Where has the time gone?!

Oh life, how you get away from me! I've meant to blog about it along the way but it just didn't happen. Let me tell you about it anyway...
In December I was swamped with orders, taking part in our annual live nativity and getting ready to go to the east coast for 12 days! The orders all managed to get out the door in prefect time and the live nativity went off without a hitch - my husband played Joseph and also had the only speaking role, which was a brand new thing this year, and he did an awesome job!
Our trip to the east coast began earlier than planned due to a huge winter snow storm. We left early to miss it rather than sit home for 2 days and wait for it to pass. We did miss the snow part but drove 1,000 in rain. We arrived safely at our first destination - New Jersey.
We enjoyed 4 days jam packed full of fun. We visited Storybook Land, an amusement park full of giant storybook tales such as the woman in the shoe, the three bears, etc. We also got to go to a great children's museum and see a light show in Philadelphia. The kids did great and were showered with awesome Christmas gifts at the end.

Liam & Uncle Andy made a gingerbread train

Next we made our way to Long Island, where my husband is from. We continued our Christmas celebration with his mom and sisters. It was great to see everyone and just have time to hang out. We also got to spend a day in NYC, so far my favorite big city on earth. I love to just roam around, see what we see and enjoy being in the city. Our kids were so amazing the entire day! We are blessed!


Bill & I at Rockefeller Center



Chrysler Building
 

Next we all traveled to Pennsylvania for a birthday party. We had a great time with more extended family just hanging out, playing ping-pong, sipping lattes and chatting. It was really nice and our gracious hosts, Bill's aunt and uncle, had such a beautiful home!

We made it home in one day! It was a long day, but we were happy to arrive home to find my parents cooking us a nice nutritious dinner. We are so thankful for them!

We thought we'd have a couple days to unpack, settle in and get a couple projects done around the house, but that didn't happen. I got a call on New Years Eve that my grandpa was dying and another call that my brothers wide was in labor with their first son. So, all in one day we lost our grandpa and gained a nephew - bittersweet. We know grandpa is in a better place and he wanted nothing more than for my brother to have a baby. Emotions ran high but we pulled together and got through it.


Max & I

Now, life is getting back into some kind of routine, however, it's not the same routine. I'm pausing somewhat on making jewelry and taking some time to prepare for some changes coming in our family. I'm still fulfilling orders when they come and working on some pieces for a friend's wedding. I'm also moving my jewelry space to the basement by my workbench. It's a ton of work especially since the basement is also a mess! Not really looking forward to this project but it has to be done.
And that's what my life has been for the past 6 weeks. How was your Christmas? Anything new and exciting in the new year for you? It's the time of year when people make resolutions and new promises. My only resolution is to try harder to find balance between all the work, spending time with my family and finding a few minutes to just breathe. It's a struggle for me to relax - I always feel like I should be working. So, what are you working on in this fresh, new year?