New years

My house emptied out today. While it is good to have each kiddo in their own corner of the world it's kinda sad too. Melancholy is the big word to describe an empty house. Thankfully I still have these handsome guys roaming around. These are their new church clothes for the year. 

We got a skiff of snow on New Year's day, it quickly melted and added to the muddiness that had been most common for the month. 

We ventured to Nyssa to play some games with cousins and eat some food. 

I've heard that after your kids finally leave like are married or in careers somewhere else with homes of their own it's not as bittersweet when they leave. I don't worry about my missionary's safety and whereabouts like I do the ones at home. But likewise, the college ones I have to refrain from checking on them often. Space we all need space and time to grow. Just like the plants of summer, they die if you pull them out to check on progress. So begins the waiting and working to get back into my own life and swing of things. 

I came home to find this dinner in the works. So we did have the fried dinner that is a staple for ringing in the new year. We fry chicken strips, french fries, tater tots, onion rings, and finger steaks. This year Alena provided Pina Coladas and Strawberry Daquiri's to round out the eating experience. The Pina Colada was so refreshing. Oh, and there were vegetables too. But honestly, I munched on the onion rings, and they were the best. 

The irony of eating a fried foods dinner with my mother-in-law who just had a heart attack was not lost on me. But hey if you can't eat what you want what's the purpose? She has been greatly relieved to see the tests come back as mostly healthy and strong. Just one valve is hardening and that's what they will replace through the vein next week. I think that is just amazing that they can operate on your heart and keep you alive throughout and it is just an outpatient procedure.

Another year was properly welcomed in. Andrea was not a fan of the fireworks. The loud books heard a the fireworks exploded next to the mountains scared her. Oh well, each year is something new. We will see where this one takes us. Life is good and we are blessed week to week until they add up to another new year.