Happy New Year from the Eddy Family! 

As we say goodbye to 2024, we can't help but reflect on all of the growth and healing that has come through so many experiences this past year.

Jason Eddy

Jason started a job at Food Lion in August and is loving it. 

When at home, Jason loves making delicious meals for the family. This year he’s had a blast experimenting with Asian cuisine. 

At church Jason serves as Young Men’s Advisor to the Priests, spending lots of time with Dinomite, Bulldozer, and friends.

Jason is having "fun" adjusting to the life of a middle aged man spending time in physical therapy for his shoulder and knee, and being diagnosed with sleep apnea.

 

Renae Eddy

Renae continues running her online business, Every Star Is Different, supporting Montessori educators and families with developmental, emotional, and trauma-based disabilities. 

She also continues to homeschool Dinomite, Bulldozer, and Princess. 

In January 2025, Renae is reopening her music studio! 

She is currently accepting students ages 5 and up for piano and voice lessons. 

After surgery on her vocal cords in 2023, followed by a year of vocal rest (no singing and only speaking quietly), Renae's voice has healed. 

The doctors have said she may never have the vocal range she had before, but she can sing again!

The year 2024 has provided many medical answers for Renae. 

Thanks to Dinomite, Renae and her doctors now understands many of her physical struggles (including her vocal cords and chronic inflammation), are a result of Ehler's Danlos Syndrome (a genetic connective tissue disorder).

A colonoscopy and endoscopy showed Renae also has a 4 cm hernia in her diaphragm which is causing severe reflux and breathing issues. 

Inflammation in the gut due to struggles with gluten was also noted.

Biopsies and bloodwork confirmed hemochromatosis (a genetic blood disorder related to iron absorption). This has perplexed doctors as Renae has struggled with chronic anemia for years.

 

Renae now refrains from all gluten and mammal products. She also follows a reflux friendly diet.

Big changes in diet and exercise are making a huge difference for Renae!

She has slimmed down two pant sizes and her hair is starting to grow, which is pretty crazy! Lol.

"Dinomite" Eddy

Dinomite, 17, spent 8 months in physical therapy this year because his joints, particularly his shoulders, kept dislocating. 

A geneticist confirmed that Dinomite meets criteria for Hypermobile Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome (EDS). 

The doctor and Dinomite chose to go with the diagnosis of Benign Hypermobility to avoid future medical and insurance discrimination.

Dinomite still follows all the protocol for EDS which includes following a gluten free, lactose free, low sugar, and no processed meats diet, paired with constant cardio and strength training to keep his body together.

Despite hypermobility challenges, Dinomite became lifeguard and CPR certified this summer. 

He participates on swim team, coming home with 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place ribbons from swim meets. 

Dinomite helps coach both middle school and elementary school swim teams. 

His goal for 2025 is to become a certified scuba diver and study photography, to work towards his career choice of becoming an underwater film and photographer (think Shark Week). 

At church, Dinomite serves as Priest Quorum’s 1^st Assistant. 

Dinomite also attends early morning seminary. 

When he has down time, Dinomite loves following and watching his favorite sports teams.

 

"Bulldozer" Eddy

Bulldozer, 16, decided to join the Blue Forest Theater Academy (BFTA), and was cast in his first musical Hadestown this fall. 

Theater matches well with Bulldozer’s passion for cinema. 

He loves acting, singing, and dancing, and has found his tribe.

In 2025 Bulldozer plans to take voice lessons, dance lessons, and participate in all the BFTA shows. 

When not at theater rehearsal, Bulldozer enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, including being her date to homecoming and all other occasions. 

Bulldozer attends early morning seminary on weekdays. 

He also loves following and watching sports with his brother.

 

"Princess" Eddy

Princess, 15, continues to be very passionate about writing and drawing. 

She also enjoys puzzles, LEGO, and all things Marvel. 

Princess has decided she wants to become a surgeon and is focusing on studying all she can to prepare for the future. 

This year has been a huge year for Princess socially. 

She attends early morning seminary and other church activities, is developing many friendships, and has been asked out on her first date.

 

"Sunshine" Eddy

Sunshine, 13, continues to reside in her fifth residential placement due to severe mental illness that jeopardizes the safety of our family. 

We are thankful for a year of consistency in treatment and the healing it has provided for our family.

