Another New Year

We have many, many blessings to be thankful for as 2012 ends and 2013 begins. And yet, I'll admit it--I've been avoiding my blog for the past few weeks. Why?

• We had one sick boy, thankfully just one! It was a very nasty stomach virus.
• A blizzard which forced school to close early and shut down completely the next day.
• An early Christmas with the 5 of us on Dec. 21st.
• A looong car ride to my parents' house on Dec. 22nd.
• A week-long Christmas celebration in Illinois.
• A looong car ride home on Dec. 29th.
• 2 Christmas celebrations here at home with Derek's family.
• And the kids are STILL not back in school yet.

Writing about our last few weeks is pretty much an insurmountable task for me, considering I mailed the last of my Christmas New Year's cards today. Here goes!

Blessings to remember from Christmas 2012

• Our power went out during the blizzard, but didn't stay out all night. When Aaron thought it might be a chilly night in his bed, he asked me if he could sleep in my bed since I have an electric blanket? Umm, the electric blanket only works with electricity, my son! :)
• My home church in Illinois welcomed us with open arms, and some of the people seem to never change.
• On Christmas Eve my dad accompanied us to Willow Creek's service...it was amazing! We were wowed with the music, program, lights, dancing, and props. And yet--it was the family time during "Silent Night" that I cherish the most.
• The men in my family brought my grandma to our Christmas celebration, and I rode with them to take her home that night. The lights were pretty, the conversation flowed easily in the car, and I learned a few more things about my grandma and my family on that drive.
• My nephew keeps getting more adorable every day. Watching my boys play with him was super-sweet.
• A lunch date with my mom and sister-in-law followed by after-Christmas shopping made me realize how thankful I am for the two ladies in my family. :)
• Visiting my aunt and uncle's new home gave us all a chance to spread out for an evening, and that was a very good thing! :) So was the pizza from Giordano's!
• Derek and I took our kids out for an afternoon of shopping and lunch at Chick-fil-a. While they might not like the shopping, the kids did like the things we bought for them.
• A double date with my brother and sister-in-law? Yes! The 4 of us had a special time at Famous Dave's.
• Derek took me to see the movie Lincoln. We both enjoyed it, but wished it had a better ending. Not that it was a surprise or anything...
• On our last night in Illinois, we took Mom and Dad out for supper to a train restaurant. Our food was delivered by a train and our table sat right along the tracks. It was fun!

Here at home, we've had a good week settling back into our lives. School will start on Monday. Usually by now I'm ready to send them back. But it's been such a good week together with minimal fighting...2013 really is off to a good start for us! :) We started watching Season 7 of the Dukes of Hazzard last night. Our family movie nights with the Dukes are pretty special. They only made 7 seasons, I recently discovered. I guess that means we'll start over with Season 1 when we finish Season 7.

What a blessed time we had celebrating the birth of our Savior and the arrival of a new year. To close, I'll end with something I learned from Beth Moore when Aaron was an infant. It's a great way to stand on the Rock when the world around us is built on sinking sand.

"Our God is Who He says He is. Our God can do what He says He can do. I am who God says I am. I can do all things through Christ. His Word is alive and active in me...I believe in God!"

Picture time!

Derek's gift from me, hoping it will help him sleep better! Is it a bad sign that he left it at my parents' house?

Braylen loves his new hat. Now he and his grandpa can match!

The boys bought Derek a book that he loves! They joyfully paid for it all.

Kaleb's new game and Aaron the photo-bomber!

My boys bought me a unique candle, all with their own money. It smells yummy!

Christmas Eve cookies and carrot.

Aaron's Santa gift, and I hope he doesn't shoot his eye out, ha ha.

Uncle Eric teaches Braylen about cameras and photography.

Kaleb and Aaron worked together on a photo scavenger hunt. Good idea Grammy!

Our 19th (gasp!) Christmas together, including the dating years.

My family with my grandma on Christmas night.

My parents, my family, and my brother's family, all together!

My cute little nephew.

Back at home we rang in the new year with my nieces.

 And that is our Christmas 2012!