Gingerbread Remodel

This afternoon with our first snow on the ground and a high of 32 it seemed the perfect afternoon to decorate our gingerbread house.  Now I'm not sure if it's the cold weather, or maybe we were just off our game, but our house ended up looking like it needs a remodel.  We couldn't seem to get things to stick and after we had Matt outline the window swags it went downhill. And guess what?  It was one of the best times we've had decorating a gingerbread house.  We laughed so hard!!!!  And yes, we are displaying that thing with pride, frosted windows and all.  (Who doesn't like a little privacy? ha! ha!) 
Thank you God for this wonderful second Sunday of Advent.  Thank you for family and memories made. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon together as we await your coming.  God is good!  

So Proud!

Lily Grace is really enjoying middle school.  She stays quite busy and involved.  She is excelling and continues to receive straight A's.  Last month, she was honored at a breakfast for receiving High Honors in academics.  We are so proud of her.  
However, nothing could make us more proud and thankful than the email we received this past week.  Lily's principal emailed us to say that she had been recognized for another achievement and attached the following photo.  
One of her teachers recommended her for this award and her certificate reads, "She is a wonderful example of what it's like to be Christ to others.  She is always trying to do nice things for others to help brighten their day."  
Matt and I told Gracie that while we are always proud of her academic achievements, there is no other achievement greater than sharing Christ with others and being the best version of yourself.  We are so very proud of her and thankful for the blessing of a religious education.  Thanks be to God!

Bob is Back!

Bob, our elf, has been visiting us since LG was about 3 and even though Gracie is getting older, we all still have so much fun having Bob visit us.  (And Bob doesn't stress nearly as much now if he forgets to move.) We find it to be a fun way to pass the days until Christmas.  I'm guessing Bob will be around for some time and will perhaps one day journey on to Gracie's house to visit her kids. I know that she and Bob will make a great team. Until then, we all get a good laugh here and there and just enjoy the fun.  

Bob came in on a hot air balloon this year.  

Gracie woke to a balloon tied to her bed and few more down the hall as well as few spelling out Bob.  

He brought Gracie a hot chocolate set she's had her eye on as well as a scavenger hunt to a couple other surprises.  

She had to locate QR labels all around the house, scan them with her phone and follow the clue.  And no, she doesn't have a data plan or phone number of her own.  It's an old iPhone she uses to listen to music and take photos.  She's 11, Bob hasn't completely lost his mind. ha!

Along the way she found a package that included some adorable Family PJ's. 

Another clue lead us to a family silly string fight and boy was that a mess.  Fun but messy...took Matt mere seconds after we finished to whip out a broom and start cleaning. ha!

Gracie Cake's idea of cleaning was a little different.  

After scanning and following clues all over the house, the last clue finally led her to The Ultimate Puzzle.  She has been eagerly trying to solve this thing in math class and wanted one of her own. 

I don't know what it is about the top of the stairs landing and balloons, but Matt and Lily Grace can't help but make up crazy games with throwing balloons and laugh at one another.

Father Augustine

Father Augustine is from Uganda and has been assigned to our parish for two years.  This is actually his first U.S. assignment.  He has about a year left and we are so enjoying having him.  He is very kind and humble. Lily Grace really thinks a lot of him.  So much so, that when given the opportunity to write an article for the school newspaper, she elected to interview and write about Father Augustine.  
I took her to the interview and it was fascinating to hear about life back in Uganda as opposed to here.  We are so very blessed!!!!
Thank you God for the people you send into our lives.

Thankful-Grateful-Blessed!

This past week Gran visited to celebrate Thanksgiving with us.  While she was here, Matt and I took a mini overnight trip to Chicago right before Thanksgiving and it was the first time in 11 years that Lily Grace and I have been apart. There were bets on whether Gracie and I would actually go through with it or not.  In preparation for this overnighter Matt and I actually updated our will.   Yep! It was one expensive date.   (Thank the Lord above for FaceTime and text.) A little nod to you too Steve Jobs. 
While Matt and I enjoyed our time together and Lily Grace enjoyed her time alone with Gran doing the grandparent thing, it in no way compares to the time we spend together as a family.  
You see, Matt and I were together for 10 years before Lily Grace came home and in about 8 short years, it will be just the two of us in the house again.  Matt and I enjoy finding time together here and there, or taking a day off together while Gracie is at school. We don't take those moments alone for granted and try to make the most of them. Those moments mean so much more than if we had planned time away. Time is short.  God has blessed the three of us with one another and honestly, after we compared notes, we all agree that it's so much more fun and meaningful when we're all together.  We laugh and enjoy each other's company and simply cherish being a family.   Even the times when we are on each others nerves are an absolute blessing and a memory made for a lifetime.  So, you can pretty much read that as we don't plan on doing the separate thing again anytime soon unless we have to. 
Special thanks to Gran for taking great care of Lily Grace and visiting.  We had fun playing games and laughing.  We are grateful for your visit.   
Gracie, daddy and I thank you for those big hugs and sweet words, " I missed you and love you," while we were away and when we got home.  You bless our lives each and every day.
Thank you Matty for working so hard for our family and being an amazing husband/father  who lives his faith. We love you!
Thank you good and gracious God for the blessing of family. 

