~December 2020~

 The last month of 2020 flew by like many others months this year.  I love December.  I love it because I get to see Christmas through four precious little eyes and it is oh so fun!  Our elf, Nonnie, came back this year.  It was questionable because of COVID but just like the family he visits he didn't let that stop him from continuing his holiday traditions.

Tye and I watched lots of Christmas movies this year.  It's honestly been my favorite part of the day.  Cuddled up on the love seat and picking a new movie almost every night.  I think it was Rusty's favorite part of the day too.

Everyone finished strong with school before we took off.  I even had a little elf come to pre-k one day.

Ryan started solving for X.  I did NOT do this in 3rd grade.  It's questionable if I'll be able to teach math if it continues like this...kidding...not kidding.

Rusty loves listening to Ryan read.  We all think he's really listening.

Taking my turn riding the stripper with Tye.

 

Sydney drew me a picture on the board after school one day.  She said the first one is Jesus going back to Heaven with clouds under his feet.  The second picture is Jesus dying on the cross.  She is amazing and I'm so happy she thinks of things like this to draw!  She's quickly becoming such a big girl.

 

Tye finished stripping earlier this year than he has in a LONG time.  The crop wasn't really good but the weather cooperated.  

We are still thankful.

Santa, Santa HO HO HO

I think he's my dog.  I don't mind either.

Sydney took a bubble bath and told me she had a beard like Santa.

Ayden finished her first quilt!  She worked and worked on this thing.  Jennie Cowdrey helped her start it and showed her how to hand stitch.  Mim helped her finish it and she was so proud.  I was too.  I was so thankful she got to spend time with those two amazing ladies and I know they taught her more than how to sew.  She is an incredible girl. 

Ayden got new glasses!  She looks way too big!

Ryan and Tye went spot lighting one night.  Ryan finally got revenge on his rascally rabbit.

 

Ayden spending time with Mim learning to sew and making some Christmas presents.

We built Pop Tart houses instead of Gingerbread houses this year.  The kids worked so hard and they all turned out really good!

Myles was so proud of his chimney.

Honey and Ayden's house fell apart.  They were sad!  They ended up making their house into two tents.  So creative after their crash!

Poppa and Ryan made a lake with a man fishing by their house.  Typical from the fishermen they are!

Lunch at B and Shell's after church.  It's been so nice worshiping in Post with Tye's grandparents then all eating lunch together afterward.  It's been the perfect ending to a really weird year.

We love Mim and Granddaddy so much!

My girl diagramming sentences.  She loves language and is really good at it!

Our church, Sunset, put together a really cool drive thru Christmas.  The GRINCH was there and was so fun.  Sydney was just a "little sceerd" but not "tooo sceerd."

Science experiment.  Ayden has been studying geology and Ryan's been studying the Earth's surface so we combined a few topics and made a volcano.  First, let me say I should never be left alone with plaster again.  I made a mess and a lopsided volcano.  The kids didn't care and were gracious enough to tell me good job. hahaha

Tye sat down on the floor in the office and Rusty made himself comfortable.

 

 Oh, Snowman tree Oh, Snowman tree, how lovely are your cotton arms...

 Sunset drive thru Santa picture.  Tye was a ghost in the back. hahaha

 

Ryan and Myles helping Tye lead singing at Graham.  It's been really nice getting to see the boys help Tye lead.  They have such a good role model.  Tye is an amazing Dad and husband.

Myles had to have some dental work done.  When he got home he laid on the couch to rest.  For a moment he reminded me of the baby he use to be and it broke my heart just a little.

Cousins make the best of friends!

 The kids spent the night at B and Shell's house.  They made cookies and decorated them.  Their decorating skills have gotten so much better over the years.

Sydney fell asleep in Honey's lap.  She had just partied a little too hard.

The best two days of the year according to the kids.  On Christmas Eve, we spend lunch with B and Shell and supper with Poppa and Honey.  It's a full day of fun, presents, food and family.

Twas' the night before Christmas...

2020 has been one for the books.  A year that history won't forget.  A year that we will all look back on and think was one of the craziest years.  Grocery stores running out of food, toilet paper and the most prized possession Lysol wipes.  A year full of closures, churches closing their doors, small business shutting down, school going virtual, a family of 6 being considered a small gathering.  WHEW!  It's over and while it's a year I don't care to repeat, it's not a year I'd like to forget.

 

We have had so many wonderful things happen this year.  I finally had surgery and have doing amazingly well.  I got my JOY back in 2020 and I don't want to forget that.  Tye's crop didn't do well, but it's been worse.  Tye has been able to sharpen his carpentry skills and I must say he does amazing work and I'm not just saying that because I'm his biggest fan.  Ayden has grown into a lovely, caring, compassionate 10 year old.  She can babysit and it's been life changing!  Ryan has found several hobbies and is working hard on perfecting his hunting skills.  He's smart and loving and that's is the BEST of both worlds.  Myles is well...the same.  He brings laughter and happiness to our lives even in the midst of a pandemic.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for his care-free spirit.  Sydney has grown in kindness and patience.  She isn't a baby anymore and is starting to show us glimpses of the girl she will become and I couldn't be more proud of her.  2020 shaped and molded us all.  It taught us what REALLY matters.  It taught us to slow down and take the time.  It taught us to be thankful for the simple things.

 

Life is full of ups and downs, happiness and disappointment, good days and bad, happy moods and mad.  I never want to forget a year that brought me closer to my family and closer to my God.  Who knows what 2021 will look like, did anyone think this year would've gone the way it has? 

 

Most of all, 2020 taught me not to fear and to be thankful for today...because tomorrow is not promised.