 Our prayer is that it is possible for Sunshine to heal and someday be safe with her family again. 

Until then, we continue to support her in her treatment. 

Our favorite interactions with Sunshine have been weekly letters we write back and forth to each other with the help of her therapist as well as monthly visits and passes.

Sunshine passions include Hello Kitty and Friends, mermaids, unicorns and other mythical creatures, as well as Burger King.

The highlight of the year for our family was our Christmas vacation to Washington D.C. 

We were able to watch NFL and NHL games, visit museums, take tours of the White House and Capital Building, and meet with our congressman and his staff.

 

Here’s to a Happy New Year in 2025!

Love,

The Eddy Family

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 Are you looking for gift ideas for a 15 year old girl in your life?

Our daughter Princess is 15 this year.

She seems extremely easy to buy for but finding variety is the biggest challenge.

Many of you know we give the 12 gifts of Christmas.

Here is what she's receiving for Christmas this year!

Gift Ideas for 15 Year Old Girls

Sports Attire

Princess has two older brothers who have educated her in the world of sports. 

She has her own favorite teams for every professional and college sport, and she follows her teams.

When it's fantasy football season, she has her own team competing against her brothers and parents.

Like her brothers, Princess enjoys wearing sports attire to show pride and excitement for her teams.

She will love the addition to her sports attire collection this Christmas!

Macaron Silicone Baking Kit and Book

Princess loves to bake. Her favorite cookie is the macaron.

Unfortunately the macaron is a cookie she's never been able to bake.

This year she's receiving all she needs to make macarons successfully by herself.

The cookbook and baking set are going to be a huge hit!

Watch

Though we live in an age when everyone has cell phones, my kids, including Princess, have learned that it's also important to have a watch.

This is especially true in situations where it's not appropriate to pull out a cell phone.

Princess has been begging for a watch for some time. 

I'm excited to give her own with options to switch out bands when she wants to.

Movie

Princess loves movies, especially romantic comedies and silly action movies. 

Each Friday night we watch a movie as a family. 

Due to living in the middle of no where, Wifi isn't available, so we still enjoy DVD and blu-ray discs.

This movie will be a great one to add to our collection. All of us enjoyed the first installment.

Puzzle

Princess loves puzzles. 

They keep her hands busy and her brain occupied.

She's found great comfort in puzzles and often uses them as a coping strategy when anxious or working through past trauma.

At this time she likes 1000 piece puzzles as they provide just the amount of challenge she enjoys.

LEGO Friends Set

Princess has always loved LEGO Friends sets. She has collected them since she was little.

I've learned that my kids don't grow out of LEGO when they become teenagers. 

If anything, they enjoy LEGO even more.

This year Princess will be receiving a fun addition to her collection that goes along with sets she already has.

Marvel Trivia Pursuit Board Game

I have never met a girl who loves the Marvel movies as much as Princess does. She is so passionate about them.

Princess has watched every movie and every TV series, looking for as many Easter eggs as she can along the way.

I'm excited for her to enjoy this game with siblings as it will test all of the knowledge she's gained about one of her favorite topics. 

This will most likely be played with friends as well.

Backpack Cooler, Containers, and Water Bottle

We are a busy family on the go most weeknights and weekends.

Eating meals at home together is a luxury at this phase of life.

Instead our teens are packing meals to eat as they go between activities they're involved in.

Princess is no exception.

I'm excited to provide a cooler that's large enough to fit multiple meals and snacks.

An extra water bottle is always a bonus!

10 Gallon Fish Aquarium with Accessories

Princess has been envious of her older brother's fish tank for some time and has wanted one of her own.

This year she'll be receiving that fish tank with all the accessories.

I'm super excited for Princess to enjoy this gift as it will provide her opportunities to care for other living things and practice being responsible.

Caring for fish is her "experience" gift this year, as it will be ongoing.

Her older brother's fish keep having babies. He's very excited to give her fish as soon as her tank is ready.

Winter Outfit

It's tradition in our home that everyone receives a new outfit for Christmas.

My kids love receiving clothes as gifts, especially after they learned about the Icelandic Christmas Cat and what happens when children don't receive clothes at Christmas. Lol.

Princess especially enjoys new clothes as she tends to wear through clothing items quicker than her brothers. 

