A Week in the Life [Day 4: Wednesday]

I did not take any pictures this day. Sorry. I ran errands in the morning and then went to do my Meals on Wheels route. (I usually do Fridays, but since we had plans to go camping, I switched with someone.) It was cold and rainy, but I managed to get all the meals delivered and got to talk with a few people. Afterwards, I went home and did some work on church stuff before I went to get the kids from school. Once I got the kids from school, we went home and Abby practiced piano for a while. She's finally really starting to enjoy it and is feeling more confident. At 4:30, Carson and I took Abby to her lesson with Shelby. Then it was back home for dinner and hanging out!

"Snow" Day

Today the kids got an unexpected (but very much hoped for) day off of school because of winter weather (i.e. some ice on some roads), so we were all pretty excited. After getting up at 5:30 to check school closings, I went back to bed and stayed there 'til 9:00 (which hardly ever happens). Then Aaron came in and brought me breakfast (in bed. For no reason except that he's wonderful). Then I got up and he went to work. The kids showed me how they'd been jumping on the trampoline all morning in layer upon layer of socks and how it made ice fly everywhere.

After jumping on the trampoline and doing a few chores, Aaron went to work and the kids and I left to go do our Meals on Wheels route. (The roads really weren't that bad.) They helped me deliver meals and we had a good time. After MOW, we came home for lunch. Abby and Carson were giddy that they finally got to have Ramen noodles for lunch. 

After lunch, we decided it'd be fun to tackle a couple Pinterest art projects I'd had my eye on for a long time now. We spent the afternoon drawing and painting and making a mess. It was great!

I'm thankful for the (extremely rare) slow, wintery days that I get to spend with my family having fun together!

Goodbye, Jayla!

We were sad to learn a couple of months ago that one of Abby's best friends, Jayla, is moving to California. Abby has been so sad about it. It seems like over the past year or two, one good friend after another has moved away. So yesterday, we had Jayla over for one last play date and we decided last minute to have a little impromptu party for her. Abby's friend Aria also came over (along with her brother Josiah to play with Carson) and we had cupcakes and hot chocolate. I got each of the girls some stationary so they could write letters to each other. The girls spent almost the entire rest of the time singing and dancing and playing in Abby's room. It was a fun afternoon that ended with lots of hugs and near tears as Jayla left, but I know these girls are the kind that will be friends forever!

Winter Camp

Aaron had the honor of being asked to be one of two speakers at a youth winter camp in Leakey, so after celebrating Christmas with our families, we drove to HEB Foundation Camp to enjoy a few days back at camp. We hadn't been in several years (since stepping down from youth ministry), so I was kinda looking forward to it. Not only is the HEB camp, a place that I absolutely love (it's one of the most beautiful spots in the Hill Country), but this time I/we (but especially I) had way fewer responsibilities and much more freedom. In years past, I always felt torn, trying to play the role of mom to my kiddos and leader to my youth girls. This year, I had none of that. So I read an entire book, we played games, we drank hot chocolate in our bunks, we watched Annie and The Sound of Music late at night, we went on walks, and enjoyed the scenery. It was nice. I was a little bummed to find out that we were in a bunk house instead of a cabin (with bedrooms) like we'd had in the past, but we did our best to make it cozy, and I'm pretty sure the kids thought it was great sleeping in a room with 8 bunk beds. And, for the first time ever, Aaron got to stay with us, which was a treat.

Aaron also did a wonderful job teaching and connecting with the youth (not that I'm surprised). He really enjoyed it and the youth really liked him! I'm so proud of him.