December 2023

 

The Rausch boys at home on Christmas Day--little Isaac was sick.  I divided the Christmas food and sent them a care package.  Not the happiest Christmas surprise but ended up sweet anyway. We finally gathered altogether for our gift exchange on New Year's Day.  

This crew spent the day with us and though we missed the cousins and their mom and dad, we had a sweet time.  The chocolate cake in the photo above was not served for our Christmas, but was taken to a gluten intolerant friend...it is a flourless chocolate cake.  I included the photo because it is pretty.  Wonder what it tasted like???

Bekah put together her Lego set with me standing by as an observer.  Bottom are the girls' gifts they received at their home--a ball pit for Baby K and a set of cushions that can be a fort, a fence, a couch or anything she can think of for Bekah.  Neato!!!  

Precious Bekah photos taken one day when she was with us after school.  She gave great concentration to setting the Christmas village up just right and then decorated the little tree.  She and Poppy worked on a Christmas I-spy book.  

Lower left--I watched Kathryn a couple of hours one day during December.  I would rock her to sleep and then she would not let me lay her down.  Very sweet time with her except--my shoulder hurt a little.  Worth it.  

I turned 70 this month.  Can't believe it.  I set up lighting just right and took the selfie bottom center the morning of my birthday.  Melinda and fam gave me red gloves and a scarf that I love!  And she always makes me that delicious strawberry cheesecake pictured above.  It was a wonderful evening.  SO blessed.  

Nicole had a birthday this month.  She received, among other things, a manure fork and a wheelbarrow and was perfectly happy!!!!!  We love her.  

Jim and Myrna are our oldest and dearest friends.  We love them dearly!  So glad to have this good photo of the four of us taken New Year's Eve.  

December 2023

 

December 1^st—Spent the day in the Burlington ER with John, Dx umbilical hernia with Dr. Jarvis recommended immediate surgery.  There were no hospital beds available anywhere in surrounding areas and no surgeon onsite at Burlington. They ended up deciding he was safe to send home.  Meantime, back at the ranch—our furnace went out.  Jonathan, the man with connections, called his Garnett friend the furnace guy who delivered the needed part to Nicole, who was at work.  Jonathan then came over and repaired the furnace. 

December 2^nd—John is ok… I made a meal for Diana and sent roast and vegetables to Jonathan and Nicole.  

December 3^rd—Stewed 2 chickens, put 6 quarts broth in freezer.  Jonathan, Bekah, and Brian did chores.  

December 4^th —(Monday) Met with Dr. Jarvice. Appointment with surgeon scheduled for this coming Thursday.  Met with Remington Pinnick re our umbrella insurance policy.  

December 5^th—Made and froze a layered snickerdoodle cake for Nicole’s birthday. Daniel has Covid—all their family except for Isaac are sick.  

December 6^th—Made chicken soup for Rausch family. Finished a photo album for Amy’s Christmas present and wrapped Jarvis gifts.  Jon combined on the hill.  

December 7^th—Appointment with Dr. Todd Brown, surgeon, for John’s umbilical hernia.  

December 8^th—We went to Burlington for my driver’s license renewal this morning.  Foggy.  Picked up a deli lunch from Hoovers. Bekah here after school. <3

December 9^th—Enjoyed a vegetable soup supper with Jon and Nic for Nicole’s birthday.  Rausch family still have Covid.  

December 10^th—Rest day.  Chiefs lost.  

December 11^th—Stewed two chickens. Hung Christmas stockings.  

December 12^th—Haylee here. We went to Burlington for John’s pre-surgery EKG.  Baby K has a fever.  

December 13^th—To Emporia for a grocery pickup and Fanestils for gifts for Daniel, Jim & Myrna, and Curtis and Jole who have helped with chores sinces John’s dx.  Jonathan to Iowa.  Now Nicole is running a fever too.  

December 14^th—Now Bekah has the virus.  Took them a care package.  Made Christmas meatballs and vegetable soup for the freezer.  

December 15^th—Got the grands’ presents wrapped. It took all day! John made ginger snaps.  

December 16^th—Mostly finished wrapping gifts. Baby K to doctor—pink ears. John made two batches party mix and we browned the sausage for our Christmas brunch and froze.  

December 17^th—Made and froze noodles, punch base, and 1 dozen sliders. Chiefs won.  

December 18^th—To Emporia for a grocery pickup, ate Chinese.  

December 19^th—Made chicken soup. Delivered Christmas presents to Jole and Curtis and Myrna and Jim.  

December 20^th—John’s surgery day for umbilical hernia.  Melinda went with us as a driver and intercessor, thank the good Lord, I about went down as we checked in (!).  Stressed.  All went well, home by noon.  

December 21^st—John doing well PTL.  Work day but then rested in the afternoon.  

December 22^nd—My 70^th birthday.  Wonderful family gathering.  

December 23^rd —and 24^th--Working to get ready for Christmas. 

December 25^th—Isaac is sick, Rausch family did not come over.  So I split the food and sent them corn pancakes, hot spiced fruit, and monkey bread.  Very sad but sweet lowkey day with the Borns.  Didn’t open gifts, will meet on January 1 to do that.  

December 27^th—made party mix, chili, and fudge.  Ran to the Dollar Store.  

December 28^th—watched Baby K while Jon did chores.  She went to sleep but I couldn’t lay her down!! Made fruit cups.  

December 30^th—getting ready for gatherings

December 31^st—New Year’s Eve with Jim and Myrna, our best friends.