Back on track!

 Getting grades entered for the end of second quarter already!  Looking forward to the weekend...time with friends and some rest...

and some extra cuddle time with the puppies...all freshly groomed and sleepy!  It is always so nice to have time off for vacations, but there is also fulfillment in having a schedule and routine.  I am trying to practice being at peace with things that come into each day and acknowledging the One who orchestrates every part of my day.  I had a week full of unrest and stress...yet I was able to be at peace in the middle of it all...knowing that God had something for me to learn and teach through it all.  It wasn't easy or fun...because I got the blame for choices that I had no part of creating or enduring or continuing.  

I went back to my verse for this year...Romans 12:18..."If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."  Not according to other's choices...but according to what is in me!  I have Jesus!  He gives peace!  I must trust Him...no matter what!

Ashlynn left us again!

Ashlynn is back to Tennessee for her second semester of classes!  We so enjoyed having her home for the Christmas and New Year holidays!  What a blessing to see our children spread their wings and take flight!  Thankful that they all three still love to come home to find love, peace,  and comfort in our nest!

We are all remembering today...

our Papa!  

Today is Papa's first birthday spent in Heaven!  

How do you celebrate that?  

Our chair fillers that are still living in our home brought love in the form of flowers and a birthday balloon for their Grandma.  The words shared a love so kind and sweet.  

How do you celebrate a life that doesn't need birthdays anymore?  

We aren't sure...

but we all have had our own thoughts and feelings as we remember the love Papa showed to all of us!  The memories have brought some warm tears trickling down our faces.  Stories have brought a tightness to our throats.  Pictures bring a smile and an ache.  Words bring a mixture of joy and grief swelling up all at the same time.  The emptiness is still as stark as it was when we got the call that Papa left for Heaven.  He is experiencing the joys of Heaven and we don't wish to take that away from him.  We just wish that we knew what to do and how to do it as we come to this day...

the day of his birth...

and as we near the day of his death.  

We continue to trust the One who knows the number of our days.  

We continue to trust the One who knows the grief of loss that fills the human heart.  

We continue to trust the One who leads our footsteps through this new year...

and we ask Him to give us the peace...

a peace that passes all understanding!

It is a Happy New Year...2020!

 I saw this post and it made me laugh!  After time with Dad and Mom in Minnesota, it was just a fun reminder of our heritage.  Oh how many "Uff Das" we face each day!  And all these years, the Lord has protected and provided...more than we deserve!

We enjoyed a quiet beginning to 2020...with twinkly lights and lots of rest!  The older I get...the more I like those kind of days!  We all stayed up late and watched the ball officially drop.  We don't do so well with late nights now...so sleeping in was perfect!  Coffee was hot and strong in the quiet of the morning. I made Swedish pancakes for our brunch.

 We enjoyed time with cousins the day after New Year's Day.  Pizza, games, laughter, talking, football, and coffee.

 We took down Christmas and filled the tree with snowflakes and snowmen.  

I painted the picture for the mantel with my word for this year.  Last year's thought...joy in the journey...as we looked forward to all the changes that were coming with Ashlynn's graduation from high school.  We had no idea that our joy would be tested as we walked the road of grief when Papa died and then Grandma-great. The load is heavy on our hearts...but we found that even in grief...there can be joy.  Joy is an attitude that we can choose.  The opposite is misery and worry.

I was struck by the fact that in the journey of our life, God has given joy...and He has given a deep settled peace as we continue our journey.  Psalm 46:10...I have to be still, listen, and wait.  The opposite is to rush around, fuss, and fight.  It is more than just words I say.  I must trust Him in the little things of each day.  He adds to the joy and peace...as I yield to Him.  Already this new year of 2020,  satan has rattled the peace I find and had in my teaching life in the K5 classroom.  As I look forward to going back to school tomorrow, there is a situation that may or may not be peace-filled...but I know I can have joy and peace even when circumstances will not be settled.  I can find peace in my God...for He knows what He is doing in this journey He has given me...us.

A new Christmas tradition...

 requested and enjoyed by the kiddos for a second year...Black Rock!  After shopping with Christmas money...girls one way and guys another way...meeting up for supper.

Christmas vacation....

                                           enjoying the quiet and slow pace of time off school!

                                              Lots of rest and snuggles with my fur babies!

Cousin time

 Hanging out with the cousins...the six of them got together and went out...no parents involved!

             All gathered around the table...is very noisy!!!  Stromboli and salad for supper!

 The aftermath...

Merry Christmas 2019

                    Up...not so early...waiting on our teenagers to get up Christmas morning!

How they have grown and changed through the years!

 Our resident elf passed out gifts!

 Enjoying the comfort of the afghan that Alisa made for Teddy...thick and cozy warm!

                   "I've been contaminated...with glitter!  Awww, man...who does that?!"

 Mom's gifts of the kitchen variety this year...making our home the best, first choice of a place to eat!

So much to watch and chew...makes me tired!  Chica passed out on the couch Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas Eve 2019

Cookie Decorating...

We have enjoyed sitting and talking and laughing.  We added cookie decorating to our family fun this year...a new tradition???

 Teddy was very diligent!  Ashlynn...well...couldn't handle the stress.

 Grandma went the traditional route.  Alisa spent lots of time with the details.

                                  Dad entertained us with funny Christmas songs and videos.

We then took a drive to see Christmas lights...the Festival of Lights in Wayne County...but didn't see any of those lights!  The traffic was so heavy and the wait...well...in 30 minutes we went two blocks.  With the gates closing at 10:00pm, we opted out of the ridiculous line and looked at lights on our way home.  Time in the van laughing and listening to Christmas music...still fun!