Monday was Lindsey’s “Worley-versary!“ We celebrated with dinner out. It’s still strange how long ago that feels, yet it’s only been three years.

I’ve been whittling down the number of apps I use, and with all the Instagram drama this week, I almost deleted my account. I didn’t — at least for now — but I’ll continue working on prioritizing my online time. Life may soon take a turn for the busier (how’s THAT for a teaser I’ll address some other time!?! ) so I really want to use most of my online time for writing, and back off other online places.

On the school front:

We are still working but on a much lighter schedule this month. Kathryn spent last week at her dad’s for Hanukkah, and we’ll all be taking next week off for Christmas. This week, we’ve been doing some history and science reading, and Kathryn has been learning counted cross-stitch.

We’ve had a few math lessons here and there, Kathryn wrote a biography on Albert Einstein, and she’s had rehearsals for a Purim play coming up in February. Plus, Ken has been helping her work through more KidCoder computer programming; I’ll be reviewing this in a few weeks, so stay tuned for details and a giveaway!

Lindsey has been thinking and praying about what to do after she finishes high school. This week she toured several local cosmetology schools, trying to decide if that’s the direction she wants to go. She told us she doesn’t think she’s ready to be on her own; I told her it was very mature of her to realize that. And of course, we are glad to hear that she plans to stay here at home with us a few more years! That’s a VERY BIG deal because all her years in foster care had deeply ingrained in her mind the idea that 18 years old means you age out and you’re on your own.

Ho ho holidays!

Last Sunday was the first of our family Christmas gatherings, this one with Ken’s dad and extended family. When Ken’s adorable grandparents were leaving, MawMaw protested us giving them a gift since there are just too many of us for them to give gifts to now. I told her we didn’t do it because we had to, or because we wanted anything in return — and I got all emotional when I told we did it because we love them, and with my Granmama’s recent passing, they are the only grandparents I have now. She hugged me hard and had tears in her eyes, too. I’m very thankful these sweet people are in my life.

We shopped for an Angel Tree gift and delivered it on Wednesday. It wasn’t what we expected. I knew this ministry is intended to bless prisoners and their children, giving gifts on behalf of the incarcerated parent. But I suppose I misunderstood and assumed it would be for needy families, so when the neighborhood was nicer than ours, and the mom drove a Mini Cooper, we all left feeling a little disenchanted.

In addition to our upcoming holiday festivities, we’ll be working on putting up a new fence this weekend and next week! Ho ho ho! Lacy the WonderDog will be happiest of all; since we tore down the old fence, she hasn’t had a good running-around spell, and she’s not happy about that. Once the new fence is up, she’ll have twice as much space to run! 😉

Happy Christmas, y’all!

Cherish this holly, jolly, sometimes downright crazy time with family and friends, and I’ll be back in January!

Jamie

Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »