Monday Rundown- Holiday Edition

Whew! What a week! Sorry I failed to post last week, but Jacob made it in early on Sunday morning and the rest of the week from that moment on was pretty much a whirlwind!

We got to spend 6 glorious family days together cooking, baking, playing and visiting. We retired early on the night of the solstice and slept extra long. Even though we didn't do anything particularly special I think getting the extra sleep was a fitting way to mark the longest night of the year. The next two days were passed by preparing for Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

When Christmas Eve finally rolled around we had a wonderful day visiting family. Then on Christmas Day Jacob made duck and other delicious dishes for our Christmas dinner and I got to pull my Great Grandmother's linens out of the closet and use them for the first time in two years. The kids made out like bandits both days with some beautiful and thoughtful presents.

Friday was spent enjoying each other's company, having a nice dinner out and then visiting the Christmas light at the Louisville Mega Cavern. We had to be up early the next morning to drive Jacob to the train station in Indianapolis to catch his 6am train. Saturday and Sunday were spent putting the house back together, resting and nursing the wound that Jacob's leaving always causes.

In the coming week I plan to pack up the Christmas tree and put away the lights. It seems like I just put them up not too long ago. Funny how time seems to pass by more quickly the older I get. I hope that in the coming week I can carve out the time to plan for the new year. I plan on making plans to savor every bit of time I have with my growing baby, my ittle boy and enjoying the fleeting moments I get with my husband.

Hope you all had a great holiday season and are making grand plans for the new year! Have a great week!

Monday Rundown- It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Last week I told you that we weren't sure if Jacob was going to make it home for Christmas. After much finagling and some logistical acrobatics it looks like he may just make it. It involves a train, a bus, a dog sitter, a mailbox and maybe even a thumbed ride by the time it's all said and done, but as long as we can get him on the train this Friday he will be home on Sunday morning. I hope. Keep your fingers crossed blogfolk!

In the meantime we've been rushing around trying to get all the Christmas-y things done. I only have a few more gifts to buy, cards to mail and gifts to wrap. I'm planning on spending the next couple of days doing some baking and cleaning. I still have to find some type of roast beast to adorn the table. Jacob wants a goose, but I'm not too keen on spending $70+ for one. Any ideas on where I can get one for less than $70 are welcome!

Will has had a wonderful week which included his first every party with friends. He has such a great time and it was nice for me to be able to talk to some of the other parents n his class. In just the few weeks that he's been at school he has changed so rapidly for the better that it's truly amazing! They also had their Winter Spiral ceremony last Friday and I was amazed at how beautiful it was and how reverent all the children were. Sending him to school was definitely the right choice!

Litha had her first real food yesterday. She thinks unsweetened applesauce tastes funny, but baby oatmeal is pretty good. She also finds it rather amusing to blow raspberries with her food. She's a delicate flower, that one.

So, all in all everything seems to be falling in to place! Have a great week y'all!

Monday Rundown- I'll Be Home For Christmas, If Only In My Dreams...

I'd hoped my first Monday Rundown after my long hiatus would be a bit more positive, but unfortunately, no such luck.

Jacob's truck has broken down and getting it to someone who can fix it is going to be an epic undertaking since he's 40 miles from even the nearest gas station. We thought it was just a frozen gas line, but after increased temperatures, gas treatment and warming lamps it appears that it is something more serious. Even if he can get it to a mechanic the likelihood of it being taken care of in a timely manner is pretty much nil. Nothing in North Dakota gets done quickly. Mechanics will likely have a backlog of vehicles to repair, parts will take forever and then the fact that if it's a problem with the engine the expense will likely be phenomenal.

I'm not holding my breath that he will make it home for Christmas and I'm completely bummed out about it. I don't know how to tell Will, but I'm planning on refraining from doing so until the end of next week so that it doesn't affect how he's settling in at his new school. I find myself crying and cursing the oilfield and then feeling guilty for it because I feel like I'm biting the hand that feeds. Whatever. I just want my husband home for Christmas.

Of course, I'll rally, just like I always do and turn my focus on things that are more positive. I'll work on my etsy store, I'll use my oils to keep my mood uplifted and I'll be extra mindful with the children, just like I alway do when the oilfield interrupts my life. But for now I'm going to lie down and wallow around in it awhile.

If your loved ones are near to you please give them a hug today. If they are not, be sure they know you love them. And if you have some extra positive vibes or prayers to send, please send them our way. We need a Christmas miracle.