Reality Check

With less than 2 weeks until the big 4-0 I have come to the realization that my 40 Before 40 list is going to turn into a 40 Through 40 list. I vastly underestimated the time it would take to complete these tasks while also caring for our two daughters and all things home related…silly me for thinking I could do it all.

This really has been the struggle this year – wanting to do it all and still not grasping the limits of what I may be able to accomplish in a day, but I’m getting better. I, just yesterday, stashed away materials for a new project I want to do, one that can certainly wait until I finish all the unfinished ones in my queue.

In the past year I’ve gotten one more year of experience as a mama. That is surely something I wouldn’t trade for anything, though sometimes I think I’d like to. It can be hard and frustrating and draining and did I mention hard? But then I’ll catch Evie playing on her xylophone and singing snippets of “How Great Thou Art” or I’ll give Lucy something at lunch and she’ll smile at me and sign “Thank you.” And my heart catches because in those moments I know it’s not in vain, this work I’m doing, and despite what it seems like a lot of the time, they are listening and watching and learning and growing. And as their mama and primary caregiver it’s my job to put this first.

So in this past year I’ve done more than any list could hold, little everyday things, laundry and dishes and coloring and building and stickers (oh so many stickers!). And while I really do want to complete the list that follows, those things aren’t going anywhere. The work that the Lord has set before me in raising these sweet babes, that’s the path I’m on and they are eager to be on the move. So I’ll chase and follow them as long as they’ll let me (and probably a little while after that too 😊).

So for my official list I’ve got somethings checked off, some partially done, and some not even touched (some even finagled a little). I thought I’d give an update about where I am in all of this, and really, to see for myself.

1. Read through the Bible – 25/66 In the midst of Ezekiel right now

2. Read 15 books (I swapped the number of books to read with the number of audio books to listen to – it just made more sense as I can listen to books more easily) – 9/15

3. Finish reading the Wingfeather Saga with Steve – we are still on book 2, but I told him I’d like to finish it by my birthday.

4. & 5. Run a 5K & 10K – I really don’t know if these will be done…I haven’t run in over 6 months. I was doing really well, but as the runs got longer it was harder to figure out the logistics of being able to go running, even if I took the girls with me. The further I got was 2 miles without stopping, which was pretty amazing. I do still like running, it’s just figuring out when I can actually do it.

6. Pay off my car – ✅

7. Go to Michigan – ✅ x2 😊 We drive there last summer and flew there for Christmas. Both trips were wonderful!

8. Listen to 40 audio books – 22/40 – I’m currently on an Inkling kick and am listening to The Fellowship of the Ring. The previous two books were about C. S. Lewis, and then him & Tolkien and how WWI influenced their writing.

9. Eat in a restaurant – ✅, many times over since last February, but the first time was last March when we went to Iron Hill (also Lucy’s first restaurant experience).

10. Get take out from a new place – ✅ also done last March

11. Organize the basement – still a work in progress

12. Update photo wall – nope

13. Complete Lucy’s shadow box – ✅

14. Make braided t-shirt jump rope – no, but hoping to do this as a craft in March for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes

15. Make a braided basket – no again

16. Make Lucy’s mobile – I have the pieces made but need to see them together…thoughts on how a mobile could be designed for an almost 18 month old?

17. Beat Yoshi’s Craft World – so close!

18. Wear clothes that fit in 2016 – ✅ silhouette is not the same, but some look decent. I’ll take photos when I remember (or when I feel like it 😆)

19. & 20. Get Evie’s & Lucy’s journals up to date – this has probably been one of the hardest things to sit down and do. I very much want to, but haven’t. I have a feeling I’ll be posting about that later.

21. Make felt play food – ✅ Crafty post about that coming soon!

22. Write letters to 10 friends – 1/10

23. Complete a Little Free Library – about half way. My dad helped a lot with this when he was out in May, but I haven’t been able to work on it since. It would be awesome if I could get it up by Evie’s birthday.

24. Write Steve a love letter – not just because

25. Watch 10 Best Picture films I’ve never seen – 1 2/3 /10 – I fell asleep towards the end of Patton. I really liked it, I was just also very tired. We haven’t gotten around to watching the end yet.

