Christmas

 We had a wonderful Christmas.  We spent a lot of time laughing, playing games and watching movies.  We saw a bit of snow and of course, it was cold!  

We are certainly blessed! 

Lily Grace and I killing some time before mass.  Mr. Serious makes us get there waaaay early for a good seat.  

After Christmas Eve mass we enjoyed a warm homemade lasagna and tiramisu followed by a cozy fire where watched Elf.  That's one Christmas movie that remains funny no matter how many years you watch it. 

This year, Lily asked for all art supplies, furniture and accessories for her new art studio.         

                       

Always first so we can have some peace while we try to open gifts. 

This was the year of "likeminded" for Gracie and I.  We stuff each other's stockings. Lily and I got the biggest laugh when we realized we had gotten each other three of the same things, right down to the exact color of nail polish. 

Gracie gave Matt a personalized Yetti cup with a message that brought about laughter.  

Matt pulled a surprise off!  That's a big deal for him.  He surprised me with a diamond solitaire necklace I've had my eye own.  He even made Lily think she knew what was in the box so she was just a surprised as me.  

We surprised Matt with a new Ping driver and some new golf shoes.  

Lily is a huge Marvels fan and especially Black Widow.  She was super excited to get this tee.  Now she just needs the movie to release. 

More art supplies

In the basement trying out his new driver

Enjoying her new art studio with her new chair, shelves and wall unit all in place.

If you live where it snows often, you get tired of it and the mess it makes but Christmas break is the one time you just love it!

Lily Grace got me this really cool indoor herb garden kit for Christmas.  She and I set it up.  

Finals Week

 This past week, Lily Grace experienced her first high school finals week.  They started on Wednesday and she took the last two yesterday.  

She did great!!!  She got an A on each of her seven exams and maintained A's in all of her classes for the quarter and first semester.  It wasn't without a lot of hard work on her part and overcoming an unexpected obstacle.  

Lily Grace started preparing two weeks ago and really dug her heels in last weekend in preparation.  She was already stressed with not knowing what to expect and having high standards for herself and then came a curveball none of us expected.  

On Sunday (three days before her first finals) as she began studying, her computer died.  Yep, that thing was fried.  It was only a little over 2 years old.  I won't lie, Matt and I were a little freaked too.  We still aren't sure what happened, but we rallied to calm down Gracie.  Oh yes!  I forgot to mention, 6 of her finals would be taken on her computer.  Yep!  Stress!  I went into action by baking her some cupcakes and offering a calm word.  Her daddy also gave her some words of comfort, but after looking at the computer and trying several things to repair it,  got himself in the car and  headed up to Best Buy.  In the end, Gracie got a new computer out of the chaos.  

We are so proud of you Lily Grace.  You worked so hard!  

Now relax and enjoy your Christmas break because you get to do it all over again next semester.  (Hopefully without the added excitement.) 😏  I love you! 

Is there anything a cupcake can't make better?

A new gold computer

Lily Grace loves art, especially drawing. Her skills are really evolving.  For a drawing assignment, her art teacher had her put together a collage with various pictures from magazines and then draw and shade it.  It turned out really well and this past week, her teacher asked her to submit the piece into an upcoming contest.  Her art teacher is also matting and and framing this piece and it will hang in the school until Lily Grace graduates.  

When we asked her what she was going to do after finals were over she said all she wanted to do was relax and read.  When Matt and I arrived to pick her up Friday afternoon, we did so with a new book  she's been wanting to read.  

I couldn't resist snapping a pic as she made her way to the car with her first high school finals behind her.  Look, it could have been worse.  Earlier that morning she and I watched a video from the news where a man showed up dressed as actor Will Ferrels character Elf from the movie and surprised his high school daughter with shouts of love.  It was hilarious.  I think a picture drew way less attention but she still wanted no part of it. 

Might as well laugh

I don't even think we were out of the parking lot good when she started reading.  Way to go Gracie!  You earned every relaxing moment! 

HaPpY Birthday Molly!

10 Years Old

Busy-Blessed and Thankful

We've had a busy and very blessed Thanksgiving.  We cooked and enjoyed a big meal on Thanksgiving and as we sat at the table talking and laughing, we were also reminded of how very blessed we are.  We're all healthy, fed, clothed and loved and have a place to call home. 

This Thanksgiving brought with it lots of memories and yes, lots of laughs and this year, a project.  Lily Grace is really into drawing/art.  She asked Matt and me if she could turn one of the extra bed and baths into an art studio.  We agreed to help her do so with one of the rooms in the basement.  I got busy refinishing what use to be my large sewing table earlier in the week for her.  Oh the sanding, stripping staining and painting that took place around here.  Talk about a lot of work.  Wow!  I had no idea how very involved that project would be.  I spent days with that table and in the end, Gracie and I are really pleased with how it came out for our first time refinishing a table.  

