Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Since 2008, I have kept this journal of our family's history. Recently, I have been going back through everything I wrote over the years to tidy up the books I created from my journaling. It has been fun to look back on old memories and watch our family grow through the eyes of my younger self. 

A while ago, I decided I was going to conclude this history of our family with Landon's 18th birthday, and here we are. Landon celebrated his 18th birthday today. He chose Hamburg steak for dinner, a dice cake for dessert, and an evening of Magic the Gathering with a couple of friends.

Our youngest is now an adult. It feels so bittersweet. I very much miss the days when we were all living under the same roof, but I have also loved watching my kids grow into the people they are today. It has been a grand adventure watching them make their own decisions and decide how they each want to do life. They are all so different, and it is fun to see who they are becoming. 

So, here is my farewell. I feel sad at the close of this chapter, but I am also looking forward to what is in store for our family as we continue on to our next chapter. Maybe one day I will decide to start journaling again, but for now it is time to say adios, au revoir, arrivederci, namaste, goodbye. 

"Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime. We'll take the best, forget the rest, and someday will find that these are the best of times" -Styx

Our Last High School Graduate

Landon graduated high school on May 24th thus concluding a chapter in our family's Book of Life. Instead of attending Gateway for high school, Landon chose a different path and went to Round Rock Early College High School. As he worked on completing his diploma, he was also working on an associate degree. He graduated with his high school diploma and an Associate of Arts in General Education. He hasn't quite decided on what's next, so he plans on taking a year off to work and figure out where he wants to finish college. 

The night before graduation, Landon decorated his cap last minute with a couple of Magic cards. At graduation, in true Landon fashion, as they called his name he turned towards the audience and did the biggest bow. He and his friend Jonas were the only two at graduation who performed silly stunts on stage. It was a fun graduation. We enjoyed having family in town and especially loved that Ainsley was home for over two weeks. We are very much missing her vibe at the house right now. 

Landon worked hard through high school and graduated with the grades and degree to show it. He had some amazing teachers and will probably miss a few of his teachers more than he will miss his peers. Congratulations Landon! We are excited to see where life will take you next.

We Have Ourselves a College Graduate

Ainsley graduated from BYU on April 26th! She began her college days right before the pandemic. Campus shut down before the end of her second semester, and she had to complete that semester off campus and online. There were definitely some challenging times along the way, but she kept plugging along and eventually earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in nutrition. She will be working for a year and then hopes to attend grad school in the fall of 2025. Way to go Kid!

Spring Break 2024

Landon and I took a last minute road trip over spring break, and it ended up being loads of fun. We went to three national parks and a national forest. Our first day was spent at Carlsbad Caverns and Sitting Bull Falls. Next up was driving through Lincoln National Forest, stopping for a snow photo, and then on to White Sands National Park. After White Sands, we traveled to "The Edge of Texas" and continued to Guadalupe National Park. On our way home we stayed a night in Fort Stockton and enjoyed an evening of stargazing. As we headed out the next morning, Landon humored me by taking a photo with Paisano Pete the Fort Stockton roadrunner. Landon's favorite park was White Sands. I couldn't choose one. They were all my favorites. Just like my kids, haha. Road tripping with Landon is so much fun! It was a grand adventure!

We Have Ourselves a Missionary

Kaylee has officially been serving her mission for one month! She will be in Mexico for eleven more days, and then it's off to Santiago. Right before Kaylee left, she and I had a fun girls day out (nails and lunch). We also celebrated her 20th birthday early (our plan is to celebrate her 21st birthday late, hehe). I gathered all of our old party supplies to decorate, baked her a delicious chocolate cake, and we gave her a couple of small gifts.

The day Kaylee left was probably one of the worst days of my life. Leaving her at the airport by herself without a phone at five in the morning, and not hearing from her until around seven that night was completely awful. Once we received her e-mail letting us know she was safe and sound in Mexico it felt like a massive weight was lifted off my body, and I felt much more peaceful about her being gone.

Kaylee is missed very much. I think it will probably hit hard when she isn't here for Christmas this year, but I am positive this is an adventure she needs. I think she is going to experience a type of growth she wouldn't be able to gain any other way. It's also so much fun to hear from her and see all of the photos she is taking!  

Six Months In a Nutshell

Thea - Cap 10K - California = Family - Kaylee's Mission Call to Santiago, Chile - Landon is 17 - Stand Up Paddle Boarding - Family Pics - Suvie + Blow Torch = Steak - Landon's Last First Day of School - We Still Have a Bunny