26. Make pasties – nope

27. Go on a family picnic – ✅ Last May

28. Make a quilt or quilted wall hanging – not quite, but I did make a really neat quilted towel for a collaborative art project. I think that counts so ✅

29. Try hot sauce with a meal – ✅ this was actually the first I did.

30. Write a poem – ✅

31. Write a story – nope

32. Find a new family doctor – ✅

33. Make pretzels from scratch – nope

34. Make something with Evie – ✅ she helped me make poke cake when we were in MI in the summer.

35. Listen to 25 albums from new-to-me artists – 4/25 – I’ve found I should just look up and add the albums when I have a moment because when I actually have time to really listen I’m usually by myself in the car (which doesn’t happen often) and I don’t have my list of ideas with me.

36. Record the first episode of Page & Screen – nope

37. Learn to do a smokey eye – nope

38. Commission a work of art from a kid/teen – ✅ I asked Alli when she was still 19 so I’m counting it! She made an amazing shadow box with Carl & Ellie’s house from Up in it. Just need to figure out where to hang it in Evie’s room.

39. Spend an evening stargazing with Steve – ✅ we did this in September with a lovely campfire in the backyard.

40. Wear my wedding band & engagement ring – almost. I have been able to put my wedding band on for a bit but then it feels too tight and freaks me out a little that I might get it stuck so I take it off 😞 My stand-in ring is too big though and I’ve thought I lost it multiple times just to have it turn up in random places (like at the bottom of a basket of laundry). Maybe in a month or so…

So, all in all, 15 out of 40 are completed with as many never yet touched. Give it a year and check back with me. I’ve heard 40 is a good year and I am excited to see what it brings.

Love & Blessings,

KJ

A Girl and Her Creek

When Steve & I first moved into our house we started taking walks around our neighborhood. We’d talk about his day at work, my day with the kiddos (I was watching 2 little ones for friends of ours), what we saw the Lord at work doing, hopes, dreams, frustrations, you name it. Often we would walk past a creek that runs under the road and disappears into the ground. One day as we walked by the babbling creek I casually said, “Hi Creek.” Not sure why, it just seemed the friendly thing to do.

A few years have gone by. We’ve taken many walks, just the two of us, while I was pregnant, two of us plus Evie, while I was pregnant again, and now with the four of us. More often than not, if we walk past the creek I’ll offer a friendly hello. I’ve even done it while on runs just by myself. Or if we happen to drive by it in the car.

Little Miss Evie has picked up on this. Now, when we go for a walk there’s usually a small voice adding, “Evie want to say ‘Hi, Creek.’” And so we walk past and she offers her hellos. Today was one of those days and while it was cold and windy we still made our way down to the creek. Evie was pushing Lucy in her car. I think it was one of the first times she got to peer over the railing for herself, not riding in the stroller. She talked about how the creek was pretty and that she wanted to play in it. I had to turn down that request, but her fondness for the creek makes me smile.

All because I decided to say hello to a small trickling of water, my daughter now requests to go see it. That is how it is with most things with kids. They pick up on someone doing it often enough that they start doing it too; the good and the bad.

It’s little things like this that give me hope. Though I do hope she and her sister see and imitate more of the good than the bad (though I do admit there have been a few times where Evie, out of the blue, has joyously said, “Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!” Oops). But it gives me hope that she is listening, that the things we’re trying to instill in her are there. That she hears us reading God’s Word, that she joins with us in singing hymns, that she sings “Jesus Loves Me” with confidence and will one day understand and accept just how true those words are.

So we’ll continue to take walks past the creek so she can say hello, and Lucy will soon, too. And we’ll continue to pray that the Holy Spirit would lead them both to the Living Water that never runs dry.

May you, dear friends, be blessed by the Living Water. If you haven’t said your “Hello” to Him today, now is as good a time as any.

Love & Blessings,

KJ

Music Reviews: Carrie Newcomer & Mission House

One of the items on my 40 Before 40 list is to listen to 25 new-to-me artists. I’ve been slacking on this somewhat, but recently listened to my second so I thought I’d share my thoughts.

This is the first I listened to, sometime back in February, I think. I was having a rough day and was grateful to be able to get out of the house and go and do crafts at the assisted living facility. I put this on as I pulled out of the driveway. At the first song I was taken back by the richness of Carrie’s voice. It wasn’t light and airy and high. It was deep and full and beautiful. It drew me in and I felt great comfort, like sitting with an old friend. This album was a balm to my soul.

