“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder
We're still fostering kitties. From left to right, Tootsie is our foster fail, she is ours forever. Moon was with us for a short term placement. Frosty has been with us a while. She was initially terrified of people, but we've been working hard to change that about her. I think she'll be with us another week and we'll be adding another round of kitties.
We've had an amazing ice skating year. My kids love it. There are so many towns that manage free rinks around here. Some with zambonis, some without. Some man made, some frozen ponds. Then add the bonus yard ponds, we're really enjoying the Maine winter.
Christmas 2024 was definitely different. We had a nice time in Florida for Christmas and then returned for our simple family tradition of four gifts in the cloth gift bags I made years ago. We did our Christmas on New Year's Day. Each of us gets a Want, Wear, Make and Read. Plus siblings get each other one small thing. No tree, but we did have a little centerpiece that Audra won a church party.
I still have so many pictures to go through, but unfortunately our family has been hit with the norovirus, which has sucked all my energy to do anything. I don't think I've been so sick in over a decade! My little nurse (above) is who has been tending me, yesterday I was tending her. She also reads to me (below). Praying no one else gets it and energy will be back soon!
I still cannot believe I was able to go to Chincoteague and Assateague. I've wanted to go there for the last decade and my husband drove out of the way, literally, to make it happen. I took more pictures there than I took anywhere else on our trip. The ponies, tundra swans, flocks of yellow legs, black bay scallops, the horseshoe crabs...I could go on! It was AMAZING. More magical than I even imagined. Basically my favorite part of the trip, favorite part of 2025. Could have spent the whole two weeks here happily. Thank you Justin for making your literary nerd/nature freak so darn happy!
Weather was terrible, only a brief stop in North Carolina for a bit of BBQ and Justin's cousins. Adrian and his mullet are ready to come back to North Carolina after the meal of country music and BBQ.
We decided to make a detour and visit a plantation in South Carolina. It was beautiful and hard and impressive and heartbreaking. Glad we went, even though it was pouring rain.
Trace back to previous milestones here.
Audra, What a whirlwind the last couple of weeks were! We came back from Florida and then celebrated Christmas, New Year's and your half birthday within a couple of days! I didn't get any pictures, but you definitely got a huge piece of homemade swiss cake roll for your half birthday and a couple of gifts. Most importantly, we happened to be with friends.
You are the most creative girl I know. Your handwork impresses me endlessly. You are coming to me with something else you have made daily. Beadwork has been a long phase you've been in and you are always gifting people your creations. You also are into drawing landscapes and people with pencil lately.
You love your friends and keep up with several via messenger kids. You are good at checking in your friends, remembering what's important to them and coming up with things to do.
You love your audiobooks and almost always have one going on. I love what you told me the other day...before you borrow, you read up to see if it's appropriate. I love that.
You still hate waiting and hate to talk about things that are tricky for you. You've recently commenced a series of appointments that you'd prefer to skip, but have faced them bravely. For that, I'm super proud.
You are very attached to your mama, always know what I'm up to and you are frequently in my bubble. You actually said that the worst parts of your life are when I go away. I'm glad you feel encouraged and comforted by me!
You are a top baker. You go on kicks...you made 8 batches of granola one week. Cookie cake everyday for a week straight. You mass produce dog treats. Today it was a big batch of pancakes. The picking up part is the next step....
Your snacks as of late are apples, oranges and carrot sticks. Your current fave sandwich is grilled cheese on homemade bread, piled with my homemade sauerkraut. Yum.
You have more obstacles than many, but I know you can do anything you set your mind to do with that 'can do' spirit! Each success, we celebrate. I love you, Audra Grace!
Love, Mama
Today I was blessed to see many of my favorite people, got flowers, cards, treats, and even a quick solo backyard walk with the dogs at sunset. Finished the day reading to the kids. Will gloss over the unexpecteds and be thankful for another year around the sun.
