As 2022 approaches the rearview mirror, I have been thinking about what to write this year. This morning it occurred to me to start with what I am thankful for this year.
For the purposes of a Christmas letter, the year started BEFORE Christmas last year, and there was much to be thankful for then. James and I headed to Florida with Reese and her friend Katie to spend a few days in Orlando and go to Universal. Katie's family joined us for two days there and it was really a great time. I greatly enjoyed my favorite Orlando spot, meaning the peaceful and beautiful resort we stay at! The four of us then headed to Bradenton and hit the beach. Anna Maria Island decorated for Christmas was absolutely beautiful. And it was so warm!
January was cold. We did go to Winter Jam in Indy. otherwise..cold.
February Paige and Peyton turned 22. I don't need to know exactly how they celebrated that, but James and I were in Punta Cana. Steve and Shanna Doggett agreed to accompany us on our slightly extended visit that was set up for a conference for my job (I know, poor me). Cheryl (my work mom) and her sisters were also in attendance. The resort was beautiful and the weather was amazing! Thankfully Steve and Shanna were willing to try traveling out of the country with us again in the winter, despite remembering the crazy trip to Cancun about 10 years ago when we almost had to drive to Mexico due to a huge winter storm!
We did a lot of travel early on in the year. Super thankful for that! I love to travel with James and it is always an adventure if not a comedy of errors. Reese was home with Olivia and the pups finishing up 6th grade.
In March I spent a tiny amount of time outside to take a look at out new patio and sidewalks. We had a plan for the back area after the pool collapsed two years ago (of course, while we were on vacation!) and it was now slowly becoming a reality. We also headed back to the Dells for Spring Break. Katie went with us again and we had the Tidwell family and the Kitinoja family joined us. I think surprising the Kitinoja kids was half the fun! (I did not take too many pics)
April we did stay home! Reese was doing dance, gymnastics and tennis so we stayed plenty busy. We did occasionally see Paige and Peyton!
Since last year's Christmas decorations came down there have been painting projects underway. James repainted the living room (goal is to actually hang something on the walls this year!) I discovered that succulents are much harder to kill than regular plants and flowers so I decided to decorate my front porch for the first time in the 20 years of living here!
June we (James) headed back outside to work more on our backyard plans. Reese also had her dance recital. 
We finished the month up with a week at Mom and Dad's condo in Florida which is my absolute happy place. Rented a pontoon for the day and had great fun. We were with Matt and Kristin Shuey for most of this trip and had Lily Shuey with us for the entire time. Peyton and Katie were on the Island at the same time so they came along for boat day. Good thing because we needed all the help we could get when the boat got stuck on a sandbar!
We finished the month up with a week at Mom and Dad's condo in Florida which is my absolute happy place. Rented a pontoon for the day and had great fun. We were with Matt and Kristin Shuey for most of this trip and had Lily Shuey with us for the entire time. Peyton and Katie were on the Island at the same time so they came along for boat day. Good thing because we needed all the help we could get when the boat got stuck on a sandbar!
We got home from Florida and I extended my two week vacation from work by getting COVID. I felt crummy but by the end of my quarantine I was outside helping with the patio (or getting in the way). Celebrated July 4th with some family and friends. Oh, and I had my first ride in the BACK of a squad car (not a comfortable spot!) Did I mention my patio got finished? I love it! Scattered amongst the repurposed bricks are some new ones that we had engraved. Names, coordinates for Anna Maria Island, life verses and our tattoo inscriptions are all a part of the custom patio, and I love it!
In August, Reese started middle school (eek) and I turned 48. My favorite birthday present was that all of my kiddos were home and sat outside around the new firepit with me. Grownup children are amazing but it is hard to let go and have them fly away. I remind myself daily of the verse that has been at the top of this blog for many years, and this reminds me that God loves my children more than I could possibly imagine! I also had lunch with my parents and the girls that day. Kryssi and the kids surprised me with Royal Donut! Reese started volleyball soon after school started and we had a great time with her volleyball season.
In October we celebrated Reese's volleyball team in their 2nd place in the state tournament. We were so proud of how hard these girls played! I am excited for next year's volleyball season. Ended the month with Halloween and the "Switch" at the church. Reese pulled off her costume, Max from stranger things perfectly. She looks sooo much like that actress! James and Paige and I had a weird last minute middle of the night road trip, and James's mom, Pat moved in with us due to some health concerns. Busy month, not too many pictures though.
November! If you are still reading. James and I attended the Fall Dinner for his Police Union, then his last Union Conference as the Union Treasurer. The big one is that Reese turned 13! She wanted a low key party so we had pizza at my parents with the family. I also bought my first outfit for my first granddaughter! So much to be thankful for.
So, again as I complete this photo filled reflection back on 2022, it has been a reminder of all the beautiful things that happened this year. It has reminded me that no matter how many times I am tempted to look out the window to see if the locusts have landed in the yard, that God is absolutely Good All OF The Time. So while I don't have pictures to share of the hard times, I am daily striving to be thankful for those as well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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