December 2020 part one

Kicked off December by wearing a Grinch sweater so people would really know my stance on things ;).

December 1st also means the start of Light the World!!

Instagram caption:

Day 1 of #LightTheWorld and not to flex on all y’all too much but we remembered to read the prompt AND we actually did the thing 💁🏻‍♀️ so I guess we’re batting 💯. 

Boys and Girls Club of Nampa has saved our hides this school year- it’s incredible to know that my little kiddos are safe and making awesome art projects 🎨 and (mostly) getting school work done 💻 and being loved 🧡 and having dance parties 💃🏻and playing games 🏀🏐🧩getting social interaction while still social distancing😷. The fact that they’re at in my school building is the ultimate cherry on top of convenience and awesomeness and is why I’m only somewhat late to work every day instead of verrrrry late 😅.

We sent a monetary donation their way and if your pocketbook could use some lightening, feel free to do the same. 💳💸

December also means we were back to fully remote learning. Brought my kids to East a lot - little kids went to Boys and Girls Club, Will holed up in the library and he and I had teams meetings so I could make sure he was on task haha:

The wrestling coaches at Columbia did such a great job of continuing during covid by being creative and resourceful - like this schedule of when Clyde and the other athletes were able to work out and practice. The team was put into cohorts to minimize exposure.

Shocked that Clyde didn't want to take a picture with his mom.

December 2nd's Light the World was "hero highlight":

Instagram caption: Jesus Christ fills so many roles for each of us: Savior, advocate, comforter. One of my favorites to focus on is older brother - that He genuinely cares for each of us as a brother or sister and it’s that kind of love that I see glimpses of in Clyde’s relationship with Will. 

Clyde prides himself in being the stereotypical oldest brother: physically dominant and ‘in charge’ (aka bossy). But mixed in with that are tender moments where I watch Clyde take on extra burdens to ease Will’s. I see him run interference in situations that are new or different for Will. I’ve heard his panic when Will gets hurt. I’ve calmed him down when he wants to avenge any perceived or actual mistreatment, judgment, or unkind words. 

I never want any of my kids to feel like I put them on a pedestal or have unrealistic expectations of them. Clyde will continue to tease and wrestle until someone gets hurt, and give orders when he’s left home in charge... but I hope he also continues to show Christlike love, protection, and friendship to his younger brother. #LightTheWorld

Some instagram content that really spoke to me:

but seriously, I always worry that people my children associate with will think I'm in need of help because I'm sure my kids randomly reference the fact that I'm in bed all the time. IT'S JUST SO COZY AND CONVENIENT.

Okay I feel this exact same way:

And this one made me laugh not just because it's my kid's name ;).

Nor sure why this picture exists but here ya go:

Speaking of which - yessss.

Instagram caption: I don’t like surprises. I like to know what happened and what’s going to happen and why. I don’t like when things are kept from me. I like all of the information. I like to verify things for myself. I look over my shoulder when I’m driving... and also when I’m the passenger... because the idea of being ‘blind-sided’ in any situation is unacceptable. I look everything up and then screenshot it for quick reference. Being caught off guard? Not a fan. 

I don’t like change. I like consistency and predictability and comfort. If things stay the same, I know what to expect.

All this to say that peace can be elusive when these are the requirements, but I’ve mostly come to a place where I’m okay not seeing the whole distant scene and God is so good about lighting the step ahead as He leads me and allowing me to feel peaceful confirmation that He is there before I take the step.

#LightTheWorld

Pondered this for a bit.

Remote learning... always a challenge. The kids stayed home a lot on Chuck's days off so he could be around to help out - and take cute pictures of them working/ not working:

I took a picture of a quick break lying on the floor at work. 

gingerbread houses at boys and girls club though!

Cousins came to town, hurray:

Reading books, arts and crafts:

Playing with camera filters on the phone and dying laughing:

Screentime, reading time, wrestling time...

Piano time!

And finding my camera roll full of hilarious pictures haha.

THIS:

Someday I will find someone who agrees with me that Loman looks like Tall Guy aka Cody from Dude Perfect. I think it helps that the first like six months I knew Ryker I never saw his whole face without a mask, so his defining feature was the eyebrows that definitely match.

Jack found a cozy spot at East to get some work done:

Another random work selfie!

Sometimes I remind my kids they can't do whatever they want at my work... sometimes I just say go for it.

YEP YEP YEP. 

So one day we were watching Dude Perfect Overtime, as we do, and Garrett had to spin the wheel for Wheel Unfortunate and it landed on the elusive.... "Get a Cat". At some point during the segment, I looked at Chuck... and Chuck looked at me... and our "no pets ever" hearts softened?

... which led us to craigslist....

... which led us to this moment: getting a cat:

CUTEST KITTEN EVER.

