Around Here: Week 52 2023

 {December 24-30th}

Carly got a doctor kit. 
I cannot even with her doctors' notes.

2023, another year with this amazing guy by my side.

Hosting... lunch on Christmas Eve for Josh's side of the family. Unfortunately his sister Julie was sick, so her family didn't make it, but Josh's mom and brother & his girlfriend came.  It was a very chill afternoon, I even got in some reading and a nap. Then I made cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast.  They turned out great!

Celebrating... that Josh is off work! He worked until the 22nd this year, which made for a long week before Christmas. 

Waking... up early on Christmas and feeling tired & emotional. Thankfully it passed and after a nap on the couch I felt better. It helped that Carly had presents she handmade for me and Josh that were absolutely the most precious gifts. That helped me get in the spirit despite feeling a little low and sleepy. 

Purchasing... some Christmas tree earrings that I knew wouldn't arrive in time for Christmas, but I knew would be great for future Teacher-Shelly. I love them so much. They are even more sparkly than they look in photographs.

Enjoying... lots of reading on Christmas day. I'm reading The Book of Longings and it is so good. It's one of those books where I could read it on and on.  I also enjoyed the gifts I bought myself from Ulta that I opened. 

Sending... the boys and Carly to the land while I had counseling.  It was so lovely to have the house all to myself for the day. Another day when they went out, I drove Wyatt to Quincy to meet my sister so he could have some cousin time. 

Listening... to Deinfluenced, which is Dani Austin's podcast. I follow her on Instagram, and I love her and her husband and kids.  The podcast is super fun and funny. 

Visiting... my cousin Savanna and her husband Deric and their new baby Alanna.  It was so good to see her. She was delicious, and Savanna & Deric are such amazing parents. 

Signing... Logan up for Traffic Safety.  I am happy for him, but I am also not sure I'm ready to teach another kid to drive. Haha! Thankfully on his first few drives he did fantastic. He is such an eager student and is always apologizing if he messes up. I love that. 

Grateful... for book club at Jessica's this month. Those girls love me so much and truly believe in me.  The support they offered me when I told them about what's going on in my life with parenting means so much to me. And the way they cheer when I talk about student teaching just buoys me. We discussed Salt To The Sea, and let me tell you, it was such a good book!

Loving... the passport ornament my mom bought Jack to remember his traveling this year.  

Trying... one of my new peeling face masks from Ulta. I loved it (it's so satisfying to peel) but Carly hated it!

Burning... Carly with lasagna when I was serving her dinner. A piece of sauce covered pasta fell off the serving spatula and landed on her hand.  I felt so bad.  It left a terrible mark, poor girl, and it hurt for days. 

Wrapping... up my book journal for the year. That's always one of my favorite end of the year tasks. 

Cheering... Josh on as he found a Mary Oliver quote (swoon) that he wants to use as his theme of the year to remind himself that this life is the only one we get. 
"Tell me, 

what is it you plan to do 

with your one 

wild & precious life?"

Choosing... my word of the year for 2024. It was hard to find something to follow up "Work Hard". It was such a defining part of 2023.  Getting my masters while juggling subbing and raising four kids was no joke and required lots of hard work. 
I decided to go in a different direction for 2024 as my degree wraps up and I step into the world of working moms. I chose the word "Pause" to remind myself to find joy in the moment I am in, and to remind myself to keep my cool while parenting. 

Going... on a day date with Josh and while I enjoyed the company, I felt awful that Josh's food was terrible, the service was mediocre and we came home to a whole lot of hard parenting. Life is like that sometimes. Sigh. Thankfully, we really like each other and I know with him by my side, we can get through anything. 

***

Next week is one year since Grandpa died.
Oh how I miss that guy. 

Why does my Period Tracker App tell me my period
is due to start with an exclamation mark?