Thursday, December 31, 2020

Goodbye 2020

There are many words that describe 2020.  It's been interesting, challenging, and mostly unbelievable.  I could never have imagined that we would endure the things that we have this year.  We've faced our first pandemic, shut-downs, school closures, church closures, remote learning, stay-at-home mandates, mask mandates, deaths, an anti-police movement, and a very heated presidential election.  There is a moral decline and political corruption in our country right now.  We pray that truth will prevail and that God will have mercy on us.
There are many jokes on social media and funny memes about the year we just conquered.
After all, we did survive 2020, and the toilet paper shortage!
 A lot of good things happened in our family this year too.  We welcomed new babies, traveled to new places, got braces, learner's permit, new job, new schools, and spent a lot of time together as a family.
However, as we bid this year farewell, and enter a new year, there are still many things that we are on our knees praying about.  It will be a critical year in our nation's history.
Franklin Graham posted, "My father Billy Graham once told me that he had met with Winston Churchill back in the late 1940’s and Winston Churchill said that he had no hope for the future of our world. Outside of God, that is right—there is no hope. We could face a dark period of history as God turns His back on our nation because of its sins and our politicians embracing, and even flaunting, sin. Sadly to say, even some churches are embracing what God defines as sin. We need to confess our sins and turn to Him in true repentance.  The Bible tells us, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Goodbye 2020,
Praying for 2021

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Happy Birthday

My family spoiled me for my birthday!
Brynn made me breakfast, they got me a thoughtful gift, and all took me to Babe's Chicken House for dinner, followed by coffee and a foot massage at home.
Here's to 42!

Monday, December 28, 2020

Backyard Campout

Barrett bought a new tent with his Christmas money.  It quickly turned into a backyard campout!
We set up our old tent for the other kids to sleep in.  They bundled up for our low of 46, and ventured out into the backyard for a fun and cold night!
Night 2, and they were ready for more!
Kaleb joined them on the second night.
It rained on the third night, so they had to take down the tents.  Barrett pitched his tent upstairs and continued his campout in the house.  Everyone else was ready for their warm, soft beds!

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Last Sunday of the Year

After being shut-down this year due to the Coronavirus, and not being able to worship in-person for months, we will never take in-person worship for granted again!  It was a privilege to get to attend church in-person one last time for the year.
Our last sermon of the year was titled, Getting the Most Out of Next Year- Luke 1:26-38
1-We must be open to God's Announcements
2-We must be open to God's Assignments
It was such a beautiful last Sunday of the year!  The sun shone bright and was so warm.  Robert and the two big boys went deer hunting, while Brynn, Kaleb and I went on a nice, long walk.
We are so thankful for these warm, sunny days sprinkled into a cold, dreary winter!

Friday, December 25, 2020

Christmas Evening

Merry Christmas from the Grable Fam!
Our family decided to forgo our annual Grable Family Progressive Dinner this year.  We usually have it the Sunday before Christmas, but decided to be cautious and make sure we all stayed healthy for Christmas evening together.  We were all disappointed to miss out on one of our favorite traditions, but knew this year was a year of modifying plans.  We were all thankful that all 22 of us were healthy on Christmas day and were able to spend the evening together!
We had a kitchen full of good food and desserts we feasted on.  We all exchanged gifts after we ate and enjoyed an evening of laughter and conversation.
One of the highlights of our evening was Barrett's viola solo, complete with a dance routine from Annie!
It was a very merry Christmas filled with love, laughter, family, and health!

Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas!
The kids slept later than they ever have on Christmas morning.  We are usually up before the sun, but this year the sun beat us up!
We opened gifts, ate cinnamon rolls and blueberry scones, watched the Disney Christmas Special, and lounged around the house all morning.
Merry Christmas Morning!

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve!
It's our last morning with the elves, and they reminded us of the reason we celebrate Christmas.  All of the extra stuff is fun, but the birth of Jesus is the most important thing and worthy of all our celebration and praise!
Baxter got his Christmas bath and brushing... he's ready for Santa!
Hot cocoa, cookies, pj's, and Christmas lights!
Merry Christmas Eve!

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Christmas Is Coming

My chauffeur drove me around town to run all of my last minute errands.
Brandy, Coy, and family came over for dinner and a walking tour of our neighborhood Christmas lights.  The thing we won't forget about this night is how hard the wind was blowing!  It was still a fun night and we look forward to doing it again next year (minus the wind)!
The countdown to Christmas is on!

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Christmas Sunday

Happy Christmas Sunday!
 

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Daddy/Daughter Date

Robert took Brynn on a date to see The Nutcracker.
One of our friend's from church played the lead role of Clara.  It was a beautiful performance!
They enjoyed the performance and had a fun afternoon together!

Friday, December 18, 2020

Last Days of School

Although parents couldn't come like in previous years, Brynn's school still had their Jingle Bell Run.  I'm glad they were able to maintain some of the old traditions, even in the midst of this year!
There was no assembly this year (#2020), but Brynn received the Excellent Eagle Award for her class for this term.
We are so proud of her character and hard work!
We got hot lattes and drove out to Santa Land to ring in the Christmas Season!  This is one of our favorite traditions.  Of course a stop-over at Buc-ees is a new favorite addition to this tradition.
School is officially out for the year!  We made it through the first semester of a pandemic school year!  We've successfully made it while remaining COVID free, as well as no one in our family having to quarantine.  The first semester has brought many challenges and we are happy to have it behind us.  We pray that the next semester will bring health and continued improvement in our pandemic school situations.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Family Christmas Service

The Family Christmas Service is always one of our favorites.  We enjoy the small, intimate celebration of the upcoming Christmas holiday.  We worship in song and scripture with our church family.
It's the perfect way to focus our hearts and minds on the true meaning of Christmas.
Joy to the World, the Lord has Come!

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Christmas Festivities

We are ready to kick off our last week of school for the year!
Our elves brought hand sanitizer...
We were so happy to finally get to attend one of Barrett's Orchestra concerts in-person!
It was a wonderful Christmas concert!
Mad about plaid!
We are counting down to Christmas break!

Sunday, December 6, 2020

This and That

Brynn and her fellow LIT (Leaders In Training) group worked at church to prepare Family Christmas boxes.  They put three days worth of crafts and scripture that lead up to the birth of Jesus.  Families at our church can get a box to use at home as they prepare for Christmas.
The church used the picture below to advertise the boxes.
Brynn has still been loving her horseback riding lessons!
Kaleb go 2nd place for Workmansip.
Good times in the deer stand.
While the big boys are away hunting, Brynn and Kaleb wanted to spend some of their money on new Bernese Mountain Dog puppies.
Baxter is ready for Christmas!