Christmas & A Fresh Start

Christmas was wonderful!

Kirstin balled up under the blanket, Emil M. pinned under Noah

Emil Michael got home a week before Christmas. Kirstin and Noah have been wrestling with him pretty much non stop.

It has been so nice to have him home again, to hear the piano being played, have him writing in the living room. A silent but constant presence. College life has been a good growing place for him and when he comes home it is with a greater appreciation for family and the blessings he has. I really like this part of my kids growing up!

We spent Christmas Eve at Emil's parents. Where there was great food, lots of family, presents, a hunt for a pickle, the pie dance and desserts! I feel so blessed to have the family I do. I love all the crazy traditions they have. I treasure all the traditions our own little family have begun and remember with fondness my Christmas's at home as a child with my parents and siblings. Life is good. 

I made some felted Sheep for my Mom and Sisters for Christmas. As a fond reminder of our time in Scotland

They were probably my favorite Christmas Craft but coming in a close second was discovering Sculpey clay. 

A new friend, Shelley, made these adorable Dove ornaments from Sculpey clay and gave them to me as a gift. I  absolutely loved them! Shelley is pretty amazing and if you want to have your mind blown by sheer artistic talent check out her website. 7layerstudio

So I humbly asked her to show me how to make some and she graciously agreed. I want to do a all white Christmas tree next year in addition to our family tree and wanted to have some handmade ornaments on it. So this was my start.

After checking out all the different ornaments Shelley's made over the years with Sculpey clay I was very awed and inspired. We'll see what next year holds. Maybe I'll have the umph to do new ones each year but I'm not making any promises.

Last week was full of visiting friends and spending time together. It has been great. Emil went back to work on Wednesday and has been doing well. He is still limping but really improving since his surgery. He just uses a compression sock or ace bandage to keep the swelling down and is in his sneakers now. He didn't use the boot except for one day I think!

Noah's been busy hanging with the Crosses and using new toys. 

Kirstin got a GPS for Christmas and has been busily tearing up the roads getting in all her socializing that she has to put on hold during school since academics take front seat. She's happy sleeping in and staying up late. Emil Michael assures her that she'll fit right in at college. He's right of course. 

So today is New Years Eve.

 I happen to love new beginnings. I don't know why. Maybe because of all the possibilities. My imagination runs wild with what could be... I read a quote recently, that went something like "no matter what your past- your future is spotless". I love the concept.  

I had some time to clean up my room this past week and was thinking of all the projects and new crafts I'd like to conquer. I decided to write 12 on slips of paper and pull one out each month, then focus on finishing that one project that month. I have some projects that have been lingering too long that need finishing and some new projects that need to start. I liked the idea so I'd thought I'd share. 

Maybe you have unfinished business too? Sometimes just figuring where to begin is the hardest part. I've already picked my January slip and it's to make a scrapbook of my Scotland trip. Thankfully I have a Groupon for a digital scrapbook I need to use so maybe if I'm really productive I'll pick two projects. We'll see!

What are your resolutions? 

Some of my spiritual goals are to read and study the scriptures each day. Physically,  I decided to try to exercise more consistently and plan 3 meals a week. With our family dwindling I find our eating habits have changed and not always for the better. I think that me being more organized in this area may help our family as a whole. As far as just personal goals I'm trying to be more organized in my scheduling. I've got a new planner and have penciled in all the events I know we have going on as a family already and since I'm doing Girls Camp again this year I'll need lots of check lists for that. 

I wish you all the very best in the year to come. 

May we love more, forgive sooner and share of ourselves. 

We each have so much to be thankful for, even in our trials. 

Love - Kathryn