Once the table was finished, we moved on to patching,  taping off and painting the room/bathroom.  Gracie chose a cool neutral gray.  She's going for a clean monochromatic look with gold accents and using her art to add color.  The three of us laughed and had so much fun working together on this room. After the room was all painted, Matt hung a cool sputnik light LG picked out for the space.  She's hoping for some extra furniture and supplies for Christmas to add to her new studio.  

After finishing up the room, it was nice to take a break from all the fumes to decorate the house and tree for Christmas.  I even managed to whip up some snowball cookies for Sunday afternoon and Matt smoked us a beef brisket.  

 Thanksgiving was different and much harder for a lot of people this year and for us, it kept us at home, but it didn't affect our time together. We had so much fun.  We laughed, worked together and spent time knowing that we are indeed blessed and most, most thankful. 

If you're reading this post, don't forget to count your blessings and do something to help others during this time.  It doesn't have to be anything big, but it does have to be something.  Take an angel from your church angel tree, call or write someone unable to get out because of the pandemic, find a charity to give to, volunteer time, keep some dollar bills or a roll of quarters in your car and when you see people out asking for money, give something.  It's not for us to judge what has brought them to ask, or assume what they are going to do with the money, but to help.  Father Larry Richards gave a wonderful homily on this.  Click the link to see what he has to say. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCDBJfY_Yms  

I remember when I got this table to sew for Lily Grace.

All stripped, sanded and sides getting a little paint

Lily painted the legs.

All prepped and ready to paint

Walls freshly painted and table stained, painted and sealed with several coats of poly

This picture really doesn't do this light justice.  It's really cool and pretty with its brushed gold tone and vintage Edison bulbs. 

One of Gracie's sketches

Mini Fall Break

 Lily Grace got an unexpected mini Fall Break last week.  

I took her and one of her new friends to lunch on Friday.  Of course, being in high school now, they got their own booth.  (They didn't want the bill though.- ha! ) Matt and I laughed and enjoyed getting to know one of Gracies new friends.  She is so sweet.  After lunch, we hit Target, the mall and the chocolate shop for a caramel apple.  These girls kept me laughing and it was total high school nostalgia watching the two of them.  

Lily is loving high school.  Honestly, I think we all are.  She's meeting tons of new people, has her hands in several different clubs and maintaining high grades in all of her classes.  

Golf Scramble Fun

 This past weekend, Matt and Lily Grace teamed up for a golf scramble.  They had a great time.  Out of 18 teams, they finished 4th.  Lily Grace won closest to the hole and with that came a free round of golf at her favorite course and some cash.  

Gracie took this beautiful picture on the course.

I asked these two to have someone take their picture at the scramble and this is what I got...a selfie after the fact.  Have mercy!

Regionals

 When Lily Grace stepped onto the Noble Hawk Links course on Saturday morning, she was pretty nervous.  It's a hard course. "Links" in the name says it all.  It's meant to challenge a golfers skills.  

Five hours and 18 holes later, Gracie walked off with a HUGE smile.  She had an amazing round of golf!!!  While the Lady Saints finished 10th overall, Lily Grace shot the best score on her team.  She beat both her opponents by several strokes and also shot her best score for 18 holes. 

Matt and I had so much fun watching Lily Grace play her last varsity game of the season.  We can't wait to see what she does next year as her passion and skills grow.  She's wasting no time.  She was back on the driving range this afternoon.  

The Noble Hawk Links course is beautiful.  On the front nine sits this quintessential Indiana scene, red barn and all.

Her first year on varsity has been amazing!  We are so proud of you Gracie!!

2nd Place Sectionals

 It was a long and very chilly day, but the Lady Saints pulled out a second place finish at Sectionals.  

It was late afternoon before the girls could start shedding layers.  Gracie did a great job.  She beat one of the girls in her group and tied the other.  

With a top 3 finish, the Saints are off to Regionals next Saturday! 

Keeping Busy on the Greens

 Lily is still having a great time playing varsity golf.  It keeps us quite busy both during the week and on the weekends.  

On Tuesday evening, the Lady Saints won against two local schools to take first place.  Lily Grace had a great night which included an exciting 25 ft putt. She lead with the lowest overall score of 42. She played a beautiful round, all on a course she hadn't played before.  It's so much fun to watch her.  

One of her teachers from middle school, who's also an avid golfer came to cheer her on which only made the night more special.  Thank you Jodi!  

Go Saints!