Saturday morning

Today is the morning we wake up to news of a tornado destroying a factory in Kentucky, leading to dozens of deaths, as well as deaths from a tornado at an Arkansas Amazon warehouse and a Missouri nursing home.  It's two weeks before Christmas.  It shouldn't be this way.

I'm trying to bring the peace back into my heart, and I'm sitting in our living room with the TV fireplace playing Christmas music.  The trees are lit (I'm in the front room because the lights in the middle of the tree in the back room...ugh!) and I'm enjoying the decorations.  The weather is still dreary, but we have some fun family time planned.  I'm praying for everyone today!

Friday feelings

I love Fridays in December.  Often, there is a good amount of family time and it's a good time to watch Christmas movies.  They are often peaceful.  And of course they are decorated, which makes it lovely.

Today was not peaceful.  As a whole, this week has had some challenges.  Thomas has struggled, and work has been challenging.  Today though, oh it was rough.  The high school had a threat.  Not many details have been released (understandably), but what we do know is that school ended up being released a couple of hours early and all evening events were cancelled.  It took me back to that Friday in 2012 when so many little children were killed at Sandy Hook.  While I knew in my heart it was likely okay, it's beyond unsettling.  It's a little sickening to hear Thomas talk about the "plans" he and his classmates were making in the case of an active shooter.

I had some errands to run, but I just wanted to be home at the end of the day.  I just wanted to hug my family.  And there is a big part of me who wanted to throttle whomever decided it would be "funny" to make the threat.

I started this blog thirteen years ago

 It was thirteen years ago on this date that I started blogging.  My senior was a preschooler.  It's gone by in the blink of an eye.  It feels more poignant this year as the "baby" is a senior.  He'll always be my baby though.  While there are certain things I don't miss about having little kids, I feel more emotional about it here at the holidays.  One never knows how many holidays are left with the kids spending time at home.  I only have six more work days until I get two weeks off (mostly) and I'm looking forward to fun times with my family.  I'm grateful for the thirteen years (and more!) that we've all had together, and I plan to soak up fun times this year!

The music moved me to tears

Ugh...this was supposed to be posted last night.  I am more distracted than I even realize!

Tonight was the final December band concert in our family.  It's often one of my favorite concerts each year, because I especially love the holiday music and my favorite years are the ones where the orchestra is also included.  This year, our band director is also responsible for directing the orchestra.  The final number was Christmas Eve 24/7 Sarajevo, a song made well-known by the Trans Siberian Orchestra.  It was moving, and then about 1/2 way through the back curtain was pulled up and all the instrumentalists joined in.  I was moved to tears.  I was touched visually and audibly.   

An early December weekend

Another weekend is drawing to a close.  It's hard to believe that there is only one more Sunday night where I have to work the next day for all of 2021.  I really don't know where the time has gone.

Overall, it was truly a lovely weekend.  Catherine had a rough week last week, and we loved having her home Friday night.  We loved how her best friend Belle, the daughter of our best friends, helped her to laugh and made her feel better, even if it meant Catherine went back to her apartment yesterday instead of today.  I loved watching a cheesy Christmas movie with our family Friday evening.  We even included Thomas's girlfriend.

My day began early yesterday and was busy, but we got to spend the bulk of the day with our dear friends.  We had not been together to just hang out since JULY!  Four times we had plans that had to be rescheduled, but yesterday it all finally came together!  We hung out at a winery, where I fell in love with their holiday wines!  We spent about nine hours together and loved every minute.  So much catching up, and so much laughter.  While we were gone, Thomas volunteered with a band activity, and then had a pep band scheduled for last evening.  We had found out at the end of the week that our former town was playing our school here in town.  Thomas enjoyed getting to see some familiar faces from long ago.

Today our day began at church, then Andrew had to work at the high school hockey game.  I had a very productive day working on many different things, but it was a fairly peaceful day.  I'm finding so much peace in the view of my family room, with a candle lit that has a wonderful scent, and the view of so many decorations.  I'm truly enjoying the season!

I would have been okay with one-and-done

Last year at this time, I purchased several sets of masks at Old Navy.  I loved the style of the masks, and I was allowing myself to make a splurge by buying Christmas fabrics.  While some of them were solid colors or patterns that could be worn year-round, many of them were clearly Christmas.  As I put them away last year, I remember thinking that I was totally fine if they weren't used again.

Sadly, of course, that is not how it turned out.  The masks came back out this year, and we are wearing them.  While we are all vaccinated, it doesn't mean that people aren't getting sick.  It's sad.

With concerns ramping up again, I'm working on finding peace in my heart and maintaining peace in my heart.  To that end, although I have a very busy day that started way too early, I am enjoying a few moments in front of the the TV fireplace with carols.  It's lovely.

December sure came around quickly

We've arrived at December 1.  Just thirty days remain in this entire year.  Not at all sure how that is even possible.  This is our final December with a kiddo in school.  No more swim, no more band concerts we need to attend after this year.  Wow.

I've had a bit of a work schedule adjustment.  I now only work a few hours on Wednesday mornings.  Now I'm off by 11 each week.  I don't mind having to go in for a few hours and get things done.  Today, I ran several errands after getting off work and I was still home shortly after Noon.  I didn't feel well, so I allowed myself to sleep.  Unfortunately, the headache just won't leave, but hopefully I can get some things done this afternoon at some point.  I have to attend a band even this evening, but am hoping it will only be about an hour.

Thomas should be home within the next twenty minutes.  Having a little bit of extra time with him never makes me sad.  I'm so grateful for the quiet right now, and grateful for some extra time with him!