Merry Christmas 2020!

 Merry Christmas!

How blessed to be able to spend a day together, our family of five at home, 

celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

Caeden was chosen to open the first gift. His sisters have been talking about the gift they got him, and quite honestly, he has been worried and wondering!

He was pleasantly surprised and found it very funny that they bought him...

 ...a very soft and fuzzy tortilla blanket!

Sylvia was thrilled that Annah gave her a fingernail drying light!

Annah got her dad some of his workout drink mixes.

I gave him Crocs of his own so he doesn't have to wear mine when he wants to throw on some shoes to run outside! Sylvia gave him "The Man, The Myth, The Legend" slippers!

Sylvia received some items for her future dorm room and college life.  She was confused about receiving a tool kit and so excited to receive a vacuum cleaner!

some of the aftermath

Jeremy and I roasted a 20-pound turkey, and it turned out fantastic! We all were stuffed.

We spent the afternoon relaxing, Annah with her new FRIENDS puzzle.

We also played Jeremy's new game...

...Poetry for Neanderthals: a word game where u must speak good or get hit with stick!  

It's very fun and funny!

I know we probably won't have many more years with the 5 of us at home for the holidays, and this year has definitely shown us that nothing in life is guaranteed. So I am extra thankful for this beautiful day with my favorite people. So much love. Thank you, Lord. 

Welcome, Jesus.

These two made a trip to the Colfax Dollar General this evening and are having "real" Kraft Mac'n'Cheese at 8:30 pm.  It's the little things siblings can do to support each other through life's trying times. Seriously. 

It's been a good week.

Sylvia got to participate in an awesome virtual drum major camp through Phantom Regiment Drum Corps. The entire DCI season has been canceled for the year, so they are running several online camps. Regardless of whether or not there ends up being a marching band season, this camp was an excellent  learning experience and wonderful opportunity for Sylvia.

Some of her conducting notes

Working on her conducting in her mirror

On Wednesday night, Sylvia and Caeden went to a special youth group talk about race reconciliation.  They both said it was really good, and they stopped to get McD's on their way home.

Gram hosted a tea party with fresh fruits, zucchini breads, and Bengal spice tea on her porch!

Caeden spends a lot of his time at his music production station these days. It is very therapeutic for him, and we really enjoy getting to hear the music he creates!

Sylvia had her dearest girlfriends over this evening. Jeremy made a fire in our backyard fire pit, and they all brought snacks and just had a wonderful time together. They talked about their fears and frustrations during this time of Coronavirus and prayed over each other. 

There are blessings in the midst of our struggles in life, all because of the grace of God and the hope of Jesus. Thank you, Lord.

Today's news in Illinois:

These girls.  Trying to support and encourage each other while talking about their education and future in the midst of this unsettling time. They still fight and struggle, but they really do love each other.

We played Last Wordand Skip-Bo tonight. 

There was laughing, thank the Lord.

And snacking. 

I am so thankful we are together.

Ryan came to join us for church this morning.  While I made lunch, there was a game of Skip-Bo over my puzzle.

I made soft pretzels this evening, thanks to my friend Tracie finding flour and yeast for us!  They were supposed to be a 30-minute recipe, but took about 3 times that long since they get boiled in baking soda water, egg-washed, and then get broiled after being baked.  They were so good though!  Next time I would double the recipe if I'm already going to do that many steps.

Silliness...

Annah's home!

Annah decided Thursday night that she would come home for less than 24 hours with Ryan and Allison.  Jeremy was away with his state wrestlers the whole time she was here, but the rest of us enjoyed her being home!

Ryan brought her to the school at the end of the school day, then she came home with me and Sylvia and Caeden.

These 3 are so silly!

Annah worked on our new puzzle of candy, Caeden played Fortnite, and Sylvia chilled on the couch with them last evening.

Pretty much the same this afternoon.

Sending a thumbs-up to Bryce...

This was the first time Annah had been home since she went back to Greenville for her January Interterm!  She has been busy every weekend.  We were so glad to get to see and hug her even thought was a short time having her home.

She actually had a concert in Decatur Saturday evening.

And this morning, the GU Choir sang at a church in Pana, IL as well.  She is a busy girl, and she loves singing with this choir.