Hiatus

Hiatus - a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action.

Christmas came and went.  New Years came and went.  It is now January 7th and I guess I needed a break from blogging.  But I've had three people in two days ask if everything is ok, so decided to jump back in.

Yes. we are all good in the Fausey household.  Lauren is still gracing us with her presence and it has been a joy to have her home for three weeks.  She hangs around the house and helps me out with whatever I need.  Jenna (and Matt!) were only home for four days.  Jenna is now working at Victoria's Secret and of course had to be back after Christmas.  I never worked retail, so it is interesting hearing some of her stories.  As we all know, this is VS best time of the year; the Semi Annual sale.  Well, I had no idea what that means for the employees.  She worked Monday night from 6 p.m to 4 a.m. to set up!! This is after working many nights til 2 or 2:30 a.m. folding panties and bras or setting up other displays.  Wow! She said on any given night there could be 10-15 workers in the store after closing.  I think it gets long being on your feet for 8-10 hours, but she doesn't really complain and enjoys the work.  Four months from tomorrow she graduates. I'm hoping she progesses to a real job, although I'm sure she is enjoying that 30% discount right now!

Basketball of course, is in full swing. We've had four games already this week, with one more tomorrow.  We had tourneys over Xmas break, and won them all! We have many more to come, but enjoying each one!  Last night Lauren and I went to the boys' game and Dan went to Natalie's in Bremen.  That ended successfuly and easily, (maybe even boring) but Minster's high school gym was smokin' hot!  The 8th graders played Bremen, and after last years embarrassment, were determined to have a different outcome.  It got off to the same old start and we struggled big time.  The only points we had at half were 3 free throws. Score 11-3. Ugghh! things started to look up in the 3rd quarter and before you know it we were within 8, then 6 then 4! It came down to the final minute and after a call that should have been a technical....(New Bremen had 6 players on the court)...we got the ball back and came within 1.  12 seconds left, we have the ball.  Austin hit a 3 pointer with 1.3 seconds left!  How very awesome! I don't think they were expecting that kind of game!  Very, very exciting.  Jonathan, please though, work on those free throws! (0 for six in last three games!)

Of course, the tree is down, the returns are done, the last of all the Xmas treats and candy gone, but I think Christmas joy kind of lingers at our house.  I realized how much the kids enjoy our traditions.  Christmas Eve meal with us nine.  We set up the dining room with the good china complete with chargers and crystal and actually sit around the table talking and enjoying each other after the best prime rib ever!  This gets talked about all year!!  It is a tradition for everone to make a prediction for the next year.  We even videotape that.  Natalie and Lauren had to do their "John Wall" dance during this special time and it is forever recorded on you tube and Facebook!

We gave Mom and Dad a family picture this year.  Jenna and Lauren came home for one day during that storm the weekend before their finals and we got all 16 of us together in our garage for the best Xmas present ever.  It turned out so beautiful, thanks to Michele!!  But, what was so special, was how excited all of my kids were to see Grandma and Grandpa's faces and reactions when they opened that present!  They couldn't wait!  To be honest, I think that was the highlight of not only mine, but my kids' Christmas.  Now, that says something.....

Yes, my kids all bicker and fight, and sometimes I wonder what I did wrong, but somehow the moments that get remembered are these....the ones that you hope for and want to come alive, but can't force.  These are the ones that last and linger not only for the season but for a lifetime....