Favorite songs: Lean in Toward the Light, A Shovel is a Prayer, The Beautiful Not Yet, You Can Do This Hard Thing

I just listened to this album this past week. I thought I should probably work on some of the items in my list and as the girls were napping and there were dishes that needed to be washed, listening to music seemed like a good fit. I looked back on my list of suggested artists and this was at the top of the list. These songs drew me into worship of the Lord. I’m trying to learn how to do this more/better and the words and melodies seemed to help focus my ever-distracted mind. The repetitiveness of some of the choruses may not be favored by some, but I could see myself using one of the songs to focus my attention on the Lord as I prepare to spend time in worship and prayer.

Favorite songs: Nothing Left To Do, Never See the End

One week

It’s been over 640 days

But who’s counting?

Now it’s just one week

Seven days

Until we see you face to face

Not on a screen like we have

For the past 640-some days

I get to hug you

Squeeze you both tight

Something I’ve been wanting to do

All this time we’ve been apart.

Tears of sadness and frustration and fear and sorrow

So many of these have fallen

Because of missed birthdays, holidays, and births

Celebrating together but apart is just not the same

But these next seven days

They will see tears of excitement and love and happiness and rejoicing

Especially that seventh day

So many that the tears of the past 640-some days will have made just a small pond in comparison

I’m sure I’m not the only one they’ll be coming from

And while I cannot wait to feel your embrace again

I’m even more excited to see you scoop my girls up in your arms

For them to see that Grandma and Papa don’t live in a screen

To bounce on your knees and be silly together with you

I have longed for this

And in seven short days

This will be our reality

Tears and hugs and kisses and more tears and more hugs and smiles and laughter

The laughter

I can’t wait to hear it ringing in the house

No delay or stuttered freeze

But in real time

That I could capture the days to follow and play them over and over again

There will be many photos I’m sure

But I want there to be even more memories

Memories that will hold tight

Like the best hug

The most comforting squeeze

That will last much longer than 640-some days.

Spontaneous Family Picnic

Sunday the weather was so lovely so on the way home from church I told Steve I wanted to go to the park or do something outdoorsy. He suggested gathering lunch and easing to the park. It was a perfect idea! The girls had fallen asleep on the ride home so he stayed out with them while I threw lunch together and grabbed sunscreen and hats and we were on our way!

Lunch came first and was a little tricky as Evie’s not tall enough yet to reach the picnic table well from the bench but it worked. She was eager to run around on the playground, but we managed to convince her to eat most of her lunch before we went to play.

We split up as Evie just wanted to run (the girl never walks anywhere!). Steve followed her around as I took Lucy to the swings.

It was such a fun outing (even if neither of the girls took a nap afterward). It was great to do something spur of the moment without too much thought. I find that harder to do with the girls, but it worked out well because, for once, I had no other plans for the day. I get so stuck in what my plans are sometimes I find it difficult to just “go with the flow.” The funny thing about this is that I don’t think I was like that before the girls were born…

It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the week, and isn’t that Sundays are for? Plus I got to cross one more thing off my list! I’m looking forward to many more this summer and in the years to come, planned and not.

Love & Blessings,

KJ

Take-Out Night!

I’ve completed a few things on my 40 Before 40 list, but I’m starting with this one because it’s the freshest in my memory 😁

Friday night is our typical take-out night and sometimes it takes a bit to figure out where we might want to go. One of the items on my list is to get takeout from a place we haven’t been before. Might seem easy, but we’ve been doing take-out about once a week for a year now and not really traveling, so we’ve basically found our favorite places and go back to them a lot. But this week I found an amazing recommendation from a friend who has a food blog on Instagram, Non Stop Noms. She posted pics of some delicious empanadas she had and I knew I wanted some too!

So tonight we took a drive to Amigos Mexican Grill & Empanada Factory to pick up our dinner of empanadas (spicy jerk chicken for Steve, beef & cheese for me, and cheesesteak to share) as well as chimichangas (pork for me, pork, chicken, & steak for Steve). Evie enjoyed a little bit of everything, though the sour cream was her favorite. The girl lives for condiments 😆

Everything was so amazing and we have a meal for another day still! We probably could have just gotten one chimichanga between us 3. I’m glad we stumbled upon this place (thanks for posting those yummy looking pictures, Christa!) and we’ll definitely be going back! If you live in the area, you should make it a point to check them out.

Soon I’ll update on other items I’ve crossed off my list.

Love & blessings,

KJ

40 Before 40

As I celebrate my last year in my 30s I’ve been inspired to come up with a 40 before 40 list – 40 things I want to do before turning 40. I started my list last week and it’s comprised of various things; some things I’ve never done, some things I haven’t done in a while (thank you, Covid 🙄), and some things I’ve been meaning to do for a while but haven’t gotten around to.

