Annual Birthday Dinner with Grandma and Grandpa

 My mom and her Doug always like to take the kids out the week in between their birthdays, so tonight we met them at Hops and Drops. It's a relatively new place in town so it was our first time going. It was SO yummy and we had a super fun time!

Thanks for a fun evening, mom and Doug!

Matthew is THIRTEEN!!

 

How is our baby boy a TEENAGER?!?!?!

Today our kindhearted, loving, funny, and football loving kid turns 13.

He is our joy boy. 

He is our deep feeler. 

He is our hard worker. 

He is all about justice. 

He is a good friend. 

He completes our family more than words can say!

Sadly, he is sick today. BOO! He had plans to have a couple of friends over after school to play video games, eat pizza and just hang out. He was crushed that we had to cancel those plans. 

But we pivoted and made the best of his special day. 

We made sure things were ready for him when he woke up, as we knew he wasn't going to school. 

He requested chocolate chip pancakes with pineapple and melon for breakfast. 

On the red plate. Of course!

Even tho Evelyn was at school and Doug was in the office, they said he could open presents over breakfast, much to his delight!

Evelyn got him a mug that is black until you put hot liquid in it, then it shows a funny cartoon. He LOVED it!

He napped, read, and played video games and card games thru the day. He asked if we could get McMenamins for dinner and have banana splits for dessert. Of course, we obliged!

Matthew's good friend Dayton (who was supposed to come over today after school) stopped by with a porch drop of Crumbl cookies!! It was so thoughtful of him and made Matthew's day for sure. We are so grateful Matthew has found some really good friends this year!

Banana split loving kid! 

Finished his birthday off with some Marvel movies... which he loves. 

Matthew, you are a delight to us, and to your Heavenly Father. As you enter your teen years, I pray you will keep seeking Jesus and remain as thoughtful and kind as you already are. We love you so very much!

Happy Birthday Matthew Donald!

O Christmas Tree

 The day after Thanksgiving always means it's time to get our Christmas tree... and we all get excited about. We had a fun adventure today for sure

Evelyn drove the truck TO the tree farm... and did a great job!

Back seat passengers

The annual truck shot! :) 

We tromped around for quite a while trying to find a tree, but we eventually found one we loved. 

She's a beaut, Clark! :) 

Thanksgiving 2022

 

We have so much to be thankful for... and family is at the top of the list!!

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with BOTH sides of the family today and had a lovely time. 

Pictures are few due to truly enjoying our time together!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Boise Trip

We just returned from a fun few days in Boise, celebrating an early Thanksgiving with my sister and the whole Johnson clan. I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked, but we truly were just enjoying our time together.

Doug was in Minnesota for work so the kids and I drove over Thursday and then he flew in Friday midday.  Evelyn drove for most of the trip, minus the pass out of Pendleton. The freeway actually was closed due to icy conditions when we left home but thankfully it was open when we got there. I decided it would be best if I drove over the pass since it was still cold and there were still icy spots.

Reunited with Sebastian... we love him so much!

And Stella too... she is the goodest girl!

 

We had the BEST time visiting and love the Johnson clan so very much! 

Halloween 2022

 I am acutely aware that the days of the kids dressing up for Halloween and letting me take a picture are fleeting... so I cherish each yearly costume pic!!

King Bodie... he's obviously thrilled...haha!

My football player and my teenage Sofia the First! 

The boys heading out to get candy

Going thru their loot. Really not sure why the laundry basket is there.... ha!

A fun night full of friends, a little rain, and lots of candy. 

Happy Halloween!

Five Years

Five years ago today.

A quick laparoscopic hysterectomy (due to suspicious findings on my yearly exam) turned into a very involved 5 hour radical hysterectomy, sending me into menopause, unable to use any hormone therapy due to my cancer history. While thankful that all pathology was benign, my body has not been the same since.

The kids and I the day I came home from the hospital...

The past five years have been some of the most difficult years of my life. Depression, insomnia, weight gain, irritability, hot flashes and moodiness have taken hold of my life more than ever before. There. I said it. I rarely, if ever, share this with anyone.

It's hard to admit when you are feeling lost and out of control and nothing seems to help. I am thankful for a husband who loves me no matter what and who has put up with his wife with so much grace. Thankful for my sweet kids, who deserve more than a cranky mom. Thankful for wine... haha.. even tho it makes me hot flashes worse. Most importantly, tho, I am thankful for a God who is faithful and who keeps inviting me to lean into His goodness and grace to find my way.

He put it on my heart today that it was this particular anniversary. I honestly hadn't even realized it. I feel like He is asking me to re-commit to taking care of myself. To put down the wine glass and pick up my Bible. To go for a walk instead of sitting in front of my laptop. To enjoy the abundant life he has given me.

This might not happen quickly as the busiest time of our year is approaching (both kids' birthdays and the holidays) but it is my goal to make my physical and emotional health a priority. I owe that to my husband. I owe it to my kids. I owe it to myself.

Let's do this.... 💓