First Reconciliation 
Shecklet #4 received her First Reconciliation this morning! We are so proud of her for taking this next step in growing in her faith!
First Reconciliation
Tag: kids
3 year ANniversary
Three years ago I laid down on an operating table and put complete trust in my surgical team to remove the tumor pushing on my brain.
Today, I celebrated my 3rd ANniversary (AN=acoustic neuroma) on the slopes with my family, snowboarding for the first time post-op. (And first time in 11 years!)
Post-op life continues to be a blessing – in spite of many challenges that have taken place. (Not just surgery side-effects.) As a simple reminder note to myself: some of the things I still deal with are the same as what I faced immediately after surgery – SSD, sense of taste gone on half of my tongue, and my right eye doesn’t close as much as my left when I smile. Fatigue is still present and I take naps several days a week. I think a lot of it has to do with my brain filtering noise – tinnitus as well as household noise. I’m grateful to have a family that continues to understand that resting is something I simply need in order to have the energy to make it through the day.
A few individuals remembered this ANniversary and reached out to me this year. I’m grateful that they have done so. 01/23/2018 was a life-changing day for me and the support my family received leading up to it and after it will never be forgotten.
Uncle & Nephew
During a brief shopping date to Fleet Farm, Jake came across this bowl and it reminded him of a photo of our nephew from last year.
We also have this photo of Shecklet #1 from when he was a similar age to our nephew. 
And this one from Shecklet #3 taken when she was about 8 months old.
Christmas Night 2020 
We went to Jake’s parents’ house for Christmas dinner. Two of his sisters, one BIL, and our nephew were able to join us there as well. The ham dinner was delicious and afterwards we played a few games before opening presents. It was so much fun to have a toddler in the mix again – they bring such joy to the holiday and are very helpful with tearing wrapping paper.
Shecklet #4 gave out massage certificates at the end of the night. They never expire and can be used an infinite number of times!
Christmas Morning 2020
The Shecklets were up before the sun this morning and discovered the surprises in their stockings. After a breakfast of eggbake (Grandma Patti’s recipe,) muffins, and juice, we opened gifts as a family.
Christmas Eve 2020
It was a snowy, chilly Christmas Eve. We finally received a substantial amount of snow yesterday along with strong winds. Today the whiteout conditions subsided enough for us to have one of Jake’s sisters join us for the second half of the day. We went to 5pm mass and then came back to the house for pizza soup (Grandma Fran’s recipe,) garlic bread, cookies, and a movie – Elf. (The church was almost empty so we took the opportunity to take a few pictures – masked and non-masked.)
On the slopes 
Shecklet #2 went skiing for the third time in two weeks. Today, Shecklet #3 joined him and Jake, but instad of skiing, she chose to give snowboarding a try. She loved it! And unsurprisingly, made a friend while practicing on the bunny hill after her lesson.
Grouchy Zero 
One of the “tricks” to learning how to borrow when subtracting is remembering the “Grouchy Zero.” Shecklet #4’s teacher had her students draw a picture to help them with this new skill.
Teacup 
December’s Handmaidens meeting was in person for Shecklet #3. This month she learned about St. Kateri, spent time in the chapel in prayer using Lexio Divina, heard a talk from a high school senior at our church, and decorated her own teacup. (Part of the project involved baking the cup and saucer after she decorated it, so we did that step this morning.)
She came home from last night’s meeting so excited about everything she did. She even volunteered to give next month’s saint presentation on St. Teresa of Avila!
Suprise Sundaes 
My Aunt Ann, surprised us with a box full of sundae toppings for Christmas! The kids were SO excited to see all of the options!
We didn’t have any ice cream in the house on Monday, so they had to wait a day to make their sugary creations. I think they would all tell you they were worth the wait.
