Our Aweful Beautiful Life

2017 was certainly one for the books. We have been blessed in so many ways. We've seen a LOT of doctors. We've kicked ourselves for opting out of "accident insurance". We've gained a "Riley Kid". We've cheered our 9 year old through baseball, football, basketball and his first year of 4-H. We've watched our youngest bravely and confidently master two surgeries for the same "thing" all within 4 months of each other. We've shipped our youngest off to prek, which proved to be a bit more emotional thank I figured it might be. We vacationed. We worked. We played with friends and family and enjoyed camping on multiple weekends throughout the year.  But mostly, sorry Colton, 2017 will be remembered as the year of surgeries. Mostly because each month in 2018 I'll likely still be making payments reminding me of the fun we had.  We are thankful to God for watching over and keeping our babies safe and healthy. We ar...

It's our favorite season. We love Christmas around here. All the movies. Kid being around and moving from spot to spot. Writing notes to Santa. Seeing lights. Eating cookies. Making cookies. Visiting with family. Shopping dates with Dad. Late nights wrapping with Mom. Anticipating Christmas vacation and all the fun that entails. It truly is magical. I'll let the pictures tell most of the story -- we did our usual routine -- Christmas Eve with the Halls, Christmas morning at home, and Christmas day with the Stockment's. We capped Christmas off with the Hancocks Christmas night, our first without Grandma or Uncle John. Definitely a somber end to a wonderful 48 hours, but so great to be with family. We somehow escaped the grips of the sickness making it's ways around our community. How we missed it is only a miracle from above, but one we are so thankful for. Though, I'm sure we'll continue to feel like a ticking time bomb until it hits us.....tick....tock...ti...

I can remember as a little girl, it was such an honor to be asked to be Mary in the Christmas Eve, or likewise for my brothers, to be Joseph. A few years back, Colton was asked to be Joseph, and this year, Em got drawn to be Mary. Even more fun, Colton was a Wiseman and Keaton an angel. Well....almost an angel. In the weeks leading up to the program, the CCD classes practice the program, and each week, Keaton was a wonderful little angel with the rest of his prek class. And, let's be real here....there have been a few times in Keaton's short 4 years, where we feared him to be the next Dolick boy, running amok on the alter much to our despair. Letting him loose on Christmas eve, all jacked up on holiday goodies....didn't exactly seem like a recipe for success. Thankfully, cousin Jeff (his teacher) said he had it under control. Keaton adores "Uncle Jeffy" and I took a deep breath, and headed upstairs. As we waited for the church to fill, it hit me that I'd n...

Before Christmas actually came, we had to sneak in a few more fun things in preparation. We knew post-Christmas Keaton would be getting out his tonsils, making us homebound....whether we wanted to be or not. So, we packed as much as we could in before Christmas. I should also mention the pre-break fun we had -- celebrating Colton at the Fall Semester Academic Awards where he was awarded the Music award, most improved and no missing assignments. Super proud of his turnaround this year -- he's off to great places! We also had a chance to go caroling with friends, spreading cheer in our small town for our 5th straight year! Such a fun tradition that these kids definitely look forward too. We started our break with a cookie decorating party with friends. Thankfully, the decorating lasted 15 minutes before the calm December weather lured the kids outside. Which, was fine, because us Mom's got to drink wine, nibble cookies dipped in leftover icing and catch up. ...

We grew up in the back yard of Purdue University. I graduated from Purdue in the College of Agriculture. We live in Indiana, where basketball is basically a religion. Us loving Purdue basketball just plain makes sense. And, because Grandma and Grandpa Hall and Uncle Trent & Aunt Stef are total suckers, they've got 8 total tickets this season, which means we are BLESSED to go to a bunch of games. Each of the bigs has gone this year, and while Keaton's asking all the time to go, we'll see if we get him there. They are GOOD this year, and we've missed that "students are gone, they aren't sold out games" period. Now, it's a PACKED HOUSE every game. Which is super fun for the adults who get to go!   As if watching from the stands wasn't fun enough -- why not try to get the guys to the school as "celeb" readers. So, that's just what I did. I sent an email requesting a few players to come guest read, and sure enough.......