Christmas

 A merry Christmas and a happy birthday for my mom.

Taller

Just before Thanksgiving Grant and I were exactly the same height at 5’6”. He grew half an inch in one month, officially making me the shortest member of our family.

Hard Stuff in LIfe

I wanted to remember this evening, not because it was anything special but because our family was all home, watching a movie, and just being together. I love times like this and treasure them. I especially appreciated it after the last few days. This last week Joel shared with us that he's been struggling with some dark thoughts and depression and has been for almost the last year. Turns out, that late night phone call I got six weeks into school was a lot more serious than just regular new college homesickness. My heart was broken and hurt terribly for Joel. We cried and hugged and prayed together. The good news was that he is doing better now than he was months ago and felt a lot better after he shared this with us. He talked with Grandpa, who knows a lot about feelings like that, having experienced it himself and having counseled many people over the years, and we got a safety plan in place for any other time he starts to feel down again. There may need to be other things in place later, but we are thankful he was brave and finally told us how he was feeling. Bringing darkness into light is always healthy. I hate that he's been struggling so much and feeling so sad, but we serve a great big God who can handle heavy burdens. We're laying this one at his feet and entrusting Joel to him. 

December Happenings

Kari's 21st Birthday, Puzzles, Elegant Dinner, and Christmas Parties (community group party and a Joel Christmas party), and Movie Nights

First Class!

Kari and Joel had to get up very early for their flight to come home for Christmas after their first semester finals. But when they got to the gate, they had a wonderful surprise. Because Kari had a birthday coming up in the next week, she got bumped up to first class! Joel got bumped up, too, since he was traveling with her. Now that they've experienced luxury, flying coach will never be the same again--ruined. I've never flown first class, so that is something my kids have on me!

Winter Band Concert

Winter band concert—8th grade—and “Christmas crew” ensemble. Grant is all in on band and the barisax. We loved getting to watch him in action. He was one of the leaders of the small ensemble that played holiday music before the concert and at a few other various events earlier in the season. He counted it out for them to start. He's good!

Snowball, HYG Holiday Party, and Yule

Tonight was Aubrey's Snowball dance. She asked a friend named Dylan to go as her date. 

Tonight was also Greg’s company holiday party, a tradition they brought back after a five year hiatus (since covid), so after we took some photos with Aubrey, we headed out to his party. It was fun to meet people I’ve only ever heard about and good to see some familiar faces, too. I especially enjoyed sitting with Larissa and Ryan, a couple we used to go to church with but who have since moved to a different church. It was a nice evening out together. ❤️

That night was a semi-formal evening for Joel, too--Yule at CBU was a Downtown Disney this year. He sent some photos of their evening for us to see.