November

I am pretty sure this is a first in 7 years of blogging.  I skipped an entire month.  Not even one post.  I have no idea how that happened.  So, I am posting it all right here, right now.  Let’s hope December goes better.

Grandma Yoh’s Birthday…

We didn’t do a very good job of going overboard for Grandma’s birthday, but we didn’t forget it.  It is a big deal because her birthday is towards the beginning of the month, and it is easy to forget since we just turn the calendar.  The girls whipped up some cupcakes to frost, and we ate something simple for supper.  It was still had a party feel.  Here she is blowing out the candle!

    

50s Day for Kindergartners…

I almost forgot this one.  On the 50th day of school, the kindergarteners dress up in 50s attire, have root beer floats, dance in a sock hop, and do fun things.  With Madison, I scrambled to get a skirt together.  With Ellie, we used the same skirt; it was just a little shorter.  Because I was already at school, Jeremy called in reinforcements to help put her ensemble together.

          

Christmas Tree Assembly at MCC Connections…

This has been an annual tradition with the SYF for the past three years now.  I actually enjoy the time to work together and see a task to completion.  It is a good group building experience as well because sometimes it takes a number of heads and opinions to figure out how to piece donated trees together.  With many hands and young bodies, we get it done quickly.  We also end the time with a pizza supper.

   

Delassandro 5K…

I haven’t run a 5K in ages.  I don’t remember if I have run one since having kids.  I haven’t even run this distance on my own to just try it.  But Sandy, Rachel, and Trisha were going to walk it.  The race is put on locally, and I wanted to support it.  The weather was actually nice.  So, I jumped on board.  I decided I was going to run it and see how far I made it.  My run is actually a jog for the record, but I like to say run.  I completed the race in 33:15 with a pace time of 10:43.  I was super proud of this.  I also only stopped for three short intervals that added up to 2-1/2 minutes of walking.  I’ll see if I keep participating in more 5K in the future.

  

Thanksgiving Break, Day, and Sale…

I had my first official long vacation of teaching for the year.  We had Wednesday through Sunday off of school.  On Wednesday, I spent the day cooking and baking – food for the sale, food for Thanksgiving at my family’s, food for supper.  While I did that, the girls reveled in a chance to be kids again – no ballet practice, no choir practice, no school, no place to go.  They did it all – school, babies, babies outside to the park (in a few flakes of snow), scientists, marriage and wedding party, and baking for their sale donation.  Our house survived intact (barely).

    

One of my favorite times of the year is Thanksgiving day.  I love the service and auction that my church hosts.  The service is a time of sharing our gratitude for the year.  It doesn’t mean our years went without a hitch, but rather, it is usually people sharing about how God and the church family supported them in difficult times, how they were inspired by those going through life with a attitude of thankfulness, and how our eyes are on things not of this earth and that is where our hope lies.  The auction is for many reasons.  You can hang out with friends, see the talents of those who donated, kids can craft and shop the harvest store, and you can spend money for a good cause.   This year I walked away with a flannel knotted comforter, a homemade, authentic African meal for 6, some tasty treats, and a door decoration for winter. 

  

After the sale, we headed to my parents’ house for lunch and supper.  Jeremy’s mom joined in the chaos over there as well.  We had a feast, but didn’t sit around too long.  This year, we needed to get the leaves raked for my parents.  It was a pretty quick task with 18 hands working and 4-5 leaf blowers assisting the rakes.  It was also good to get out of the house and move around after eating so much.  A few of us stayed outside to play some kickball afterwards. 

                        

We enjoyed a lighter supper before cleaning up and heading home.  It was a good day with beautiful weather. 

Grandma Ediger’s Hip Surgery…

On Black Friday, as others shopped for good deals, my mom (as she said) bought a new hip.  She also had a tendon rupture repaired.  While she would say she is too young and the pain was not so bad, she did the right thing.  Dad, Nate, and I were able to be at the clinic while they did the surgery.  It was 1hr and 15 min surgery, and she walked out of there by the evening.  Incredible.  She is home recuperating now.  There are many people helping to make life good for them.  Mom has helped tend to many people over the years, and while it is hard for her to accept, it is good for her to receive special treatment right now.  Please pray for patience for her (and Dad) as she recovers. 

Okay, I think that covers it.  I will try to get to December more frequently.  I am attempting to continue the Advent tradition of having an activity every day – some are just fun, some help others, some build family, some are required (like choir concerts and such).  Take care and remember to ENJOY this month, not just get caught up in all that has to be done.