Cooking Instinct

These are days I want to remember. 

We had Emily Brown capture some photos for us in November. In the past, I've taken almost all of our family pictures. I would set up the tripod and use the remote. We managed to get a few over the years that way, but with two kids now and Myla at the age she is, I knew I was going to need some help. Emily did a great job, and it was nice to sit back for once and just enjoy the moment instead of running the show. 

That's what happens when you let a 5-year-old be in your family. 

Christmas

Note to self: Don't put 5-year-old boy in suspenders for a Christmas Program. He was front and center and totally distracted and totally adorable. 

The kids got to participate in the annual Huenefeld Christmas Pageant this year! They asked if Myla wanted to be an angel, she said no. 

We also took the kids to see "The Star" to jumpstart the Christmas season. It was Myla's first movie at the theatre! We went to the 4:30 showing on a weekday, so we had the place to ourselves and she was free to roam around but she never got too far away from the popcorn and candy. 

We celebrated Christmas with both sides of the family; it's always fun to see the cousins together. 

Myla insisted on being in the walker with her present. 

JT and Ashton got Myla a megaphone... because apparently she needs help being louder. 

It's always fun to buy noisy toys for other people's kids. 

At my immediate family Christmas, we played a grab bag exchange game. James ended up with a yard of M&Ms and me.. Well.. Backstory.

I found these really cool belly fanny packs online. I thought they were awesome and I thought my family would be really grateful for getting such an amazing gift. (Why is everyone asking if this was White Elephant?? No. These are nice gifts; we're not savages.) My brother and sister-in-law had the same thought when they saw them online. Kristin and I ended up taking home our own matching fanny packs. Sometimes I'll just wear it around; it throws James off, and not in a good way. 

We had a nice quiet Christmas at home with the kids. As we were passing out presents, I kept wondering where Myla's baby stroller was that I bought her. We passed out all the gifts and I couldn't believe it was no where to be found. I had wrapped presents weeks before Christmas and had started thinking that I didn't remember actually wrapping it. I wondered if it had ever shipped, (I did all my shopping online.) When I checked my orders I realized that I had selected "Save for Later" so that I could compare the price from a few other places. Thankfully she's one and didn't really understand. It came a couple days later and she was thrilled. I was humbled because a few days earlier I had been bragging about how "on top of it" I was for Christmas this year. Yeah, really shouldn't have been bragging. 

James got a hammock and Trevin and Myla got a spiderweb swing. We voted to hang them in the basement right away so we could try them out. 

Trevin received part of his present a month early. James and I brought this motorcycle back for him from our Illinois cousins when we went there in November. He's starting to get the hang of it, but is still a little tentative. (He wears a helmet when he's riding by himself.) We've had a few nice days to try it out, but I think we're all looking forward to spring when we can put a few more miles on this thing. 

James and I took Trevin and 3 of our nephews out for a fun day over Christmas break. We tried out the new trampoline park in Grand Island. The boys had so much fun, and James and I did, too! 

Then we took the four boys to the new Star Wars movie. It was Trevin's first time seeing Star Wars and he loved it! I wasn't sure if he'd be ready or not, but this one was fairly mild and he really enjoyed it. Of course, he had to wear his favorite Star Wars shirt for the occasion. Then I made them all try sushi at Fuji and we were able to enjoy the Hibachi grill. It was a day I wouldn't mind having on repeat. 

Last Saturday, a few of my girl cousins and I spent some time at my Grandma's house baking. Baking was something we did a lot as kids with Grandma, but we were wanting to learn something a little more challenging than our regular sat on, smashed, licked, stretched, thrown, pounded dough that we "made" two decades ago. 

We decided to start with her buns, (don't worry there were plenty of "Grandma's buns" jokes). She uses the same recipe for her dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls, so we figured starting with the basics was key to our success. They turned out a lovely golden brown, just as they should. Grandma only did half of the work. Also, she told us she couldn't find the recipe, but she just has it memorized. 

Isn't it fun when people are so much better at things than you? If you leave out one tiny detail on a recipe, I will not be able to read between the lines. I will have no idea what to do. I will ruin it, burn it, and completely destroy it. I am a Type-A, everything fits in the box, there's only one answer to every question type of gal. When I don't know the answer, I don't know the answer. There's no creative solution in the kitchen for me. Not unless you want to eat something that resembles nothing you've ever tasted or smelled or seen... and not in a good way.. Have I ever told you about the bridal shower my church threw for me when I was engaged? No? Ok.. 