And so I present it to you, in no particular order:

1. Read through the Bible – I have yet to do this and I’ve tried the last few years. I’ve decided to just keep going from when I started last year and am not starting over. Goodness, I’ve gotten through the first 10 books or so quite a number of times 🙂

2. Read 40 books – starting with the one I’m currently reading.

3. Finish reading The Wingfeather Saga with Steve – we started reading this together last year (I had already read it on my own). Right now we’re in the middle of book 2 out of 4.

4. Run a 5K

5. Run a 10K

6. Pay off my car – we bought it on my birthday 2 years ago (not intentionally a birthday present, my car had just died).

7. Go to Michigan – see my folks and sisters and brothers-in-law, and nieces. They last saw Evie when she was just 2 months old and have yet to meet Lucy.

8. Listen to 15 books – I love audio books.

9. Eat in a restaurant – we’ve gotten plenty of take out and did outside dining last summer, yet I’d like to eat in somewhere. We last did that last February.

10. Get take out from a new place.

11. Organize the basement – we moved into this house in 2017 and the basement has been hit hard the last two years, first with moving our guest bed down there to make Evie’s bedroom and then moving Steve’s office down there that make Lucy’s room.

12. Update photo our photo wall – babies grow and a new one was added!

13. Complete Lucy’s shadow box

14. Make braided T-shirt jump ropes – for Operation Christmas Child. I’ve had a ton of old T-shirt’s about with the intent of doing something with them.

15. Make a braided basket – a half started project from last year.

16. Make Lucy’s mobile.

17. Beat Yoshi’s Crafted World – I’ve never beaten a video game in my life…this one will require Steve’s help 😉

18. Wear clothes that fit in 2016.

19. Get Evie’s journal up to date.

20. Get Lucy’s journal up to date.

21. Make felt play food.

22. Write letters to 10 different friends.

23. Complete a little free library – money I got for my birthday is going towards something I can use as one whether it’s an old cabinet or something I find at the thrift shop. It’ll probably take a bit longer to save up the money to make it official.

24. Write Steve a love letter.

25. Watch 10 best picture movies I’ve never seen.

26. Make pasties – I have done this before, but not since a Evie was born.

27. Go on a family picnic.

28. Make a quilt – or quilted wall hanging.

29. Try hot sauce with a meal – Steve loves hot sauce and convinced me this would be a good thing to add to my list. I actually did it last week! I’ll update on that in another post.

30. Write a poem – I haven’t written nearly as much as I’d like to and I love it so.

31. Write a story – ⬆️

32. Find a new family doctor – I found out a month after the fact that mine left the office I was going to. In the time of Covid it’s easy to over look this, so I thought I’d add it to my list so I remember to do it.

33. Make pretzels from scratch.

34. Bake something with Evie – maybe she’ll be able to help with her sister’s birthday cake.

35. Listen to 25 albums from new-to-me artists – I’ve got a pretty good list of suggestions thanks to my friends in the Rabbit Room Chinwag group on FB.

36. Record the first episode of Page & Screen – a podcast Steve and I have talked about doing since we got married.

37. Learn to do a smoky eye – I’ve never been one to do a lot with makeup but thought this would be fun.

38. Commission a work of art from a kid or teen.

39. Spend an evening stargazing with Steve – we have a fire pit now and I imagine this to be the perfect night.

40. Wear my wedding band and engagement ring – these haven’t fit since before Evie was born and I’m too stubborn to get them resized.

So there you have it! I’ll be updating along the way, so stay tuned! In the meantime, what would be on your list (no matter if you’re no where near 40 or have long past it 😁)?

Love & Blessings,

KJ

The View From My Rocking Chair

It isn’t even 10 and it’s already been a trying day. Lucy will only sleep if I’m holding her. I don’t know if she’s cranky from the shots she got yesterday or if it’s continued crankiness from yesterday before the shots.

I’m supposed to treasure these moments, right? I do. And I love this little girl. But then it all starts whirling in my head, “There is so much to do,” and “I don’t have time for this.” And then the resulting guilt of having thought those things rains down. Yes, my little girl is a high priority, but yes, there are also times when things need to get done. I know I’m not the only one to get stuck in this vicious cycle.

So I sit in her room. Rocking this precious babe as she sleeps. As the tears of anxiety and guilt fall. They slide down my cheeks and onto her tiny hand resting near my neck. I pray more through thoughts and ideas than words, but He knows. He sees.

