My great intentions this year got swallowed up by broken bones, doctor appointments, sickness, more doctor appointments, and four nights a week of basketball for the past month.
So in lieu of a card and/or a letter, here I am resurrecting my very old blog site to document our Top 10 Memorable Moments of 2018. Considering my dear hubby and I are both still in the same jobs (for 20+ years) and haven't changed much this year, most of these revolve around the kids (shocker, I know).
1. State Basketball
Top 10 Memories of 2018 - The Year of Trips and Health Issues
In order of occurrence...
Early 2018 brought a freshman basketball season to remember for our (then) 15 year old. In spite of many team injuries, this group battled hard and ended up 2nd place in State. So many memories from this season...tournament titles, friendships formed, injuries overcome, a four-day state basketball trip, and making school history!
2. Ski Trip
We headed to the slopes for Spring Break. Or, I should say, my guys all headed to the slopes, and I was knocked down and out by altitude sickness. Never have I been so happy to descend back down to normal elevation.
3. Track Season
Track season was a first for Z last spring. He really isn't a runner, and he really doesn't love it. But, hey, some of his friends were doing it, and it's a great way to stay in shape for his first love -- basketball. All went well until his first track meet, where his allergies hit in full force and turned asthmatic in rapid fashion. We were reintroduced to the world of doctor appointments, inhalers, and allergy meds (it had been a solid 2-3 years without allergy issues). We were blessed by track moms who happen to be nurses and great coaches who would always watch out for him.
In spite of it all, the 4x800 relay team needed a 4th guy, so he happily willingly reluctantly became an 800m runner. :) The team happened to grab some medals during the season and also qualified for State. It was a great memory-maker to participate in such a massive track meet. Of course, Kansas had to go all bi-polar on us and bless us with 98 degree weather for them to run in at State!
4. Summer "Camps"
My youngest went to a new (to him) camp this summer and LOVED it. When I picked him up, he had lost his contacts, his glasses were broken, and he had two different shoes on his feet. On the bright side, he was actually wearing different clothes than what I dropped him off in six days earlier.
My oldest jumped on a bus with over 40 others from church and traveled to Knoxville, TN for CHIC (Covenant High in Christ). They arrived safely, but an hour after the event started, his good friend slipped on a slide, knocked out three teeth, landed in the ER, and had to head back home to Kansas the following morning. This was a huge bummer for their group, but he did still enjoy the trip and is looking forward to going back. Favorites from the trip: Main Stage with great speakers, For King and Country, and winning a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
5. Illinois
We made two quick trips to Illinois this year. One just to see family for a few days and the other for a wedding just a few weeks ago. We love our Illinois crew!
6. The Lake and Critters
Whether it's 70 degrees or 100 degrees, this kiddo suits up in full gear to go hiking at Horse Thief Canyon at Kanopolis Lake. The goal: to come home with some type of lizard, centipede, scorpion, or something equally as creepy. The goal was met often, and he is still the proud owner of two scorpions. The verdict is still out on the centipede pictured above -- it escaped in the house about 4 weeks ago and has yet to be found.
7. Soccer
While he'd rather be hiking and capturing critters, the youngest played soccer again this year. He's small, but still manages to get around on the field (sometimes rolling on the ground more than running...).
8. Branson
Labor Day weekend brought us a quick trip to Branson with family. We saw Samson at Sight and Sound, enjoyed the singing waiters at Mel's Hard Luck Diner, had some laughs while mini golfing, and played some games against the teenagers! (They usually won.)
8. Turning 16
Turning 16 was memorable...but not in the way we like it to be! His birthday brought many hours of a 104 fever and an eventual pneumonia diagnosis. The timing was rough, as he was in the final weeks of preparing to run sound for the high school musical and was conditioning for the start of basketball season. The effects are still lingering, but each week is better than the week before.
9. Broken Finger
Second basketball game of the season....and out. Passing the ball can, in fact, be hazardous to your health. The break went down to the growth plate, so off we went to an orthopedic doctor. Thankfully, no surgery, and he will be back at it when games start back up in January!
10. The Blessing of Family
From each of us to each of you, we hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and we wish you a very Happy New Year. May the amazing gift of Jesus be our focus not just during the Christmas season, but all year long!