Castle Arts Colored Pencils Set with Pencil Sharpener and Drawing Paper

One of Princess' passions is art, especially drawing. 

She asked for Crayola colored pencils, but knowing just how much drawing she's doing, and how incredible her art work is, I decided to go with some professional colored pencils paired with a new pencil sharpener and drawing paper.

I'm so excited to see her face when she opens this gift as it will be quite the surprise.

Princess loves to have as many colors as possible. She'll be thrilled this set comes with 120 different colors.

Nail Polish Wall Organizer

This gift is one I have been eyeing for years, but couldn't afford from Pottery Barn Teen. 

That is until is went on sale for 75% OFF!

Unfortunately it's no longer available, so I'm unable to provide a link.

But let me tell you, it's the perfect storage solution for all of the nail polish Princess has and will look absolutely beautiful on her wall.

It fits so many bottles of nail polish!

Santa Gift: LEGO Disney Princess Set

After I had already purchased the LEGO Friends Set listed above on clearance, Princess found this LEGO Disney Princess Set and fell madly in love.

She has asked for it almost every week for months.

Her LEGO Disney Princess characters are so old and worn from use that they're starting to break.

Princess is trying to collect all of the LEGO Disney Princesses. This set includes so many!

I'm so excited to surprise her with this set on Christmas morning. She will be over the moon excited.

You're My Person Christmas Ornament

Princess wants to be a doctor, specifically a surgeon.

She knows I have watched and loved Grey's Anatomy for years, but didn't allow her to watch it because of some of the content.

This year after much begging and pleading from Princess, I let her start watching the series from the beginning.

She's made it through Season 9 and LOVES it.

I chose this ornament because it represents her desire to be a doctor, her enjoyment of the show this year, and her growth in forming attachments with others. 

It will be so fun to watch her open this ornament on Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve Book: Twilight Series Book 1

Princess hasn't been reading as much as she used to this year.

She has shown interest and asked about the Twilight Series.

I'm excited to get her started on a new series that I'm hoping she'll enjoy.

When Princess does read, she goes through books so quickly!

Christmas Eve Chocolates: Lindt Holiday Assorted Peppermint Truffles

Lindt truffles have always been a favorite chocolate in our family. 

Princess loves the white chocolate truffles best. 

She was super excited to find this assortment of peppermint flavored truffles that includes white chocolate as well.

I am so excited to enjoy Christmas with Princess this year and watch her face light up as she opens the gifts she's receiving.

I love that so many help her grow and develop talents!

What are you giving the 15 year old girl in your life this holiday season?

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Here are some fabulous Las Posadas Activities for Tots and Preschoolers to enjoy with Free Printables!

Las Posadas is such a fun part of our Holidays Around the World celebration and learning experience.

I love that this holiday focuses on Mary and Joseph, their journey to Bethlehem with a donkey, and finding room in the inn for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

At the same time Las Posadas incorporates the poinsettia, piñata, and so many more fun Christmas themes, all while studying the country Mexico!

There is so much to learn while having so much fun.

Las Posadas Activities for Tots and Preschoolers with Free Printables

P is for Poinsettia Do-a-Dot Page

My Las Posadas Printable Pack includes various do-a-dot pages for all to enjoy. I've chosen to focus on the poinsettia themed one in this post.

Children place a poinsettia stamp in each of the dots using the stamp and stamp pad provided.

The poinsettia stamp I have came in a Christmas stamping kit purchased at a local craft store years ago.

Source: The printable for this activity is part of my Las Posadas Printable Pack. 

Las Posadas Character Match Up

In this simple activity, young children match up the characters Mary, Joseph, and the donkey to picture cards.

If you wanted the activity to be more challenging, you could include the entire nomenclature card set with objects, or include more objects and cards that are included in the printable set.

The objects used are part of a nativity scene I purchased a few years back on Etsy from Layers on the Journey.

Source: The printable for this activity is from my Las Posadas Printable Pack.

Las Posadas Door Matching Activity

Part of the Las Posadas celebration is going door to door looking for room in the inn.

In this activity, young children match up doors. I love that all of the doors look so different.

Source: The printable for this activity is from my Las Posadas Printable Pack.

Sequencing Las Posadas Activities

This activity is so great at teaching children the sequence of Las Posadas celebration events.

I love the true-to-life images.

Young children place the cards in sequential order.