Well I was probably talkative in Sunday School class and I might have been a little ornery, mostly because my cousins were there, and some people that watched me grow up in the church may have sought revenge for the years they put up with me. At my bridal shower, (I remind you, 18 years old, just graduated high school, still a CHILD) they had a table set up in front of all the guests. It had bowls, measuring cups, spatulas, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder..... DO YOU SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING??? They stood me up front and said, "Make a cake." Say what? "Yes, make a cake. Oh and just a couple things... We're going to bake it here and eat it as the dessert for the shower." Umm, say what?? "Oh and one more thing! There's no recipe. Good luck!" People I had performed under pressure many times in my life before that point. Musicals, state track, ACT, solos, volleyball championships, speeches, Math Day... But I have never been so nervous as I was that day. I don't thrive in that environment, I mostly die. I remember thinking, "My future in-laws are here. I have no idea what I'm doing. They are not going to let me marry their son/grandson/brother because I don't even know how to make a cake." My sister, Brooke, was sitting in the front row secretly giving me answers as I made up a recipe, I mean, as she made up a recipe. They wrote down everything I did on a recipe card and then gave it to me at the end. The cake turned out, thanks to Brooke, but I've never made it again because it tasted like embarrassment and humiliation. 

So... Yeah I would benefit from having a little of my Grandma's "cooking instinct" in me. Somehow I missed out on that gene. I've taken the first step, but for years I've had a serious fear of yeast.. So I might have a ways to go...

Bathroom Remodel:

Well it's winter so that means a remodel! How is it that every project just sounds so easy when you plan it, and then actually doing it is never that simple?  

We're tackling our main bathroom. I told the carpet on the floor that it was time to go, or maybe it told me.. New tub, drywall, insulation, window, fixtures, water heater, vanity, mirror, and tile are in the process of being installed. Once again, James is taking this on singlehandedly. He's so impressive. We've started installing the cement board on the ceiling and walls and have finished up most of the electrical. There's still a lot to do, but any progress is exciting! 

Arizona:

We took a quick trip to see the Nuss family in Arizona. We arrived late on Friday night and flew back on Monday afternoon. It was Trevin and Myla's first time on an airplane! Our flight down was at night, so it wasn't all that exciting to look out the window, but they still had fun. 

Saturday morning we took the kids across the road to the orange trees to pick some for breakfast. The kids loved picking them off of the tree and carrying them back to the house. 

The first thing the kids wanted to do after breakfast was swim. I think they were in the pool by 9 AM. It wasn't that warm outside. Thankfully they cranked the pool heater up, so the kids loved it. Well, the adults did too, I guess. Trevin and Lux spent 75% of the time jumping in together from the ledge. 

It took Myla a little bit to warm up to the pool. She didn't care for it much the first day, but by the end of the weekend she was having a blast just like the rest of them. 

Saturday night we went exploring in the mountains and came to a quaint stream. We skipped rocks there as the sun set. It was a beautiful evening with gorgeous scenery. 

It was so sweet to get these four back together. They sure missed each other! 

On Sunday, we went to church and then did some more swimming. We spent the evening at Top Golf which was one of my biggest highlights from the trip, along with the many board games we played after the kids went to bed. 

It was cute to see Mav and Myla's friendship grow while we were there. I mean c'mon, just look at them! 

We sure miss having our dear friends close by, but it was a fun change to be able to visit them and see what their life looks like now. Hoping to make many more memories with this crew very soon. 

Monday brought hard goodbyes and a couple sleepy kiddos. Myla napped the entire flight home. Trev enjoyed being able to look out of the window to see the mountains, fields, cities, and clouds. Overall, flying went fairly smooth. It was a good trial run for our next big adventure...

 We're headed to Florida in March! We're going to spend a few days with family in Orlando, do the Disney thing, do the fishing thing, and then head south to the gulf for a few days on the beach. Is it too early to start packing? I feel like maybe it is.

Snow Day(s)!

Speaking of the opposite of Florida... Trevin got a couple snow days last week! 

Trevin and I made that super cool tunnel. I had big dreams for it. I was going to make a larger opening in the middle where several people could be in at once. But then I realized just how hard it is to dig that much snow. I was sore for 3 days. Don't you dare laugh at that. When was the last time you made a snow fort? I know it's much harder than it looks. 

Myla was so unimpressed when we went out in the snow. She whined constantly. She despised every second of it, until, an hour later, when I said it was time to go in. Then she started trotting around and playing in the snow. She was smiling and having a grand ol' time. I was done, I was cold, I was tired, so it was about that time when I started whining constantly. 

Trevin:

+He's officially lost tooth #3! I make the worst tooth fairy, by the way. I always forget. Every time. He won't stop wiggling them loose. One day, he made me smell his tooth because he thought it smelled like blood. I think I'll be happy to be past the tooth-losing stage. 

