A New Year Coming

 Happy Monday morning!  The last one of 2024.  When I think about the year 2025 that's upon us I just can't seem to fathom how we got to this year already.  I was born in 1978, graduated from high school in 1997, graduated from a two year business school in 2000, married in 2002, had my first child in 2007 and second in 2011.  All of those milestones feel like it happened yesterday.  2025 seems like such a big number, one that I did not think I'd ever see.  As I look back on my life I can recall so many great memories but then there are plenty that I wish I did not have.  I often think of moments in time when I said something or did something I wish I hadn't, or even did not say or did not do something I wish I had.  Are you like that, too?  It's terrible but these regrets have been filling my mind and ruining my mood for quite some time.  I have to let it go, I know that.  I can't hold on to things that no longer exist or serve any purpose.  I have to move forward knowing that I had moments of not being a good daughter, friend, wife or mother.  I have to understand that those are the things that help cultivate who I really need to be.  For those I have ever hurt, I'm sorry.  For the times I allowed my emotions to get the best of me, I'm sorry.  In those moments I allowed my anger to take over, I'm very sorry.  I realize that so much of who I am on the inside stems from the life I had growing up and those are the things I never talk about with anyone, especially not on here in the internet world.  Maybe someday I'll elaborate but for now, I have to focus on healing.  I also have to make sure my children never, ever feel the trauma as I have.  What I love about this generation is the willingness we have to break generational curses.  

My word for 2024 was SURRENDER.  In every circumstance I faced, good or bad, I wanted to surrender it to God.  For the most part, I succeeded but some things were harder to surrender than others.  Whenever faced with a decision or a challenge I took a moment to pray and ask God for guidance.  And then I'd wonder if I was actually following His lead and finding myself questioning those choices.  So, it's become clear what my word for 2025 needs to be.  

CONTENTMENT.

After surrendering to God I need to be content with His answer.  I need to let go of what I think should be and be content with what is.  

I can't wait to further elaborate this plan of contentment with you but as my daughter has just woke up (hurray for the ability to sleep in during winter break) my attention is needed now.  

May God bless you in the New Year!  

Merry Christmas 2024

 Well, Christmas Day has come and gone.  My parents are coming over to celebrate on Saturday since they were away but the actual holiday is now behind us.  I have to admit, I really struggled to get myself into the spirit this year.  I'm not sure why.  It took me until the 23rd to get the shopping done and there was still more I wish I would have purchased but it was enough.  There's always next Christmas, right?  

On Christmas Eve we stayed at home enjoying just the four of us.  Brianna made a cake to take along to my sister-in-law's house on Christmas Day.  I bought the topper on Temu (I know, I know, not a good website to buy from but I can't help myself sometimes).  We dressed up and went to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church.  When we went home I gifted my kids with their traditional Christmas Eve gift which was pajamas.  I usually put a book in there but this year they each got a card game and a box of festively wrapped candy.  

We all slept in on Christmas morning until Brianna banged on our doors waking us up.  My son got a new pair of cowboy boots he wanted, my daughter got some perfume she wanted and then a bunch of random other gifts.  There were smiles and joy in their faces and that's all that matters.  Rob and I exchanged some meaningful gifts as well.  

And so did Brooke.  

Every year our kids get new ornaments.  The top one was from Brianna's show last weekend and the bottom one was for Matthew representing his first year of cross country.  He really did run a lot of impressive miles.  

We stayed home until going to Rob's sister's house to celebrate with her, her boyfriend and their mother.  

Christmas feels a little different with teenagers than it did when they were little; waking us up early with excitement to see what Santa left for them under the tree before ripping into the rest of the gifts.  It was also easier buying them gifts when they were interested in toys - there are so many toys to choose from.  Now they ask for hoodies, pajamas and expensive things and they know the truth about Santa.  Still, it's a blessings having them home and continuing to enjoy Christmas with them.  It's never far from my mind how quickly these years go and it won't be long before they are living on their own with their own families.  Each year Christmas will feel a little bit differently and that's okay.  I will always cherish the memories.  

No matter how you celebrated, I hope you were able to find joy and peace this Christmas.  

A December for Jesus

 It has been a busy December and tomorrow night we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior at a candlelight church service and then wake up the next morning to open gifts and spending family time together before heading to my sister-in-law's house for dinner.  My parents are on Long Island for my sister's Christmas Eve party where the entire family gathers together just like old times ... except for me.  I could have gone and I miss my family but I don't enjoy traveling on Christmas and I'd much rather surround myself with peace and quietness in the times we celebrate Jesus.  

