End of 2016

As we wrap up 2016.........it's quite a lot to process, actually.  In some regards the year went by in a blink of an eye. But then when I stop to think about what happened, some events seem like they happened years ago.

Health wise.......... we had two scares this year.  Brian with his heart that turned out to be nothing. Both relieved and a bit confused at the same time. Beau with his higher than normal cholesterol and insulin.

Job wise.......we are a single income family by choice, but it's definitely had SO many blessings in disguise. I don't know how many times I turned to Brian and said, if you were working, we wouldn't have been able to do this, or accomplish this, or attempt this.  He has helped me tremendously with my job. I cannot even begin to list how helpful he has been with samples and mailings and packaging and organizing.  The time and reassurance he has saved me. It's immeasurable. So while he works on his next career and life path.......I'll support him the way he has supported me.....the best way I know how.

Kid wise......we now have an 8th grader and 3rd grader. Our 8th grader will be moving to high school in the coming year. How is that possible?  He is social and smart and athletic. He knows everything. We know nothing.  He loves watching and playing sports.  He has a great group of friends, and we hope that just continues for him. He has lost 17 pounds in the last 5 months. We are so proud of him. He has continued to watch what he eats, making good (albeit sometimes hard) choices on what he puts in his body.  His next bloodwork is in February 2017.

Sister....well, she is rocking the 3rd grade. Stepping up to be quite the leader. Stuttering be damned. It is not going to stop her.  She has become quite the leader in the classroom. She has a new speech teacher at school that adores her and supports her.  Her classroom teacher said she is the perfect student.  She loves to keep things organized. She loves lists.  She frets when she forgets something. Her heart is huge.  She reminds me of someone ......

Both kids chose to be baptized this year to accept Jesus Christ in their life and their heart. What a proud moment of the year.

As a family, we get so much joy out of our four legged pup.  He makes every one of us feel better.

From there it was a year filled with activities, travel, a little vacation, swimming, a 50th anniversary party for my Mom and Dad, and above all......a lot of Love.

Blest be the tie that binds,
The Grant Family

OKC Thunder

Santa came through!  Tickets for Beau and his Daddy to the Thunder / Clippers game.

Christmas 2016

Christmas morning at home.......

Kids woke up to Santa eating his cookies, his Reindeer eating their carrots, and Ernie the Elf that took off with Santa.

It's getting harder and harder to find gifts the kids want  AND need, but I think they made out okay this year. Brenley played ALL day. She made soap.  She created a Lego masterpiece. Beau played ALL day with his new Xbox games.  Everyone stayed in jammies all day.

We had a great breakfast and Chinese for supper. It was a super great day.

Santa brought Sis a Little Live Puppy!!!

Santa must have been thirsty

Kevin Durant Toliet Paper. Yep. That's how he feels about KD now.

The Christmas present that just keeps on giving. Our Ribbie baby. Oh how we love this pup. He opened presents first.

My girlfriend gave Sis this.  Who new it would be the present of the day.

No Follower. Leader only here.  For sure, sister.

Her newly created soap bars. Pretty cool, right?

She worked all day between soap making a lego building.

Christmas in McPherson 2016

Another great celebration in McPherson, with another beautiful day outside.  So blessed to have two great Christmases with our family.

We enjoyed soups and dips and sandwiches......played outside......and then came inside for stockings, Santa, and presents in a newly remodeled basement. I think everyone had a good time!

Ribbie was not 100% sold on Santa

he's not only cute, but super funny.

Christmas in Garber 2016

The weather did NOT stop us this year!!!  We had a great time! Mixed things up a bit and had brunch and then an early supper - and it could not have worked out better.  Kids got to play outside. We did our Dirty Santa games.  Everyone seemed to have a good time.  Kids are getting so big, but they are still kids that love presents and having fun. And they always have so much fun together. Love them.

playing cards before bedtime

dirty santa

Big stash this year!

This kid.  So smart.

Missed capturing the MeMa hug

But got the PaPa hug. Ugh. This girl loves her grandparents.

Cowboy Basketball

We went to an Oklahoma State Cowboy Basketball game right before Christmas. I took like zero pictures, but at least when I look back on the year and think, what did we do all year.......I'll be reminded.  lol

We were playing around in Atwood's and Beau was so interested in the cowboy hats, so I made him try one on. Are you kidding me?? SO CUTE!!!

Spelling Bee

Beau decided to enter his school's Spelling Bee and surprisingly (to him, not us) he was in the top 30 (in 6th/7th/8th) that competed one morning at school. Parents were invited so we got to see him in action.

I can't remember what word tripped him up, but he finished right in the middle.

In any event, we were super proud of him stepping out of his comfort zone and doing this!

Baptism

The pictures I have don't do the moment, the day, or the weekend justice. 
Brenley and Beau made their confession of faith on November 26th, 2016 in the Garber Christian Church and were baptized in front of their family.

Beau and Brenley were joined in baptism by Cassidy, Alyson, and Blake, their cousins. The ceremony was attended by all of our family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Not counting the 5 kids, there were 22 witnesses to this special event.

We all went back to Me Ma and Pa Pa's house for an early supper to celebrate. The house was full, but the weather was lovely and everyone found a space. We were so grateful to have everyone there to witness our two babies take this special step in their spiritual journey. 

We gave the kids personalized bibles, and they were also given a few other special gifts to celebrate the event. 

Tonight as Brenley was reading Genesis 1 to me tonight, I was so enamored with her as she loves reading her Bible.  In our nightly prayers, she led this one and started it off with this : Thank you God for making space for 5 more people in your family and allowing us to step in and take our place. She then went on to say how grateful she was and prayed for everyone's safety at home, school and during their travels. 

She amazes me every single day. Both kids do. They have such big hearts, and I am so grateful for that, because it's nothing we have taught. They are just good souls, and everyday they make us better parents. And now they have Jesus in their hearts forever, and well, it just doesn't get any better than that. 

More pictures to come from Brooke's camera. These aren't great but they capture the day.

taking their first communion