Reflections

There were lots of opportunities this week for reflection. My reflections included gratitude, humbleness, excitement, and sadness - to name a few. 

Did you serve on Martin Luther King Jr. day? Matt, Brenner, and I headed to the local food pantry to help. We must have worked Brenner pretty hard! I reflected on serving others and being grateful that we have food security when so many others do not.

I was sent this picture- but my guess is that the girls are reflecting on why they stayed up so late the night before!

Reflection on the excitement of history being made. I appreciated Joe Biden noting in his speech the change with women's suffrage 100 years ago......let's make change happen sooner as we move forward!

Four sympathy cards mailed in one day. All of friends whose parents passed (and news of another came later that same day). Reflections on loss and thankfulness for my family (love you mom!).

The boys went to the cabin so it was girl time over the weekend. Reflections on the joy of children and their questionable dance abilities.

Nola reflecting on whether to ask for more ice cream.

Brenner and Matt finished the soffit at the cabin.

Week three of pretty much the same image.....Nola didn't really do anything but read on Saturday. My reflection - enjoy the silence!

Balyee's reflection - FREEDOM!!!!!

Some cleanup happened at the cabin too!

Nola's school project on how to survive a lightning storm - nice!

A really fascinating book that I just finished. Reflections on how am I communicating (verbally and non-verbally) my faith and humanity to others.
 

A pretty quiet week for us. Matt wasn't feeling well and decided to get a covid test - it was negative thank goodness.He is much better after getting some much needed rest - he was zapped. Kids are chugging along in school, and there wasn't much pleading for a snow day on Friday as the flakes fell!

Nola re-reading book 4 of Harry Potter before school.

Nola side walking at the equine center on Wednesday after school. She is a little bummed because as volunteers (especially new volunteers) there isn't much we get to do. I try to remind her this is a different setup than the Mantles. Who knew she would be begging to muck stalls!

My mom gave me a recipe for pho that she found in a magazine. It smelled so good. It didn't taste as good as I had hoped - I think the beef stock was too strong and muted the other flavors (garlic, cinnamon, star anise, etc). Regardless - it was still a hit with everyone :) 

We visited Grandma Val before Nola's basketball games on Saturday. The boys stayed home as Matt was still puny.

We got to Warrensburg a bit early - so past my old apartment building we went! Ah the McGoodwin Apt - lots of memories with that old place!

It was our first time playing at YES - Youth Excited About Sports in Warrensburg. Check them out online! Christian-based program for the local community. It is a bit far to drive - but atmosphere much better than the recent YMCA league (this week we started with a prayer rather than a mom fight on the court). We all went to the doors but found out that we can only enter 10 minutes before so back to our vehicles. Except many of the girls went to one van and the mom sent this picture. I was glad to see Nola had on her mask regardless. Good job, Nola, doing your part!

The other team was just a bit taller than our girls. But we came out strong and played well! There was some confusion if the players were suppose to wear masks - the other team did the entire time and our girls had them down. Guess we will have more instruction next time we go on the covid rules (parents were required to wear masks which I did without complaint!).

Nola fouled on a shot - she made one of her free throws. Earlier she had a basket, some great assists, and rebounds.

It was a bit of a nail biter - we were ahead most of the game but a couple of baskets. The other team called a timeout with 6.4 seconds to work out a three-point shot plan. It didn't work, and we won the first game! We played the same team in our second game, and they killed us on their full court press with some easy early baskets. We got behind but didn't give up (but the girls did get worn out with only a few subs available). Final score was 27-19 - a really great effort! 

I keep thinking Brenner looks like Cousin Krystee with his flowing locks!

Nola could barely contain her excitement about going to a friend's birthday party. They were going to a hotel (cabin theme) with an indoor pool. We can't wait to hear all about it when she gets back!
 

Words matter

Words matter.  Didn't we all learn that as children (and then taught it to children in our lives) - be kind to one another, don't yell at others, tell the truth, admit when you are wrong.  I wish I could say that I am utterly shocked by last week's attack to the US Capital. Words matter. Not just the words that we speak but the words that we don't speak when we know we should. Silence can mean being a bystander to hate and bullying. Where do we go from here? Use your words to educate, heal, love, and forgive. Words matter.

