Well….it’s been a minute since I have posted. Nine years to be exact. As I was getting ready this morning, I was reflecting on what a wonderful year 2025 has been. I want a place to document the happenings in my life and in my family’s lives, but social media doesn’t feel like the right place. I So, for at least today, I am cranking the old blog back up!

I think 2025, collectively, was probably the best year of my life. Don’t get me wrong, there have been other great years. I don’t discount the birth of my children or other great milestones, but I am not sure I have ever had so much goodness packed into one year. Most years I am ready for a fresh start. This year, I hate to see the year end. I can ony hope that 2026 can even try to hold a candle to 2025.

The highlight of my year was getting married to the love of my life. When you get married for a second time you know more of what you are gettig yourself into. Those quirks that drive you crazy- you aren’t going to change them. The mushy-gooey feelings; you know those don’t last forever. You know there will be challenges and stress ahead. We have done a lot of hard work on ourselves individually and as a couple to get to this point. Happy feels good! Combining our families has actually gone pretty seamlessly. Our counselor even told us that out of all the other couples she has seen throughout the years, she thinks we have blended the best. What a compliment. Jay loves my girls like his own and I have jumped back into parenting on our weeks as his boys are much younger than my girls. All of the sudden I have homework and bus stops and chores to contend with again. Luckily, they are pretty good boys. And oh so sweet!!!!

In May, Abby graduated from nursing school and then Ellie Grace graduated from Belmont with a degree in Motion Pictures. All three girls have graduated are adulting and I am really enjoying this phase of life with them. They are truly a delight to be around. We were all together several times this year, which is rare these days. Hannah is living in Colorado and Ellie Grace is in California. But with so many family celebrations this year, it gave us multiple opportunities to be together and I enjoyed every minute of it.

In July Abby became engaged to a wonderful young man, Jake! We are busy planning an October wedding for them and that is also bringing so much joy.

Another celebration for our family was Jay’s promotion to FIre Lieutenant in July. This has been a goal of his for several years and one he has been working towards for awhile. I’m so proud of him. He is at a new fire station with a different crew and is really enjoying it.

I am still loving my job and am so thankful every day to still have it! In a changing pharmaceutical and vaccine world I really feel blessed by my company, boss and coworkers. If you have to work, it’s not a bad gig!!

Oh, we also added a third dog to our crazy crew this year. We lost 2 dogs in 2024 and I just collecting puppies to fill that void. I’m done now for awhile, but they are super sweet and we are crazy about them!!!

If you have made it this far, thank you! Praying blessings over your 2026. Leave me a comment please so I know that you were here.