As soon as Gran arrived, Lily Grace couldn't wait to let her open her Christmas present early.  This year, Lily Grace is arm knitting all of her grandparents a chunky throw blanket.  She is doing a great job!  Gran was so surprised.  

Matt and I got a great view of Lake Michigan this visit from our room on the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton.

We made a stop in Tiffany & Co. for a little Christmas shopping and the tree and wreath were too cute in Tiffany Blue.  We also got a text from Gracie asking for a pink diamond ring size 5.  Needless to say, we did not walk out with one. We sent her a picture of one instead.  😊😊😊

Very cold 

Who looks forward to getting their hands messy in food each year?  This girl!

Gracie and Gran enjoyed some time playing together on the piano.  

A Very Special Birthday!

This past Thursday, I celebrated my 46th birthday.  That's right, 46!  I don't cringe or shy away from it, I'm proud of it.  I have so many blessings to show for 46 years.  
I had quite the special birthday.  Matt and Lily Grace as always, planned and put forth great effort to make me feel special and I most certainly did.  I woke to greetings and gifts to start the day.  

My birthday was also All Souls Day and I attended Lily Grace's all school mass where my sweet girl just happen to have been asked to cantor for the day.  It was truly quite special.  She did a beautiful job.  

I received text, calls, gifts and cards from friends and family throughout the day.  Thank you so much to everyone for making me feel so loved and thought of.  

Matt took off Friday to keep the celebrating going.  We spent a fun day together laughing, getting some odd jobs done and watching for the UPS man.  Oh yes!  The first deliveries for the iPhone X fell on this day and yes, we joined the crazy.  Matt actually got up at 3:00am two week's earlier to order this phone for me and people, we actually cheered when the UPS man turned onto our street.  As you can imagine, we spent the rest of the afternoon playing with talking emojis.  ha!  

After picking Gracie up from school, we enjoyed dinner out to end the day. 

It truly has been a very special birthday.  Matt and Lily Grace you make me feel special each and every day just by being in my life.  I am so very blessed!!!  God is most certainly good! 

With my favorite cantor right before mass

Spending the day with my best friend who's been there for 27 of my 46

First Day of Middle School

Today was Gracie Cakes first day of Middle School.  I can't believe we walked her into 6th grade today.  She was sad to say goodbye to summer and I was sad to send her back, but we both took it pretty well.  She said she likes changing classes and it's fun in a new way.  
While it always tugs at my heart, I can't wait to see all the ways that she grows this year.  

Middle Schooler- 6th grade

Gracie Cakes could have cared less that she was starting Middle School.  When I asked her if she wanted Matt and me to walk her in she replied, "of course," as if I was crazy for having asked.  Melt my heart.  Her daddy told her he'd walk her into high school if she'd have him. 😊

We stayed after school along with some other friends for LG to get her locker organized. Last year was her first year to have a locker so she learned that all the fluff and decor may be cute but it isn't functional or practical.  So this year, organizing was all about that, getting organized for a productive year. 

 Funny how last year they were all running around trying to gather items to decorate their lockers all cute and this year, it was all about survival.  ha!

A Day at the Office

Lily Grace has been to Matt's office several times.  However, the one things she has always wanted to do is spend time at the office during the workday.  She got her wish today. 
Gracie spent the afternoon helping Matt in the office. It was jeans day at the office today, but she still made sure she dressed professionally for her day at the office.  She wore her blazer of course. She also packed her briefcase.
According to both of them, it was a very productive and fun afternoon.  She took pictures of wire samples and created a Powerpoint presentation for her daddy.  He walked around and proudly introduced his little girl.  It was definitely a highlight of her summer and I'm sure one of Matt's most memorable days at the office.

I'm beginning to think that all these two did at the office was snack and visit the office candy jar.

Home from the office and ready for dinner

Date Night and Diamonds

Lily Grace and Matt had their monthly date-night tonight.  They enjoyed dinner, karaoke and games.  Matt also surprised Gracie with her first pair of real diamond earrings after talking to her about beginning middle school.  He reminded her to be true to who she is, to always do her best, be her best self and remember, that like those diamonds, she is strong and precious to both us.  She was beyond excited and surprised.  So sweet!

Starbase (STEM Camp)

Lily Grace has spent the last week at Starbase.  Starbase is a STEM camp (science-technology-engineering-math) that's run by the Defense Department here in Indiana.  
She has loved every minute of it and couldn't wait to see what the next day would bring.  Some highlights included building a robot, putting a skeleton together, and flying in a small Seneca.  

The first day was spent at the Airforce Base

While Gracie has flown a lot (so much that she has a free airline ticket sitting in her Delta Skymiles account) this was her first trip in a small Seneca.  She loved it and thought the headsets were just the coolest.  

Graduation Day on the last day of camp.  Her call-sign for the week was, "Cookie."