New Years 2024

This new years eve was low key.  We hung out at home and the kids played with all their gifts and then we went over to a friends house.  We tried to ring in the new year but I got so tired I wanted to leave before 11pm as the ball drops in NY at 12am time.  So we ended up hearing the ball drop in the car on the way home.  The kids were disappointed, but we all came right in and went straight to bed.  I do not sleep good when I am in Ohio and I think that is why I was so tired.  I needed to catch up on sleep. 

The night was so low key I don't even have any pics or videos. But I do have Ella with her fake nails she got.  They were so long and eventually she got frustrated and wanted to cry and take them off.  I suggested we try to trim them and it worked.  She was much happier with the shorter nails.  She has been enjoying herself with them.  Lol!  She's so cute!

I hope the New Year is a good one for all and a happy and healthy one.  

I have a few resolutions but I won't say just in case...  ;)

But with the beginning of this new year comes the end to this blog.  The end of an era.  It has become so hard to keep up with and it just feels like work.  So with that, FAREWELL and if you are still reading from the beginning, thanks for sticking around.  

Christmas 2023

 Christmas came and went in a flash! But we sure tried to work in our self-care!  Lol! Well, at least the kids did!  Mom was busy doing all the Christmas things. 

Christmas Eve eve, we went over to our neighbors house and had game night.  It was low key and fun.  The kids all played together while the parents played games.  Joey and I didn't win anything and our quarter pile dwindled pretty good. 

Then on Christmas Eve, we had invited the Henscheids over before church for a few hours for finger foods and enjoyable conversation.  We think it just might be a new tradition.

Ashley and I

The Shultz family before Christmas eve mass.  It was 60 outside so it didn't feel very Christmas-y out side.  You can see I am even wearing open toed shoes.  Last year was like 2* but with a wind chill of -15 or something.  Crazy.

And the kids got to open one gift on Christmas Eve as per tradition and we went also went thru the nights and lights in our pj's per tradition as well!

These two yahoos hanging out the window in the light tunnel.

Man this Christmas morning was something.  

Josie said she woke up at 3am and "checked" then tried to go back to sleep and couldn't.  So she thought she would try to sleep on the couch except when she came back upstairs Eli was asleep on the couch.  So apparently 2 kids were awake between 3-4am.  Josie says she never did fall back to sleep...

Look at the excitement in these kids.  

They waited until mom and dad got up at 6:45am. They say we tortured them by sleeping that late. 

Santa of course, did not disappoint.  In fact, I would say he spoiled them.  

Eli was happy with his minecraft mini fridge and star wars stuff.

I could not believe when the girls wanted dolls.  I thought we were done with them.  They were both so adamant they wanted them.  At first I wasn't biting, but then it hit me that this is really the last time they ask for something like dolls, so they got them.  

Josie so happy with her doll Paisley, clothes she can wear and her doll crib! 

And Ella (and Josie) wanted these twins.  Every time we were in Walmart they would go look and beg me to buy them for them.  The funny thing about these twins is that Santa had brought them when they were 2 and we got rid of them because they didn't play with them.  I can't believe I bought them twice...

Ella also got a 3D pen and the game Chess.

My Christmas tree had a few new ornaments on it this year. 😞

And then off to Ohio the next day.  

Eli was so excited to give Gigi her gift he gave it to her early.  He picked it out for her at his schools Christmas store.  

Gigi and her grandkids

We also went to the Shultz side and all the kids got a astronaut costumes.  This was from uncle Josh and it was cute. Lots of space travel ahead. 

And I wanted to stop by and wish Dad a merry Christmas.  I wish it was different.

I miss and love you, Dad!

First holiday season with out you. :(

Josie and Ella 11!!

The girls are 11!

Ella at 11...she is sweet, quiet, creative, social and generous.  She loves playing and being with her friends.  Ella likes to do nice things for people.  She talks about baking cookies for the neighbors, donating money for the less fortunate, etc.  Her favorite school subjects are art and math.  She still gets a little scared at night.  She likes to read, mostly comic books and snack.  I tell you this girl could snack her way through her entire life.  She doesn't need a full meal, she needs 1000 snacks in a day.  HA!  Her favorite color is pink!  She likes to occasionally do all the girl things..get dressed up in pretty dresses and do hair and makeup.  She is always changing her mind when a decision needs to be made.  It drives me crazy!   Ella you are sweet and we are so proud of you!  Always remember we LOVE YOU LIKE CRAZY!! 

Josie at 11!