When I picked Nola up on Wednesday as events were unfolding she said "if we burn, you burn with us" quoting a line from The Hunger Games (spoken by Katniss to start their revolution. Words matter). While potentially prophetic, her idea of the Capital burning was a "good" thing because of the movie story line of the District seeking freedom from essentially dictator/elite rule. So a teaching moment on what the "capital" represented in the movie versus real life.  The following morning on the way to school, I relented and let Brenner turn it to a country station. "Gunpowder and Lead" by Miranda Lambert was playing which essentially outlines the killing of an abusive partner. When I commented on inappropriate lyrics, Brenner's response was it's a song, the words don't mean anything. But they do - not that I fear he will grab a shotgun or a cigarette and wait for someone, but becoming desensitized to evil in such lyrics/words/tweets/memes/etc. Words matter. Matt and I heard in a marriage class that our church held several years ago that every thing you say either builds your partner up, or tears them down. That goes for every relationship. Words matter. Your words matter. Please, please use them for building rather than tearing.

Brenner had a few words of his own - writing a reminder note to himself. Just like I do. He hates to know that he is like me in many ways :)

Ugh - my mom gave me this puzzle for Christmas. I gave up when I had 950 pieces in place. I know - almost done but all pieces were same shape and fit in every slot. Before resorting to unkind words, I packed up the puzzle and read my book :)

Pit Viper sunglasses. The are apparently the rage with middle school boys. Brenner used Christmas money (with some pokeman trading card in exchange for cold hard cash from Nola) to purchase. Do we like them? I told him they matched his mullet! Middle school is a time of exploration - so explore, buddy, explore!

We played Spontuneous - it was a lot of fun! Matt won handedly!

Matt and Brenner sitting the exact same in church!

The boys doing a little target practice.

Brenner's big science project took up the table for a few days!

Nola reading Harry Potter. Pretty much looks the same as last week.

How Brenner wanted (and did) to walk up to school. #middleschool

Mr. Tickles - he is so active!
 

Happy New Year!

Sound the horns, drop the confetti, do a happy dance - 2020 is O-V-E-R!!!!!! I don't mean that to sound like 2020 was all bad - but between COVID, political and social unrest, and just general life.....well I know you can relate. We are grateful for many things and thank the Lord for his faithfulness to us even during our rough patches. Happy 2021~

It has been perfect hot chocolate weather for us!

This picture cracked me up - Nola was on dish duty and is taking on some of Matt's tendencies - towel on the shoulder and dishwasher open (so you constantly have to walk around it!).

Have I mentioned that I hate it when Matt has a beard....he knows this yet it doesn't seem to matter.....then I learned a trick that worked?! Matt was complaining once again about Brenner's mullet so I causally stated that your bread to me is what Brenner's mullet is to you. He shaved it later that night but not before coming out of the bathroom with this gross mustache!!!! 

If you wanted to find Nola this week - all you had to do is go to her room as she was devouring the 5th Harry Potter book. She is just starting the 6th installment today.

Brenner could be found doing snowball war downstairs. Ah the energy of a teenager!

Mr. Tickles on the way to the vet to get some shots. He looks excited, right?!

Nola spent some of her Christmas money on an easel and blank canvases (the lion is a paint by number from last Christmas). I was proud of her - we were in Hobby Lobby, she did the math (including the 40% coupon), and she paid for it pretty much on her own. Great job, Nola!

Matt spent some money too. The salesman was funny as I left to hit Sams Club before this picture was taken. He asked me are you sure you don't want to be in the picture. Yep - I am good, Mr. Salesman!

Matt and Brenner made deer jerky this week - although Brenner convinced Matt to also process the squirrel he had short. It. Was. Disgusting. Seasoning mix was way too salty. The deer turned out great though.

One of the best parts of the week was a visit from Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck - we hadn't seen them in months!

A special gift for Brenner!

Nola came out alright too!

We stayed outside and masked - the sun was shining and our hearts were full!

Nola prepping the Trader Joes Melting Snowman that Aunt Theresa brought.

New Years Eve sent me to bed early (my dad always says that he will see the new year if he wakes up - I have taken on that philosophy!) and brought an ice storm. The ice was pretty thick on the tress and our pine branches drooped.

Can you tell which way the freezing rain came from?!

Poplar blossom.

Our neighbor's Bradford pear split onto our propane take - ugh.

Matt and I braved an ice trudge/shuffle - it was peaceful!

In 2021, our family has committed in giving some of our time to a cause of our choice. Nola chose to help out at the Riley Equine Center. So on Saturday morning we helped by side walking with one of the kids. Here Nola is doing the bean bag toss with the rider.

Nola leading Jim back to the corral after the lessons were over. If you volunteer 20 hours, you earn riding time!

The boys headed down to the cabin to frame in the bathroom over the weekend. The first snow for the cabin!