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Hello December!

My brain is barely able to register that we are down to a few weeks left in 2018. The year has really flown by. It's been a WONDERFUL year. I've been blessed with such amazing experiences and am happy to be closing out the year on a high note.

Our November seemed like it happened in the blink of an eye: Parker received honorable mention in the One-Act play and started trapping. Pryce started basketball and played in her first junior high game. Pake had hand surgery to remove two tumors.

We enjoyed a FUN Thanksgiving with our sweet family! It is always a lot of fun to spend time in the "north country." Thanksgiving Day was absolutely gorgeous this year. We drove down to the river, listened to the water and enjoyed the sunshine. Later, we dined on delicious ham, filled our bellies to the brim and then took a glorious (and needed nap!) We got to visit with my Aunt Patty, Uncle Neri and sweet cousins! It was such a fun, relaxing weekend, exactly the kind I always hope to have.

Though the month is just starting, there's already a ton of to-do's and events lining up. Every day has something going on so knowing this means that a lot of my project work either is done in small steps or tabled until a more supportive time.

I've been working and reworking my intentions and long-range targets. 2018's word of the year was GROWTH. I feel that I've integrated those lessons and I can feel that I have grown, both personally and professionally. I started the year out as a single mom, by March I was engaged and in June I got married! It's been a fantastic experience of growth, learning and communication. {To be clear, our communication skills were already solid before we got married. Living distantly has required us to continue to develop them!} There is a level of growth when the brain goes from an individual perspective to a partnership mentality. That's a bit different than how I've operated before, and one that has required me to look at my own habits/patterns and tendencies. Thankfully, I have a partner who is very tuned-in, patient and keeps me laughing.

Growth is seldom a "walk in the park." To really grow, we have to be willing to endure some discomfort and not knowing just how things are going to work out. Opening more deeply into my personal truth, allowing myself to be vulnerable, and admitting aloud that I really don't know the answer, have been growth steps for me. I've embraced and welcomed imperfection, not waiting for things to be "just right," rather I'm choosing to enjoy what and who is here, right now. I won't say I am content with how everything is in my life. I can say I am grateful for what I've been given this year.

I'm leaning into my 2019 Word of the Year. I have a pretty clear idea of what it will be and I'll be writing about it soon. I'm reflecting on what's come through, what I've learned and integrated and the direction I'll set my inner compass on next. This is a great article on selecting a Guiding Word. To expand ideas for word selections, check out this site One Word.

Have you picked a word of the year? (Or has a guiding word picked you?!)
If so, feel free to share in the comment section below.

Here are some of our November Highlights:

walking down to the river

Pryce loves having Aunt Patty braid her hair

unwraping the stitches

The "corn sarcophagus"

A new "lid" for working cattle

El hombres

Adorable Miss Presley

Wylie, demonstrating the art of eating carrots

"Twinning!"

Drippy, grew clouds on my walk
Pryce playing in her 1st junior high basketball game


Parker, as "Tim" in "Gossip"





Adding filters to brighten up crappy snow scene




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