+Trevin had his first sleepover! His cousin, Caleb, spent the night at our house last month. Trevin asked me if they could play Mario after we went to bed. I was trying to make a decision when he added, "I promise we'll eventually go to sleep if we remember!" 

+He is always making us laugh and is constantly surprising us with his awareness and deep thinking. When we were playing in the snow last week, Trevin started throwing snowballs at me. It was all innocent and I was having fun dodging them and listening to his giggle. I had walked into the garage to stay out of the wind, and Trevin had followed me with a snowball. I told him not to throw any snowballs in the garage, as I was standing in the garage.. He looked at me and said with the most sincere voice, "Are you trying to make me sin?" He's already fully aware of temptation. Now it's a phrase we use regularly at home, usually with a sly grin. 

+After playing outside in the cold he said, "My hands are well rested." "What do you mean?" I asked.  "They feel like they're asleep." 

+Everyone keeps asking how Trevin's liking school, and more specifically, "How is PE going?" He's still enjoying school and PE has gotten better. Every day on the way home from school I ask him what his favorite part of the day was. One day he told me his favorite part was PE. My mouth dropped open and I couldn't believe my ears! I asked him what they did in PE. "We built a snow fort on the playground." Sounds about right.. (But I can attest, building a fort is extreme physical exercise.)

We love this sweet, toothless one.

Myla:

+She has discovered a LOVE for marshmallows. I've never seen someone eat one so fast. I think I could get her to do absolutely anything with a promise of a marshmallow. (Probably the only reason we've had a couple successes on the potty. We're not going to potty-train until after our trip to Florida, but she's telling me several times a week when she needs to go, so we've been letting her lead.)

+She's as goofy and as darling as ever. She's a talkative little thing, surprising us each week with new words she's picked up. She's even using a few 3 word sentences. "You eat it." "Go get it." "Have fun tool" ("Have fun at school" when we drop Trevin off.) 

+No one makes her laugh (or annoys her) quite like her brother. They play really nice, and also they're really good at fighting.  

+One day she put on Trevin's Darth Vader costume, hopped on a stick horse and started yelling, "Jesus! Jesus!" She may be living a skewed version of reality right now. 

(Yes, she's drinking applesauce with a straw. One of James' brilliant ideas. Much less mess.)

+She had no BHS's in November but had two in one day in December. Most of life these days are highs, but on days like that, it's a hard low to know we're still living under the will of these episodes. Never knowing when, where, or how... but mostly just wondering if/when a seizure will strike again.

  

+This girl's orneriness is starting to shine through, but thankfully she's been saving most of it for Grandma. My mom has been keeping Myla one day during the week to allow me to have a work day for church/farm/house needs. She's kept my mom on her toes. She found a marker and got creative on her clothes, the coffee table, and her face, (we're pretty sure the face marks were evidence of her trying to eat it.) She also dug into her diaper one day and "painted" the coffee table, (YUCK). Apparently my mom's coffee table seems like the perfect canvas for her. She did find a marker at home, too, and left her mark on Trevin's bedroom walls. She is busy, busy.  

+She loves getting to go to work with James. Her favorite part is seeing the cows. Right now there are three calves by the shop and that's always her first stop. "Hi cow! Moo!" 

Sometimes I'm curious why you are all still here. I mean I get why you started reading years back; I was a recent high school graduate that married my high school sweetheart and got pregnant before we even got our wedding pictures back. Now that's a story people want to read about, either out of deep concern or for pure amusement. But that seems like a lifetime ago, and yet, you're all still here. 

You've read about my mom-fail stories, like when I got stuck under the crib or accidentally locked myself in the bathroom and how both required an emergency call to James, or when I managed to superglue Trevin's (and my own) fingers together. 

You've listened to me rant about random parenting, life, marriage, or farm advice, only to change my opinion the very next month. 

You've followed the picture journey of our house projects and all the "dirt" that's gone with it, including the random cat that found it's way into my house and assaulted me with it's eyes. 

You've read about all of our trips and memories that we've made as a family and with friends, including a dance-off in the Dominican and a girls trip that involved "metal testicles" attached to the truck, thanks to our husbands. 

You've shed tears over our hard moments, always willing to send sweet words of love when we need it most. In the midst of family crisis when our world was rocked, I couldn't go into detail on here, but many of you stood with us even though you were unaware just how damaging that time was. When James had his accident with fire, between Myla's seizures... Your hearts have ached alongside ours. 

So yes, sometimes I'm curious why you are still here, but mostly I'm just glad you are. I feel honored that you've chose to walk this with us, and I'm grateful for the chance to tell our story in an unconventional way, even the parts that make me look like a fool. Love to you all. 

Flying as a family, growing on the farm...

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