Basketball and Bowling

 The first month of 2022 is about over. That's sure hard to believe. We've been keeping busy with Emma and basketball practice and games, and just the general work/school/homework busyness. 

Emma had her first basketball scrimmage game two Fridays ago. It was really cute and fun to watch, and just a little bit painful. Emma has really good defensive skills, now we just need to work on shooting and just general awareness of what is going on on the basketball court. But, I have to remember she is only in 4th grade, and she has a lot of learning ahead of her. Her team did win, and she seemed to really enjoy herself out there, so that's the main thing. Elliott was also there, and he enjoyed running around with the other kids and cheering for the Bethel teams. 

My parents came to visit last weekend. They came on Saturday morning. We enjoyed some homemade pizzas for lunch and then we went to Sport Bowl for a couple hours of bowling. It was really fun to get out of the house and enjoy some bowling. It was a good time. Mom actually beat us all in the first game, which I don't think anybody expected. 

After bowling, we got some groceries and made some chicken tacos for supper. They were delicious. We played some games with the kids, and then just visited and had a nice evening. On Sunday, we did the church thing, hung out for a while, and then mom and dad headed home. It was a nice little visit. 

This past week has been pretty low key. We actually didn't have a million things going on, which was nice. This weekend was the same way. We really didn't have any commitments, and we were content to just hang out and relax. John did get his suit for Jeff's wedding yesterday. While he did that, the kids and I played legos, baked mini bundt cakes, and then went ice skating at Memorial Park. The kids really enjoyed the skating. Elliott went around like 10 times, and Emma enjoyed it until she got a blister. I think we will be back again though, both kids need for practice with their ice skates. 

After skating, we headed out to Jim and Barb's house for supper. The kids begged to stay overnight, so they did. John and I enjoyed a quiet evening at home, and then we went to church today without kids which was kind of weird. Now, John is ice fishing, the kids are still at the farm, and I am catching up on some stuff at home. It's been a good weekend, and I am feeling caught up on things. This afternoon there are some football games, and I will probably work on our puzzle and enjoy the games. 

Next week is looking busier, so I am going to enjoy the quiet :) 

Go #5

Family Bowling 

Baking team 

Mid-January Updates

 It's already the middle of January. 2022 is up and running. These past two weeks have been busy just getting back into the flow of things. Back to work days, rushed mornings, homework, packing lunches, and our regular routine. It's been good. The kids are happy to be back at school and in their normal routine. 

The evenings have been filled with homework, trips to the Midco to swim, and some Nintendo Switch playing. I have also gotten into Diamond art, which I have been spending some evenings doing. It's fun to have a drink, put on a good show, and just craft for a while. 

Last weekend, the kids and John went ice fishing with Grandpa Jim. Everyone had a good time, especially Elliott, who caught a fish within the first 10 minutes of fishing. He was very excited. Emma enjoyed going along, but she didn't catch any fish and got bored after awhile, and says that "ice fishing just isn't my thing". So, we will see if she goes again. John really enjoyed himself, and is already planning his next trip. 

We also had our 4-H Christmas Party this past Sunday. We did the typical bowling with Pizza Ranch to follow. It was a fun evening, and the kids had a really good time meeting some new kids their own age. It was cute. 

This week has been pretty good. Emma has started basketball practice two nights a week, and her first "game" is coming up next Friday. She loves basketball practice, and she can't wait to start playing some games. She has a lot of learning to do, but she works hard and has fun. I'm excited to go to some basketball games and have a good time. 

The kids don't have school today because it's the end of the second quarter of school. It's hard to believe we are halfway through the school year! So, I took today off to be able to spend some time with the kids. However, all of a sudden there were sleepover plans at the Polzins' house, so both kids ended up going there to spend the night. Emma and Elliott went to the Polzins' house after school, and now they will be there all day today until supper time. They have plans to go swim at the Midco, play at the Bethel Gym, and just play and have fun. I'm sure they aren't suffering, but I am sure missing them. This is my second day, and third evening to myself around here, and I don't know the last time I've had so much free time. It's crazy!

I got caught up on scrapbooking, watched some movies, read some books, cleaned, grocery shopped, went to the gym, and slept in. And I still have some time. It's been nice, but I'm ready to see the kiddos again, We will have to do something fun together tomorrow. 

Tonight, when we go to pick up the kids, we are going to have supper with some of the Burger Battle burgers from downtown. It should be a fun evening. The rest of the weekend is pretty open. John might go ice fishing, and then Emma, Elliott, and I will have to find something to do. We also have some Wild Card football games to watch. Cheers to the weekend!

4-H bowling group

Facials and foot masks with mom 

Ice fishing!

Nelson Christmas

 Yesterday (New Year's Eve" we celebrated Christmas with the Nelson side of the family. We got packed up and then headed out to the farm at around 11:00 am. After we got to Jim and Barb's house, we unpacked, got the gifts under the tree and the stockings stuffed, and then we got ready for dinner. Jeffrey and Samantha arrived, and then we all ate some French Dip sandwiches, fries, broccoli salad, and oodles and oddles of snacks. It was good. 

