The Turner Times: December 2018: New Normal

December flew by! We were in our new home, met some neighbors and new friends in the neighborhood, went to a few holiday events, baked some cookies, and enjoyed the biggest snow storm to hit NC since we've lived here. This Christmas, much like Thanksgiving, wasn't like past Christmases. Jimmy was on call for a week but it really didn't end up being too bad. We had to stay in town but he still got home at decent times and only had to go in Christmas Day for a little while. This provided lots of time for some R&R, more straightening up of spaces, cleaning, hanging out, and just quality family time.

Interwoven in that family time was plenty of feuding, a few messed up dinners, some missed bath days (and we do baths every other day), and the losing of tempers from all family members. One thing I'm learning as a parent is to apologize. My husband has to remind me...isn't that terrible? I mean, I'm a grown-ish adult and have to be reminded to say sorry...to my children! But, I'm also human and sinful, just like my children. Thankful for accountability from Jimmy and that Jesus took our place so we could be forgiven. We will never measure up in that way and while it hurts and we are hurtful, He is enough. It's a tough thing to balance...that whole thought of knowing we live in sin, committing sin, and then repenting of that very same sin, but we must or else we'll become a slave to it. Becoming a slave to it may not even mean that you recognize you're doing it, over time...it's like becoming immune to something by not addressing it. That's a dangerous place to be.

See, the things going on inside my brain come out much better when the children are in bed sleeping. lol. It's currently 8:34 p.m. Now I think I'll go to bed as well.

Here's a little peek into a day in the life of this crazy little one :)

Bowling alley party for Lorelei!

Happy 5th birthday! She and Wesley have been friends since birth. At one point they decided to get married one day but they have changed their minds, since then. I'm so glad they can remain friends, lol.

Dinner with Santa @ Chick-Fil-A

Anna Ruth wasn't a big fan and I wasn't going to force her BUT then Santa spoke gently to Anna Ruth and asked, "Can you come give me a high five?" She agreed and then gave him a hug and ended up in the picture after all. She was guarded and I can appreciate that. He was a sweet Santa, Chick Fil A has him every year and we love it.

My "baking" buddy

My McDonald's date. Grace was at a birthday party so he asked to go on a mommy-son date to McDonald's. :)

Holiday work party-probably my favorite picture we've ever taken together!

Over a foot of snow!!!

All the snow things: hot coccoa and movies

Homemade Cinnamon rolls

Eating

Shoveling...yikes. Our new driveway is a giant pain to shovel.

Anybody else take 30 minutes to bundle kids up only to be ready to come back inside 10 minutes later??

Sledding (not pictured, one really cool hill across the street from our house on the golf course)

Since I'm a 12 month employee, I pretty much always have to report to work. Once it was safe enough, Grace and I trekked out to the office. She was a great office buddy for several days!

Grace and Zori met at the office (she's the daughter of another employee who I actually used to live near) and they hit it off! They are both in the second grade. One in the 90% for height and one in the 9% :)

Cam's daughter, Haddie, and Grace having some screen time

Happy birthday, Cam! Cam, Marie, and I all work together in the same position in the school system. Love those girls!

Singing in the church program at a church we've been visiting

Falling alseep with her bible one night

Falling asleep inside a box one night (Wesley) lol

My Nana's butter cookie dough, Christmas traditions!

All our presents were stored in a closet until a few days before Christmas, this year. Normally I wrap along the way but this year...nope. It took me about 2 hours one night and I loved it!

Wake Forest bowl game at the Turner casa. Bay Blade competition going on in the picture. Mike survived Sarah's competitive-ness ;)

Cookie decorating at half time!

Spicy

Christmas Eve tradition after candle light service

Christmas morning, waiting for daddy to give the signal to come downstairs

I painted these for Wesley and love the way they turned out!

Sarah and I made these for the girls. Little wooden peg people in a rainbow pattern that spell out their names. We love how they turned out and being able to make something for the kids.

Opening their gifts

I had some leftover wooden people I gave to Grace on Christmas Day when she was going to bed. The next day, she came down the stairs with a wrapped present for me. I opened it and cried. I'm not a cryer, but I sure did cry. It helped in that moment because that particular day after Christmas, when Jimmy was at work, I was about to lose my mind with the kiddos. God gently reminded me that they are a gift, no matter what the mood.