Wrapping Up 2014

Christmas Eve

Will is home and all is right in the world.

Divine Word on Christmas Eve

We've had our usual busy but lovely Advent and December in general.  Our new season in life has affected this season of the year too and we continue to adjust.  Traveling to Wisconsin for American Thanksgiving is definitely something new - and wonderful! But it's an adjustment to be gone from home and our church for the first Sunday in Advent. And by the time we returned home, we were looking at the start of the second week in Advent. Although my present shopping was done (thankfully!) I still felt behind in the baking that I had hoped to do. I was also decorating for Christmas like a mad women who's panicking at a whole week lost, pulling out the home Advent wreath and Advent countdown calendars already fallen behind.

My Christmas Eve table

But guess what? In the end, it didn't really matter. And that's the thing about traditions, I think. Sometimes life changes and we adjust and new traditions are made. Sometimes the traditions I thought no one could live without aren't even missed if I don't get around to it. Of course, it could do something with the Nanaimo bars I bought at Costco that distracted everyone in my house. Why bother going through the trouble of making them myself when they do such a good job for $10?

Zanna and I attended two Advent by Candlelights this year. The first was at St. Paul's downtown. Zanna and I played our first duet together on our violins! I felt so blessed ... She's way more hesitant to play in front of a crowd than Will ever was so I have to encourage her a bit more. And since her new violin teacher is Jewish, needless to say we didn't have a Christmas recital this year.

The next Advent by Candlelight was our own at church. It was a small, intimate group of ladies but just as lovely and special. I hosted a table and had a blast decorating it up with the theme "the names of Jesus". Zanna and I participated in the program playing the parts of the mother/daughter.  If they only handed out Emmy's ...

The Nutcracker collection and Nativity corner

In my home decorating, I really thought I was going simple this year. But by the time I put out the village, Will's nutcracker collection, Zanna's growing nativity set and the tree goes up, what the heck? I might as well put out a few more items at that point.

Mom's pump organ

Will managed to wrap up his first semester of high school and I think we all breathed a collective sigh of relief! I was able to watch his Christmas concert on LiveStream the Sunday before they left which was pretty cool. He played in the strings ensemble at the beginning and then sang with the choir throughout the concert. There was another concert Thursday morning after their last exam and before the start of Christmas break. I turned on LiveStream to see him play again and there was no Will playing with the ensemble. I called him to yell at him find out what was going on and the poor guy had the stomach flu! He had been throwing up since 2am and was forced to fit in his Old Testament exam around his hurling. Welcome to the real world, honey!
Uncle Jeff brought his sickly nephew to his home and Will was able to sleep the rest of the day. His flight was for Friday thankfully, and by then he was feeling much better.

Our Christmas Mantle 

What Will packed for 2 weeks vacation

(can be sung to the 12 Days of Christmas)

• all his electronic devices (iPad, Bose speakers, cell phone) their cords and rechargeable cords, etc.
• His hard cover Peanuts comic book, Marvel comic book, some novel he borrowed from his neighbour at school
• all his shoes - his black and brown church shoes, tennis shoes. No boots. Even though he lives in Canada.
• His toiletries. 10 points.
• 2 church pants - neither of which fit anymore
• 4 shirts which include one sweatshirt and his Packers jersey
• 1 white dress shirt. 10 points.
• His winter jacket. 10 points.
• The socks he was wearing.
• 3 pairs of underwear, one of which he was wearing.
• No PJ's.

Costco wreath attacked with items from Hobby Lobby

There is a certain satisfaction for this mama to be able to wash all his clothes (the ones he brought, anyway) in hot water with a little added Borax to combat that strange and nasty boys' dorm smell. Clean his ears. Cut his hair. What more could I ask for this Christmas?

Our family

There definitely was the initial adjustment in having him home. Since we now know who the culprit is that doesn't clean up the bathroom, the honeymoon was soon over. He constantly leaves lights on - a side effect I remember bringing to my home after living dorm life - and I hear my father speak from my own voice, "Shut your lights off!!!" But he makes a neat bed every morning without me having to ask (a requirement in the dorms), and he's super thankful for all the meals I make (it ain't cafeteria food!). I'll be super sad to have him leave again in a few days.

Parliament lit up! 

We've been having a blast together! We surprised the kids by taking them to the National Art Centre to see Stuart McLean and The Vinyl Cafe Christmas Tour. We had them thinking that we were going to drive downtown and look at lights which they thought was so lame. Who's the lame parents now, thank you very much?!!

We spent a Saturday at the Museum of Nature and Zanna found all 12 reindeer hidden throughout the museum.  We also drove out to Upper Canada Village for their "Alight at Night" and enjoyed a turkey dinner at their cafeteria. We all took a chilly ride on the horse drawn carriage. Wayne and Zanna braved the cold for a ferris wheel ride.

Our Christmas Eve service was a memory maker. This is traditionally the Children's pageant and all the kids did such a great job with their parts and recitation and instrument playing and singing. There's something about seeing your kid in an angel costume that is just precious every single time. Zanna was adorable! But the tears came for me when the lights dimmed and the individual candles were lit (there's a fire station across the street) and Zanna stood up in front with her violin and played "Silent Night" the very best she's ever done.  That moment will be burned in my memory for ever!

Our first "selfie"

Wayne and I have snuck out for date night since our babysitter has briefly returned. We went to see "Unbroken" which was good but according to Wayne, "The book was better." But we knew that already, didn't we? We drove downtown (for real) to look at lights and walk around Parliament to see their lovely light show.

Advent by Candlelight

We've been enjoying eating lots of food, watching cheesy made for TV Christmas movies we've TVO'd, entertaining friends and sharing meals, organizing playdates and just relishing being together. 

Our New Years Day dinner table

We are so very grateful for the earthly blessings we've been given and know that we are spiritually rich through Jesus.  The year ended with some events that reminded us that this earth truly is temporary and we yearn for heaven to be our eternal home.

Wayne's Uncle Murray passed away on Boxing Day at the age of 62 after his battle with cancer.

 The Halldorson family was pretty shook up when patriarch, Jake, suffered a stroke on the 30th. Dad's home now but has limited vision and is being closely monitored. Wayne and brother, Brent, will fly out to be with them next week and also attend their uncle's funeral.

 The day before brother-in-law(Jeff) and sister-in-law(Steph) and family were to leave for Disney World on New Year's Day,  a 16 year old member of Jeff's small, rural church was in a fatal car crash. He's stayed behind to minister to the grieving family while his own family continues with their plans. Another girl in the crash still lies in hospital.

Will flies home in a few days and prayers, please, as he travels with a friend and manages on their own the Chicago airport.  Until then, I'm busy making his favourite curry dish, washing clothes so at least they're clean in the suitcase and trying to ignore how the bathrooms really need to be cleaned.  They'll get done soon enough when it's just me and Zanna around the house and we're eating leftover curry!

Happy New Year!