Josie is the mother hen and she is adding in a bit more sass each day. She is kind and social but definitely wants to know what is going on.  I can't get away with anything with out Josie questioning me or asking a million questions.  She is smart but she says her favorite class is recess.  She is in TAG and does a good job in that class.  Josie is growing...she is eating a lot of food these days and the first signs of a major growth spurt are starting to show.  She likes some things girl but always wants that in a ponytail and HATES dresses.  She says she can't play soccer in dresses.  LOL!  She wants to be independent and know the plan.  She is annoyed a lot more by her brother and sister and now even me.  I have heard quite a lot how I am annoying.  LOL!  So many more years left for me to annoy her.  She is becoming a mini teenager and I am not ready! 

Josie, you light up our lives and we love you fiercely!  Please slow down in your growing and know that we are proud of the person you are becoming! 

Girls, we love watching you both individually and together!  Your relationship with each other is so special!  I hope year 11 is the BEST year yet.  Love you both!

December

December is always such a busy month!  And this year is no different.  The kids had their first swim meet of the year.  Their swim meets are usually an ALL day event! 

Josie looks a bit nervous, but says she isn't. And all smiles for Ella!

And then I had a Christmas party for the ladies.  Always a fun time, lots of snacks, wine and enjoyable conversation!

And what is Christmas time without a Christmas piano recital.  

Eli wanted NOTHING to do with pictures and eventually stomped off and slammed some doors. 

All 3 kids did so great playing their songs.  Eli said he was so nervous he was shaking.  I am so proud of them all.

Ella wanted to do a duet with ME!!  I couldn't believe it!  We had fun practicing and I know that me being up with her helped her nerves a lot!

The next night we had the kids school music concert.  Eli was much better for pictures this night!  He loved them. LOL! 

Dressed and ready to sing.

FRIENDS!!

Joey and I were able to get away for a few evenings for events here in town.  We went to Scotty McCreery and Nate Bargatze a comedian.  Both were really good shows and fun nights out, but the best part of  it was they were in Ottumwa.  No driving to DM or IC or hotels and all the other stuff plus we saw lots of people we knew! :)

The next day was another swim meet....Mom and dad were TIRED from their evening away!  

All did well.

John Deere Christmas party for the kids!

And the girls turned 11 and more Christmas fun! 

Novemeber

We started of November mourning the lost of my dad and grandpa.  We had his funeral November 6th and then we came home back to Iowa the next day.  I came home to lots of sympathy from friends.  The dust of his death and burial had settled and my grieving begins.

It also begins to look a lot like Christmas soon after...

We did not go to Ohio for Thanksgiving this year as were just back for my dads stuff.  But I did keep up my schedule I normally do and I put up the Christmas stuff the weekend before Thanksgiving.  

For Thanksgiving we had HAMBURGERS! Yep! Before my dad passed he was planning Thanksgiving and he wanted hamburgers.  He said he was sick of turkey and burgers sounded really good.  So we had burgers in honor of him.  Plus just the 5 of us would have had to eat turkey for days....

Josie pulled wanted a fancy dinner, but there is not much fancy about burgers, but she pulled out my cloth napkins and the kids drank out of wine glasses.  Some friends had given me a wind chime for  my dad, I had it out on our back porch and the entire time we ate Thanksgiving dinner it was chiming away!  Like my dad was with us!

Of course Ohio State vs MI game was on that weekend and we watched it! We did not care for the outcome at all.  Go Buckeyes!

First snow of the season!  Of course it was a mad rush to get all winter stuff out, see what fits and get the heck outside to play and sled.

And then the sickness hits.  Eli ended up getting sick first with a high fever and the next day Josie woke up sick.  I had those 2 sickos home with me for 2 days.  They bounced back pretty quick even with 103 fevers.  Then the next week I got it.  I ended up with the flu and I was the sickest I could remember as an adult.  I had ALL the symptoms of flu and I did not bounce back like the kiddos.  But definitely better now.  I do not want the flu again any time soon. 

 

November was a bunch of sadness and grief and sickness :( 

I don't want another repeat

My Dad!

Paul Eckert, my dad,  March 4th, 1946-October 31st, 2023

He was a great dad; kind, patient, funny, but was ultimately called home to the Lord. 

My dad's last year + had been rough with his breathing, cardiac health and circulation, but ultimately his respiratory system failed.

My mom called me on Monday the 30th to let me know he was doing well and I was able to make it to Ohio to be with him.  By the time I had gotten there my dad wasn't really able to talk however I do think he knew I was there.  When I spoke to him he tried to open his eyes and moved like he was trying to lift his head.  His breathing was so labored and rapid and remained that way to the end.  I am glad I was able to be by his side, holding his hand until the end.  He died at 2:42pm on Tuesday October, 31st.  

I miss him.

I will continue to miss him. 

I have so much more to say but for now I all I will write this...

Military honors, 21 gun salute

We found my dad's doppelganger, Johnny Cash, while going thru old pictures.