Christmas Eve.

December 24, 2022

Day 2,257

Thankful for: 

The day before Christmas. 

I made these things today: homemade monkey bread, French toast casserole, a sausage quiche, a bacon quiche, stuffing, turkey, and beef bourguignon. It was a very busy day of cooking. 

Adelyn and Tobin so excited for Christmas. 

My parents and my grandma came over to have Christmas Eve dinner with us. 

Adelyn and Tobin have a tradition: they sleep in the playroom in sleeping bags the night before Christmas. 

Setting out the presents and stuffing the stockings with Matt. 

Christmas Eve Eve.

December 23, 2022

Day 2,256

Thankful for: 

Matt was home today. 

I got medication for Higbee today so he won't itch all day long.

We saw Santa today. 

I made homemade pizza for dinner. 

Matt and I wrapped all the Christmas presents tonight. 

We had a wonderful day together. 

We have a warm home on a very cold day. 

Sleepy Higbee. 

Many laughs with Adelyn, Tobin, and Matt today. 

We got to pick up my car today. 

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I can't wait to spend it with all the great loves of my life. 

Baking day.

December 22, 2022

Day 2,255

Thankful for: 

A warm, dry home when it's cold and wet and rainy outside. 

Sweatpants all day long. 

I made five batches of homemade cookies today. 

I watched two movies with Adelyn today: The Family Man and The Family Stone. 

Adelyn, Tobin, and I wrapped presents together. 

We all watched The Polar Express together. 

Texts from Matt. 

A cozy bed.

Winter break. 

Christmas coming soon. 

The best Wednesday.

December 21, 2022

Day 2,254

Thankful for: 

The best Wednesday. 

It was a long, lazy morning. 

Higbee and I went for a cold morning winter walk. 

I saw a hawk on our walk. 

During our walk, I stood quietly and let the sunshine warm my face while I prayed. It feels so good to do quiet things without the feeling of pressure about staying on schedule. 

I made pasta for lunch. 

Wrapping gifts with Adelyn and Tobin today. 

Matt and I went shopping together for our Christmas meals. We also picked up a few last minute gifts. I love shopping with Matt. We used to shop together every single day before we had kids. We would go to the store every day to shop for ingredients for dinner. It was good to be with him today. 

Time in bed with Matt. I love how he knows me and loves me. Life with Matt is as beautiful as an ice cold glass of water on the hottest day. 

A delicious dinner. 

Laughing together as a family. 

Time with Adelyn and Tobin. 

I made five different cookie batters tonight: double chocolate chip, funfetti chip, oatmeal, m&m, and sugar. I will bake them all tomorrow. I'm excited to fill up all the cookie tins. 

The quiet peaceful feeling of being home with all the great loves of my life. 

Lighting all the lights just for our family. 

Christmas coming soon. 

Things that made me happy today.

December 20, 2022

Day 2,253

Thankful for: 

A quiet, lazy, long morning. 

A morning walk with Higbee. 

Sourdough for breakfast. 

Soup for lunch. 

A shopping trip with Adelyn. 

Coming home and making an easy dinner. 

I cleaned our entire house. I love the feeling of relaxing in a clean home. 

We have many, many more days off. 

Matt will be home tomorrow. 

Higbee is cuddly today. I love days when Higbee is cuddly. 

My kids gave me lots of hugs today. 

Adelyn and Tobin thanked me for working hard to clean our home. It made me feel thankful and happy that they recognized what I was doing. 

I got cream of wheat for breakfast tomorrow. I love a big bowl of cream of wheat with butter and sugar. It's delicious. 

I'm excited for Christmas coming soon. 

Modern Family. It's hilarious. 

Winterfest

December 19, 2022

Day 2,252

Thankful for: 

A lovely day at home. 

Time with family. 

A fun Christmassy evening. 

Impromptu Tea Party.

December 18, 2022

Day 2,251

Thankful for: 

A lovely Sunday. 

A lazy morning. 

The smell of sourdough rising and baking in my kitchen. 

The smell of freshly baked oatmeal cookies with sourdough. 

Tea with Patty. 

Patty came over for about 30 minutes after seeing their house. In that 30 minutes, we had tea and cookies. We also served Adelyn, Sophia, and Odette tea after they came down in fancy clothes. 

We all danced to "Mambo Italiano."

Time with family is time well spent. 

The cold, cold weather. 

Pink and purple sunsets. 

The warmth and cozy of my home. I just never want to leave it. I want to be home always. 

Being able to be with Higbee all day. 

Homemade soup and freshly baked sourdough for dinner. It was glorious. There are a few flavor combinations that are just out of this world good, and one of them is: freshly baked bread slathered with butter and dipped into homemade chicken noodle soup. 

Hanging out in the house with all the Christmas lights on. 

The feeling of going to bed in a warm bed when it's very, very cold outside.