And then I look up. There is only one thing hanging on the wall across from me; a drawing of Aslan nuzzling Lucy. She is closely drawn into herself, seemingly trying to hide from the whirling thoughts and pressures of the world. Aslan in gently touching his head to hers, letting her know he’s there. Wanting her to open her eyes to see his face, and nothing else.

And I know this takes place in the story when Aslan is not physically present, but I can’t help but imagine him saying to her, “Courage, dear heart.” And to me.

Courage. To know and trust that He sees me.

Courage. To not be afraid of what the world holds, for He has conquered the world.

Courage. To look and see He goodness, love, and grace that outshine all else.

Courage. To be the mama this sweet babe and her sister need me to be. The one the Lord made me to be.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! ~Psalm 27:13-14

So have courage, dear friends, to know the Lord sees you and know He is working for your good and His glory.

Love & Blessings,

KJ

The Best Surprise of 2020

A year ago today, my hands were shaking as I took the pregnancy test into the kitchen where Steve was cleaning up some breakfast dishes. “You ready for this?” I almost whispered as I held it out to him. He had said those same word before getting down on one knee and asking me to be his wife. He looked quizzically at the stick in my hand waiting for some mystery to be revealed (he didn’t know that the two pink lines already showed the result).

Once the realization hit him he broke into a smile. “Really?” “Really.” I was shaking and jittery and energized all at once. I was thrilled that the Lord had blessed us with another pregnancy when the first was so hard to come about. And while we weren’t really “trying” either.

It was one week before my 38th birthday. I hadn’t even gotten dressed for church yet and we had to leave soon. After that we were meeting Steve’s family to celebrate my brother-in-law’s and my birthdays. And I couldn’t tell anyone….well, I did tell one person, my dear friend Julie. We were teaching children’s church together and she had been joking the previous week about the potential of me being pregnant as I was just feeling off.

I just figured Lucy should get her own little spotlight, second child as she is 😊 Now she’ll be 4 months old tomorrow and while the last year had its highs and lows I’m so glad she was on the top of one of those highs. She hasn’t been around long, but I couldn’t imagine our family without her. She’s sleeping in my arms as I type this, our little miracle girl. The one we didn’t ever expect, but oh so desired. A delight she will be, all of her days (remind me I said that on when she flushes my keys down the toilet or decides to draw a crayon mural in her room).

I praise the Lord for this sweet girl (and her big sister, too, of course) and am grateful He saw fit to entrust us with her.

Love & Blessings,

KJ

2020: A Year in Review

I did not write much in 2020, but I thought it worth looking back over, so here it goes. *I did start this post a month ago, but…babies :)*

The year started quietly, and then a month in we got a big surprise – a second pregnancy! Evie was only 8 months old when we found out. Her birth was such a miracle I really wasn’t expecting to get pregnant again, especially since we decided we weren’t going to pursue fertility treatment again. But God is good. He knew our desires for Evie to have a sibling and He graciously granted them. Steve & I went out on a date in Philly at the end of February while friends watched Evie for us. It was fun to revisit some of our memories from our fifth date when Steve took me into the city for the first time.

And then March…I don’t need to tell you what March brought. Mid March Steve started working from home (and still is). It has been nice having him around, eating lunch with us most days, and taking short breaks to play or just say hi. He did all the shopping the first few months, not wanting me to go out while pregnant. The most I did was drive to Target and open my trunk so they could put my purchases in. I started, with so many others, to make masks for my family, friends, and even some neighbors.

We had a gender reveal via a livestream on Facebook where everyone found out we were having a girl (we had to stick with tradition). Facebook was also where we went for church and music concerts. So much life lived watching a screen.

It seems like so much has been lost and mourned since then. We thought it would be over by late spring. It was a while before I came to accept that Evie would not get the first birthday party I had been planning since before she was born. The biggest part of that was knowing my parents wouldn’t be coming out to visit. We hadn’t seen them since our family vacation in August, and I was missing them.

It was sometime in spring that Steve & I started watching the show Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist (if you haven’t seen it – watch it! It’s amazing! I think it’s probably on Peacock; it’s an NBC show). A big part of the show is Zoe’s relationship with her dad. So many episodes had me bawling by the end because I was so missing mine (still worth the watch). So thankful for Steve who comforted his emotional pregnant wife. He let me be sad about the things I had good reason to be sad about, even when they came back after I thought I was over them.