After cleanup, it was finally present time. The kids got some really goof gifts including legos, robotics, watercolors, and other odds and ends. They were very happy. Everyone enjoyed the process of opening gifts, and then the kids got busy building legos and robots. After a while, we played a couple games and enjoyed each other's company. 

Supper consisted of snackies and then we finished the evening with a round of spoons. The kids ended up spending the night just because Jim and Barb wanted them too. It was a nice, low-key Christmas gathering. I think we are all officially over the Christmas celebrations and ready to just get back to a normal routine again. 

Shortly, John and I are heading out (into -6 degree weather) to go and pick up the kids. I'm ready to have them home again and enjoy a quiet evening before we get one more day off tomorrow, and then it's back to reality. 

Ready for the New Year

Air Madness 

Hello 2022.

 Here we are, in the year 2022. It's really hard to believe it's 2022 already. I always like the New Year. It feels fresh, and feels like new beginnings. It's always a good time to evaluate goals and do those projects that have been neglected for too long. 

Today, John and I have been really good at doing all the New Year things. We actually stayed up until midnight last night, and we welcomed in the new year. The kids spent the night at Jim and Barb's after family Christmas (more on that in the next post) so John and I went and had a drink at Woody's and then we hunkered down at home. It was -8 degrees outside, so we were happy just to stay home. 

After sleeping in this morning, we started organizing and cleaning the house. I decided everyone needed fresh bedding for the new year, so I have done about 6 loads of laundry. We also organized the kitchen cupboards and got rid of a lot of stuff, and we spent a lot of time cleaning the garage. We also packed away more Christmas items, went to the gym, and just generally cleaned the house while the kids were away. It felt like a really productive day. 

As far as goals for this year, I am still always working on health and fitness. I am pretty consistent about going to the gym, and I eat pretty good most of the time, but I still want to be about 20 pounds lighter, so I am working on that. I am doing a two-week free trial of Noom right now, and I will see if I extend that or not when it's done. 

I also want to keep reading and keep up the library trips with the kids. We go about once a week and pick out books. I read with Elliott every evening, and Emma reads before bed. These are great habits that I want to continue. This past year I kept track of every book I read. I ready 32 books. 

1. "Open Book" by Jessica Simpson

2. "Duct Tape Killer" by Phil Hamman and Sandy Hamman

3. "Find Your Path" by Carrie Underwood

4. "Revenge" by James Patterson

5. "One by One" by Ruth Ware

6. "Murder They Neighbor" by James Patterson

7. "When No One is Watching"  by Alyssa Cole

8. "Praying Women" by Sheila Walsh

9. "Financial Peace Revisted" by Dave Ramsey

10. "The Coast to Coast Murders" by James Patterson and J.O. Barker

11. Studied for my CNOR exam from Feb-May, so only read study books during this time 

12. "A Book of Two Ways" by Jodi Piccolt

13. "21st Birthday" by James Patterson

14. "The Last Days of John Lennon" by James Patterson

15. "The Russian" by James Patterson and James O. Born. 

16. "Lost Girls" by Robert Kolker

17. "Deadly Cross" by James Patterson

18. "N.Y.P.D. Red 6" by James Patterson

19. "The Night Swim" by Megan Goldin

20. "The Escape Room" by Megan Goldin

21. "Save Your Breath" by Melinda Leigh

22. "The Palm Beach Murders" by James Patterson

23. "The Only Plane in the Sky" by Garrett Graff

24. "When Women Pray" by T.D. Jakes

25. "The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn

26. "Send for Me" by Lauren Fox

27. "In Search of Wisdom" by Joyce Meyer. 

28. "The Last Thing He Told Me" by Laura Dave

29. "Daisy Jones and the Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

30. "The Sanatorium" by Sarah Pearse

31. "Walk in my Combat Boots" by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann

32. "The Return" by Nicholas Sparks

When I look through this list I realize that I have read a lot of James Patterson this past year. I have read his books forever, and I still like them. They are an easy read, and I really like some of the series that he writes. I also have really enjoyed nonfiction books, and I plan to read more of them this next year. The books that stand out to my from this last year are "The only plane in the sky" which is about 9-11, and "Find your Path" by Carrie Underwood. Both were really good books and left an impact on me. 

As far as other goals, I just generally want to be more positive and enjoy more family time together. Sometimes our weekday evenings can get a bit hectic, and I would like to be able to just slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy the moment a little more. 

I am also finding new ways to increase my faith in God by reading the scripture, praying more, and of course attending church as a family. This past year, I did the read the bible in a year program on the bible app. I have two weeks left, and am proud to say that I have kept up with it. Sometimes I skipped days here and there, but I always caught up with my readings eventually. I am looking forward to being done with that program, and starting a devotional book that I purchased. There really is nothing better than spending time in God's Word. 

So, those are my goals for the next year. Nothing too crazy, but simple, attainable things to make me and my family happy. I look forward to all the things 2022 will have to offer. 

Cheers to 2022!!