Monday, December 9, 2019

Good Reads and Cozy PJs

Our Elf brought Hazel and Oren Christmas pajamas. 
They look so cute and cozy in them!







Hazel and I have been reading some good books together. Patricia Polacco being an author we choose time and time again. Chicken Sunday and The Keeping Quilt are on our list, or at least my list, to read next. The illustrations in all of her books are amazing.

I get to volunteer in Oren's class tomorrow and teach 5th grade Wed. I have not taught fifth grade yet this year so I am excited. 

Friday, December 6, 2019

So very grateful

Emotions are running high this week at the Jansen house -
Some weeks are like that. 
Oren has so much "anticipation" -
He likes school WAY more than he did at the beginning of the school year. And things are clicking. He is learning and loving it!!
But he has a lot on his heart and mind and he is VERY excited about Christmas.

It recently dawned on me that I kept a journal for over ten years... maybe 15. Blogging has sort of taken the place of my journaling. I am not sure my family loves this. Vance and Willem sometimes say "hey, wait, hold up" They might be more comfortable with me just posting pictures. Willem took a screen shot of a blog post of mine and shared it with me. He was a little surprised I shared some info. 
The fact that my 13 year old checked my blog did make me smile.

It is hard to share real life. I don't want to share too many hardships but it is not real life to just post the "fluff" - that is what my sisters and I call it, the "fluff"

Highlight reel vs. Highlight REAL

A bit of a calm to the crazy was having these girls over to make gift tags. 
I spent a couple of hours yesterday prepping. I love pulling out my paper, punches, and ribbon. I bought some gift tags (blank) at JoAnn Fabrics and we got to crafting! 




Crafting together

 Time well spent

Great friends
Prayerful friends
Supportive friends




Wednesday, December 4, 2019

December is here...

My blogging opportunities seem far and few between lately. You would think with all four kids in school I would have a fair amount of time at home, by myself. This is not the case, however.

Yesterday I went through three toy bins in the garage in an effort to narrow it down to two. The memories I have when going through those toys and the emotions... I found Bop It - a hot Christmas gift several years ago! I ran it upstairs to Merit who quickly began trying to beat "high score"! It was a fun game then and still is now.

I went to pick up my Walmart Grocery order yesterday and I see a man with a cane, his walking is labored, making it slowly acrossed the parking lot, walking through slush. I was parked in the grocery pick up. As he walked and others walked in, I gathered some trash out of my purse and headed to the garbage can that is on the side of the building. No automatic doors there, the older man, walking slowly, gave me a big smile, and held the door open for me. I did not need to go in, but his gesture -given his circumstances - was especially kind.
Funny how sometimes the people who may have a reason to be grumpy, aren't grumpy at all.

Willem is a fun kid to run errands with. He and I "shopped small" on Saturday and went grocery shopping on Sunday.

While grocery shopping, the checker told us she drives from Ephrata to Moses Lake for work  - she was early 60s I would guess - she found herself so nervous with our recent weather. Her shift ends at midnight.
She talked about things being so busy at work and at home! And then her nerves with having to drive these roads late at night. :-0 And how she hosts her kids and grand kids on the holidays. She said they asked her what's for Christmas dinner and she said she probably would not know till that day.  Her description of trying to make the meal simple and easy was quite funny and very sweet.
Bless her heart.

Oren was sick on Thanksgiving and I did load after load of laundry - poor guy did his very best but we had some messes.
I thought about the many who do not have a washer and dryer and how this time of year dropping $10 or $15 off in quarters to a few mamas at the Laundry Mat is such a special gift. We have done this the last couple of years and the smiles!


Looks whose back!

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Oh Christmas Tree



 I love, love, love this day!The day we cut our Christmas tree.
And the snow, well of course that made it even better. 

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Tuesday evening...

















Cold weather, cozy reading

coloring and painting...




After MONTHS of Merit's lower back giving him pain, we have turned a corner. He still has a little pain but it is SO much better! Many prayed and we are so grateful. Thank you God that Merit is feeling better.

His back prevented him to play fall ball basketball and limited some of his gym time, he has had SO many physical therapy appointments since May. But a physical therapist at the Othello hospital really seemed to pin point what was going on. We had become quite discouraged before our visit there. Dr. Gerber and his treatment have been an answer to prayers!!

Sunday, November 24, 2019

This morning - - This afternoon


 This morning


 This afternoon

The dusting of snow gone and it is a beautiful day! Almost too warm for a sweatshirt by the end of our hike!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Basketball and fun at home

 Wild Will
me and Hazel Jane


Nellie had a successful North Dakota hunt - she brought Vance with her. It was VERY cold and there were not a lot of birds. They hunted with a good group and may consider some sort of hunting in Hawaii next year. ;-)






This team is SO fun to watch!
Willem has played fantastic defense for a couple of years, his offense needing work. Although the work never stops, Willem's really getting all aspects of the game figured out. His hard work is paying off. We lost in over time. This was a very physical game. I am proud of these boys.




Monday, November 18, 2019

It's Monday! 
It was a great weekend. 

Late start Mondays are so perfect. 

Willem has a game in Quincy tonight! 
Basketball try outs start for Merit. 

Hazel and Oren have had a lazy morning of play, which I love!



My chickens are happy. They love life before the ground is frozen... I will be back later with more pictures and updates.




Friday, November 15, 2019

Book It!


If you read my earlier post about a fun, old memory including BOOK IT certificates, here's the follow up! 
We redeemed Hazel and Oren's book it certs at Pizza Hut last weekend and had so much fun! 

I laughed and laughed and thought of my mom ten times! 
Pizza Hut has some good pizza. 
Their wings and breadsticks are delicious too! 









ohhhhh I love days like this!

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Christmas Goodies




 This week's student teacher conferences have been so good. 
Thrifting while having a spare morning hour or so has been a quiet time I have needed and it has been fun. 
I LOVE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS. 
If you have not been into The Favored Farmhouse lately, check it out! 




The "hunt" is so fun! 






I'm back!

       I don't remember having a morning as crisp as this one in a previous August. I woke up and our deck was so cold. I think it got d...