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!

Christmas

Christmas Eve

We spent the morning on food prep/work and after lunch watched my favorite, Its A Wonderful Life, before getting ready to head out to our church's candlelight service. We enjoyed Christmas Eve Soup for supper before the kids got to open one gift. Both of them chose what they determined was their "read" gift and thought that was a great choice for the night.

Christmas Day

The word I'm using when people ask about our Christmas is "low-key". We had a leisurely day that began at 6 am (because even our teenagers want to get up early on Christmas morning) opening gifts. The kids enjoyed their gifts, we had a late lunch of brisket and favorite holiday sides. We facetimed both families and ended the day watching White Christmas. So thankful for the cozy, relaxing day together.

A new set of headphones was on Lorelei's list with the note "see Makin for details"
because she knew her brother would be the best person to research and find her just the right pair. :)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Highlights Week 3

HS Christmas Party

Our homeschool group organizes a Christmas party for each age group. The HS party had an impressive attendance and it was a nice chance for Lorelei to get to know some kiddos a bit more.

Reindeer Games

We enjoyed Reindeer Games again this year.

We discovered we need to have Rubber band Shooting 101 as a homeschool class.
Makin coached his teammates as he was one of the few who could shoot a rubber band!

Holiday Pie always brings lots of laughs.
The pie partners are such troopers!

Lights

We tried a new lights location and had one disappointment (no special fountain/music like I found on the website) but we enjoyed the lights we did see. We then stumbled upon a firehouse that puts on a singing lights show. So. Fun. It had a lot of upbeat songs that the boys loved.

Lights, Treats, Concert

We tried out the PGA one night and took in their lights, got a sweet treat, and sat through a portion of a country Christmas concert.

Never underestimate our love of ice cream...
even when you need to wear coats while eating it outside!

Baking

I was so thankful Lorelei was a huge help with the many cookie requests this year. Makin pitched in a bit as well.

The Grinch at Brewflix

We took in The Grinch (2018 as always for us) again at Brewflix this year. We had many at-home movie nights throughout the month as well.

The rest of this year's movies:

The Star, The Santa Clause Trilogy, Home Alone 1 and 2, To Grandmother's House We Go, The Nutcracker Four Realms, It's A Wonderful Life, White Christmas

Festive Pizza

Lorelei made her pizza into a candy cane one evening. We also fit in some Christmas games that night.

Fancy Breakfast

"Let It Snow" was the theme this year. I've learned to keep the food relatively the same (donut holes, fruit, bacon, and waffles with sugar) and just change the theme for the table. I was elated when I stumbled upon fresh greenery on an errand so I didn't have to dig out my winter decor like I had planned. :)

Advent Readings

We enjoyed advent readings after supper throughout the month.

Village

Lorelei had fun drawing a village on the dry erase board.

Christmas Highlights (and a few not-so-Christmas...again) Week 2

Popstroke

Makin and Brad met a friend at Popstroke (a new-ish swanky miniature golf course) and loved it. 

Gingerbread Houses

The kids tackled a set of gingerbread houses again this year.

Winter Artwork

They had a few choices for what they could make from my pinterest board and I love how they turned out!

Heather's Birthday Weekend Visit

Heather came for her birthday weekend to run a 5K and Full Marathon. Because why not? ;)

We started her visit with a sisters outing (the kids opted not to come) to pick up her packet, eat at Maggiano's and walk the Christmassy NorthPark Mall.

5K Day/The Big 40 - 5k, festive coffee, brunch out, games, and cake!

Had to get a picture with the birthday girl. ;)

First Watch - yum!

We played Candyland and Bananagrams.

Marathon - GOOOOO Heather. :) We didn't get a Fanclub pic with Brad, but the Stahls were all there cheering.

Proud Of You Heather!