Life lately: November 2017
“This is part of what a family is about, not just love. It’s knowing that your family will be there watching out for you. Nothing else will give you that. Not money. Not fame. Not work.” ~Mitch Albom
I love this photo of our biggest and littlest in the family: Uncle Brandon and little Greyson. Brandon and Diane and the boys came for a short visit to meet the newest member of the family and celebrate Khloe’s birthday!
happenings
Lately I’m just hanging on to my hat while life goes 100 miles an hour. We celebrated Khloe and Greyson’s baby dedication at church, Khloe’s FIRST BIRTHDAY, and a visit from Carter and Jackson all in one weekend! We didn’t get many photos because we were wrangling all the babies — but I’m already planning how to make that happen when they’re all here again in the summer. I can’t get over how big the boys have gotten!
The following week was Thanksgiving; I got smart this year and ordered a pre-cooked turkey (plus dressing and gravy) from our local grocery store, then spent my time making all the fun stuff. #winning
Kathryn was a big help in the kitchen, and of course we made my Granmama’s pound cake as part of tradition. Khloe loved it. Actually, Khloe loved all the food; that girl is a good eater! We attempted a group selfie and the results were hilarious – but we’re all in there!
I usually stay home on Black Friday but this year I ventured into town to see a used car I found online, and traded my beloved 2010 Volvo XC90 for a new-to-me 2012 Subaru Outback. I’ve been thinking about this switch for a while now. I loved my Volvo but the Subaru is more practical because: it’s not as tall and therefore easier to get kayaks on; it’s lower and easier for dogs to get in (Piper has already done for a ride); it is rubber lined in the cargo area to help protect from ALL THE SAND; and it gets better gas mileage — all with some of the highest safety ratings out there. Bonus: I love the caramel brown color.
This week I celebrated my fit-iversary: the anniversary of the day three years ago when I got serious about my own fitness and made gradual but substantial changes in my life. How’d I celebrate? With a kettlebell workout, followed by playing around with barbells, including my first time deadlifting my bodyweight. Later that day I took (and passed) the final test for a new specialized certification as a pre- and post-natal fitness coach! {Come follow my fitness facebook page if you don’t yet!}
homeschool highlights
Kathryn started a job — her first! And quite fittingly, she also began Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance course. Lindsey did this course four years ago (read my review), and now Kathryn is doing the updated version. It covers everything from balancing a checkbook to buying a car, and much more. Nope, I’m not an affiliate; it’s just a great course.
what we’ve been reading: our faves
Every one of these were library finds. Yay, libraries!
My faves this month:
Circling the Sun – Paula McLain, based on the real life of one tough woman.
Good Time Coming – C.S. Harris: Civil War era historical fiction.
Faithful – Alice Hoffman: modern fiction and a character who will stay with me.
Kathryn (age 17):
Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) – Marissa Meyer
Strange the Dreamer – Laini Taylor
Wonder – R.J. Palacio (now that we’ve both read it, we want to see the movie)
Hollow City (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #2) – Ransom Riggs
Jem (age 8):
The NEW Way Things Work – David Macaulay
He loved it so much he’s getting the newest edition for Christmas! {Shhhh….}
on the blog {in case you missed ’em}
- The Day the Whale Came ~ something I never thought I’d see
- November fitness tips + inspiration ~ practical ideas for real life
- Adoption: Greatest Hits collection ~ because November is National Adoption Month
- from a few years ago: 12 Christmas card ideas
. . . . . .
I’ll be linking with Kris’ weekly wrap-up.
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 »
Love! 3 yrs? Time does fly. You look so strong & confident in those comparison photos!! Congrats!
That financial class is FABULOUS!! Our second is going through it now and it’s made such a huge difference for her – and our oldest just bought her first car, paying cash. 🙂 Love that it’s changing how they look at money and impacting their futures.
LOVE the car!!
Yes, I think it’s a great program. Many adults I know might benefit from it as well. 😉
Time really does fly doesn’t it. All of mine have made significant adult moves this year. It only seems like yesterday that my oldest was snuggled up,pouring over that David Macualay book Jem has. And now he’s 25, and working overseas, and talking of marriage. Gulp.
It does fly!!! Our family has such a wide range of ages that we’re living with the little ones AND watching our oldest two as adults and as parents!!!
Love your pictures! Nice to keep up with you all! Your car is very pretty!
Thank you, Marsha!