a wide place

December was a very full month, so forgive me in advance for a long post.

First of all, Judah’s big news: he got his first job!

He applied to the Chick-Fil-A closest to our house and had a couple interviews, then no call back. That was a big disappointment. So he applied to the next closest Chick-Fil-A, and got the job immediately.

In hindsight, we’re so happy this location worked out for Judah instead of the first one he tried. It’s a more updated restaurant with two drive-through lanes and a door straight from the kitchen to the drive-through (which we’ve learned is very nice for employees). He loves being with the college crowd downtown and says everyone is super friendly and helpful.

It is busy though! One night he spent 6 hours making milkshakes. His position is front-of-house and says his favorite job thus far is being a runner (delivering food to tables or to cars in the drive through).

Judah will work 2-3 shifts a week during the school year. You’d think as a homeschooler he’d have greater flexibility, but with all the classes he’s taking, evenings after 4:00 have ended up being the only option. We’re so proud of all his hard work to get the job, start work during first semester exam week, and learn so many new skills.

David is trying his hand at assistant coaching for Gabe and Noah’s basketball team. He co-coached community basketball years and years ago, but for high schoolers, rather than elementary school. While he enjoys his time with the boys, he’s decided coaching is not for him. I don’t blame him; he’s in charge of enough in his normal life! Gabe and Noah aren’t huge fans of playing basketball — they’d much rather play soccer — but are being good sports about it.

Our children’s director, Cheryl, invited Amie to join the new Children’s Ministry Team she formed this year. Amie was equal parts excited and terrified, as the sole teenager on the team.

She enjoyed helping out with prepping for the children’s Advent curriculum, and is looking forward to helping with all the Easter weekend festivities. She serves in nursery with me once a month, and in the new year will be helping train new “floaters” (12-18 year olds who volunteer with the kids’ classes).

We typically knock out the majority of our Christmas shopping/ordering during Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales, and one of my favorite December traditions is lugging all the gift wrap supplies to Steve and Linda’s a couple of different afternoons to wrap gifts with Christmas music and a glass of wine. Getting the shopping done early also allows me to slow down and feel more present for Advent.

This was my Advent devotional for 2023, and I enjoyed it so much. Surprisingly, my favorite part was that each day’s reading including a hymn to listen to and a piece of art to study. I loved using different parts of my brain for the Advent study and found it moving. My other favorite part is that many mornings in December found my early bird, Noah, cuddled up on the sofa beside me doing the devotional together.

In the midst of the busyness I made time most days to sit with a cup of Yorkshire tea in one of our Christmas mugs, and a book or Plough magazine in front of the tree.

We had our HVAC serviced in December and learned in the nick of time that our ancient hot water heater had two leaks and was on the verge of giving out completely. I’m thankful that we had the money to replace it and now we enjoy nice long hot showers.

This is the second year we’ve abandoned our normal curriculum (except for math) to do Read-Aloud Revival’s Christmas School in December. It’s a month-long curriculum that includes Christmas carols and Scripture recitation, read-alouds, crafts, nature study, recipes, and writing prompts.

Last year we studied the picture books of Jan Brett, and this year it was Tomie dePaola. Through Christmas School, they’ve become two of our favorite author/illustrators.

Previously, Gabe and Noah had listened to the audiobook of A Christmas Carol with the big kids and me, but this year I read it aloud to them as part of our morning time, and that was another favorite memory. We listened to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever as a family on our drive home from West Virginia.

Here’s some fun news: Jessica and I will be leading a Growth Group together next semester! I helped lead a life group years ago at our church, then took a very long break. It was a gift to feel the energy and desire to lead again. We met one evening over a glass of wine to plan out our semester study, and are so excited about this group.

Gabe and Noah were busy creating with Legos all month. They made these ornaments and mini fire trucks by themselves and I’m so proud.

Speaking of creating, I was inspired by a friend on Instagram to pick up knitting again after a several-year break. Gabe, Noah, and Amie all jumped in, and it’s been a fun winter hobby. I’ve completed a scarf, new beanie for Noah, and ear-warmer headband for a friend’s daughter. Currently, I’m knitting beanies for my friend Lauren’s three kids. I’m reminded of how nice it is to have a non-reading hobby for spending time with the family in the evenings.

David and Amie have been busy with sketching and watercolor. Who knew that David had a hidden pen-and-ink drawing talent!? Our friend Alyssa said it also could be a tattoo design talent.

And then there were ALL the Christmas celebrations. With homeschool friends, church friends, book club, church staff. It was a flurry of every-night busyness for a few weeks, but worth it.

Honestly, it was a different December for me in some ways.

Judah had his job at Chick-Fil-A and has shifts most Friday and Saturday nights, and Amie was babysitting more. So, often we found ourselves attending Christmas celebrations without one or two of our kids.

I know other families have had to face this with their kids playing competitive sports, but it’s a new experience for me and a bittersweet one. I love, love my kids growing up, learning, discovering their passions, dreaming about their futures. But a part of me aches for all the nights we were all six cuddled up at home. Or attending all.the.things together as a family.

A positive is it makes me appreciate those all-of-us-together moments much more.

I was inspired by a friend’s house at a Christmas party to have my own gallery wall, so Annie came over and helped me make one.

David performed a December wedding! A couple at church were married at a pond in Ridgeway, and we enjoyed an evening helping them celebrate. A few highlights for our family: they invited the kids too! I understand this isn’t usually possible with weddings, but Amie, Gabe, and Noah loved attending with David and me. Noah actually reminded me that this was his very first wedding ceremony.

We also enjoyed the hot chocolate bar at the reception, and table full of games for those who didn’t want to hit the dance floor. I love when people are creative with their wedding celebrations.

For the first time, David and I celebrated the start of Christmas break by doing something special for us, rather than for the kids. We used a gift card and enjoyed a fancy, leisurely lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, then David took me on a tour of the construction happening in our new church space.

For a variety of reasons, I remain emotionally detached from certain aspects of church leadership, particularly interviewing new staff members and finding new buildings.

Even though I’ve been part of the Design & Flow committee for our new building, as well as experienced the entire capital campaign with David this fall and witnessed God’s provision, that day was the first time I allowed it to become real to me. It was an emotional and happy experience.

And finally, Christmas Eve! We typically have an evening service with cookies and hot chocolate, but skipped it this year since Christmas Eve fell on Sunday, and just had our morning service. I love that kids from our children’s ministry read Scripture each Sunday morning of Advent and we persuaded Noah to do it on Christmas Eve. Okay, maybe the promise of a Chick-Fil-A peppermint milkshake was involved.

Here’s our traditional Christmassy family photo. Can you believe how tall Judah is?

I was going to include Christmas day in this post, but it’s already long enough. So I’ll post that next!