Christmas

What a fun day of celebrating with my crazy family!  So blessed they could all be here. 

Benjamin has grown so much this year. He towers over everyone else. Caden read the Christmas story to us and Mary and Joseph would have been proud of how he narrated their journey.  Amanda came with Ben and she is always a welcome addition. Christmas is always better when Tara comes “home” from Austria for her school vacation.  Wesley rode his motorcycle from Cape Girardeau to be here and he gifted me with my first ever 2,000 piece puzzle. Yikes! Mallory was here for her first time and she jumped right into the madness. 

It was a wonderful day filled with fun, family and food.  And laughter. So much laughter.

Carly is getting divorced

Carly has filed for divorce and has moved into an apartment by herself.  Wesley remains living with Michael.  She is doing well and is looking forward to a great future. Jacob gave her all of his furniture that he had in storage. Andi and Shaun rented a UHaul to take the furniture to her.  The UHaul had a little surprise in it that made the local news, as well as People magazine. 

Golf banquet

The girls’ golf banquet was held tonight. Sophie was awarded her varsity letter.  She also received notification that she was awarded Academic All State, which is based on her GPA, SAT and ACT score. 

As a senior, she was given the opportunity to share her plans for after she graduates. We were on the edge of our seats in anticipation, thinking this may be the moment she spills the beans. Not so much. 

Her answer was, “I’m gonna go to college somewhere … and study something … maybe biology and maybe not biology.”

The wait continues.

Andi & Shaun

Tipsy Bingo

We had great fun playing Bingo  Andi won the dancing a jig contest, even with her foot in a boot and on crutches. Even though we made an awesome table decoration, we did not win best table. We definitely should have!  

Shaun’s Pickleball tourney win

Shaun and his partner, Jess, won a tourney in Owensboro today!

First Pickleball tourney

I was firmly in second place till my team got slaughtered in the last game, dropping me to 4th.  Keegan, however, won his division.  We all had a great time.

It's Nic again

It was a way too long trip home from Jacksonville yesterday. Traffic jams added about 3 hours to our trip, and I just wanted to fall into my bed and sleep.

But alas, it was already occupied. I‘m pretty sure this is the work of Shaun, because he was so kind to come in the house yesterday and turn my heat on for me. That’s where his kindness ended.

However,  Andi was also in the house this week so it could have been her. I think they are working in cahoots with each other.

BINGO!

I finally won at Bingo and got to split a prize with Vicki! We had a blast and Thick Nic went with us!

Western KY tornados

Our area was hit with major tornados that literally destroyed several towns in Kentucky.  A group of my friends and I raised money (by raised, I mean we asked for it and other friends donated) enough money to have 45 pork butts smoked and bought all the sides to go along with it.  We went to Dawson Springs and the high temp of the day was about 20.  It was hard to even look at the devastation in Dawson Springs without crying. Street after street just lined with tons of refuge. The hundreds of people we served were so appreciative of the food. The leftovers were split between 2 churches in town to feed people tomorrow. We took enough food to feed about 2,000 people and there's no doubt it was needed.

Christmas celebration