California

 so, this happened at the start of the new year.  totally bittersweet.  as these things are.  Layla started a new adventure at Concordia University in Irvine California.  she has started a degree program with a focus on psychology and art.  so the three of us flew down (Cree's first flight!) to help get her settled and to meet Jack's family for the first time.  the added bonus of the week away from winter and work and just a vacation in general, was part of the "sweet" side of this trip.  and it was sooo helpful to see where she'd be living, and to meet the people surrounding her and to fill in some of the pieces...

my word, did we ever have fun!  so good for our spirits, to be refreshed and together and to feel completely at peace about where we were leaving our girl- even if far away in a different country.

Cree played hard and then crashed at dinner.  he traveled and participated like a champ!  

for the vacation part~ we explored, we drank espresso drinks at many cafes, we enjoyed "t-shirt and flip flop" weather, we got caught in lots of rain (and still had a blast!), we "hot-tubbed", we ate well.  we walked among cute artsy shops and beautiful sandy beaches.  most of our excursions came highly recommended by our trip planner, aka Jack's mom. :) she was incredible to share all the "gems" of the area, truly making it the easiest trip ever.  after a crazy busy December, i felt like we literally just had to show up.  and that was an unexpected gift.  

move in day!

a special evening with new friends over delicious food- blessed!

these two were the sweetest

giant pizza slice!

as for Layla- there's so much to say, but the best way to summarize it is that she is literally a witness to the goodness of God in her life.  she has dropped into a really pretty place, with a kind and genuine guy, who has a truly beautiful family that has taken Layla in- in so many tangible ways.  around them is a supportive network of friends and family and community who love so well and have extended the warmest welcome to her.  we were blown away by that.

beach bliss and hard good-byes

so we flew away, quickly adding on the miles between us, definitely feeling the reality of how far she'd be.  Cree gets it and feels it too.  but still, we're so grateful we could go and experience "move in day" like we had with our other girls.  it was a full and generous blessing.  

miss you Lay!  we are so happy you are settled, but didn't settle.  ❤

this guy

 i love celebrating this guy.  it's so easy.  he loves me so well.  he is the epitome of steadfast love and care, and loyal character.  as a husband, a father, a son, a friend, and a physio...

Jeff turns 58 tomorrow.  

he often tells me how very early in his life he had a keen "God sense".  he knew God was pursuing him and his heart at a young age.  he has specific examples and memories of this...his faith journey, he says, was gradual.  but when he decided he was "all in" as a follower of Jesus, he never once has looked back.  for him, it's all crystal clear.  the evidence of God's love has been proven over and over again.  Jesus guides his life calling, his choices, his trajectory.  his faith informs his decisions and how he lives out each day, as he quietly and consistently chooses to show up with winsome love and compassion and joy.  to me, he is a rock of reliable and consistent care.  he's rolled with the large transitions of the past year, shifting to accommodate and support me.  he is always a listening ear, and a voice of reason and wisdom that i value immeasurably.  

it's a pure gift to celebrate you on your birthday, Jeffrey!  here's to many more ❤

the boy knows what he wants

 for the second Christmas in a row, Cree said he wanted a lamp.  the first year, Santa had a super cool motorized electric car picked for him instead, so the lamp never came.  and...while Cree adores his extra fun car to this day, he totally remembered that wish for a lamp when Christmas rolled around again.  thankfully, this year there was a lamp under the tree for this super intelligent dude.  and i dare say it was his favourite gift.  Layla added some twinkle lights and he now goes to bed with his star lamp and string lights lit each night as we tuck in and say prayers and sing.  pretty cute.  

some good advertising

 when your daughter is cool enough to bring your Venetian Hustle espresso blend to the mountains with her, you take the free advertising.  love that Bean on a Mission beans are now on the west coast!

  so fun, Joelle!  beautiful pics, as always.  you make it look so easy! ❤

2025 wrap up

 it was a blur, i'm not gonna lie.  the last two months of the year felt like two seconds long.  still, there were moments of real deep joy to be found, and for that i'm grateful to step back and note them here.  

a picture recap.  for a stroll down memory lane one day.

Cree met Buzz...that was a riot!

new wheels, and an unbelievable gift of reliability and comfort that i'm loving every single day.  can't wait to blast the A/C in the summer

lots of sibling hang outs as Layla was marking the days before her journey to California

Jack and Layla on another adventure

green beans arrived at the cafe, finally!  it is really happening!

somehow Cree had all his winter gear on but his coat.  unfortunately this wasn't discovered until we got all the way to the tree cutting farm!  we made it work!

a graceful moment pour moi.  caught in the zipline straps.  Layla enjoyed watching the struggle.  Cree was clearly thinking "mom, you're embarrassing me"...more of that to come buddy, more to come...

 

Cree could not believe that he got to meet Mrs. Claus as well. 

every year our fresh and twinkling tree brings me so many moments of joy.  

last sleepovers with his sister in her bed.  he misses them so much already.

Jeff's masterpiece.  he works so hard on this and Cree is a speedy little skater because of it...

i love setting a holiday table from things in and around our home.  it's simple and festive and symbolizes time connecting with dear ones.

lots of blessings that are so glaringly obvious when you start to pay closer attention.  they are countless and wonderful, and the end of 2025 was a gift.  there were challenges, difficulties, and hard pieces, of course, yet so many gifts of grace too, even in the whirlwind of it all.

October recap

i'm backpedaling a bit.  on purpose.  good things happened while i was on a blogging break.  

nervous to turn his head on that large toad, just in case it jumped into his lap

SK school picture proof...a solid "A" for effort, buddy...you took the "smile big" task so seriously and you did good!  you bet i ordered it!

  

below, a much more authentic smile

these are the sweet years...waiting for his bus in a costume.

wardrobe change for evening trick-or-treating.  Lay came along for the adventures, and i was reminded of the many years it was her bag being filled with treats.  

kind of surreal in lots of ways.

cousins and ATV rides with his cool uncle.  the best combination!

in the dead of winter with lots of snow and an arctic chill currently.  autumn feels like a bit ago.  a reminder that seasons change and before we know it signs of spring will be popping up all over the place.  it's gonna be so great!