January:
Lots of hiking with and without friends.
Chan got her braces off!
It snowed.
Nia joined the family.
We joined a local homeschool teen group.We learned to make sushi.
FEBRUARY
Chan turned 15
Chan turned 15
Ben got braces
The girls did a modeling gig
MARCH
Nia is fully house trained.
We went hiking at Red Mountain
We went to field day
I learned to make marshmallows
We went gluten free.
I learned to make flourless chocolate cake
APRIL:
We paid off the last of our debt.
The van AC got fixed the first time
The van AC got fixed the first time
Lots of wildflower walks
Camping at Tishamingo with friends!
The kids were in the Catwalk for Water fashion show
May:
16th anniversary
16th anniversary
5th annual homeschool camp-out
We went rafting at Ocoee
Ben and Chan traded rooms
June:
The van AC was repaired for the second time.
The van AC was repaired for the second time.
We went to Turkey Creek.
We had a great swimming day with friends
We found a new drive-in
We went canoeing and met Park
The girls were in drama camp
Matt turned 40
We represented the state and hiked Cheaha for Cops on Top
July:
We got our passports.
It was a very mild/rainy summer!
We went on hikes and a waterfall swim
We met Amanda's new goat herd
I turned 39
August:
We had lovely hikesI got a chest cold.
I broke Poppy.
I lost a friend, and I miss her.
Wild haircuts happened
We met Carl and stayed at the farmhouse
We had a NBTS week-long party in Tennessee
September:
I developed pneumonia and that ate 75% of the month
I developed pneumonia and that ate 75% of the month
We had a teen work week at Cumberland
October:
Jake and Rho announced they were in a relationship.
We spent a week in Cayman with Phil and Jacki
We had a fun weekend with friends, celebrating.
The kids went to a masquerade ball.
November:
We had a bonfire partyI went through a bout of the blues
The central unit died
We had a quiet Thanksgiving at home
Jake turned 18
The kids started ballroom dance lessons
December:
We had a fiesta with friendsBen got a banjo
The van's AC was repaired for the 3rd time.
Matt had 2 weeks off
We had a quiet Christmas at home
Ben turned 14
I learned how to make kombucha
We went to a fashion photo shoot in Birmingham.
On this last day of the year, we bought yummy food, finished all the laundry and cleaned the house. Taking out all the trash, clothes to donate and recycling so we can start the new year fresh! I walked on the treadmill a while. I got the the bigger things we need to get taken care of budgeted in, we made a couple phone calls and finished up minor personal business for the year.
We rented movies and made finger foods for some evening fun, the kids played on their instruments and the girls sang most of the day. We are keeping close to the cozy wood stove. Such a peaceful way to see the old year out with lots of talking and laughing and playing. Makes me realize that in the new year, I want serenity more than anything else.
I wish you all a serene new year as well, a year without major complications, a year when things seem to work themselves out and everything ends up being for the best. A year in which more things are obtainable and less things seem impossible. And of course, a year with adventure and new discoveries within yourself, your home and your world.
