2018 Prediction Results

When I posted my 2018 Predictions, I mentioned that 2018 needed to be a year of me focusing on my health by having less stress and working on my diet.

Thankfully, I finally found medicine that works. I did say "no" a lot, and I did de-stress my life in many ways as needed. I stayed committed to the diet until July. Then, I hit an angry phase (apparently that is normal when one has a life long debilitating illness) and stopped the diet. Thankfully, the drugs continued to work, and I still feel great. Right now, today, I am at 100%. I don't know how long this will last, but I am extremely grateful for where I am right now. I do not take my health for granted!

Anyway, back to my predictions from 2018. Let's see how I did:

1. Broncos will have another losing season. But, Seahawks will make the playoffs. Nailed it.

2. Vance Joseph will be fired as the Broncos head coach. It was announced today that he will be back next year, which I simply can't believe. Right again- though it literally came down to this morning, which is when he was fired.

3. Camille will start homeschooling with us which will be wonderful (believe it or not, homeschooling really doesn't add stress when I use the boxed curriculum that I don't have to come up with. I think homeschooling is in many ways far less stressful than sending the kids to school and dealing with homework, lunches, bullies, teachers, etc). She will be reading. Yes! It was an adjustment at first (also expected), but she is thriving.

4. We will go to the balloon festival in Albuquerque! We actually have several trips already scheduled, but this is the "bonus" trip that I'm hoping we squeeze in as I think the girls would love it. YES! And, I'm so glad that we did! This was far better than I could possibly have imagined.
5. Dems will take back the house. Dang, I am on a hot streak! Yes, they took the House, though not the Senate which should make for a "fun" 2019.

6. Audra and Claire will go to state for 4H. (4H and soccer are the two activities I'm planning to have the girls still do. Maybe volleyball for Audra as well. And gymnastics for Claire and Camille. But that's it!). Yes- I am still really proud of how awesome these two did with 4H.
7. I will finish the last cross stitch Christmas stocking I need to make for me. Whew- it will be nice when that is done! But I need to get started on it. Thankfully, that is a relaxing activity for me- once I get it started. Yes again- once I finally started, it only took about 4 months.

8. My health will be improved! What does that mean? Fewer meds, better diet, less stress. Yes, and no. As I mentioned earlier, I am back to 100%. But, I am  on some pretty heavy drugs, I am off diet, and stress is better but not great.

9. Audra will surpass me in piano skills and I will need to sign her up for actual lessons again. Claire will start violin, which will prove much more difficult than she thinks it will. Audra has not quite outpaced me, but we will need to get her actual lessons soon. She is ready to move beyond me. Claire has started violin, and it isn't going great, but I think she likes it overall.
10. Despite our trials, we will find JOY in our family and grow closer together Most definitely.

End of Year Happenings

Camille needed an eye exam. Luckily, she has a very small prescription that the doctor isn't too worried about. For now, no glasses. But, if she complains about her eyes or if they seem to bother her, then I have the prescription and I can get her glasses as needed.

We worked hard as a family to finish this puzzle from the Hale's! It was a lot of fun. We really enjoy family puzzle time. Claire and Ben in particular really get into it. It's a fun thing to do when we have zero plans (my favorite kind of plans)!

Guess who lost her front tooth! It makes me sad because in my mind it means she isn't a little girl anymore. This is big girl stuff! Oh, the bittersweet feelings of my youngest growing up.

Perhaps it is becoming a tradition, but we went to the mall and played arcade games (even I enjoy this place, and that is saying something. It is so much fun!)

The girls rode the zebra around the mall. I can't believe how much pure joy they get from something so simple.

And ended our trip at SeaQuest.

Then, we started perhaps a new tradition. Crepes and breakfast casserole for New Year's Eve dinner. The girls were super stoked as they think crepes are the most wonderful thing in the world. I wanted dinner to be something special, but I also didn't want anything too difficult. We don't go all out for New Year's, and this year I am so grateful for that!  Christmas is so much work- it exhausts me. The idea of going all out for New Year's as well makes me very, very tired. So, this is a pretty simple but still fun thing for us.

 Oh, and homemade cinnamon rolls for dessert. YUM!

Then we did a Netflix countdown, popped some poppers, and sent the  kids to bed with a "See you next year!"

Hard to believe 2018 is already done. Time just keeps going faster and faster....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Celebrating Christmas

Dear Santa Claus,

I've been trying my best to be good but I am not perfect. All I want for Christmas is a pet hedgehog. I don't care if it is a girl or a boy. My sisters also want a hedgehog. We don't care if we share a hedgehog or we each have or own.

-Claire

 Marriott Girls,

I hope you are not too disappointed about not getting a hedgehog. I know how much you wanted one. I brought you many other toys which I hope you enjoy and are grateful for.

Giving pets for Christmas is very tricky. I need to be certain the child, and the parents, want a pet and will take care of it. Your parents are still a little reluctant about getting a pet and need some more tie. When they are ready, I am certain a pet will come. Be patient and loving to prepare.

Thank you for the milk and cookies. Rudolph says thank you for the carrot.

Sincerely,
Mr. C

 The girls picked out a computer game for dad, and the girls all got fanny packs for an upcoming trip to Disneyland.

Audra is such a tween- clothes for Christmas!

The Hale's spoiled us with a game, puzzle, and paper dolls!

Then we had a breakfast of Aebelskivers to honor my dutch heritage:

For lunch, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's for more Christmas fun!

And To All A Good Night!

I Love These Sweet Girls!

Gingerbread Houses

Normally I totally cheat and buy a gingerbread making kit from Bed, Bath and Beyond for the gingerbread houses. I am not at all ashamed of this- there are some things I care more about than others when it comes to Christmas, and gingerbread houses are not high on my priority list for this incredibly busy time of year (though I know I many of you go all out, and that is also awesome! It just isn't me).

But, this year they raised the price on them, so I decided to go old school and do what we did growing up: the graham cracker houses.

I am not going to lie- this was so much more fun! The girls got so creative and really got into it- making mailboxes and water fountains and swings. I even got into it! I found a great frosting recipe that actually held the house together, so we didn't need to use hot glue like the last time we did graham crackers, or melted sugar which we used growing up (and which destroyed many pots).

It made a mess, but it really was fun. I just love these girls so much, and I love creating all of these memories with them!

 Ben helped for about 5 minutes and then gave up. The mess was too much for him.