‘Editor’s Corner’ is a monthly-ish series highlighting what I’m loving, what I’ve been up to, what’s on my mind and more.
1. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We celebrated with both sides of the family and it was great to see and spend time with everyone.
2. We had our family photos taken this month at a local pine tree farm by the wonderful and talented, Aly.
3. Lake has attended three birthday parties within a month’s time. I thought I’d share their locations in case any local parents are interested in or researching party venues. They’ve been at Adventureland Inn (swimming pool), Pump It Up (giant bounce houses, slides and more) and Rainbow of the Heartland (playground equipment in their indoor showroom). She had a blast at all three places!
4. Lots of Christmas/holiday fun was had this month:
- We enjoyed walking around the annual Festival of Trees & Lights. I was partial to the ‘Swiftmas’ tree pictured above.
- I’ve been wanting to check out Exile’s ‘SnowGlobe DSM’ and this year we did. We really did feel as if we were inside a snowglobe with the miles of Christmas lights and holiday music. The girls loved all the festive holiday displays and photo ops.
- The girls visited Santa. Both were a little hesitant at first but it ended up going really well.
5. If you’re looking for a fun Christmas book for kids, this one gets Lake’s vote.
6. The girls get an advent calendar as one of their Christmas gifts. This year Lake chose this one and we went with this one for Etta.
7. I wrote this Christmas Favorites post back in 2021, but it still holds its relevance. Especially number 4. I watch that video every year and still find it hilarious.
8. I thought I loved the Hoka Clifton’s, but over time, they started to bother my Achilles. I have since tried these and so far so good. I find them to be true to size, really comfortable and I love how they go with pretty much everything.
9. We recently made the switch from DirectTV to YouTube TV and so far we have no complaints.
10. I tried Crisp & Green for the first time this month. It opened at the end of September in the Jordan Creek Town Center area in West Des Moines. It’s no sweetgreen (I love that place so much), but it’s so nice to have more healthy fast casual restaurant options in the area.
11. Here’s Why We All Need To Pay Attention To Pamela Anderson
12. This video (along with some of the comments) definitely made me laugh.
13. I love this “Out of the Woods”/”Is It Over Now?” mash-up Taylor performed this month. Also, how cool is this Taylor-inspired pie and this festive light display?
14. And lastly, ONE GOOD QUOTE:
Lawyer Julie Yip-Williams, who was born blind, on the paradoxes of life:
“I do not have the answer to the question of why, at least not now and not in this life. But I do know that there is incredible value in pain and suffering, if you allow yourself to experience it, to cry, to feel sorrow and grief, to hurt. Walk through the fire and you will emerge on the other end, whole and stronger. I promise. You will ultimately find truth and beauty and wisdom and peace. You will understand that nothing lasts forever, not pain, or joy. You will understand that joy cannot exist without sadness. Relief cannot exist without pain. Compassion cannot exist without cruelty. Courage cannot exist without fear. Hope cannot exist without despair. Wisdom cannot exist without suffering. Gratitude cannot exist without deprivation. Paradoxes abound in this life. Living is an exercise in navigating within them.
I was deprived of sight. And yet, that single unfortunate physical condition changed me for the better. Instead of leaving me wallowing in self-pity, it made me more ambitious. It made me more resourceful. It made me smarter. It taught me to ask for help, to not be ashamed of my physical shortcoming. It forced me to be honest with myself and my limitations, and eventually to be honest with others. It taught me strength and resilience.”
-JULIE YIP-WILLIAMS, A Dying Mother’s Letter to Her Daughters
Hope you have a magical and memorable December!
-Jolene
P.S. – ICYMI this month:
Family Photos 2023
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*Click HERE to read past Editor’s Corner posts.
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