Milestones

 It's been a while since I wrote. We have had many milestones, alongside a very busy spring. 

• Clair turned 13 in April.
• Julie turned 50 in June.
• Ellie graduated high school shortly after.
• Max turns 16 tomorrow. 

The parenting stage of life feels all consuming right now, and I honestly would not have it any other way. My whole life I dreamed of being a mom and I am so thankful God has blessed me with 3 wonderful children. I'm far from a perfect mother. I have made my share of mistakes and I know I will make many more. At the same time, every night I thank God for my family, for my kids, for my home and for the life he has blessed me with. 

Remembering the day that my children were born can sometimes feel distant, but when I think about where we are, each of them operating under their own opinions, capacity, judgements, and personality, it feels like I simply blinked and they were grown. I can see their little faces in their current teen faces, but it's getting harder and harder. I remember playing with them - each their favorite things. I remember their giggles and hugs and energy. I love my memories and videos that pop up on social media from time to time. 

These past two decades of life have simply flown by as a result of feeling busy, rushed, hectic, and overwhelmed at times. My wish for myself is to learn how to stop in the moment, be present, and enjoy. I pray to learn to do this more. I also pray for my kids to be better at this than I am. 

Tomorrow my baby boy turns 16 at 7:30 am. He arrived with some drama and lives life outlaid, sharing his thoughts loudly, laughing hard, talking a lot, and generally being great at being present in the moment. As hard as that can be when he is forgetting to take care of business, I hope this means he is living each day to the fullest. 

We will spend the day at the beach and try to spoil him throughout the day, letting him know he is so special and so very loved. Happy 16th Max! You have big things ahead for you. Listen to God's direction and follow it always! He will help you get where you need to go. I love you forever! - Mom

Licensed Driver

It has finally happened.... another big parenting milestone (and individual child one too) - Ellie got her license this past Wednesday and is a fully licensed driver. 

I have mixed emotions. I am proud of her. I am still nervous for her. I wish I could protect her from everyone on the roads. It's so scary watching them grow up and fly, but I know it's part of the journey and I'm thankful she can do it. 

I pray for God's protection on her always. 

Congratulations Ellie! 

Photo from right after she walked proudly back into the DMV and told me that she passed. I didn't stand outside watching because I didn't want to make her nervous. 

Math Girl

 Clair loves math. She has enjoyed competitive math since she was introduced to it in 5th grade. 

This past weekend she competed for the second year in Frederick County's Math Counts competition. Her goal was to be in the top 30 so she could go to states. Last year they allowed the top 30 to go to states. 

This year, unfortunately, they only allowed the top 24 to go to states. Clair was 2 points short of the 23rd place. We are assuming this means she was in the top 30, but unfortunately no states. 

This makes her more determined for next year. She has a practice plan and spends a lot of time talking to me about math. 

Tonight as she was falling asleep she told me that on a recent car ride she spent so much time thinking about math that she accidentally tried to multiple two words together. 

We both had a good laugh at that. I can totally believe it as well. 

Love my girl and her competitive streak. 

Fall flew by

When I started writing down these stories Ellie was young and Max was just born. It feels like it was not that long ago, but yet I know it was. Today Ellie is 18, Max is 15.5 and Clair is 12.75. Another year has passed. Stages and phases come and go. 

I remember often when they were little thinking that something (anything in particular such as Ellie's need for a nightlight that lasted a long time) would never pass. Then, one day, it's gone. This is parenting in a nutshell; this too shall pass. I pray for this in the little daily battles such as Max keeping things moderately clean or Max and Clair learning to use an agenda and organize themselves. I pray that I am being the parent they need and not failing too bad, because I'm certainly flailing in this journey often. 

Last night at the Mom's group at church it was mentioned by one wise mother that she wishes the parent she is today could speak to the parent she was 16 years ago when her first child was born. That statement resonates with me. I wish I could go back and do better; be more patients; teach how to manage emotions; play with them more. 

But I sigh and take a breath and know that I am thankful for this journey - regardless of how well I have handled it. The one promise I will make my kids is that each day I do try to do my best AND I know I mess up a lot. Thank goodness for God's Grace. 

Know you are always loved and always wanted!

Photo from our at home NYE's celebration. 

The longest Christmas Break Ever

 This year the kids were off school for over two weeks. It was a great gift based on how the days of the holiday fell. The didn't go back to school until January 5th. 

This gave lot of time for all the traditions and extra time for relaxing. We also took an adventure to DC to enjoy the ICE exhibit at the National Harbor. This year's exhibit was The Polar Express. The ice carvings were impressive. It was a long wait, but we enjoyed the art and the adventure, including dinner at the local Rosa Mexicano. 

Christmas Day 2025

 Christmas Day is fun. Since having teens who like to sleep in, there's always a debate about what time we will go downstairs and start the day. This year we compromised on 8:30 am. That's a long wait for a 12 year old. She is a good sport about giving in to her older siblings. 

Santa was good to everyone this year. They were all happy with their take and had favorite presents. 

Ellie and Max were excited for their trip to Scotland from Grannie. Clair was thankful to get her math camp reserved. 

Ellie got a lot of makeup and clothes. Max got a lot of clothes and legos; his favorite was probably his drone he's been playing with a lot. Clair got a lot of softball tools and a few other fun things she has been enjoying. David and Julie enjoyed their gifts from the kids and watching the kids enjoy the day. 

I was able to capture the wrapping paper picture. Though they don't really play in it like they did when they were younger, I think they appreciate the tradition still. 

The afternoon was relaxing. On Christmas night we hosted a lasagna dinner again with some of the family who is close. This ensures we get to see our parents on Christmas which I appreciate very much. We even played a game of charades as a group. 

Another lovely Christmas full of traditions, family, fun, food and time together. Thank you Jesus!

Christmas Eve

We continued the Gingerbread hose tradition. They make their structures on the 23rd and they dry overnight. Then we start Christmas Eve with them decorating. They got to pick out the candies this year and there were so many, none of them used them all!

Three beautiful houses. You can see their maturity as they age with this process. I love that they each still enjoy this tradition a lot!

 

I love this picture of Max inspecting the loot he has and trying to decide what to eat and what to use for decorative purposes!

We also get a new type of advent calendar this year - a lego nativity scene. With a little push from Mom, we finished it on Christmas Eve before heading to Church. 

This year we decided to go to church downtown at the Lutheran Church we used to attend. I really wanted a traditional Christmas service with traditional carols and traditional preaching. This is not common at our new church and though I love the progress I've made as a christian understanding the Bible and drawing closer to God, on Christmas Eve, I want to remember my childhood and belt Christmas Caroles at the top of my lungs! It was a gorgeous church, service and candlelight Silent Night!

We had our traditional charcuterie dinner before church and cookies after. The kids hung stockings and were good sports about getting to bed so Santa could come. 

It was a peaceful Christmas Eve this year. The chaos of childhood is fading from my life.