December highlights

Happy Thursday my friends! So sorry to have taken another blogging break. There was just not enough hours in the day. I didn't mean to not blog, but between work and kids and all the extra stuff that comes in December I just didn't have time to sit down to write. But here we are in the last few days of December. I am off work until the 2nd so I have been able to get a few things done and one of the things I wanted to do was write up a recap of my busy December. 

Things that have happened this month: 

Rebecca turned 17! Ok so that happened at the end of November, but I never blogged about it. We celebrated with getting takeout from Fiesta Mexicana (as Ben was sick) and having cake. 

All three kids ended up being sick towards the beginning of the month. Not at the same time, but over the course of a couple of weeks. Thankfully, everyone is better and didn't have to miss any of their holiday functions. 

Speaking of holiday functions, we went to several. First up, Rebecca and I went to my nephew's last elementary Christmas concert. It was cute. He looked so handsome in his suit. 

We celebrated Rebecca's birthday with family. (She also had a small party with her friends as well before this.) I say she had a good birthday week. 

The same night we celebrated with family, Rebecca went to a nearby town to sing carols with her high school choir. It was a nice evening and a great way to kick off the Christmas season. 

St. Nicholas came to visit. As per tradition he left an ornament and candy. Rebecca and I both got a Mickey Mouse 2023 ornament to represent our trip to Disney. Ben got a Minecraft ornament and Jacob got a football ornament. 

The kids had their Winter/Christmas concert. This was the first time that they all 3 were in the same concert, since Ben is now in Middle School choir. They sounded lovely and I enjoyed the concert. My sister and Cecilia came and watched it with me. 

On a bad note, Murphy came to visit. My automatic van doors decided to stop working as a wire snapped on each door. It would cost $1500 PER door to fix them. When I asked if they could just make the doors manual, it was going to be $300 total for labor. So that is what I did. I also had to have my exhaust system replaced. :( (Thankfully, a friend was able to lend me a car so I wouldn't miss work!) And if that wasn't enough, Rebecca's phone died (she woke up to a screen saying she had corrupted system files...) so I had to get her a new phone (I was already going to get her one for Christmas, but just meant I had to get it earlier.) Also my phone decided to keep freezing up, so I had to get a new phone as well. So much stress, but it got dealt with without too much anger and I moved on. 

I did some baking for the holidays. I made my Great Grandmother's recipe for Irish bread. One batch makes 8 loaves or more. My arms were sore after mixing, but man it was good. It was a request from my dad for Christmas. The kids and I also made Christmas cookies. 

The kids spent Christmas Eve evening with their father. So I ordered takeout chinese food and binge watched "The Crown" while they were gone. I was sad they weren't at home, but also glad that their father was making an effort. 

After the kids got home on Christmas Eve, we tracked Santa using NORAD, and then the boys went to bed. Rebecca and I went to midnight mass at our church and it was a beautiful mass. I LOVE midnight mass. When we came home, Rebecca helped me put presents under the tree and then we headed off to bed. 

Christmas morning came bright and early as Ben was up around 7. He climbed into bed with me and somewhat patiently waited until his brother and sister were awake. We went downstairs and opened stockings and presents. The kids were thrilled with their gifts, as was I. 

 

In the afternoon, we headed out to my parent's house for our family Christmas with them. I had such a blessed, great time with them. I got to spend quality time with my baby niece, and everyone. It was wonderful. 

Christmas was truly a great day this year. Life is good. Busy, but good. The last couple days I have been puttering around. Had a nephrology appointment where she was pleased with all my blood work numbers and that my blood pressure was the best it has been. The only thing I need to work on is losing some weight as I am about the heaviest I have been in a long time (although it was understandable given the circumstances of the last 6 months or so.) 

Today I started taking down my Christmas decorations. I got my kitchen, downstairs bathroom and part of my dining room/ living room packed away. I will take down the small tree in the dining room and the big tree in our living room tomorrow. I will leave the nativity up on the mantel until the Epiphany. I have also been thinking a lot about goals for 2024. I have decided to do "challenges" instead of resolutions. I will talk about those more in the new year. 

So, again, I apologize for being quiet on this blog. I have been enjoying the month and spending time with the kids and really just appreciating the season. I hope you all had a nice Christmas (if you celebrate) and I am looking forward to reconnecting in the new year!