Christmas kick off

 

We had our first Christmas celebration of the season today at my brother’s house. I had a lot of fun seeing all my nieces and nephews, some of our kids, and my brothers and sisters.  I appreciate Brian and Stephanie for hosting all of us. 

My kids are all growing up and the excitement is just not quite the same as when you are small.  Which is why I am glad Lawson was there today- to keep us all entertained!  

Preston didn’t make it up- as he had to work today.  Quincy was there but I somehow didn’t get her in any photos.  Madison, Andrew and the girls of course are out of town.  We missed them today.  

Luckily, Madison is keeping us updated on the girls and their adventures.  Today they made Christmas cookies.  Well- Evelyn did anyway.  Looks like maybe a 

certain feral child just ate cookies!  

Looking forward to more celebrations coming up.  Always happy to reach this point in the season - the fun parts.  

Candy makin’ day

The last few years, we have broken out new recipes, and old ones, made lists, bought supplies and then we get together for one crazy long, but fun candy and cookie making day before Christmas.   This was the day we decided would work. Madison is usually instrumental in keeping us all motivated and on task, as well as in keeping the dishes done.  Madison and Andrew left at 4:00 a.m. to go see his dad for Christmas.  Mallory and I recruited the help of Harper and Saige.  They do not necessarily embrace our endeavors.   Saige did make the pretzels.  Harper did make the chocolate covered cherries.  And then they dipped out on us.  Mallory and I made the rest.   

Quincy, for whatever reason got this ugly doll.  They have been staging it doing all sorts of strange things and laughing like crazy people.  Today “Renee” helped with cookies.  Yes, they are indeed weirdos.  

We might not quite have done everything we set out to do, but we have more than enough for treats for Lang gang Christmas tomorrow, Christmas Eve and day here at our house, and a few plates for co-workers and neighbors.  

And even though Madison wasn't here, the dishes did get done and the kitchen mostly got cleaned. We definitely missed her kitchen loving, baking happy, cookie wizard skills though.  I promised Evie we would do a second round for New Year’s Eve.  It might not be quite as much stuff, but she will get to help for sure!  

Mallory - thanks for not flaking out after one batch! 

I think I will sleep well tonight - I am beat!

Madison and Andrew made it to Andrew’s dad’s house this evening. They said the girls did great and they are excited to be there.  I already miss them.  I am happy they got to go though, I am sure grandpa Jeff and grandma Mona will spoil them and are elated to have them.  

Evelyn celebrated her birthday at school on Friday.  Apparently there is a girl who was born on Christmas Day, so they had to share the birthday break spot light.  Madison and Wrenley went to the school and ate lunch with her.  She got birthday treats.  She was thrilled!  I still cannot believe in 3 days that kid will be 6 years old.  Time is going way too fast!   

Wrenley is serious about snacks.  She helped Madison get the car snacks for their trip- and pre-sampled them.  She’s a giver like that.  

One other thing - Quincy Ann is on the Dean’s list for the fall semester.  I am so, so proud of her!   Way to go kid! This is a kid who absolutely hated  school when she was growing up.  Every day was a struggle to get her to even go.  I knew she was extremely smart, but she wanted to do anything except school.  To see that she is not only choosing to continue her education, but also thriving makes me absolutely giddy.  Love you kid!  Keep up the good work.  I am 100% sure it will pay off someday.  

More adventures await in this weekend before Christmas.  I can’t wait!

 

Harper’s first high school band concert.

 Harper had her first winter concert tonight. She looked beautiful.  The bands sounded amazing. The kids all did a great job. The guest saxophonist was phenomenal and I had a really fun time listening to their performances.  

The auditorium is impossible to get good photos inside of.  But we are just going with the flow.  

just no end to the insanity

This has been quite a week.  One to try my patience, and my overall sanity, and my ability to focus on good things.

