On this Christmas Eve of 2016

I sit and  reflect of what the past year has seen

Many highs and lows all along the way

Yet we managed to make it through the endless days

It’s not always easy, we were not promised that

But we are never alone, that is the only fact.

My oldest son AJ had to move back home

Due to his psycho ex’s true colors really being shown

He had a setback , but is now where he should be

Living with his parents, keeping me company.

I love having my kids all under one roof

Even though at times we have to  all call a truce.

Then there is Vinnie who can be a challenge at times,

He does nothing for free, always trying to make a dime.

Football is his passion, what matters most to him

even on the days when his grades are a bit grim.

A good head on his shoulders he will go places in life

I just need to get through these teen years without pulling  a knife.

Gracie is headstrong with a strong bit of sass

If you cross her on the wrong day she may just kick your ass.

She loves her minecraft, and drawing as well

If you interupt her alone time, she will tell you to go to hell

She overcame her struggles with minimal fight

To know her is to love her, she makes everything seem right.

Sofia, my minnie me, so full of compassion

has many times left me asking her “How exactly did this happen?”

She loves her cats and loves her food

Nothing like McDonalds to put her in a good mood.

The emotional one, who always tries

I am telling you this kid, she has nine lives

Then we have Joe who is  “living the dream”

Puts in his hours, coming  home to a queen.

He never asks for much, is content as can be

as long as you don’t walk in front of his  precious tv

Our first goal for the new year in 2017

is to buy a house and a dog, and everything in between.

I am still the same, still chugging along

some days you will find me singing my song

to the tune of some cats, and the GIANTS too

Here’s hoping for a playoff spot, what more can we do?!

Writing is where my passion always lays

it is where you will find me on the not so good days.

If you are bored and find yourself wanting to do some stalking,

Come on over and find me at Vodka Calling.

To all who is reading this, here is my wish for you

Health and happiness, to last the year through.

I thank you for being a part of my life

Whether in person or facebook, it is all quite nice.

So gather your loved ones, and hug them tight

Merry Christmas to all

and to all a good night.

~Jennifer

 

2016 was a good year for us.

The only downfall was the loss of our cat, Princess.

She was with us for all of ten years,

the day she left us we were all in tears.

Thank God the good parts outweighed the bad,

a lot of laughs and fun we had.

We took a few trips here and there,

on our camping trip I think I even heard a bear!

Kaidon decided to try a new sport,

he traded in running down the football field to bouncing the ball down the court.

Overtime he got better and better,

if he continues to improve he will surely get a letter.

Although his sports changed, his quirky sense of humor stayed the same.

He enjoys playing tricks on me and his sister, she’s always running after him and yelling his name!

His report card is all A’s and B’s,

his teacher even tells me “what good work she sees”.

On his off-time you can find him in front of his video game,

I try to play a game with him every now and then, only for him to tell me “Mom, you’re so lame!”

Kharizma has continued her love of volleyball this year,

I enjoy sitting on the hard bleachers and making sure she hears me cheer.

Make-up has become one of her main passions,

she even has become very “knowledgeable” about the latest fashions.

She spends her free-time with her friends

and they enjoy hanging out chatting about the latest trends.

She is now about 3 inches taller than me,

which comes in handy when we have to put the star on top of the tree.

She enjoys debating with Jason and me, she even went on a rampage when Trump got elected…all I heard was “I’m moving out of the country!”

As for Jason, work keeps him really busy.

From what he tells me, being an engineer sounds like it could make me mathematically dizzy.

Numbers and equations is what he does all day,

no wonder he acts like his brain is a fray.

He tries his hand at poker every now then, let’s just say the aces don’t usually end up in his hand.

He coaches the kids’ sports every once in a while,

until he broke his hand trying to run a mile.

I try to tell him “your army days are done”

but he doesn’t listen and insists on trying to do everything he did when he was 21.

I had many exciting things happen for me in 2016.

My good friend Jen and I started writing a blog together called “Vodkacalling”.

On the phone, you can find Jen and me late into the night,

trying to make sure our blogs are “just right”.

Our crazy ideas add up one by one,

but some day we know our book will make it to New York Best Seller #1.

I spend my days in college classes,

where I learn Math and English with the younger masses.

I sometimes look around at the kids who are 20 and 21,

I remember that age, even it was back in 2001.

My kids keep me busy and completely drained,

the closer they get to teenagers I fear I will be declared legally insane.

My cat Daisy keeps me company when everyone is out,

believe it or not, when she hears me open a tuna can she begins to shout!

Before I forget, I have to mention my Seattle Seahawks team,

this year I just know we will be wearing that SUPERBOWL RING!

2016 was good year for us and I hope it was for you too!

2017 will be even better … don’t forget to celebrate the NEW YEAR with a glass of coke and maybe splash of vodka too!

~Christin