2021 in Review

Y'all! Hiiiiiii! Enough is enough already.  I hope to be back in this space more regularly - shooting for twice a month, but at the very least once a month (is that timeframe considered regular??) Anyway, I've been reflecting back at 2021, so thankful for our blessings, for our health, family, and even for the hard stuff.  That being said, I do sorta hope that 2022 is less eventful! 

A look back at the highlights of each month....

January: we got to fly to visit Grandma and Grandpa (and Aunt, Uncle, and cousins too) in Barrington, IL.  And also SNOW!

Five Happy Things - late summer edition :)

Hey hi! I'm coming off a wonderful week having had my sister, Mary Beth, in town. I think we covered all our bases including doubling up on Tex Mex, shopping, and talking about how much we miss each other, hahaha.  But seriously.  It was so nice to have her here and get to hug her neck.  

We made the drive to Waco for a quick visit...starting things off at Magnolia Table.  Avo toast for MB, light breakfast for H (toast, avocado, tomatoes and an egg), and breakfast taco and cold brew for me.

Life Update

In an effort to try to update what we've all been up to, consider this the cliff notes edition. :D
2019 was a year full of the unexpected.  Right before the new year I tore my achilles playing pickleball with Henry, which as it turns out, isn't a quick fix.  I did my best to ignore the pain for as long as possible, until Jon dragged/convinced me to see an orthopedist who broke the bad news that the injury was quite bad.  It turned out that my other achilles was only hanging on by a thread as well.  I underwent a series PRP injections, was basically on bed rest during this time, ended up attending physical therapy, and wore a full length boot for the better part of 7 months, (I actually wore a hole through the bottom of the boot!).  After 6 months of injections and therapy, thinking it was healed I went in to find that there were actually new micro-tears in the tendon. So....I started visiting a chiropractor whose goal was to heal the diseased tendons, which will hopefully keep this from  happening again. I still haven't gone back to any sort of exercise except for swimming.  Hopefully this year sometime.

In January I was so fortunate to become acquainted with an employee from glassybaby, a company that has been near and dear to my heart for 17 years.  Not to be dramatic lol, but in some ways this was life changing for me.  My new acquaintance and friend, Anja, was in charge of the national road shows, and I became her Houston contact.  She invited me on several occasions to work with her at roadshows, learning the ropes and eventually was able to host my own popups and go on to work at their month-long Houston pop-up in December.  It has truly been a dream come true, and I hope that they return in the future and I can keep my working relationship with the company.  In the midst of a hard year physically, God was faithful to provide me with this amazing opportunity.

That summer life (lately)

I don't know why time insists on going by so quickly, especially in the summer! There has been some daytripping, embroidery classes, drawing, model making, movie watching, swimming, baking, go-kart building, flower planting, reading, day-camp counseling, school planning, friends visiting, roller coaster riding, bug collecting, fruit picking, book writing, but mostly we've just been over here soaking up all that is summer.  Lazy, s l o w, HOT, wonderful summer. 

December 23 - Favorite

Two out of three of my favorites, right there. And the kids aren't bad either, ha! ;P

#2017Christmasmoments

Summertime Vibes

Dear summer, I love you with your relaxed schedule, your gorgeous weather, yummy foods, extended daylight hours and plethora of fun activities. Summertime living is effortless and needless to say we excel at embracing this season.  A+++ for sure.

Happy Summer, y'all!  I hope the watermelon juice is running down your arms  :D

A Peek at life lately

Ahhh, we've had such gorgeous spring weather lately!  Crisp in the morning with the temperatures reaching around 80 by the afternoon.  I know these days, sans humidity, will be over in a hot second, so we are trying to be outside as much as possible. One of our favorite things is to sit outside in the evenings and watch for fireflies.  Being from the PNW this is a relatively new experience for us.  Havalah, in particular, is really adept at catching (and releasing) them.

We've had a busy few weeks with our trip to Harry Potter World, as well as a school trip to Gonzales, Texas. We learned more about Texas' Independence from Mexico.  Aka, "Come and Take it." Texans are extremely proud of this battle. The highlight was probably touring a 150 year old jail, (gallows included), that made the hair stand up on the back my neck.

Today is Havah's second to last dissection class at the Health Museum, and the kids will be dissecting an eye.  Other than the fetal pig, which is next week, this is the one I've been dreading the most. (and I'm not even doing the work!)  Afterwards Havah and I are headed to get free mini facials at the Origins store.  Now that I'm looking forward to!

Happy Friday, everybody!

when tennis courts double as jungle gyms

suspension bridge building, and testing how much weight it can hold

Glassybaby used as tea cups

heart dissection 

grammar games

gorgeous sunset colored Hibiscus 

Easter messages

art glass camp

Candy models makes science EXTRA fun ;)

Again with my letter board.  I can't stop!

These two!  Heart eyes

What usually happens when I try to take a pic :)

pimento cheese sandwich - yes please!

The girlie did all my Easter decorating!

sleepy Easter basket search

The consensus around here is tea first.

We have Elf Owls that live in our backyard.  This makes me extremely happy!!!  This one stands watch over the nest while mama and the babies are inside.  

A few weeks ago Havah saw a local sushi/BBQ fusion place featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Last weekend we went to check it out. That's brisket and hot sauce on the rolls in the front.  :P

 Henry did his final paper and oral report on Ferdinand Magellan :) 

So, that's a snipet of life lately!  But enough about me, what's new with you?  :)