Wednesday, November 25, 2020

11.25. 2020



Thanksgiving Break is here and we couldn't be more thankful! After hearing our kids and our own student's learn about the 1st Thanksgiving, we just thank the Lord for our religious freedom and for the tribe we have with us to support, encourage and strengthen. Those early settlers had to be so lonely yet in those lonely days the dependence on the Lord no doubt was even stronger. We have had some of those days, obvi way less extreme than the Pilgrims, yet we have understood what it means to simply trust Jesus along our way. And we are thankful. I could be extra sappy and thankful today since October and early November were just hard. On a few levels. One being health. The brevity of life flashes before you once again and you are made to understand that we are but grass that withers -even if we feel like Superwoman every now & then, we are frail, mortals that won't live on this Earth forever ( and in that point we are very thankful, Even so come Lord Jesus!). After my mom and Ray healed, my body then decided to get all crazy. Initially I thought it was stress, but lab work shows otherwise, and although we are still figuring things out, we are prayerful that it helps us 1-rely on the Lord in bigger ways 2- appreciate the mundane Covid routines like pillow forts and hand holding with Hudson during the Grinch 3- it helps me empathize with those brave souls who have been in waiting rooms and endless doctors offices and needles and all that scary stuff! 

Here is our week in pics! 

XO

We love our front "hospitality suite!"
Even if we scare all the neighbors with our awesome Fry Faces 😆
Thankful for kind flower guys at Costco. 
Thankful for these Cotton Candy skies!
And for park, bike & lake dates!


Our Christmas decor varies.. daily... some days I want all white and all things classy and other days I'm like let the kids decorate.. clearly you see what kinda day it was when we shopped! Mr Gingerbread is kinda freaky looking but huge and super festive!
Thankful for our squinty Saturday Dunkin walks!
Thankful for our friends hosting a guys breakfast, and Hannah got to have a playdate on the farm too! Farm life sounds pretty fun! 
Santa knows we want a rug for Christmas ;) 
Thankful for these cool birds and their sun salute! 
Thankful for sunset drives. The later afternoon temps are bliss and its hot air balloon weather! So pretty!

Thankful that the reno's at Seaview 204 are done! All new flooring, except in Master Bath, all new paint too! 


Thankful for our gathering on Sunday & for this beaut. She lasts maybe 5 minutes before the endless chatter starts, not ideal for the Zoomers to hear, but Hannah is a great sitter and the toy room is fun!
Hannah's hair salon strikes again! Lulu's 1st Piggies! 

Thankful for this soul searching devotion... 
Also, wanted to share a glimpse into our creative work spaces for our tribe that allow us to all work & school from home. 
Hannah schools in their shared bedroom, and also crafts in here often! 
Hudson's Office is the nook of our laundry room. Remember that DIY project of the Lemonade stand we repainted? There's the desk of it! It's a small & cozy space, and always smells like Gain and Snuggle! Hudson stays focused & we love that we magnet clip his work to the washer to keep him organized.
Harrison's LED space is perfect for him. I feel for his back tho and that posture with that desk... but for now he is ok and nailing those grades!! 
This is Mr Hebert's nook- yep- the multitasker can handle teaching in the kitchen! The background noise of snackers and Lulu's shows don't distract! Headphones are such a game changer! 
And here is our Daycare solution! Lulu does all the things! She loves using her new PBkids chair as a trampoline!? And she stands on her Little People house- hoping to take a jump of faith out of the "pen", but so far she has been content, safe and oh so loved on during our new daily sched. 
Here is my work space, we moved a patio table inside & it works well! Nothing fancy or even cute, but its all functional & allows us all to be productive! 



Thankful that our backyard patio table is done. Don't look toooo closely! Now onto some seating ideas..
Thankful for a random on our street garage sale with this fun ride on toy! We had thought Lulu would enjoy it- although you know Lulu isn't setting those rake traps just yet :) Hudson has all sorts of army and battles out there! 
Why Thank you OfferUp for having this beautiful pink dresser at just the right price! 

Thankful for our friends filling in for us, when our photographer had to cancel last minute. Christmas cards are ordered, the 40% off tho was everything & we can't stop gushing over our kids!? #obsessed  How did they get so grown up right before our eyes?! 

Thankful for Hudson's bestie sending him snail mail. day made. 
Thankful for the early morning views. Clean counters, for now, clean rug, for now and the sparkle of the lights to remind us all to shine our light bright through the day! 
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS! 











Saturday, November 14, 2020

Weekly Wrap Up


Normally I like my blogging routine of my Multitude Monday post, with being thankful from the week that past. This Monday took an interesting spin & although we have scriptural reminders hanging to be grateful in ANY circumstance, my Monday mood was anything but.

Monday, my mom had an appointment, a close friend drove her in, and upon arrival they told her they couldn't see her because she had tested positive for Covid a few days before. She was symptomatic, and we had thought from her loss of appetite and weakness she did have it. It was reassuring to know it was something and not just more recovery issues with her hip. The news did not settle well though and she wound up in an ambulance - hospital bound. Ray had already been in the local hospital a couple days by now, and having them both there, while we were away, was unsettling. 

But today is a new day, and a full 5 days post that drama & all is pretty calm. My mom was discharged that same day, much to my concern. Ray is still in the hospital- recovering from Covid & Double Pneumonia. Each day this week they both were getting stronger. We know all things work together for good, so we are expectantly waiting that good. 

Monday also brought news that our dear Grandma Ruth went home to Heaven. Although we all knew this day was coming, her 97 year old body was ready for Home, the actual news is always still heart breaking and sad. We lost an earthly prayer warrior and very real encourager. 

May we all reflect on our daily activities to make sure we are encouraging those around us and shining our light in this dark crazy world! 

Here are some random photos!
Hugs! 




Lulu testing out our new front yard furniture. We had an epiphany this week- to be more accessible to our neighbors. A lesson we learned in Hawaii- when you are outdoors and visible - relationships happen! So instead of my coffee out back, coffee out front! And as soon as we get our lights up and our heater, we will be drinking hot cocoa at night too! 
We had to celebrate our fave vet! Thanks to my sis in law for delivering some goodies!
LOVING our virtual teaching gig. All the time to get tickle breaks in with this curly haired cutie.


The sparkle in her eye says she wants to break more ornaments... but alas... I heeded some advice and bought felt ornaments :)


Zoo Crew!






Lunch date!