Thankful Tuesday

1. Nadia began an ASL class via Zoom through the library on January 14. I had previously taught the kids some ASL so much of what the librarian covered was a review for Nadia.

2. Paul and the kids went skiing at Elk Mountain on January 19. We planned to go skiing at Elk Mountain in January in 2017, 2018, and 2019, but the first time any of us went there was in January 2020. I took the kids. The reason Paul didn't go last year and none of us went the other three years was because it was held the week before Paul usually attends a trade show in Baltimore. We've had a WVIA membership (PBS station) the last several years because it enables us to go skiing twice a year for free, attend Knoebels once a year for free, Montage water park once a year for free, etc. Last year due to COVID-19 most of the events were cancelled, but since the skiing dates are held in January and February each year, they took place before the lockdown started in March. I didn't go skiing this year because of Milo. Paul and the kids left the house around 6:00am and didn't get home until after 7:30pm. Nadia and Ian have gone skiing a total of six times - four times at Ski Sawmill (one hour from our house) and twice at Elk Mountain (two hours from our house). Oliver has skied four times (twice at each place). All five of  us have skied together two times - at Ski Sawmill in 2019 and 2020. Paul had taken Nadia and Ian skiing in 2018 while Oliver was recovering from a fractured skull, but the ski trip last week was the first time he took all three kids skiing by himself. I thought all five of us would go skiing together next month at Ski Sawmill, but due to COVID-19, WVIA won't be having their annual ski day at that resort. Since it's an outdoor sport and when you are skiing you naturally want to stay six feet apart from each other to avoid your skis from getting tangled up, I'm not sure why COVID-19 would put an end to a day of skiing outdoors. The good news is that the kids had a great time skiing, and because we had renewed our WVIA membership last January, we actually got three free days of skiing from one year of membership. I thought we'd have to renew before Elk Mountain, but they gave us free lift tickets and rentals again based on what we paid a year ago. 

3. January 20 was Ian's spiritual birthday. Nadia and I made chocolate chip pancakes and bacon for his birthday dinner. On Sunday I bought him the latest Imagination Station book for his birthday gift. I got glazed donuts from the grocery store. I'm very thankful he's made a profession of faith, and I pray that he will draw closer to the Lord in the years to come.

4. The day Paul and the kids were skiing, Ken finished the master bathroom project. I painted the bathroom on Saturday. I haven't used the shower yet because Paul wants to spackle a tiny bit more in a few places first, but there aren't any power tools in our bathroom for the first time in years. Paul started the project 4 years and 9 months ago so I'm very, very glad it's done (or almost done in Paul's eyes). 

5. On Sunday afternoon we played Ticket to Ride for the first time. I had given the game to Paul for his birthday on January 3. I wish we had a routine for playing games more regularly, but I'm thankful when we do get around to playing a board game together.

6. Paul's mom was in the hospital from January 3 through January 21. We're very thankful she's back at home and hoping the procedures that were completed on her heart will prove to be helpful. 

7. Margie is recovering from her first chemo treatment, and she's very relieved that the oncologist decided she wouldn't have any more treatments given all she had to endure following her first treatment. We're praying one treatment was enough to eradicate the cancer. 

8. I enjoyed  lengthy phone conversation with Yvonne on her birthday (January 21) and with two of my friends on January 19 while I was  home alone with Milo. 

9. Milo had his second vet appointment last week as he needed a booster shot for one of the vaccines he got last month. He gained 1.5 pounds in a month as he now weighs over 6 pounds. He's learned the commands "sit" and "down." We're working on "take it" and "leave it." He has NO problem taking it, but hasn't a clue about "leave it." He has his second session of puppy kindergarten this afternoon. He's averaging one accident a day. He's more accepting of spending time in his crate. He still tries to eat a myriad of things he shouldn't eat such as the rubber floor mat. 

10. We've tried 100 new foods over the past five months! The most recent one that we really liked was Anzac biscuits, which is an Australian type of cookie that I definitely plan to make again. Since today is Australia Day, I'm planning to make three new Australian recipes later today (#101-103) - meat pies, damper (bread), and lamingtons (dessert). Not every new food has been well received, but usually at least one or two of us have liked the food so that not too much food has been wasted along the way. Oliver really liked the honey joys (Australian) and Pani popo (Samoan sweet bread recipe).