These are a Few of My Favorite Things: the 2017 Edition

Spoiler alert: YOU will not be getting a car!  YOU will not be getting a car! You will ALL NOT be getting a car!

     This has been a big year of change for us, so I thought I would record a few things I have been enjoying this year.  As you'll see, these are little things I'm personally loving that have nothing to do with the overall well-being of my family.  But those punks can get their own blogs if they want to share profound ideas with the world.

And without further ado:

1.  Coffee.  My love for coffee has continued to grow to the point where I simply can't understand why people live without it.  By God's grace, I do have one friend who doesn't drink coffee, but I don't know how to make more.  I mean, if we can't drink coffee together, what are we even supposed to do?!  (I'll shamelessly plug my non-drinker Andrea here, because she has a lovely blog filled with great tips for any caregiver or parent).  Back to coffee.  We french press at home every morning, and I started making cold brew last year for an afternoon treat. But the newest addition to my coffee paraphernalia family is this precious little pour over. I love that it's cheap, reusable, easy to clean, and doesn't need any special filters.  Need I say more?

2.  The Library.  Don't laugh.  I know the library isn't a new concept, but nonetheless, it took me until this year to figure out how to check out digital books from the local library.  As some of you know, I finally switched to a regular kindle for most of my leisure reading, and since then, I have been sifting through all of the free Amazon books to find something I like.  This doesn't bother me too much, but it does mean that I read a lot of "Book 1" of a series I will never finish. Additionally, I have to scroll through titles like Her Two Wolves: Menage Werewolf Biker Romance or Tapping the Billionaire before finding something worthwhile.  But I let my fear of apps hold me back for too long!  I have now tasted the goodness of reading a bestseller for free, and I can never look back (even if I'm frustrated that it takes more than 2 steps to do so). 

3.  Mom Struggling Well.  I am not a big podcast person, but I have listened to a few over the years.  So far, I have strictly stuck to podcasts with a simple interview format, and that's exactly what this is.  With moving recently and feeling lonely at times, it helps me immensely for my media time to be life-giving rather than completely mind-numbing.  Don't get me wrong-- I love to take some time to mentally check out, but sometimes I can tell it's only hurting me rather than helping me to be refreshed.  At low points, I may have told Dave once or twice that this podcast is the only thread holding me to Jesus.  I know that sounds terrible, but in a drought where I'm not reading the bible regularly or praying deeply, I can listen to the podcast while folding laundry and be encouraged that I am seen and fully known by a God who loves me.  Emily Thomas is an awkward, genuine person who always manages to bring the truth of God's word into her interviews, and I always come away encouraged.  I laugh a little too, because she's a weirdo (in a good way).  Because those are my kind of people.

4.  Youtube Beauty Gurus.  Y'all, I can't even believe I'm saying this, and I don't even know how it happened.  But somehow, I stumbled into the wide world of Youtubers while looking for some sort of skincare review, and now I can't leave.  I have never worn a winged eyeliner or tried any contouring in my adult life, and yet I sit and watch girls put on and talk about makeup.  There is no good explanation for this.  I will say that I have tried to limit myself somewhat (because of the life-giving versus life-sucking ways to spend time), but two channels that I seem to keep watching are Thataylaa and JAMBeauty89.  Taylor from Thataylaa has a monotone style that relaxes me for some reason, and she partners with Project Beauty Share, which is a non-profit where you can donate gently used makeup and feminine hygiene products.  Jessica from JAMBeauty89 is an endearing teacher who makes frequent trips to Disney with her husband who loves the Golden Girls.  What's not to like about these two? 

5. When Calls the Heart.  Yeah, I said it.  I suppose I could call this a guilty pleasure, but I am way past the point of being embarrassed by my television preferences.  This year, Dave has traveled a fair amount, and when I'm home alone at night, I don't want to watch anything that can spook me in the slightest.  When Calls the Heart is all the cheesy wholesomeness you'd expect from the Hallmark channel.  As a bonus for those of you who miss Aunt Becky from Full House, Lori Loughlin is a main character.  Seriously, don't watch this with your husband.  I 100% guarantee that he will not enjoy it. 

6.  This Calendar.    I technically bought myself this calendar at Half-Priced Books on a whim in 2016 while doing a little retail therapy after Texas lost to Oklahoma.  Too much information?  Anyway, I prefer a real calendar for my daily life.  We still use Google calendars, but my google calendar isn't staring me in the face while I pour my coffee in the morning.  This calendar served me well for all of 2017, and alas, I have had to move on to a new year.  My favorite features are: the strong magnetic strip that allowed me to hang it on my refrigerator, and the front pocket.  That may sound silly, but it enabled me to stick little birthday invitations or info sheets about school events right into the calendar pocket rather than littering the counter with them or sticking 75 separate things on the fridge.  It also came with little stickers like "Doctor's Appointment" or "Vacation" that you could use if you're into that kind of thing.

That's it for 2017.  I know your life is changed!  Cheers to a New Year.

