Living Life
I've been quiet for a bit since the holidays have kept all of us so busy. We usually host during the holidays and love it, but Mom said I wasn't up to it this year. Challenge accepted. We hosted other things including euchre tournaments, but both Thanksgiving and Christmas was at Mom and Mike's. They did a fantastic job decorating and with the food. It's not like Mike knows how to cook poorly 🤣
I tried to get Rhys to take me and the boys to Asheville (who doesn't want to go there?!) and he couldn't take off work with the others who were off so Rocki, Jaleasa, Shelby and I left Christmas night for Orlando. We had an absolute blast! No real schedule so we slept in, went to Magic Kingdom one day, shopped in downtown Disney, went to Cirque du Soleil, had a relaxing spa day, and then spent New Year's in Epcot. They had a crazy fireworks show and Rhys and Christian got to watch on video chat. Cade spent New Year's Eve with Grandma Diane and Mike playing games and ringing in the new year.
Of course when I got back, all the things I should have done that week I was gone was waiting for me when I got back. I got unpacked and then the Christmas tree had to come down and the decorations needed to be put away. While we were putting things away, I went through a box or two and got rid of some things as well. There's more to go through, but next Christmas season will be here soon enough. 🤣
Cade asked for a "room redo" for his big gift this year. We just got done priming and painting the color he chose and getting his room put back together. He's got a new desk, dresser, bedframe, and nightstand and we bought new bedding, lighting, and a gaming chair. We got rid of the huge honey oak bookshelf that he's had since he was a little guy and we're replacing with floating bookshelves this week. We went through his closet and purged so he's starting fresh. Now, the battle for him to keep it cleaned up. 🙄
Christian started his internship at the statehouse and is fitting right in. He asked for a fitted suit for his big gift this year. We set a budget and he and Rhys went to shop. They ended up with three suits, two shirts, two ties, and a pocket square and Christian paid the difference of $200. I think they did a pretty good job finding the deals and those were also tailored to fit at that price! He's been networking and meeting new people who have similar interests which is great. Now he's surrounded with intelligent conversation all day and he's loving it. ❤️
Bre and Corey were here in early December this year and we didn't get to see them on Christmas. We video chatted at least and they got to say hi to everyone. This coming year is our year to go out of town and we just booked Vegas, baby! The kids and I have never been and it's been a long time for Rhys so it'll be a fun trip. We'll hit a casino or two, but the shows, especially at that time of year, should be fantastic!
I made some super cool scrapbooks for my grandparents and my mom this year. My grandma gave a box of my grandpa's ties to her years ago when he retired. We (really MOM) deconstructed it and sewed it back together so I could use it for their cover. I drew on Mom's and then everyone got to sign the back at Christmas. I'm getting ready to make just one more as a gift for some friends because I have so many more pop-up ideas now. I'm pretty sure these are the coolest thing I've ever made so of course I've shown them to anyone with the tiniest crafty bone in their body! 😁 Check them out:
I just started my fourth cycle of this new chemo and I've got four rounds after this. I went to the doctor Friday and we're full steam ahead so long as I can keep managing the side effects. I go at the end of the month for imaging so fingers crossed that I'm not resistant to this chemo and they find nothing. In the meantime, I'm living my best life. I hope you all are, too. ❤️