Wordless Wednesday

Sweet Liv is playing volleyball for the first year. She is #23 in these pictures. Check out that game face. I am so proud of that determination! These are pictures from their game Monday at Les Bois junior high. 

 

Holiday Cheer

Linking up this Christmas eve-eve for Writer's Workshop. Check out more by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. 

List the top 7 things that bring holiday cheer. I suppose this list could be different for everyone, but these are the things that bring me holiday cheer: 

1. Reading or seeing stories about generous people giving to those in need. 
   
   
2. Christmas décor on people's houses or in yards (especially festive if it is in the snow, but we can't make that happen) 
   
   
3. Christmas music. I know it gets annoying really quickly, but when you have a tune that everyone can sing along with, it just warms the heart! 
   
   
4. Christmas movies with the family. All of us snuggled at the couch watching a holiday movie just makes it seem more like the holidays. 
   
   
5. Seeing those red buckets outside the stores. 
   Side note, those are called Kettles and they are a collection for the Salvation Army. I have attended the church my whole life and have seen personally the good work that they do in our community. It is totally worth it to drop your change in there. A little change from many people adds up quickly. 
   
   
6. School holiday concerts. We haven't had any "in person" concerts since the outbreak, but Liv's bad teacher this year is amazing and posted a virtual concert for us to watch on youtube. (feel free to take a look if you like junior high concert and jazz band) 
7. 
   
   
   
8. Candy canes. There is just something about them that makes me feel like it is finally Christmas. 

What about you? Do you have anything I didn't list that brings you holiday cheer? 

This post inspired by: 

Wordless Wednesday

My kid, Alivia, is the one on the left side of this picture with the pink and blue hair. This was when their band "performed" for the football game, pep style. 
 

Back To School

 So, today was our girls' first day back to school for the 21-22 school year. Because both schools start at the same time, I took Natalie and Alivia to the junior high and McKayla's dad took her to the high school. As I mentioned in my alternative options post, she is going to an alternative school. When she started her morning off by calling me crying, I was worried. I did my best to reassure her, to tell her that this school might be different then what she'd experienced before. 

Well, this momma was RIGHT! She came in the door and was smiling. It has been so long since she had a good day at school and was optimistic about it. I am so grateful. Still praying that the rest of the year goes as well as today did. It was only half a day but she was SO happy. Has people there who went to elementary school with her. Even rides the bus with a friend. 

Natalie and Alivia also came in smiling. What a great first day. We will see how tomorrow (the first FULL day of school) goes. I'm actually feeling pretty good right now.