Mason and Tucker were the first ones up for the annual Christmas concert season. Unfortunately, Tucker came home sick the morning of the elementary concert and did not get to participate.
Mason, however, was shined up and ready to perform!
Nathan and I celebrated 11 years of marriage on December 8th.
We spent the day road tripping to our happy place with a few stops on the way to shop for Christmas gifts have someone else cook lunch.
Amazing what a few undistracted, uninterrupted hours will do for couple.
It was a perfect day!
This year may have been our most challenging yet be we continue to wake each day and choose one another. I'm so very grateful to have a partner that understands the effort and work that is required to sustain a relationship of value.
With Nathan committed to an evening meeting and me committed to driving Jentry to dance class in York, Papa and Onnie got the pleasure of taking the boys to Sutton's annual Parade of Lights this year.
The evening started out a bit wet, however the rains cleared just in time for the fun.
Every year on Thanksgiving Day we are challenged to name at least one thing in which we are grateful. This year required absolutely zero pondering, as I knew exactly what I was thankful for...
Valley Hope
This past year, without discrimination, the disease of alcoholism selected Nathan.
For me, who had very little knowledge of addiction, this life-long illness felt scary and overwhelming.
Fortunately, God has placed numerous people and systems of support in our path. Without these amazing people, stories, professionals and facilities, I'm not sure where we would have found hope for the future.
Founded in 1967,Valley Hope provides patient-centered, compassionate care to individuals, families and communities impacted by drug and alcohol addiction. They were extremely helpful as we began to learn about and navigate the illness that impacts our entire world.
This year, Nathan spent 2, 30 day, inpatient stays at Valley Hope in Norton, Kansas. I will forever be grateful for all the staff and patients who have and continue to have a significant impact on Nathan. They provide him with countless resources which assist him in living successfully in recovery.
Nathan's last 30 stay ended on Thanksgiving Eve and I was able to attend his cup hanging ceremony and bring him back to Orleans in time for the holiday.
We do not know where the path will take us from here, but we continue to give thanks, surrender ourselves to God and know that all will be well.
The word gratitude comes from the Latin word gratus, which is also the Latin root of the word grace.
God's grace is indeed free and undeserved.
A few weeks ago, Jentry and I snuck away to Lincoln for a girls shopping day and as we walked by Claire's there was a little girl getting her ears pierced.
Jentry said "I have been wanting to get my second set of ear piercings forever."
I replied, "Why not today?"
Another year means another round of professional family pictures. Instead of waiting for the coldest day of the year we opted for the hottest AND windiest! At least we were in our happy place.
