Penny's First Snow!

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Apparently the upside to your kids having a few electronics is that they can somewhat capture life's "firsts" when you are physically stuck at work and cannot film yourself.  Our first snow day of the year was called hours before one flake fell.  But once it started at 10am, it fell fast and furiously until 2pm, leaving Albermarle County blanketed in 3-5" of messy roads.  

Of course Olivet employees were encouraged to head home once we realized this was going to be a legitimate event, but just then, the "refugees" started flooding the church, looking for warmth until the tow trucks could come get their cars that had slid off of Garth into ditches.   We looked at the traffic reports and realized that none of us were going anyway.  All of the country roads around the church were closed due to so many accidents.  So Mom ended up at Olivet more than 8 hours while the kids entertained themselves at home.  

The big fail was not getting out their snow clothes before I left, which are on a 7' shelf in the closet.  Should I have allowed the 6' ladder to be retrieved?!?  Apparently the bin was too heavy, so mission was aborted and they proceeded out in jeans for Penny's first snow.

 

7, WHAT?!?

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Birthdays are a big deal.  They just are---because we will never know which will be our last.  Each should be celebrated with zeal.  And Matthew's 7th (who can believe?!?) was no exception.  

While Matthew loves school, a half-day on his birthday---to begin a 5-day weekend on the tail of 2.5 snow days, which were after only 1 school day following a 2.5 week break (phew!)---was apparently a dream come true. 

We finally made it to the Escape Room, Paris themed!  The kids had an absolute blast.  Mom and Dad were thoroughly entertained, slightly frustrated, and grateful for our "helps".  Only once did Mom kindly plea with the millennial tipster to, "Please. Don't go.  Just stay with us!".  

While most of it was incredibly clever, there were a few "far reaches", stretches to figure the next box's code that required more of a leap than most anyone would be able to make.  We'd be interested to know how many adult-only groups were able to finish a room in 60 minutes with no help what so ever. 

Firefly Restaurant and Arcade - thanks, Em!  Delicious drinks, award-winning tots, and first-time arcade games.

Presents and cake!

 Chocolate with chocolate chips, chocolate peppermint icing, and homemade peppermint ice cream.

 Praying before the big win Saturday morning!

 So very close to making the fast-break lay-up.

 But still scored enough to receive the "offensive star" of the game.

 Mexican with Dody and Granddaddy after Margaret and Matthew's games...

...and he got the whole song and dance with dessert:-) 

What a cute group of kiddos. 

Evidently, Dody was here 6 years ago today---man, these boys favor each other remarkably!

Can't get enough of the cheeks on all three of them:-) 

Thank you, God, for this precious boy.

 "Every good and perfect gift comes from above."  James 1:17.

Albert Connette's Retirement

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Thanks to a good friend's tip and the good Lord, who opened a few doors for me, I began working at Olivet Presbyterian Church April 30, 2019 as their new "Accounting Specialist".  Nothing to do it with it being a sister PCUSA church, it was simply the right job at the right time with the right mix of challenge and flexibility.  Church pay is the only drawback, but that is countered by the amazing staff, camaraderie, "family first" attitude, and that the Music Director's office is above mine---a priceless perk:-)  I am blessed.

After 24 years of ministry at OPC, beloved Albert Connette decided to retire, but only so that he could hike the Appalachian Trail!  His poet wife, Charlotte, was tenured at UVA, making the timing possible.  So on January 5, we all gathered for his last sermon and two tremendous receptions in his honor.  

Poor picture of a stunning painting commissioned for him depicting the sweet country church.  

Our Admin, Emily, wrote the lyrics for our staff tribute to Albert and put together an incredible slide show to accompany.  We practiced for hours and hours in hopes of making it as legit a performance as possible.  Charlotte literally fell out of her chair during the performance, so I guess we accomplished out mission well enough:-)    

With Michael at Andrew's basketball game, Margaret filmed the best she could.  Littered with inside jokes, it's still a pretty good tribute for a bunch of amateurs.  Notice when Charlotte literally falls out of her chair! 

 

The Christmas Season

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December is a force to contend with, one way or another!  The Christian celebration of Christ's birth and the hope of our of savior is mixed with the secular need to perform in all ways...to recognize first semester accomplishments in concert while simultaneously continuing the usual AWANA scripture memorization activities, the school parties (don't forget to provide something AND attend mid-work day!), drives for the less fortunate, special Advent services at church Wednesdays---which means Simple Suppers beforehand (which Mom had to finally resign coordinating because of the aforementioned 12 things---AND basketball practice + games (5-6 nights/week). It would be delightful is the secular could pause and wait for Christ with an Advent of its own, but until then, we press on.

Prelude in church earlier in the month...

 ...followed by "Come Emmanuel":

Singing at the Colonnades - a favorite ministry we created! 

