We put together a 500 piece puzzle today. Mostly Pierce and I did it. He’s persistent and quite good at it. He’s ready to start another one. I haven’t done one for years, but growing up it was a Christmas vacation thing we always did. My littles were shocked I actually knew how. My bigs remember doing them with me in years past. Funny how the years have changed, and the fun things we once did are just memories. It made me sad. The littles have a very different view of childhood around here than the bigs do.
My older four are at a friend’s Christmas party for the evening. And suddenly, the house feels empty, we ate a fraction of normal for supper, and I keep finding things I need the bigger kids for. I was going to give the boys haircuts… but I’m not doing that if I can’t get Sterling’s done too. Stellan and Pierce are actually playing together, as are Charlotte and Elliot. Either combination isn’t the norm.
We’ve been crafting like crazy. I’ve been making ornaments on ceramic tiles, sewing bowl cozies (a curved hot pad of sorts that nestles a hot bowl) and made myself a winter poncho since all my coats are already getting snug. The tiles are above, just picture them with a twine hanging string and a plaid flannel bow because all I have photos of finished ones are for my kids, we’ve given the rest away, and the kids can’t see theirs until Christmas.
Liberty needed a sticker for her back window – because she bought herself her first car! She paid cash for a shiny blue little Honda Civic on Monday. She’s over the moon about it. Wednesday, she took her College Algebra final at the local college, took her Nutrition final on Thursday, and completed her first semester of college with excellence. I’m so proud of her and who she’s become.
Eden and I spent a night last week trying to save a dying goat – and failed. She was quite the trooper in helping me administer shots and give hot baths and take rectal temps on a goat with a potentially dangerous disease should I contract it while pregnant. In the end the general consensus in my goat-knowledgeable circles was pneumonia and not the listeria we thought it was. Regardless, I couldn’t do anything but give direction and Eden gladly pitched in and lost sleep with me. Bonding experience? Or something. Bonded in our frustrations when it all failed, at least.
Today, because we clearly are shy on vehicles around here (this makes five including Liberty’s, plus a horse trailer, small trailer, and camper trailer – the yard is full!), Blaine bought a new (to him) flatbed pickup. Ten years newer than the pickup he has now (a 1988) this one feels fancy and new in comparison. Dual rear tires, stick shift, and a club cab make this practically his dream truck. I’m not sure about the dull black paint and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t supposed to be a Dodge, but he’ll deal since he got most of his checklist. Bonus: my children will all, Lord willing, be among the few of their generation who learn to properly operate a stick shift vehicle.
It’s been a crazy busy week. Trying to get a few more Christmas gifts, dealing with the DMV, emotional weirdness with my oldest achieving major milestones while I navigate another pregnancy (15 weeks now!) and trying to keep plugging away at school when I feel like doing anything but that has made for an exhausting week. I’m kind of glad it’s over.
Oh wow!! Liberty already has bought her first car! That’s amazing she saved enough already for a car. Congratulations to her!
Sounds like your week was a bit emotional dealing with a sick goat. You are an amazing woman to do all the things you do. I am sure you are ready for a BREAK FOR THE HOLIDAYS.