The Sugden Kids: 60 Degrees in January!?

Yep! You read right! And tomorrow we're promised 70 degrees!!!! In January!!! Meanwhile Chicago has -4 that feels like -16. Eeeeeek!

I think I'm gonna like it here.... sung in my best Little Orphan Annie voice!

The sunshine and warmth is a dream come true. As is seeing the kids play in their very own back yard!
We've never had our own backyard before. I have many plans for that yard including 2 fuji apple trees (thanks Mom)... a tangerine tree and a meyer lemon tree! I've wanted them since I was a kid!
Next I am building a chicken coop and hen house and letting the kids each pick out a hen!
Fresh eggs, daily! :)
I am also studying up on gardening and anxious to plant some veggies and herbs!

Lofty plans for a gal with her right wrist/hand in a splint! I'm adapting and certainly much more productive than I was a few weeks ago... but feeling handicapped none the less! Jeff took me golfing to Top Golf, and I was doing a little too good. ~~Apparently better than he... according to his co-workers.~~ Opps, did I type that out loud? He didn't like that too much so moved my ball of the rubber tee to the fake turf. I struck the ground so hard it tore the heck out of my hand! Hoping to avoid surgery by wearing this splint for 4-6 weeks first. If it still hurts in another 2 weeks then I'll need an MRI and possibly surgery... Please Lord, NO! I have way too much to do! We're still not even unpacked all the way!

So if I owe you a Birthday, Wedding, Baby card, etc... please forgive my delay! It isn't personal, I'm just handicapped and over run with stuff to do. I will get to it all eventually. The fine motor stuff like pouring juice, cutting sandwiches, turning keys and writing... hurts the worst!

We are also starting our short sell back in IL. with our bank. So. NOT. fun.
But we should have no problem qualifying which is a blessing. Praying it moves quick!

We managed to get the Christmas decorations up in time for the big day. And we just today got them all put away! Mom flew out and stayed with us for two weeks in December and was here for Christmas morning!
She made the day! Thanks Mom for visiting and for all your help with the kids, house and cooking!! We miss you every day and to this day the kids ask if they can sleep in "Grandma's Bed".... the spare bed in the loft.

Also, want to thank Grammy and Gramps for the kids awesome golf clubs! Luckily they play better than their Ma and didn't injure themselves playing! They loved the driver covers, too!

Thanks to my Dad and Karen, and Papa and Grandma and Uncle Mark and Auntie Tricia for all the Christmas funds... and to all the aunties and Uncles for all the fun gifts for the kiddos! They were so excited to play with toys, it's been months that there toys have been packed away and sad to say they are still not unpacked! So Christmas was extra special this year, thanks to our wonderful family! XOXO

Also, a big thanks to Aunty Tricia and Uncle Mark for coming out to IL. for Halloween (yes, I'm that behind) and taking the kids to Wreck It Ralph, they are still talking about it to this day... and swimming, etc... so that I could pack and get ready for the move! Also, Tricia, thank you for turning your fingers black unwrapping what must have been 20 or more newspapers!? You made the packing process so much faster!!

After my Mom left, my best friend of 28 years, Joy came for a visit! It's been 8 years since we've seen each other last as she's been busy touring the world and sharing her gifts! She is on a 3 week visit home then she's back to Nepal to further her projects there! Seriously, the most amazing, talented and beautiful person! I feel blessed to call her my friend!
Seeing as we haven't seen each other in 8 years, it was the first time she got to meet any of my children.
They loved her and vice versa. I have no idea how she did it, because she is tiny... but she managed to strap each of them on to her back and carry them around like they do in Nepal.

She also created endless balloon animals upon request... one of her many talents! :)

The boys are loving their new schools and their teachers are amazing! We really lucked out!
Maddie found my old ballet shoes before the move and took to a quick lesson like a duck to water, so we just got her her very own ballet slippers and dance ensemble. She not only looks A.dorable... but I have to say, I am shocked that at only 3 years old she is a natural and has the posture and placement of a little pro! She is surpassing my abilitys already and so alas I think I'm going to need to find her a class to join here soon...