 A portion of our caroling crew...

Then the Jouett Middle School Band Concert.  The 6th graders played 15 minutes followed by the 7th, then 8th, and the Jazz Band.  Unbelievable to see both what the 6th graders had accomplished in a few short months on brand new instruments (and many of them not even reading music in August) as well as the progression in a few short years from 6th - Honors Band.  Some real musicians are coming along!

 Fortunate to have a nice view of our handsome clarinet player. 

 

Perhaps the highlight of the month was Penny's introduction to the clarinet:-)

Andrew...oh, Andrew...

Such sweet moments with these two...

Can you spot Penny?

My babies!

I have added so many strands of lights over the years but keep losing more.  Might just be time for a new tree, hopefully not prelit!

Teaching the boys how to safely play "Grab-A$$" with the Penster.

We hop across the street and it's like we're suddenly in another world.  Penny loves the Meadow as much as Molly does, and naturally loves the off-leash freedom. 

 Emily!!!!


14 years + 3 months and she still chooses to run in the Meadow!

Our annual Book Club couples dinner included a local harpist this year + her CD.

Mrs. Gary did an excellent job preparing the 4/5th graders for their winter concert.  Who knew that Margaret played the ukulele??

Miss Bekah in from Budapest!

On a cold and dreary Sunday night, Dad took everyone to an exciting first VT game!  Mom stayed home with the pups....it's like having a newborn and a naughty toddler all at once!

Christmas card finally captured!

Christmas Eve is always filled with emotion.  It is dear to watch the children participate in our earlier service, with the story telling pageant being the middle third of our service.  They feel important.  They feel like it's a bit of their responsibility and joy to share.  They feel like they have participated the spreading of Christ's story.

 Isaiah nailed it!

A beautiful "Midnight Clear (Love Song)" -Chris Tomlin

In between services, we read and watched the Grinch, of course!

Andrew and I went to the 9:00pm service again this year and were truly blessed:

"Mom, I forgot how good the music is as this service."

"This is the best version of the Hark! The Herald Angels Sing I've ever heard!", thanks to Julie Joyce on the trumpet. 

Mark Williams graced us again this year.  A young 21-yr-old who has no idea what talent he's got gave us himself and so much more.

"Mary Did You Know?"

"Hallelujah"

"O, Holy Night"

Clarinet and Cello Duet - 2/4 Fernandez sisters home!
Envisioning Andrew and Presley Thompson (our 11-yr-old cellist) in no time!

And then FINALLY, Christmas morning arrived! 

Ready, set, go! 

Since we had somehow gone from 4 basketballs to 0, Santa brought balls for all!

This Candygram was Andrew's gift to the family.  He'd asked me to take him to the Dollar Store for 27 king-sized candy bars.   When I explained to him that while a family gift was extremely gracious, he certainly didn't need to spend several months worth of allowance on pure sugar for it.  So I talked him into $5 worth of goodies.  He locked himself in his room for hours, and then produced this Christmas morning.  If you can't read it, it's worth 2 minutes to watch his video reading. 

Unbelievable creativity, and even printed a few labels to make it all work just perfectly.

 Matthew's very favorite gift----a new Bronco's hoody!

Andrew's favorite?  A stencil for the driveway to mark a basketball court---all relevant lines, plus the 3-pt line!

The gift that stopped Margaret in her tracks was the family album.

 Instruments (not even realizing Grandma would bring harmonicas on the 26th!).

Margaret's favorite gift to give---but was it really for Mom??

 Our Christmas miracle was Penny sleeping through presents...we did not have to play referee with the girls nor pry tempting wrapping paper out of her sweet little mouth! 

And then there was breakfast, and visiting elderly church friends, and lunch, and dog walking and puppy training and 3 special meals a day for 3 days and the two part-time jobs that are flexible, but only heavier at year-end and...

 ...then I felt like these elves...although I probably best identified with the one you can't see that fell off the back at some point in December! 

May we always keep our eyes on the reason for the season.

Romans 15:13 

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

But we weren't done yet!  Grandma came on the 26th and we stayed busy for days!  The highlight of her visit was her Christmas present, with a fun evening at Rocky Top.  

Grandma and Margaret enjoyed an outing to Frozen 2 and Mom got started on the Barcelona puzzle that Dad found to get them excited for May! The "break" was filled with Mom and Dad tag teaming work, but lots of walks in the Meadow and good off-leash time for Molly and Penny as it was nearly 70 every day for a while.  Tennis with neighbors was a hit and many hours were spent hitting now legit free throws and 3-pointers.  

Family New Years Eve at the Santiago's and adults-only at the Livingston's was a great way to cap off the year.  As for resolutions, I encouraged the kids to think of ways that we can all Glorify God more or better.  
My sole goal?
Obedience.