Happy New 2026

 It's 13 days into the new year and I wonder where all that time goes. Like for instance,  we just had the midnight countdown and watched the sky light up like a giant firecracker yet here we are almost halfway through January.

January is always bitter sweet. Sweet because we celebrate my hubby's birthday this month while the kids are on vacation from school.  School break means a break for mom too, so J love January. 

But the bitter comes once the month starts to fade because that means it's back to school prep and back to routines. This January is particularly bitter because I have to let my one and only daughter go so she can pursue big dreams in another country.

My daughter,  my best friend, my second born is off, flying the nest a little too early at the tender age of 18, to attend college in Massachusetts.  I pray for her safety and protection. While we love watching our kids grow, it is so hard to see them grow up and eventually leave. In a perfect world, she would be able to follow her dreams closer to home. But if this is her path, I pray it brings her all the success she desires. 

Stay safe my princess. Stay strong and be good. Hawah will protect you, always. 

January was also the end of an epic era as we watched  the final season and last episode of the TV show, Stranger Things. It was a memorable season.

Also, as mentioned above, we celebrated hubby on his special day, just the way he wanted. No frills or fancy bells and whistles. Just a quiet night at home, with some delicious food and a yummy carrot cake. 

And as a last little hurrah before the big goodbye,  my daughter wanted to go have a drink and some good food with her bestie, using the outing as an excuse for pictures as well.

While she hung with her girl, I took two of my boys to Outback.  The food was good and the outing was well needed.

CHRISTMAS THINGS

 Christmas was incredible.  Not as jam packed as it's been in previous years, but still magical and memorable all the same.

Even as my kids get older, some Christmas traditions still abound. Our Christmas craft this year was yet another attempt at building a ginger bread house,  which came out quite nice.

The first day of Advent always calls for a movie night with special treats like hot chocolate,  popcorn and fun snacks.

This year, my friends and I did the viral dump and grab Christmas gift exchange and it was a hoot!

Another Christmas tradition that never gets old is baking peanut butter blossoms, the holiday cookie of choice in our house.

Then it was time to celebrate the holiday with family.

Christmas came fast and furiously but I was so excited for all of it. Wrapping presents to put under the tree, stuffing the stocking, festive music to delight the ear and lights everywhere. I just love Christmas. 

After our family celebration at home, we headed to PF Changs for dinner, a nice respite from the kitchen for this mama.

It was a wonderful, joyful, merry little Christmas after all.

A Perfect Graduation

 My boy has officially graduated from high school and it was a perfect day. The location was perfect, giving me a wave of nostalgia for my own graduation from high school which also took place in a gymnasium. 

Unlike a lot of graduations, this one was to the point without too much fanfare or extra unnecessary fluff. There was the processional of the graduates, a few notable speakers who kept it short and sweet and a musical interlude. Then it was time to hand out the titles. It was, like I said, the perfect day.

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