Friday Favorites, 12.19.2025.

 

Happy Friday, friends! It's been a week; all of us at school are limping into the weekend like we've been around sugared up elementary school kids all week. Oh, wait; we have! I have a lot to catch you up on, so I'm going to jump right in, starting from last weekend.

I enjoyed reading for the first time in ages on Saturday morning! It was heavenly not having anywhere to be that morning. I got dressed after that and headed out to meet my mom and Trish for a day out together. 

We had breakfast at my favorite place, then we went to John Mark's so that I could see the holiday goods he has out in the shop. It's stunning! 

We ended our time together by stopping to see Dad's grave. I love it when the Christmas wreaths are out! This is one his wife put out, but I think it looks beautiful. 

I love spending my birthday with Mom! After this I came home to relax before having to be at church that night. Sunday was more of the same. 

I enjoyed a leisurely birthday morning spent drinking coffee, reading the many beautiful cards I received, and writing in my journal. I felt a little sad that day; I think it was discernment that something seemed off. 

I wore my birthday top to church that morning! It's my favorite Umgee boutique top from a few years ago. I met Mom and Bill for lunch after church, then came home for a nap before heading back to the church that night. In the midst of all that, Chris came over and showered me with birthday love. 

Monday was Grinch day at school, so I dressed in tacky clothing to celebrate. It's a favorite thing to have such a fun job! This week was a lot at school, but it really has been a blast. 

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Freezing in the car line that morning was not my favorite, but...

...having a coffee truck at work was! 

My sister Lisa calls this activity "taking to the bed". It's become my favorite thing to do at night lately, and it's what I did Monday night. I barely slept a wink the night before, so I was beat. This was around eight o'clock; I read blogs, I shopped on Amazon for Christmas, and then I talked on the phone a lot before finally calling it a night. 

It was a favorite this week seeing what the naughty elves at school were up to each day. This was one day when 67 was posted all over the walls of the school. 

It was a tacky but favorite week of dressing at work. Yesterday I wore the brown leggings with the sweatshirt that says Jenny Lake. Debi bought me this for my birthday, when she was in Wyoming this fall. She's the only person in the world who's allowed to call me Jenny, and that's why she bought it for me. 

Something else that wasn't a favorite this week was Chloe being attacked by another dog. Our neighbor's dog bit her front paw Wednesday afternoon and just about tore off one of her "toes". Jonah had to rush her to the Vet after hours so they could stitch her up; they had to sedate her to do be able to do this, and sent her home with this cast and lots of medicines since she was bitten. I can never unsee this! Poor baby girl; blood was everywhere, and we're all traumatized. 

One last favorite was hanging with my sons last weekend and Wednesday night. Drew and I did some Christmas shopping Wednesday night since I didn't have church, then we ended at the usual Rotolo's where he devoured his calzone and half of mine, plus an entire order of truffle fries. He loves food! 

I wasn't ready to go home after choir on Friday night, so after a failed attempt to get ahold of Kendra, when I talked to Jonah, he invited me up to where he was hanging out with friends. It was such a fun night! They bought me birthday drinks, then we had fun dancing a little. I cracked up over Jonah being out on the dance floor; turns out he's the life of the party once he's had a drink or two, and he can dance! Also, he willingly posed for pictures for me for the same reason. Graham joined us, and I made it back home by eleven. It was such a fun night, and I had one of those moments of awe when I realized how much I love hanging out with my grown-up sons. They're pretty amazing! 

As far as the start of my week, it was rough. I was glad to feel better with each passing day, but it was touch and go for a while. I learned some shocking news late Sunday night: my ex-husband is marrying the woman he left me for. I shouldn't have been so surprised, because I saw it coming and it's why I got rid of his name ASAP in my divorce; I knew that if he married her, there would have been a second Jennifer Goodwin (her name is Jennifer). I'm so thankful I did that, in hindsight! I didn't love finding out the way I did, and on my birthday no less, but it is what it is. I've always been an open book here, you know that. This is why my week started so badly. I said some things about this to him, let off some steam, and then I felt better with each passing day. 

All that to day, it's been a week, and I am more than ready for winter break! I need a break from everything: life, work, responsibilities, etc. Unfortunately I'll only get a break from work, but I'll take that with much gratitude. I am so ready for time with my family and some fun things that we'll do once we're all together. 

What's a favorite of yours from the week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn