January Happenings

New Years Day

We always love a chance to have a slow morning watching the Rose Bowl Parade on New Year's Day. Brad and I also did some goal setting/budgeting that afternoon. So thankful for my hard-working goal-setting husband.

Topgolf

Makin and I met up with the Coats one morning at Topgolf and they had a great time.

SNOW

We had a rare Texas treat of just-the-right kind of snow. Around here they close down almost everything when there is a winter storm watch, which means cozy snow days at home (and outside) for the Stahls.

Wayback Barn

Are you catching on that I love this place? Homeschool day made for a fabulous Funday Friday with nerf and friends.

Beat The Parents

A favorite game of Lorelei's - we are trying to make sure to have some family game time each weekend. We had to laugh at the challenge and the kid's idea of bringing the entire "girly" Lego bin. It was a solid win for them.

Arcade 92

An arcade with retro games with our homeschool group. So fun!

LEGO Club

Makin made a marshmallow launcher this month. During the "show time" he then let the other kiddos use it to try and get the marshmallows in the cup (made of Legos) to win a handful of marshmallows.

Waco Horse Show

We headed to Waco for Lorelei's third horse show. We drove down right after Lego Club so that we could enjoy some of the Waco activities we love.

Cheese Cave

Water-powered Gristmill

Cupcakes and sunshine at The Silos

Saturday was the horse show. Lorelei earned enough points at the show to make it to regionals, which was her goal.

As usual, arrived as the sun was beginning to rise.
It. Was. So. Cold.
So cold.

Watching the horses warm up.

Brad dropped us off at the crack of dawn and then the boys took their time heading back to the show arena. They had breakfast at a waffle restaurant and brought us some for our second breakfast.

Staying in the car as much as possible.
He headed out to the arena when it was time to watch big sis of course.

Choosing her horse. Each show has a fun way to draw. This show was cowboy rubber ducks.

Coach Courtney

January Date

We headed to The Elm for coffee, Bananagrams and conversation cards.

Slick City

Homeschool day with some crazy slides.

Goodbye To 2024

 

As Brad and I were reflecting on the year, albeit a bit worn down from the last several months, it was hard for us to think of favorite moments, so this jar was definitely much-needed to remind us of all those good moments we did have that we are SO grateful for.

Some verses/words of wisdom from this year:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13

You do the possible and let God handle the impossible  - Chicken Soup For The Soul Miracles

"Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything." James 1:2-4

"Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God." - Colossians 4:2

Father, may I find joy through all the days ahead, whether they bring sunshine or rain. And give me strength to dance through them all. - Walking In Grace

Life can bring good surprises too you know. - Lake Season by Denise Hunter

We must live each day with the full expectation that life is good and promising. - Walking In Grace

"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." - Romans 8: 25

Love Well.

Laugh Often.

Look for the Miracles.

Live for Jesus. 

              - Karen Kingsbury

"He has made everything beautiful in it's time." - Ecclesiastes 3:11

"I am still confident in this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." - Psalm 27:13-14

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11

A joyful heart is like a sunshine of God's love, a hope of eternal happiness, a burning flame of God...And if we pray, we will become that sunshine of God's love in our own home, the places where we live and in the word at large. - Mother Teresa

When I listen to God speaking, I find strength for the living of my days. - Walking In Grace

Here is a look back at some highlights of 2024!

Amanda's Visit, Date Night and Ringing In The New Year

Amanda made a short visit to our place after dropping off Nici, so we enjoyed an evening out at Blue Goose and visiting!

Proud Accomplishment of 2024....(drum roll...) 

Once-A-Month Date Night! The goal of "more dates" has been on our list of goals almost every year...we finally made it happen! It only took 19 years. ;) Most months we were sneaking it in the last week, and December was no exception. We had aspirations of doing our New Year Goal's Setting at a coffee shop, which didn't work out, but we did enjoy walking around seeing Christmas Lights and happened upon a Gelato place. Not too shabby. ;)

Year Of Dates!

Lorelei organized a Noon Years Eve event again and while she didn't have as many kids as expected (two were sick) she had her two "usual" sweet kiddos who enjoyed a chance to celebrate with way too much glitter. ;) So proud of Lorelei for working hard for her goals and love seeing how great she is with kids!

We celebrated New Years and actually stayed up to count down and see the NYC ball drop live (a first for the kiddos). Lorelei was thrilled about the idea of staying up so late and decided sixteen is absolutely the age this should happen. We had what we call our "Red Lobster supper" and then played games. Then we watched an AFV before turning on the countdowns/celebrations in New York, London, Sidney, and United Arab Emerates (wow drone show) before tuning in for the Texas countdown to midnight. Boy did I feel old and tired by that point. ;)

Happy New Year!