(Note: Any link shown is not an affiliate link of any kind.  We all know I'm not responsible enough to figure out how to make any money by blogging).

A Livingston Christmas through the Ages

     Let's pretend that I'm not making a new blog post whilst slacking on Myla's birthday letter.  It is what it is. (Note to Self: This should be the title of my memoir).

     I have this thing where I love Christmas, but I was thrown so quickly into home ownership and adulthood, that I never mastered seasonal decorating. (Or decorating of any kind, really).  I can no longer use my youth as an excuse for my lack of commitment to Christmas decor, but let's just say my particular combination of frugality and laziness has kept me stunted in the decorating department.  

     It all started 7 years ago...

     On our first Christmas as a married couple, Dave and I were about to celebrate our first anniversary.  Oh, and we had a two-week-old baby. We found a janky three-foot tree in my parent's garage, and voila!  'Tis the season.  Our tree topper was a piece of cardboard cut into the shape of a star, covered in foil, and clipped to the tree with a bag clip.  

     We clearly took the time in 2010 to put this wee one into a basket and attempt some themed photos.  

      If you'll notice here, our wonky tree is decorated with a few real ornaments as well as pieces of ribbon that I probably took from baby shower gifts.  Because you know, reduce/reuse/recycle. 

     Another one of the unconventional ornaments that our tree proudly carried were these little mittens, whom some of you may remember as a Starbucks gift card holder from years gone by.

      And shockingly, we took the time to make this lady a hilarious shirt that she actually wore unabashedly out in public.  This is why we love her.  

     Through the next couple of years, we added some kids but apparently added no personal motivation.  We continued to rock the wonky little tree, and although generous grandparents gave us a few real ornaments to work with, the girls enjoyed adding their personal flair.

     Perhaps the sweetest gift of all was when Grandma Sue gave us a solution to our "small house" problem.  (Note: our first house wasn't really that small, but it didn't have a great place to put any kind of tree).

Enter: beautiful tree quilt decorated with foam dollar store ornaments by this proud little lady!

     Fast forward to today.  We ended up buying a couple of artificial trees on clearance last January, and when we pulled them out, the kids were thrilled!  They each have a tree of their own, and Jon David is still rocking the orphaned garage tree.  Since we haven't set any decorating precedent, they took it upon themselves to design their trees, and I never want to forget this preciousness that surrounds me right now.  

Exhibit A: Piper's homemade horse ornament

 Stock photo Santa baby. (Myla's baby hand print is actually on the other side, but she chose to display this kid).

 Myla's tree topper solution

 JD's much-loved tree

This is clearly an Astros baseball cap ornament. 

More homemade goodness

Thanks to preschool last year, Piper has a real ornament!

 Let's not forget the dollar store additions.

 One year, my friend had pity on me and gave us a box of Christmas decorations.  She had already reached the point of needing to pare down.  So now we have this lovely wooden reindeer who gallantly watches over Piper's tree at night.

Can we all just take a moment to see what happens when the teacher tries to take a photo of Piper?  This is hanging in the hallway at school.

Finally, Myla and Jon decided to make a paper chain (modeled after a school project of Piper's).  They spent quite a while working together and tearing strips of paper to make this.  

So, as the sign says, I bid you all a "Mary Crismas!"

Jon David is THREE!

Dear Jon David,

If you measure my love for you based on the amount of photographs I take rather than my blogging punctuality, we will be fine.  (Actually, I've procrastinated with all of your birthday posts the past couple of years, so the good news is that I care or don't care about you all equally).

Bub, you are showered with more love and affection than any child I know.  I don't understand how you became so spoiled, but it happened.  Let's all just move on.  On a typical day, Myla gets you dressed and ready, and I can't even muster up any guilt over that.  Every time we drop your sisters off at school, you tell me, "Mommy, I miss the girls.  Can we go to school?" You love going to school with me whenever we help the teachers, and you find it imperative that we pack you a backpack and a lunch box so you can be like everyone else.  I'm not sure how I will be able to keep you happy at home for the next 2.5 years.  You're ready to be in the mix.

This year, we have spent a lot of time at the park.  You're weirdly strong and coordinated.  You must get that from me.

With you, I have finally found a willing pho companion, so we go out to lunch almost weekly.  Nothing fills you with more pride than using kiddie chopsticks.  And nothing fills your clothes with more noodles.  Ah well.

By the way, I take pictures of you when you sleep.  Parents love their children more when they are asleep.  It's science.

We have been attending Yoga Storytime at the library, because apparently that exists.  It's a normal story time with fun poses mixed in.  You're a fan.

How do you know when it's time to leave the park?  Answer:

Sometimes, I'll go out to the backyard only to find something like this.  These are the moments that I'm just glad we're in our own yard.  Suffice it to say, you're the first of my children to ride the balance bike in the nude.

We watched a lot of baseball this year, because WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS, BABY!

We love you, Jon David!  I'm going to smoosh your face and kiss you right on the mouth for as long as you'll let me.

Love, 
Mom