Next they can open the box to match up numbers or description cards, depending on their skill level.

Source: The printable for this activity is from my Las Posadas Printable Pack.

Nine Months of Pregnancy Nomenclature Cards

The celebration of Las Posadas lasts nine days to represent the nine months of pregnancy until the Savior's birth.

This activity is the perfect introduction to how a baby grows in the womb, specifically how baby Jesus grew in Mary's uterus.

Young children can use these cards as match up cards or nomenclature cards.

Source: The printable for this activity is from my Las Posadas Printable Pack.

Counting Poinsettias Activity

Young children can practice counting using these beautiful poinsettia cards and silk flowers from the local dollar store. 

There are enough poinsettias for every card in the basket.

If you don't have silk flowers, cards can be used on their own as matching cards or nomenclature cards.

Source: The printable for this activity is from my Las Posadas Printable Pack.

Las Posadas Size Sorting Activity

This printable is a perfect way to teach children the difference between small, medium and large while learning about different aspects of Las Posadas.

Children sort cut out images, placing them under the small, medium, and large boxes.

<[>Source: The printable for this activity is a Subscriber's Only Freebie. For your copy, follow the directions at the bottom of this post.

Mary and Joseph Coloring Page

Sometimes I love to add a simple coloring activity to work shelves. 

Coloring is a great way to develop fine motor skills, practice the pincer grasp, and so much more. 

My favorite colored pencils are Crayola Erasable Pencils.

I provide a pencil sharpener in case colored pencils break in the process of coloring. 

Source: The printable for this activity is from my Las Posadas Printable Pack.

Poinsettia Pin Poking Activity

Pin poking is also a great way to develop fine motor skills!

In this activity young children pin poke a poinsettia. 

The poinsettia can be used in any way you'd like. In our classroom, I'm excited to use poinsettias for a class decorating project.

Source: The printable for this activity is from my Las Posadas Printable Pack.

Poinsettia Painting Activity

After pin poking, a child can paint and decorate their poinsettia to be used as a classroom decoration.

I have provided red washable Crayola paint and red glitter.

Children are invited to use the tiny spoon provided to transfer glitter from the jar to the poinsettia.

If young children aren't ready to pin poke yet, the teacher can cut out poinsettias to be used in this activity.

Source: The printable for this activity is from my Las Posadas Printable Pack.

Celebrating Las Posadas in the classroom can be so much fun and rewarding!

Don't forget your free printables!

Directions on How to Obtain Subscriber Only Freebies

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3. Open the thank you message you receive in your e-mail, after subscribing. (Be sure to check your spam folder, as sometimes it ends up there.)

4. Click the confirmation link in the thank you message.

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6. Click on the link.

7. Select the Minimalism, Montessori, or Mental Health Printables Library.

8. Find the printable pack you are looking for listed in alphabetical order, click on it, and voila!

We hope you enjoy your free printable.

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Are you looking for gifts for a 16 year old boy in your life?

In our family, our 16 year old son, Bulldozer, is the child who doesn't know what he wants for Christmas almost every year.

It takes a lot of creativity and visual prompting for ideas to ensure he has a fabulous Christmas.

He has very specific hobbies, passions, and interests.

I am so excited about what he's receiving for Christmas this year! 

If you're needing gift ideas for a 16 year old boy in your life, here's what Bulldozer is receiving!

Gift Ideas for a 16 Year Old Boy

Gale Force Nine Dune Board Game

Bulldozer absolutely loves the Dune movies and he loves board games.

I love that this gift combines two things he loves  and will encourage him to read the entire Dune book series.

The game will also provide fun times with family and friends.

Sports Attire

Bulldozer loves to wear sports attire with his favorite team logos. 

He loves sports and is so proud of his teams.

Sports attire can be so comfortable and sensory friendly, which is always very important for Bulldozer.

The Singer's Musical Theater Anthology Teen's Edition: Tenor with CDs

Bulldozer has become very involved in theater this year.

He has shown a special interest in singing and has asked me for voice lessons.

A vocalist myself, I'm super excited to share this passion with him.

I've chosen this book to use for his voice lessons and have grabbed the CDs to go with it. A digital download option is available. I just prefer CDs.

10 Sessions of Private Dance Lessons and Tap Shoes

One of Bulldozer's two experience gifts this Christmas includes 10 sessions of private dance lessons with the choreographer from the last musical he participated in.

