Covid Positive

On Tuesday it was Sammi's turn to call me with a mask over her face.  Covid positive.  She took the children and herself to school for testing.  Henry was also positive but the girls were not.  I told her to drop the girls off at my house and I would keep them until she was fever free for 24 hours. 

I know Lydia missed her "Hankie" as well as her parents.  Good thing they lived here for most of their lives as it wasn't really an issue for either girl to be here.  Jeff dropped off Evelyn's homework on Wednesday so she could get on virtually and not get behind.  They were also doing some kind of testing which she was able to do on her down time.  

The girls stayed from Tuesday through Friday morning.  Lydia sure is obstinate.  When she gets something in her mind, there is no changing it.  We had many tea parties which was just up her alley.  I figured out that it was better to have her party at meal times which kept the mess to a minimum and she actually ate as well as drink.  

I dropped the girls off on Friday morning and the littles were so happy to be together again!

 

Christmas 2021

 Christmas is my favorite holiday ever!  I love the music, the lights, the decorations and the fact that people are genuinely nicer.  It can be busy and stressful, but I still love that we are celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

There is a program at church.  The boys were wise men and shepherds and Eli was a star.  Cami was part of an angelic choir.  Clare called me on her birthday with a mask over her face.  Covid positive.  I teased her that the year she was born, she ruined my Christmas because I had to stay in the hospital and missed the festivities at my parents' home.  I remember how lonely I felt.

This year her family came and she stayed at home.  We facetimed her as everyone opened their gifts.  I saw her wipe a tear at one point.  Was she sad?  I would have been.  Brock got a nerf vest that holds all his ammo.  Cami got those white boots she's wearing. 

It doesn't show on his face, but Jeff was thrilled with his ladder. 

Clint got a new work light and some wood clamps.  He seemed happy with his gifts as well. 

Butchy got K'nex.  He plays with them when he comes over to our house so I knew he would like his own. 

Henry got the new little people garage.  He was in heaven and Eli played with him.  Eli got his paw patrol Skye that he's been asking for. 

As always, there was plenty of good food and good conversation and good people to share it with.  Andrew and Cierra took Eddie and went to Independence.  They couldn't go last year because of Covid so it was good that they got to go this time.  We missed them and Clare but understand that we can't always be physically together.  I adore my family!

 

Tea Party Time

 One day while Sammi was visiting with Gramma Kay, Lydia asked for some toys.  She didn't have any toys but let her play "tea party".  Lydia had such a great time that Gram bought her a tea party set of her own.  

She sent the tea set home with me and I wrapped it and gave it to her on Christmas Eve.  She was so thrilled and has insisted that we have a tea party each time she visits.  

This is one happy little girl!

Basketball

 Brock is in 5th grade this year and the middle school boys needed more guys to have two full teams so the 5th grade boys got invited.  On his second day of practice I was at school and saw him sitting on the sideline crying.  I went over to see what was wrong.  He had gotten flattened by one of the big boys in a game and was hurting.  I took him home and he vowed he would never play again. 

                                           

Well, he changed his mind and went back to practice.  I watched him play a few games.  Basketball is a game with a lot to learn.  He was a great defender but struggled on the offensive side of the ball.  

                                       

I enjoyed watching him play.  I don't think he cared if he played or not.  He enjoyed being part of the team.

                                              

His coach was giving him some extra instruction during a foul shot.

                                          

Cami has been so much fun to watch.

I can see the growth and confidence as I watch her play.  At first she was quite timid, but now she gets in for a rebound and boxes out.  She isn't afraid of the ball so much anymore and will put an offensive rebound back up. When the opposing varsity team isn't very good, Newell puts in many of his jv players.  She has had the opportunity to play in the varsity games quite a few times.  When family is there, we always cheer when she enters the game.  I'm sure she is mortified, but we love our girl and cheer for her success!

                                           

Amaryllis

 When Sammi was just over 2 years old, she asked her Nana what kind of flower this was.  Nana told her it was an amaryllis.  "Can you say amaryllis?"  Sammi's response, "No, I cannot say amaryllis."  It is a sweet memory so when I saw these at Menard's I bought one for each of my girls.  

                                     

This one belongs to Erin and grew three gorgeous flowers rather quickly.  The others are all in bloom now but they've grown a lot of greenery with the blooms.  This one is done blooming but has grown another stalk and it will bloom again.  A beautiful flower that brings back a fond memory.

Evelyn's Accident

 Evelyn was hurrying home from school on the 20th and tripped on the sidewalk in front of their house.  She came into the house crying and blood all over her face and coat.  Poor girl.  Sammi facetimed me for some advice.  Her two front teeth her loose.

I told Sammi to hang up with me and call Dr. Walsh's office immediately.  When they called her back they wanted her to come in for an x-ray.  I told her I would meet her there to watch the twins but Jeff got home so I didn't need to go.  Today, two weeks later, she is almost completely healed.  A little pinkness lingers but that will fade quickly. The power of a father's blessing of quick healing!

Fog

 A few days before Christmas my sweetheart asked me to go to Green Bay to get parts for the Transit.  it was quite foggy but got in the truck and headed out.  I said a prayer while I was driving that if there was any danger ahead that I would have a clear thought or prompting.  I kept the radio off the entire time so I could feel or hear those things if needed. 

It was hard to tell where I was on the road since the roadside views were unavailable due to the thickness of the fog.  Just as I was coming up to the onramp by Bonduel, I saw red emergency lights.  I slowed down and followed the fire truck that entered highway 29.  The vehicles that were following me didn't know why I slowed down and they passed me.  Once they saw the flashing lights, they slowed too.

Just passed Doc's there was an accident involving a U-haul, a van and a pickup truck.  There was also two different semis in the median.  Probably to avoid causing further damage.  

In Green Bay where there was no snow cover, there was no fog.  It was nice to be there with good visibility.  Once I left town, the fog was there to great me again.  Much of the accident scene was cleared when I came back through but not all.  Driving into Shawano was horrible.  I was nearly  impossible to see traffic coming from side streets. 

As I pondered this drive, which was kind of stressful, I thought about Lehi's dream.  He talked about holding fast to the iron rod as the mists of darkness came swirling about.  This is how I felt.  The mists were all around today and staying in my lane of traffic at a reduced speed was most important.  The road was the safe place to be, but I needed to use caution.  The strait and narrow path is the place I want to be.  But when the mists of darkness swirl around me, it is ONLY by holding to the rod that I can be sure to stay on the path.  I've come to understand just how important the scriptures are!