New Year's Eve

As we close out the year, there are so many things I can say about 2015.  Many are not positive at all as this was the toughest year of my life.  It was sometimes a daily struggle for so many reasons. Regardless, I feel stronger now than I did a year ago. I have hit my lowest points so far in my life and I am stronger for each of them. Thank you to those who have listened to me, counseled me, hugged me, put up with tears, etc. I cannot believe I am saying this, but I am grateful for the moments of tears. So, even though this year was the worst yet, I am thankful for the "test" so that I can have a "testimony".  We are called to focus on what is good, true, and right (Phil 4:8) and I continue to strive to be the Proverbs 31 woman of faith.  To end the year, we visited with neighbors in the cul-de-sac and did fireworks together.  Even though we live next door, it is rare that we all are able to just hang out and have fun with each other.  The kids had fun running around together and setting off fireworks.  It was a great evening for all.  Welcome 2016, I am looking forward to the laughter, sunshine, and healing!! 

Highlights of 2015 include: Grampee completed his 20th consecutive Houston Marathon, Caelin did tap/ballet dance classes with a great recital, Caelin started PK at John Wesley United Methodist, Daddy/Papa went to Heaven on March 3rd, Cade lost his first tooth and started Kindergarten, Baylor turned 11years old and had toe amputated due to cancer, Caelin went to ER with a busted chin, we celebrated our 11 year marriage anniversary, Caelin turned 4 and got her first haircut, cousin Jacob Donald arrived, Cade turned 6 years old, Charles had back surgery, after a long journey with ear infections/complications the ENT removed a screw from Caelin's ear, Halloween costumes with Skylander Stinkbomb and Supergirl, Stacy donated 13 inches of hair to Pantene Locks of Love and got a new car, Polar Express with the Parks family, and Charles went to the Russell Athletic Bowl to watch Baylor play in Orlando, FL.  

End of the year random pics...

Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, FL

Baylor entered the season with high hopes of a National Championship, but things did not go as planned. After starting strong our first two QB's were injured and unable to finish the season. Ultimately we missed out on the National Title as well as a third straight Big XII title. The Bears still fought hard and were rewarded with an invitation to the Russel Athletic Bowl in Orlando, FL. Going into the game we were not picked to win because of our quarterback situation, plus our top receiver and running back were injured. Still I did not want to miss the action so Stacy for Christmas let me go to the game while she graciously watched the kids and managed the house. So I flew out on Dec. 28th and joined up with other letterman in Orlando for some dinner before heading to the hotel. Then on the 29th I got to watch the bands play and prepare for the game before I headed to the game around 3:00pm. I wanted to get there in plenty of time to experience everything there was to offer. Despite not being picked to win and the obstacles the Bears had to overcome the Bears prevailed and it was an amazing experience. The cherry on top was being able to go down on the sideline before the game, half-time, and for the trophy presentation thanks to a gift by my mother-in- law.   

 Even without All-Big 12 running back Shock Linwood, the 17th-ranked Bears set a record for any bowl game, anywhere, ever, with 645 yards rushing, and rode that success to a 49-38 win over No. 10 North Carolina Tuesday night in the Russell Athletic Bowl. With the team’s top running back, the nation’s best wide receiver, and the team’s top two quarterbacks all out with injuries, head coach Art Briles took advantage of the three weeks leading up to the bowl to draw up a completely new offense. And so it was that the Bears relied almost exclusively on their offensive line and running backs, led by sophomore Johnny Jefferson — the Bears’ No. 3 back most of the season — who rushed for a school-record 299 yards and three touchdowns. The win improves Baylor to 10-3 on the season — the Bears’ fourth 10-win season in five years after accomplishing the feat just once before Briles’ arrival. And so a roller-coaster of a season that saw the Bears start out 8-0 and reach as high as No. 2 in the country before injuries starting piling up ends on a high note.  

Mendy turns 38 years OLD!

I was so happy to be in Round Rock this year for Mendy's BD.  To celebrate we decided to go to the Aquarium again with all the kids, Logan's for dinner, and then open some cards/gifts at home.  It is hard to explain to anyone what it feels like the first BD you have without a loved one.  I knew I did not want my sister to do it alone.  It is the knowing that you will not get a birthday card or an "I love you" kiss that stings.  It is just an awful feeling and no one can take the pain or sadness away.  We tried to keep our minds on other things all day and smile as much as we could.  My favorite part of the day was the cousins all feeding the birds at the aquarium.  The birds were EVERYWHERE and I couldn't help but laugh at Caelin screaming at the birds.  She clearly did not want them to land on her.  I did get a chance to steal Mendy away for 45 minutes for our traditional Starbucks birthday visit.  Happy BD sis!