Summer brought new hope along with plenty of sunshine. We started having church outside in the parking lot. There has never been a summer in my 38 years when my feet have gotten such distinct flip flop tan lines 😆 I don’t think it was the first week, but it was soon after we started that one of my friends and I were chatting afterward when she said, “Can I give you a hug?” I had not gotten a hug from anyone besides my husband in the previous 3 months (at least). It was an amazing hug, and yes, some tears fell then too.

We relaxed a little over the summer. Evie had her first pool experiences, and loved it by the third time. Steve took some much needed days off from work and we spent some time at the beach and visiting friends. We spent a lot of time outside (while also relishing the air conditioning inside). Things seemed almost “normal.”

Sometime towards the end of summer I had a conversation with my sister. We talked about the possibility of my parents coming out when the baby was born. It was still up in the air. “I might be able to handle them not coming out if I knew we’d be able to go to Michigan for Christmas,” I told her. We had been planning this since the Christmas before and now that there’d be a new baby to bring and my oldest sister and her family just moved back to Michigan we were excited to see everyone at once. She said it would depend on how things were going here and there. Surely, I thought, things would be better by then.

August & September came and went with no baby being born. I was certain she would be early because her sister was just over 3 weeks early. My mom told me they wouldn’t be making the trip out. We found out that a dear friend was pregnant with not one but three sweet miracles; two girls and one boy. Sorrow & joy intermingled.

October came and two dear friends and I were going to have a last hurrah, a girls’ movie night that first Saturday…they ended up staying with Evie and waiting for Steve’s mom to arrive because that was when little girl decided she was on her way.

Labor was quick; we got to the hospital around 8:30pm and Lucy was born just after 11:30pm. She was so ready, in fact, that she came out the minute after my water broke (while I was still on a birthing ball!). It was a crazy couple minutes, but all was well. I got to cut her cord as Steve was supporting me from behind and didn’t have a free hand. Lucy Nicole is named Lucy after the literary character from C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardobe (Lewis is a favorite author of ours) and Nicole after my maternal grandfather, Zenon Nicholas. She was born in a whirlwind and it continued the next day when she was rushed out of our room in a flurry of nurses after we called saying she was crying and purple. Having been born so quickly, her lungs and blood vessels didn’t have enough time to properly expand and her oxygen levels weren’t stable. She spent 2 days in the NICU and we took her home the day after I was discharged. It was an emotional time to say the least.

Another good friend who was pregnant actually went into labor the same time I did but her little girl was born 2 days later. We were thrilled to have daughters who could be birthday buddies. A week or so after Lucy was born we received some devastating news. Our friend who was pregnant with triplets had lost both of the girls. I cried, heartbroken, as I held my baby girl, confused between wanting to rejoice in her birth and mourning the loss of the ones they would not get to raise.

My mom told me we shouldn’t come for Christmas, to keep everyone safe. I respected that decision, but mourned that loss as well (stop crying, Mumsie). We started going to church inside (with masks and safe social distancing). We adjusted to being a family of 4 (though that adjustment time is still ongoing). 

November came with not much change; with the exception of positive Covid tests for Steve and I right before Thanksgiving. Thankfully, we both had mild cases; Steve’s being worse than mine. We were cared for by family and friends bringing groceries and dinners and we made it through.

December came and a sweet little boy was born with his two sisters already waiting in Heaven where they’ll meet their mama and daddy one day. And there was Christmas, and while it was different from any other, we still enjoyed celebrating the birth of our Savior. Evie opened a different Christmas story each night (which I thought would prepare her for the presents come Christmas Eve & morning…nope). Christmas Eve there was too much fun to be had running around MomMom & Poppy’s house for Evie to sit to unwrap presents, not to mention a cousin to play with! Christmas Day we spent on our own as family. We stayed in jammies all day and still ordered our traditional Chinese food for dinner.

The last year did not go at all as I expected. That goes for everyone, I’m sure. Around the entire world people had jobs change due to circumstances, some gained new employment, while others lost theirs. And God is still good. Babies were born and babies were lost. And God is still good. Political differences have divided people more than bring them together. And God is still good. Time with family & friends has been lost, but in some circumstances it has been gained. And God is still good. Lives have been lost and lives have been gained by the preaching of the Gospel. And God is still good. There has been much joy and there has been much sorrow. And God is still so so good.

Looking back on this past year has just highlighted the Lord’s faithfulness in my life and in the lives of those around me. I pray you might take some time and see if you can’t notice the same.

Love & Blessings,

KJ