Monday night, I made a decision to put Norma down.  I have some guilt over bringing home a puppy and not raising her.  I will say this though.  I tried really hard.  She was a dog who was just hard headed, defiant, and even vicious.  I had her where she would follow some basic commands.  But only for me.  She didn't listen to anyone else.  I had her where she didn't jump and bite - me.  Everyone else was unwilling to do what I did - which was punish her.  Is that a correct thing to do?  No, but it was the only thing that worked.  And even I couldn't do anything with her when she decided to be defiant.  My view of the world is skewed from growing up on a farm, and especially a farm that was run by my father.  Every animal had a job.  If the animal couldn't do its job, or was dangerous, or got hurt, they either had to find a new place to live, or they were put down.  Norma's only job was to be a family pet.  She did not understand the assignment.  She just did not mesh here.  We tried everything I knew, including trying to find her a new home.  She has attacked Mallory's dogs, (both of them), she has attacked our goats, which we were lucky enough to get stopped before it got really bad, and she was not trustworthy around any livestock really.  I tried.  Monday night, she attacked Blitz.  It was absolutely unprovoked, as Blitz was just sitting beside me.  It was a bad attack, and I really thought that Blitz was going to die.  Which made me instantly angry.  In the process of trying to get Norma off of Blitz, Norma then turned on me.  She was completely vicious and out of control.  I managed to get her outside.  I then spent a few minutes making sure Blitz was ok.  I started thinking - Harper had been home sick by herself almost all day.  What if that happened when I wasn't home?  What if the little girls were here?  Someone was going to get hurt, and for me a hard line is owning an animal we can't trust, cannot handle when they are out of control, and an animal that could hurt some other person if I rehomed it.  And so I made the decision without any real regret.  Honesty, I expected some kick back from Jim or the girls, but they were all somewhat relieved and agreed with my decision.  

This week, I decided to test my shoulder’s ability to handle fine motor activities.  Jim had wood left from the tv mounting project, and so I made a porch leaner.  I like how it turned out.  And my fine motor is still the same - mediocre.  Yes, I love arts and crafts and painting but I realize my skill is mediocre.  And that’s totally ok, because it still brings me relaxation and happiness.  Plus this project was using things we already had so it cost $0.  

Tooth Fairy is currently at the vet getting neutered.  He keeps trying to run out the door. This should help with that.  He is Saige’s baby and she would be devastated if anything happened to him.  He can smell the outside cats and wants to hang with them I think.  

Carlos has been a little under the weather.  When we pick the cat up, he has an appointment to get a physical. He has a random cough and has been lethargic.  Hopefully it’s not anything major.  Jim is on vet duty Friday because a co-worker needed to take off and so I am covering the liquor store.  

I am also doing something new and driving a bus for the nursing home.  They are taking the residents to see Christmas lights.  It should be fun. No way it could be worse than driving  5-6 graders!  

At this point we are all just counting down to the school break.  It can’t get here quick enough.  We are cooked.  

 

Harper is 15 and Spencer is a master

Today is Harper’s 15th birthday.  She had no plans, and it was an important day for other reasons, so she happily went to Wichita to watch Spencer graduate with her Master’s in Engineering Management.  I am amazingly proud of both of these girls!   

We sat pretty high up, so getting good pictures during the graduation was hard.  But we got a few good ones afterwards.   Spencer and Colin fed us all and we enjoyed visiting with them.  We don’t get to Wichita as often as we would like, but this girl is definitely worth celebrating!   Especially considering she missed her KSU graduation due to Covid.  Congratulations Spencer!   We love you! 

This girl is also worth celebrating.  We got a combined cake for them but I neglected to take photos, and she consented to us singing once - she said that was plenty of times!  She always makes me laugh.  Love you Harper!  Happy 15th birthday! 

The rest of these photos are for Jim’s Uncle Ray.  He is a proud WSU alum. I thought he might enjoy seeing  the Shocker mascot - WuShock!  He had his cap and gown today and was dancing along with the band.  I don’t know much about the university that Spencer got her master’s from, and that Quincy is currently attending, but I gotta say I liked the mascot dance, the band and the confetti cannons a lot!   

This week, we have to switch gears a little bit and get started on preparations for the upcoming holiday season.  I have not started my shopping,  I have not planned a list for our baking extravaganza, I have not finished my craft projects that I started and that are currently taking up residence on several tables in our house.  We also have Christmas parties, a band concert and an entire week of school before they get out on break.  Quincy is coming home for a month. She should be here later tonight.  She was at the graduation with us, but hadn’t packed yet.  She is planning to work the same jobs as she had last summer over her break.   I am looking forward to her being home, to the baking and visiting and quieter parts of Christmas.  One week to get ready!  Countdown is on.