January
Ruby turned 6 and we celebrated with friends at a local gym where they enjoyed trampolines, games, pizza and cupcakes.
February
I started a new position with the district, moving from a clerk to a secretary in the Special Education office. The team I work with is great and I’ve enjoyed learning more about the services that the district offers, how SpEd works and working with the public a bit more than before. I’m sincere about that, too. Most days are really enjoyable and I have a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Later in the month, Mike and Ruby attended our church’s annual Father Daughter Dance. She really enjoys her solo time with her daddy and loves spoiling her with flowers and dressing fancy.
March
Ruby got her first dramatic haircut, saving us from lots of tangles and she absolutely rocked the short bob. Hank went on his first mission trip with our church and enjoyed getting to serve alongside some of the boys that he’s friends with. He also turned 12 later in the month. TWELVE! Oh and his official start to his drag racing career started, too.
April
Hank went on to win his first bracket race in the Jr. Sportsman class. We are enjoying learning about how to be parents of a racer, compared to being the driver. It’s been an adjustment for me but mainly because it makes me miss racing.
Later in the month, I made a long time dream happen by adopting a leopard gecko. Cleo is a pretty neat little lady and I’ve really enjoyed learning how to care for her.
Ruby’s soccer season was a great one, she even earned Best Offensive Player on her team! Mike was a chaperone on her kindergarten field trip the zoo; that experience gave him a new appreciation for all educators.
The school year wrapped up for the kids, the boys went on a dirt track road trip to Missouri and we celebrated my niece Emma’s high school graduation as Valedictorian of her class.
June
We took our first beach vacation with the kids and Ruby loved the ocean. We stayed with the Wilsons in a condo and let me tell you, nothing makes for more excitement than 4 kids in a 3 bedroom place for 3 nights. We went exploring around town, drove over to Bolivar Peninsula via ferry and enjoyed time making memories with the kids.
Mike and I celebrated 15 years married. I know it’s cliché, but I’m not sure where the time went.
July
We spent a big chunk of the summer either at the swimming pool or soaking up air conditioning as the drought and insane heat was too much most days. Ruby also played indoor soccer which was a huge learning experience for all of us. It was fun but it was a lot!
August
Hank and Ruby headed back to school, 7th grade and 1st grade respectively. Just the 2nd day into the new school year, I tested positive for COVID and spent the next 10 days feeling like a zombie. While I wasn’t horribly sick past the first 48 hours, every part of my body ached and I was exhausted for about 3 months. My hair thinned out quite a bit but if that’s the worst of it, so be it.
Hank also started his first season of football in full pads. He has played flag football in the past and was so excited for contact.
September
This month was a doozy. I turned 40 and was spoiled by my family, friends and coworkers. Unfortunately, that high ended with a downward spiral and we had to say goodbye to my best buddy in the whole world, Dutchie. They say that last day is the hardest of having pets and I couldn’t agree more. Each day is a little easier but I still get caught up in his memories and miss him fiercely.
We did end the drag racing season with a 3rd win for Hank and he finished 2nd in points for the Jr. Sportsman class for the season. He is definitely our Rookie of the Year with those accomplishments. It took a lot of weekends of work by him, Mike and Papa and lots of trips north of the Red River to make it happen and we are looking forward to whatever 2023 will bring.
November
We surprised Hank with a trip that had been in the works for months, we went to Ann Arbor for the first time to see a game at the Big House. Such an amazing experience and a trip well worth the wait. We also got to catch up with old friends who had moved back home from Texas a handful of years ago, so great to see the Coleen and Steven.
A short week later, we headed out of town again and went to our favorite little retreat in Broken Bow, OK. We stayed in a cabin with my folks and one of my nieces. I was mostly a couch potato, but went on one little adventure, we took Hank and my dad zip-lining for the first time. They of course loved it and I’m thankful we got to share that experience together.
We welcomed Duff into our home for a trial run but after the 1st night, we knew he was a keeper. He’s a big goofball who loves people and is pretty chill most of the time. Lucy and Lily still give him an evil glare from time to time but they have at least stopped showing him their teeth; he will win them over eventually.
So, that's our highlight reel for the year, lots of fun memories made, lessons learned and exciting times to come.
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