Phia's Birthday and a beautiful last day of 2024

December 31, 2024

Day 2,971

Thankful for: 

A clean room. A clean closet. 

Tobin's clean room. 

Driving in the pouring rain ended in the most amazing sky, rainbow, clouds, and light I've ever seen. 

Having a super fun party to celebrate Phia's birthday! 

Phia is such an amazing girl. 

Chili, cornbread, and kale salad for dinner. 

Cake and ice cream for dessert. 

Fun games. 

Laughing hard. It feels good to laugh really hard. 

The feeling of coming home. 

Time to sleep. 

An amazing last day of 2024.

Breakfast for the soul.

December 30, 2024

Day 2,970

Thankful for: 

Breakfast with family. I saw family members I haven't seen in so long today, and it made my soul happy to see my loved ones again. 

Defining moments in life. 

Warm smiles and meaningful hugs. 

A delicious breakfast. 

Plans to visit again soon. 

A lazy afternoon. 

We had dinner at Patty and Armando's. My mom made turkey salad and served it on bagels. It was delicious. 

Lemon bars for dessert. 

Sophia's birthday is tomorrow. Can't wait to celebrate her! 

The last day of December is tomorrow. I was feeling scared about it, but Matt told me it's going to be cold in January, and we still have the "ary" months to look forward to even the "ber" months are ending. So instead of calling it fear, I'm going to call the feeling: hyper anticipation. 

The possibility of a snow storm. I love snow. 

Happy Higbee. He was glad to go visiting with us this evening. He's always happy to come home too. Whenever we come home from being gone, he jumps in our bed and buries his face deep in the blankets. I think it's because the smell of us reminds him that he's home and safe and loved. 

Texts from friends. 

Plans to help Tobin organize his room tomorrow. I'm going to need patience and a large cup of coffee. 

Many days off left on this Christmas break. 

Taking the long way home with Matt and the kids from our breakfast. I love seeing wide open sky, fields of green and gold, and cows grazing. 

Taking the long way home.

December 29, 2024

Day 2,969

Thankful for: 

A fun morning with my mom and Patty. We got coffee and then went shopping for Alaina's birthday. 

Alaina's birthday. It was really fun to watch her eat her cake. I love to watch her smile. 

Shopping with Sophia and Tobin for a gifts. 

Taking the long way home through the country. I saw a hawk and a beautiful sky. 

Pasta and salad for dinner. Ice cream for dessert. 

A nice talk with Patty. 

A good talk with Matt. Hugs. Tears. The feeling of feeling better. 

Watching a show in bed. 

Time to sleep all night. 

Me and Higbee in the forest.

December 28, 2024

Day 2,968

Thankful for: 

A rainy, misty, foggy day. 

Quiet time with Higbee in the woods. We like to stand quietly, look, and listen. Whenever I hear an animal I know, I tell Higbee the name of the animal. Now whenever we hear things like hawks, crows, the pileated woodpecker, and squirrels, I see Higbee's ears perk up. I can see him recognizing the animals by the sounds they make. I like my quiet time with Higbee in the forest. 

Adelyn gave me a hug randomly. It made my day. 

Fun times with my family. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, olives, pomegranates, and biscuits for dinner. 

We played Apples to Apples together. Sophia won the first game, and I won the second game. 

Time to sit quietly with my mom and my sister. 

Time to sleep all night. 

Friday list.

December 27, 2024

Day 2,967

Thankful for:

A lazy morning. 

A new, cozy blanket and books to read. 

A comforting show to watch. 

Time. 

Snuggles with Tobin on the couch. 

Talking with friends. 

Texting with friends. 

A tire put on my vehicle for free by the car place. That was such a nice surprise. 

A Costco run with Matt. We got Higbee's medication for half of what we normally get it. 

A short shopping trip at Wegman's. 

Really good oranges. 

Getting to be with Matt for a long time today. 

A new Tillamook ice cream flavor: apple crisp. 

An easy dinner. 

Fun plans coming up this weekend and next week. 

Day after Christmas fun!

December 26, 2024

Day 2,966

Thankful for: 

A really relaxing morning and afternoon spent at home. 

Time to lay in bed. 

Time to be quiet. 

Time with Matt. 

A walk with Matt and Higbee. 

Sleepy Higbee.

A great dinner at Patty's. My dad made filet mignon, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and Patty made salad. We had cookies for dessert. 

We opened gifts. 

We played games: a marching game, charades, and name that movie music. 

There was a lot of laughter, a lot of fun, and lots of memories made. 

I'm getting a haircut tomorrow. I'm really excited about it. 

Odette really liked my cookies. 

Sweet pups. 

Cold air. 

Still so many days left on this break. 

Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!

December 25, 2024

Day 2,965

Thankful for: 

A beautiful Christmas. 

Sweet and thoughtful gifts from Matt. 

Watching Addy and Tobin open gifts. 

Watching Higbee play with his new toys. 

A delicious breakfast: eggs, sausage, bacon, tots, biscuits, and orange juice. 

Hot cider. 

Time to talk with family. 

Amazing presents from Steph, Mario, and Matt's mom. 

Christmas movies. 

Time to relax. 

A hodgepodge Christmas dinner of chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. My dad wasn't feeling well, so we had to have another meal instead of the filet mignon he was planning on preparing. 

I got to feed my birds today because my dad bought me a big bag of bird seed. 

So many new fox things. 

Ice cream. 

Patty, her kids, Matt, Addy, Tobin, and I played charades. It was really fun. It was the Sandersons vs. the Galarzas. The Sandersons won! 

Watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas with the family. 

Cuddling with dogs. 

Christmas wishes from friends and family. 

Adelyn won't let me post any pictures of her, but she still let me take them. That made me happy.