church

The Time Between

We’re in the week between Christmas and New Year’s and it’s always a happy haze of playing, organizing, and planning for the year ahead.

Monday was a fairly normal day around the Zottola Zoo. Jimmy worked, I worked, homeschooled Sadie, and us girls went on a coffee and cake pop date 🙂

Mom and toddler with Starbucks

Toddler sitting in back of car with milk

We may not be able to go in coffee shops to hang out, but we can still have special time together in the parking lot. These little moments are my favorite ❤

I started a new Bible study on the book of Hebrews and it’s proving to be very enlightening. Hebrews is one of those books that’s deep and sometimes hard for me to grasp everything going on in it, so I’m excited to be learning more.

I met the author of the study when he visited our church for a revival, so it’s kind of neat to know a bit of his personality and see it come through in his writing.

Hebrews Bible study book and commentary by Jason Cole

Sadie and I have been doing lots of playing so far this week. She was gifted some really fun toys for Christmas. Not going to lie, I’m having just as much fun as her with all the toys 😉

Homeschool has been happening this week because some sense of normalcy is nice! Yesterday Sadie learned about the letter “J” and painted a jaguar.

Abeka homeschool

Another thing that’s been happening this week for me is learning about essential oils. Ever since the melatonin incident, I’ve been so thankful that what she and Niva got into was a natural product and not something super dangerous.

I want to try and have all of our household products (like cleaning, medication, laundry, etc.) be as non-toxic as possible, so I’m working on learning more about essential oils and the role they can play in that!

Also of note: I ordered my 2021 planner and got it in the mail yesterday! Does anyone else just love a fresh new planner? This will be my second year using this planner. I really like that it has a pocket, tear-out shopping lists, and budgeting pages.

How do you feel about the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day?

A Few Favorites

Sharing a few favorites today!

1. We finished our fence extension. There are a few odds and ends left to tie up, but Niva *should* be secure now. Thank you  for all of your hard work, Jimmy ❤

2. An awesome quote. Still loving the Bible study I’m doing during my devotion time. This quote reminded me that the things in life that we most want to hide or forget are often the things God uses to help us grow and help others.

Quote by Luci Swindoll

3. Visiting Jimmy at work. Sadie and I have been loving popping into Jimmy’s workplace work to visit him and his family at least once a week.

4. Christmas and winter-themed books. We have a small collection of Christmas and winter-themed books for Sadie and it has been such a joy to read them to her each day as we enter this special season!

If anyone has recommendations of others to add to our little collection, let me know! We don’t do the whole Santa thing, but we love talking about the birth of Jesus, Christmas, and snow!

Christmas and Winter-Themed Children's Books

5. Homemade dog food. We bought some homemade dog food and treats from a local business for Niva and she loves it all. The owner of the business is actually the wonderful woman who took Mavis in after the incident with Sadie. If anyone is wondering, May May is doing fantastic in her new home and we see her every now and then when we go on walks around the neighborhood 🙂

6. Family. My family got together after church on Sunday and took a photo with all the grand babies (including some still in utero, lol) and I just love it. I can’t remember if I’ve ever mentioned this, but my siblings and I all met our spouses at our church. What a gift from God!

Family Christmas photo

7. Christmas shopping. I l-o-v-e picking out gifts for family and friends for Christmas! I try to put a lot of thought into each gift and take notes all year long. Do you like choosing gifts or does it stress you out?

8. Baking. I picked up a Frozen baking kit so we could make Olaf brownies over the weekend. I even wrapped the kit and gave it to Sadie and she was so pumped. We had a great time in the kitchen together 🙂

Frozen Olaf brownie kit

9. Ladies group. Our church just started a women’s group and I’m very excited to be involved! We had a Bible study last week and it was just what I needed. This week we’re making Christmas cookies and treats. Can’t wait!

10. Little breaks. Our families have been so helpful with Sadie! Jimmy and I have been able to sneak in things like work projects, the aforementioned fence extension, and church duties while knowing Sadie is being cared for, loved, and having a blast with our families.

Grandpa with toddler at Christmas with tree

Tell me a few of your favorites lately!