Dyl’s a TEEN! Woohoo! 🎉

So exciting.  And I feel like God almost sent us this arctic day off school just so Dyl could enjoy some homebody time!  It’s been lovely!  Sleeping in, a bakers dozen square donuts for bfast, a hunt for his gifts, Nintendo switch gaming, mother bears pizza and root beer floats while watching a movie, science experiments outside (yes, we’re anongst the crazies doing the boiling water experiment on a -10 day), and we’re getting ready to play foosball on the new table and head to Red Robin and back home for basket ball cake!  It’s glorious to be home with all activities canceled.  God knew we needed that on our teen’s big day! Love you, sweet b-ball Dyl!  You’re the most laid back, fun, tremendously talented tall teenager I know!

Last few minutes before I have a teenage boy! 🎉

Where has 13years gone?!  Can’t believe I was in labor with my first son 13 years ago!  Now he’s a few inches taller than me and maybe smarter too.  Love my laid back boy!😬🏀🎉

A great time in FL...now home sweet home ❤️

Ash and I had the best time in FL. I know a funeral brings sadness, but it also brings celebration of a a new life in heaven.  And also brings a family together.  We’re home now, but feeling grateful for our family—crazy or not, family is the best!💗

Saying goodbye to grandma 💗

My awesome b-ball player! 🏀

So proud of my Dyl!

More ice and snow!

Blah!

Church and most of Bloomington shut down, but not violin lessons or a big school project!  We even picked up a teacher so Dyl could get his project done at school.  We have the best teachers!

Busy day and I’m ready for sleep!  If only that was possible!

Goodbye Grandma Gritter 😔

My sweet grandma G. is now at the feet of Jesus and dancing the streets of gold with my grandpa!  I’m so happy for her.🎉 So thankful for the 91 years she had on this earth and for the matriarch she was to our family.  In my sadness I cling to memories of her as the secretary at our Christian school, of all the fun times at the cabin in Maggie Valley, and all the laughs we’d get over her ferocious competitiveness over games.  I’m sad I didn’t get to say goodbye, but I feel like I have a new angel watching over me and my family.  Love you, grandma! 😘🥰❤️💗

1st snow day!

Yay!

Ash the super speller! 🎉

7th in the school spelling bee (out of 200 kids!). Oddly Dylan also got 7th last year but Ash proudly noted that this still meant she did better bc she was two years younger! Lol!

Back to the rat race. Ick 👎

I miss vacation.  Being in pjs all day.  Sleeping in.  Having my family all under one roof. The rat race bites.

We’ve lost our ballerina again...

...she’s somewhere over the Atlantic now returning to her other world. Not returning to the USA til mid August. 7 months is a long time.  I realized how long this was when I told Logan he’d be a 1st grader when she came home.  Ahhhh!  I’m sad...but very grateful for the time we had these last 9 days. Best, most restful stay-cation ever. I love my family under one roof. Tonight there is a void again. :( Auf Wiedersehen, Hays!

Woohoo, I’m 42!

I’m getting old!  And I’m getting used to these lazy days.  Love them!  Happy bday to me! 🎊🎉🍾

Happy new year and a super STY NYE!

The best restful pj New Year’s Day!  Lovin’ lazy days! ❤️