In this busy December my daughter spent two weekends playing an angel for our church's Living Nativity.  The Living Nativity is so beautifully done each year with festive displays and different stations that show the life of Christ.  She was at the last stop, the tomb.  It was hard work but she loved it.   

Then last weekend her dance studio put on a show called Messiah: The Coming of The King.  It was phenomenal.  The dancing and acting was breathtaking and so well done.  I wish everyone could have seen it.  It started with Creation then the birth of Jesus all the way until the resurrection.  Then ended with him ascending into Heaven.  In the last few months we've struggled with understanding why things happened at the last studio that led us to this one.  We were confused with knowing if this was the right decision.  After watching the show it's pretty clear we did the right thing.  This studio is much more advanced, talented and larger.  The director is also a very devout Christian who wants to share her love for God with others.  As a believer, I've taught my kids the importance of serving God and sharing the Gospel with others and it's so great our girl gets to do that through the art of dance.  

She also found a group of girls who will pray with her.  I'm in awe.  

And would you believe, I do not have my Christmas shopping complete yet.  Do you?  I'm always a last minute shopper but I don't think it's ever been this bad.  My kids no longer believe in Santa and the magic of Christmas doesn't seem to feel the same as it did when they were younger.  Shopping for their gifts doesn't come as easy as it was when they played with toys.  Now they ask for clothes and expensive things.  Today I think of what I had purchased and the rest that needs bought.  I'm trying not to stress.  Christmas should not be a time of stress but of peace and gratefulness.  It will all get done.  

While my husband is at work and the kids are still sleeping and before all the chaos begins I wanted to take a moment to sit with a cup of coffee and write on the blog.  I also wanted to take the time to tell you all, my friends, to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!  I hope you get everything you want this year.  

Getting Ready

Here we are in the tenth day of December.  Are you ready for Christmas?  Mentally, I'm somewhat there.  Physically, no.  There is still so many more gifts to purchase and the inside decorating is still not complete.  Little by little, I'm getting there.  

The tree is finished.  I invested little effort in getting it done so it's nothing fancy but it's filled with ornaments that are special to us.  Oh, hi Brooke!  Thanks for getting in the way.  

With a few ornaments from our own childhood, some that have been gifted to us, several we've purchased since our first Christmas together, many that the kids either picked out or created themselves our tree is nothing but memories of our lives together.  It may not look glamourous to you but it's very special to me.  

Rob always has the responsibility of decorating the outside and I love the simplicity of it.  

A few of our neighbors go above and beyond with giant blow ups, lighted trees and more.  It looks as though they've spent thousands of dollars.  Going that extreme isn't for me but it's beautiful to see as we pass by.  I'll have to try to take pictures sometime.  

I always tell myself that for next Christmas I want to get all the gift buying done ahead of time and just like every year it doesn't get done.  I will be scurrying to get everything purchased but I refuse to stress about it.  

Washington vs. Tennessee

Maryland born Rob has loved the Washington Redskins since he was a little boy and the kids followed along on being fans.  I'm still on the fence but it's fun watching their joy, especially when the team actually wins.  

Every year as part of Matthew's birthday celebration Rob buys tickets to a Washington Redskins Commanders game.  For Sunday's game the Boy Scouts were invited to hold the flag during the National Anthem so Rob signed Matthew up and Brianna was able to join in as a guest.  I could have too but decided to be the picture taker instead.  We headed to Maryland early for rehearsals.  

Then we had a chance to walk around, grab some lunch and unexpectedly had a chance to meet former wide receiver Santana Moss.  

An hour before game time I took my seat in the stands while Rob and the kids met up with the other flag holders near the field.  They watched the band walk by getting ready for the pregame celebration.  

Proudly carrying the flag.  

They are at the top corner above the stars.  This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was happy for them.  

And an incredible 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans made it even better.  

It was a great way to end the first week of turning 17 for Matthew.  

Here in Pennsylvania the kids have off from school today for the first day of hunting season.  I have a refrigerator filled with left over Thanksgiving food that I have to figure out what to do with, a living room crammed with boxes of Christmas decorations I have yet to put on display, and a lot of grocery shopping to do.  Happy December, everyone!