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Full disclosure: I don't feel like blogging. But life is an almost-predictable roller coaster ride and over the last near-decade I have ceased blogging in some low moments, kind of like a protest of sorts.

And I regret it. Because always, even in the lows, there are beautiful moments of life. Everyday, small, passing, seemingly forgettable things that deserve to be memories. Splashes of color in the bleakness of that section of timeline.

So here it is, even amid the low. The last two months of nothing terribly special. Except the gift of life.

Trey made it six months with glasses intact. A game of football catch with Daddy did in the first pair. Three weeks later, a practice with Daddy's basketball team did in the second.

What outdoor fun at Nana and Granddad's house looks like. The riding mower is by far their most expensive toy.

Took photos of the boys in such an amazingly beautiful place this year. Couldn't leave without capturing a few photos without cute boys in them.

And this is at our house. When I consider the work of His hands, who am I that He should care for me?

Pirate night at Awana, where Dad went all out. Love this so much.

We had a super moon in November and won't see another for decades. Breathtaking. Zoomed in with the camera and it felt like looking through a telescope.

Trey's class performance for the year at school. He played the ukelele. Y'all, this is the first performance he's ever actually stood visibly onstage for. This has been such a difficult journey from Kindergarten until now. When the performance was over, the principal, who has been by Trey's and my side through this whole thing wrapped me in a hug, both of us choked up and praising the Lord. God is working on our Trey.

Isaiah and Noah came over for some play time before the holidays, and all four boys had such a great time together. Love our tight-knit community and friends.

The thankful turkey (or thankful chicken as Aden calls him) reappeared this year, and the boys had fun filling him up with all they love, including of course Sharpies and cheese. So much to be thankful for.

Decorating was about a three-week process, and minimal at that. Aden insisted that the tree go up, ornaments and all, ten days before Thanksgiving. So it did. The music has been blaring, the gifts have been rolling in, I've been cooking all manner of sugar-laden treats. And I'm waiting for it to feel like Christmas. Because I haven't felt it in a very, very long time.

And this is what God has given me to study here at the end of this year. This year where I picked "restore" as my one word. He is so faithful and kind and beyond good to me, in more ways than I could ever express. I'm not going to end this year restored. But He is restoring. And I praise His name.