Bulldozer loves to dance and is open to learning anything.

His choreographer mentioned it would be advantageous for Bulldozer to not only learn ballet and jazz, but to also learn tap dancing.

She helped me find the perfect tap shoes for him, which will give him something to open on Christmas. 

I'll put the certificate for the dance lessons in the shoes.

10 Sessions of Acting Lessons and A Young Actor Prepares Book

One of Bulldozer's passion has always been cinema. 

This passion has now extended to acting. He absolutely loved participating in this fall's musical and really shined on stage.

At age 16, this was Bulldozer's first time acting. He wants to learn more.

I am so excited I was able to arrange 10 acting lessons from the acting instructor he worked with throughout the fall.

So that Bulldozer would have something to open and enjoy before the lessons start, I went ahead and ordered him an acting book for high schoolers.

 

Watch

Bulldozer isn't one to carry his cell phone everywhere with him.

He's also not the best at keeping track of time.

I'm hoping this watch will help him in the best ways.

It includes the logo of his favorite football team, so I'm hoping he'll like it.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

As I said before, Bulldozer is very passionate about cinema. 

Godzilla movies are some of his favorites. He's been collecting them for a while. This is one he doesn't have yet.

No one in the family has seen this movie yet, so it will be fun to watch it together.

Backpack Cooler with Containers and Water Bottles

If there's one thing we've learned this fall, it's that theater practices run long and occur often.

Bulldozer needs food and drinks to keep him going, especially when he has long dance rehearsals.

This bag is the perfect size to pack everything he needs.

I've included a couple water bottles and containers as well.

Plants Vs. Zombies Battle for Neighborville Complete Edition for Nintendo Switch and SanDisk 128GB Card

Bulldozer has been asking for this video game for months. 

He really loves the Plants Vs. Zombies games and has several for his Xbox. 

Now he's trying to collect them for his Nintendo Switch.

Knowing he'll most likely need extra memory at some point, I included an SD card with this gift.

Football Cards

Bulldozer enjoys football cards just as much as his brother, though he doesn't have quite as many. 

This year he's asked for a BIG set.

I'm excited to give this set to him.

Bulldozer and his brother spend hours together sorting and having fun with football cards on a daily basis.

LEGO Set

There is never a time when LEGO goes out of fashion for teen boys, or so I've learned. 

Bulldozer loves collecting Marvel and Star Wars sets, especially those that include a lot of characters and lots of figures.

He displays the vehicles in his room on special shelves for all to see.

The LEGO figures are used in a variety of ways.

Backpack with Nintendo Switch Case

Bulldozer's backpack was stolen this summer, while playing ball with his friends at a local park. He looked away for a few seconds and it was gone.

Truth be told, he was in need of a new backpack anyways. He needs something to store music, dance shoes, and more going to and from theater practices.

I absolutely love the backpack we chose. It is so nice!

We are huge fans of Eddie Bauer bags as they last years and in some cases decades. The Switch case is being included to add just a little more fun to the gift, and is also something that is needed.

Santa Gift: Sports Team Jersey

Bulldozer absolutely loves basketball. He has wanted a jersey from his favorite team of his favorite player for quite some time.

He'll be the first in the house to receive a basketball jersey, so it's a pretty big deal.

I love that I'm able to give this to him.

Hadestown Christmas Ornament

Hadestown will always be remembered as Bulldozer's first theater performance. 

He absolutely LOVED his first show in every way. 

This ornament will be placed on our memory tree, so that he can remember the experience every Christmas season from now on.

The ornament is absolutely beautiful!

Christmas Eve Book: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Book

Bulldozer has always been a huge fan of The Hunger Games books, but has yet to read the prequel.

This year I'm checking this off his list.

I'm hoping that a book that is related to his favorite series will be the perfect read on Christmas Eve night.

The Icelandic Christmas tradition of a new book and chocolates on Christmas Eve is one of my favorites!

Christmas Eve Chocolate: Assorted Dark Lindt Truffles

Bulldozer and I are kindred spirits when it comes to our chocolate preferences. 

He and I LOVE dark chocolate and Lindt truffles.

It only seems fitting to give him this wonderful assorted truffle package to enjoy.

I hope these gift ideas inspire!

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