start

The big boys and I went on a long bike ride yesterday (so fun) the weekend was calm and good - 

Remember to #shopsmall and get take out from that mom and pop diner near you. 

Please pray with me for those who have lost loved ones. My nieces and nephew lost their grandpa Ted recently. My grandma lost her dear sister - they were very close. 

Bless others, write a letter, share cookies, bring your child's teacher their favorite drink ...smile 

Happy Monday! 

Hurry up and wait

 We purchased the land next to us in June. We dreamed of buying it for 15 years! We talked about where we would put a house if ever, if maybe -

We love the creek, love it! We have a great view from here and the view is even better from the acreage next to us, the new purchase.     

During those 15 years, however, this house got cozier and cozier. Hundreds of things were made with love in our kitchen. Family pics adorn the walls. Dents from Tonka trucks and "races" leave a memorable mark. The hard water has stained our faucets, the wood peckers have been relentless, the warmth, coziness, memories - make it all what it is today. 

So, we are excited about building - Vance's excitement has rubbed off a bit on me. But we are not in a hurry. 

Hmmm. The funny thing is once things get going and progress becomes evident and checks are written, one gets eager. The not being in a hurry can become a "let's pour this before winter", "let's keep this crew busy", and we become excited -even some days, impatient. 

Vance has done a lot of pacing this week because we are close, so close to starting -

Or are we?

My sister Tasha and her husband were a military family for 15 years. Moving from place to place. Once my brother in law retired from the military they decided to settle down and build in Whatcom County. They chose a gorgeous, wooded piece of property to build their home. To save on money, they lived in a travel trailer in my dad's driveway for 19 months. 19 months people. A travel trailer, 3 kids, at my dad's --- TWO winters. They waited 11 months for a permit.

So, I have to complain about this on my blog because I could not possibly complain to Tasha. 😂

Five, maybe seven years ago when Merit, Willem, and I were biking often, we saw this cool house - partly underground. It is a mile or so from here. The front has so many doors and windows. We could tell it was a home that was never finished. Covid got us on our bikes again, many hours each week, and again we were riding past this house that was never finished. It is such a cool style! And then all of a sudden, trucks began bringing roofing material in... it was painted... We began biking by that house to see the weekly progress. Turns out we met the man, the home owner, about three weeks ago! He, Mr. B, told Vance that he began building the house in 1995. They never finished, but he said that "This is the year!!" Actually I think it was his wife that said "This is the year!!" They plan to finish the house in 2020. 25 years is quite a wait to get into a home you are building. I told Willem if I ever complain about the wait of the shop and house to say to me "How do you think Mrs. B feels??" 😂

Laughter truly is the best medicine.

Browse HERE if you like what you see, you'll find it at THE FAVORED FARMHOUSE

ohhhhhh is it too early for Christmas cheer?? 

These wreaths!! They are gorgeous! 

 

Soap Lake Fun!

We had a very fun day trip to Soap Lake Wednesday. 

It was brisk and beautiful! 

The hummmm of the house most days is school work. Veterans Day was a little different.