{November 30th-December 6th, 2025}
Supporting... our educators through the strike they're currently on. Our kids didn't have school all week this week because of the strike. Teachers are wanting some of our elementary hours restored (library & computer time as well as some academic time were eliminated when we hit a financial crisis in 2024) and the district is not listening to their requests. We spent every afternoon waiting to hear if we'd be able to go back to school the next day, but we ended up missing Monday through Friday.
Starting... Advent calendars for Carly & Wyatt (the twins said no thank you) and it makes me so excited! I love how happy the kids are to wake up each morning and count down the days to Christmas.
Beginning... Elf on the Shelf shenanigans with Dashy, his wife Snowflake, and their two kids, Holly & Cane. I have a timer on my phone so that I remember each night, but I'll be honest, I still forget pretty often. Thankfully I have three older magic makers that help cover for me when I forget. (Thanks boys!) Josh also did me a solid this year and picked up an Elf on the Shelf kit at Walmart for $40. It makes the set ups super cute and fun with very little effort on my part.
Enjoying... happy mail. Is there anything better than packages & letters? This week it was sparkly washi tape. Oh the joy!!
Sending... Carly outside to play in this mild weather we're having. I love that it's been so beautiful out!
Grateful... that Logan likes to spend time with my dad (and vice versa). Logan drove there this week and they went on a hike in the snow (so brave!). It looked beautiful!
Shit hitting... the fan around here. It seems like it does that at least once a week/once every two weeks and I am beyond exhausted. There was so much stress and so much crying. I don't think I've cried so hard in my whole life. I will say that I am grateful for supportive friends and the mantra, "No matter what happens today, I can handle it." I think the hardest part about tough parenting is that it impacts the whole family. No one is immune to the stress and disruption. That's the part I hate. That I can't protect the other kids from it.
"And I do love you.
And you are awfully interesting.
And I want to protect you from all pains & terrors."
-Iris Murdoch
Seeing... my counselor for the last time. We've been together since 2020, but she's moving platforms, so it was our last meeting. I am so sad. We talked about how hardship produces gratitude and she encouraged me to make sure I'm simply watching the roller coaster, not riding it with them. That is so much easier said than done. She also encouraged me to discuss with Josh what our expectations are going to be once the twins are 18. If they're still living at home how do we want laundry/chores/curfew to work. What bills will we expect them to pay? It was a good session.
Laughing... that our family's top song on YouTube Music was "Your Idol" from K-Pop Demon Hunters. Carly must have had that song on repeat for six months straight. We listened to 2,614 minutes of Taylor Swift. We were among her top 0.4%!
Fangirling... over Carly's new holiday sequin dress & high heels. The fit is so perfect for her, and she is so excited to wear it for both the Nutcracker with my mom, sister & nieces, as well as her Christmas performance at school.
Watching... The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and loving the drama so much.
Spending... our days at home doing laundry, gaming and witnessing the most adorable Barbie wedding. Honestly for a week at home with all four kids and no husband, it went incredibly well. We just rested, relaxed and had a great week.
Disappointed... in the color of the year. Cloud Dancer (aka white). With all the divisiveness that exists around us, I just think we could have done better.
Finding... a falcon on our backyard neighbors' fence. He was eating something and it was so fun to watch him!
Enjoying... Carly learning dances to some of her favorite songs. She's just so fun.
Contemplating... whether I should consider myself agnostic or atheist. I'm still not sure, to be honest, but I know that I no longer believe in God. I wish I did. Truly. When I talk to my friends who still believe, I find myself envying them. But I've seen behind the curtain and I just don't have that faith any longer.
Thankful... that Josh is the dad that he is. Carly absolutely adores him. She squeals when we pull in the driveway and she sees that he is home. She runs to greet him when he walks in from work. In the mornings, if he's still in bed, she climbs in and snuggles him. If he's laying on the couch or sitting in his chair, she plops herself down on his lap for some snuggles. It just fills my heart.
Memories:
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