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 Just checking in. I noticed a blog had been completely hijacked in my feed reader and wanted to make sure mine hadn’t been!

Well then.

I haven’t been here in forever bc I’ve been toying with whether or not I am done here. The service I use to print the blog closed, so I scrambled and got every post printed and then I planned to make the blog private and be done. 

But the election happened this week and truly I feel like an emotional bomb has exploded in my head. 

I’ve already had a few very hard months dealing with health problems (and raising a bunch of teenagers) and I feel myself longing to be here again. 

To be able to look back on the kids growing and remember all the things. 

So, here’s a sampling of what we’ve done this year. 

Grant turned 12 (and grows an inch every month, literally! Up to 5’6 and not slowing).

Dave turned 50 and we had a great surprise party.

Jack came back from Korea so grown up, with a girlfriend and turned 20! She is coming to stay with us over Christmas. 

We took the not twins on an epic spring break trip - Oklahoma, Arkansas and alllllll of Texas. God we all loved Texas. It was the best time of year to be there with millions and millions of wildflowers, gallons of salsa and Dr Pepper, cowboys and more. 

This summer we all went to Colorado. We saw the Stanley, spent days in Rocky Mountain national park, saw Rockies baseball, ate in and out and more.

Jack is a junior in college and both the little kids are in middle school. No more room mom at the elementary school for me! 

We’ve chased the northern lights, lost a beloved aunt, watched my mothers dementia progress, redecorated our once family playroom in the basement into a family room that’s more grown up, planted gardens, sold a bunch more crap, and more. 

So, here we are. 

Maybe it lessens my heartbreak, maybe it doesn’t. But just sitting here emotionally exploded sure isn’t helping. 

Much love to anyone who still checks in on us here. 

 

Christmas things

Dave and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary by FINALLY taking a honeymoon trip! A kid free few days in Vegas (I had never been. I also had not been on a plane since 9-11.) it was wonderful. 

Annual NYE family photo. 

I bought a few things at a vintage Xmas market. 

We took the kids to the nutcracker (even though I messed up the days. ) 

Dave and I saw the floral nutcracker display in Vegas. Bellagio I think? 

Hotel sunrise view over the mountains. We stayed at the Palazzo - gorgeous. 

We took a gondola ride. 

Then we drove our mustang convertible out to death valley. This was not part of the original plan but ZERO regrets. It literally took my breath away.

I mean come on! We were lucky enough to see the lake from the flooding, 

We made Xmas cookies. 

And a Publix gingerbread store! We love visiting Publix in the south. 

Jack cut off this massive head of hair. 

Oh hi. 

And there were presents. 

And matching pajamas (that Sam will only tolerate for 30 seconds for a photo then they are ripped off and sent to live far far away from her. What can ya do? ) 
 

Jack grows wings

In preparation for a semester abroad, Jack flew to DC  with a friend over Xmas break. He had never flown before and needed practice. 

We took the kids to a valentine festival that was super cute. 

I took them to a local waterfall when it was like -30 degrees. Lord it was so cold. 

Sam had her 13th bday portraits taken. 

Dave and I went to an equally blustery -20 degree Chicago to see the downton Abbey exhibit for a day and night. The dresses were gorgeous and we stayed in the cutest hotel, ate delicious new to us food…

And saw the 16 candles house!

Grant decided he needed a more stylish haircut as he rockets towards middle school in the fall. 

Sam had an orchestra concert. 

And we all went to Chicago this time (and barely survived a tornado - don’t ask) to send our jack off to Seoul for a semester! 

He is doing so great there and really enjoying it’s ( and yes, I’m fine! There was definitely a time when I was not sure Jack would be able to do things I watched the other kids doing, but he is exceeding all my hopes and expectations. He works very hard to overcome his challenges and I just couldn’t be any prouder of him.) 

And I snuck in a cutie quilt this week for Easter!