To say that the children were shocked and delighted and amazed and so so happy... would be a general understatement:

Oh, we paused the kitten love fest to go get a Christmas tree real quick:

... and then quickly returned to kitten love fest:

She definitely made an appearance in multiple Teams meetings the next day haha:

I have no recollection of why Carma got some sort of milkshake? Which probably means it was an outing with Chuck.

More kitten content:

OH quick family picture in pajama onesies.

Making her social media debut:

Instagram caption: There’s a new girlie in Chuck’s life 😻😻😻

Push for Gold - wresting fundraiser where the kids literally push trucks around the track. Donors can contribute a certain dollar amount that then removes a corresponding amount of weight out of the back of a specific truck. Super cool, also super cold.

There's Clyde in the red sweatshirt.

Better picture of him here - accidentally twinning with his MOM! We even went to Walmart like this. He was super excited.

More (what else?) kitten content:

Love this cute grumpy high schooler.

Sunday afternoon wrestling.

Sunday evening games with Grandma.

My family keeps trying to talk me into watching all the Marvel movies since I've only seen like three. This is part of why I'm hesitant:

How did we manage to find the cutest kitten ever?

This is day two of having her I think - we kept her just in the den initially so she could acclimate to the new household and people:

Chuck's long covid hair though:

A day that will live in infamy - I taught my kids how to play SET.

Carma and Clyde declined to play.

SET is my favorite game ever. It's so weirdly complicated and confusing but once it clicks it's freaking addictive and so fun.

Attempted a kitten photo shoot:

Instagram caption: Official introduction and PSA that kittens are just about as difficult to photograph as children 😭😹: Say hello to our new sweet kitty cat Mando 💕💜💕. The Izatts are officially pet people after all, and all six of us are pretty in love with this sweet girl. Full name — after a heated, lengthy family meeting/debate — is Mando Garrett Izatt. If you can guess the inspiration for her first name, you probably watch the same Disney+ content as our family. If you can guess the inspiration for her middle name, you probably watch the same YouTube content as our family. If you think cats shouldn’t have last names, you have allies in Chuck, Clyde, and Carma but the more persistent family members won that one 🤗. Fingers crossed that this will put an end to Carma’s incessant and VERY futile pleas for a baby brother or sister 🤞🏼🙏🏼😹

We just love Mando Garrett Izatt!!!

One of these days Carma will outgrow being snuggled at night. That day is not today.

Girls night - I'm guessing we forgot to do a picture with everyone?

This year we did an ornament exchange and Emily gave me this and I'm obsessed.

The joy that interactions with Ryker and Jason bring me... we just have so much fun.

My boss loves me... he just hates to admit how much and how good I actually am at my job ;).

Ha, had a teams meeting with a student and she said her older sister didn't believe that we were besties so obviously I had to verify the info:

Willy boy came in for a visit and a spin on the ol' treadmill!

Christmas treats from Loman!

Mando curled up with the Santa hats?? I mean, come on.

Oh this cute girlie:

How we feel about Clyde - so cool that he knows everything and doesn't need any advice or guidance or direction from his parents ;).

Speaking of parents, I highlighted mine for another Light the World post:

Instagram caption: As a teenager I was divinely instructed to tell my parents often of my love and gratitude for them; I’m sure I haven’t done it nearly enough but here’s a quick effort to catch up ;). 

Something I admire about my dad is the value he places on extended family. I’ve watched the honor and respect he showed for his parents and still shows for his aunts and uncles and cousins, siblings, nieces, and nephews, especially over the last few years as I’ve been able to attend family events with him. He always has a relevant memory or story and makes sure the person he’s talking to has his attention and feels seen and heard. I love telling extended family members that I’m Cory’s daughter. He has set such a powerful example of respecting our elders in family settings and ensuring their comfort and well-being. I appreciate the pictures and stories he shares from our family history 🧡. (Also dad if you still have that t-shirt, I want it! Super cute and retro ;) ).



This picture of me and my mama makes me laugh- she is poised and darling with those curls and that cute sweater and I look semi unpleasant and uncooperative 😅. My mom has always been the biggest fan of each of her children. She loves us and also genuinely likes us - and did even when we were grumpy, inconsiderate teenagers and even now that we’re busy, inconsiderate adults. I have watched her patiently wait out my bad moods and be ready to embrace me afterwards bearing no grudge. She is the epitome of maintaining hope and believing in the power of change and redemption and second chances. She set the example for me to follow in working with middle schoolers- to approach that age group with love and humor and compassion instead of disdain or judgment. I’m lucky to be a recipient of her love and friendship 🧡. 

Thanks for everything, mom and dad. Love you both so much. #LighttheWorld

k, stay tuned for the second half of December....