2017 in 12ish Pictures

January

My parents were wintering with us in Texas once again. We all went out to the beach to burn the Christmas trees with our residency friends. We LOVE this tradition! At the end of the month Levi turned 2 and we celebrated with a big turtle cake...again with our residency friends:) We survived one weekend of cold winter weather - then went back to warm, sunny "winter". 

February

With my parents still in Texas, Joe and I were able to sneak away to Mexico for 5 days for his brother's beach wedding. It was AWESOME. Joe was on a month of nights and had his in service exam...so that was less awesome. But having grandparents around always makes it better!

March

Our BEST friends came for spring break. And it was THE BEST!!!!! We did the beach...a couple times. Played tourists in our town. And just spent quality time together. We were having so much fun we extended our time together by driving a little north with them on their first return travel day.

April

Joe was back on MICU. Meaning I went a little crazy. I decided to put my craziness to good use and tore out our master shower. It was a homeschool "project" with my girls. (The shower still isn't put back together again. But that's not the main point here.) We also celebrated Easter at home. Just the six of us. Joe was able to join us for the church service. It's the little victories in life:)

May

By May I was back in survival mode. Joe's schedule just killed me. I was ready for a break. We did manage to make it out in our kayaks as an entire family for the first time ever! And my parents came back for Charlotte's dance recital. At the end of May was our 14th wedding anniversary. No celebration. Maybe be next year:) 

June

This month marked the end of Joe's second year of residency. 2 done. 1 to go! Also the end of the school year. We survived homeschooling! And our summer kicked off with our annual road trip up to Minnesota to see family and friends!!! This year's drive was much easier as the kids and I knew what to expect. It felt manageable. Even a little enjoyable. And time with family and at camp definitely made the miles on the road worth it!

July

Joe was able to join us for a quick weekend in Minnesota for his other brother's wedding. This was his first trip back "home" since before residency started. It was lovely:) Lots of time on the lake together! The kids and I made the rounds visiting friends and family. We saw both sets of Great Grandparents for the 4th of July. Spent a week in Wisconsin. And spent a week at my parents' house with my sister and her family. Lots of extended family visits squished in there as well. 

August

This was a month. A month filled with high highs and low lows and everything in between. We started with time in the mountains of Colorado with good friends. Hannah got to play in the snow for her 5th birthday! Our long trek back to Texas reunited us with Joe after 7 weeks and 5,000 miles on the road! We had a week at home before we hit the road as a family for Joe's job interviews. While we were away we learned of a hurricane brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. The kids and I stayed out of town and Joe returned home to work the duration of the storm. This turned out to be the longest, most emotionally challenging 3 days for me as Harvey intensified to a Category 4 and all I could do was pray and watch from afar. Joe and the hospital were left unscathed and we had the sweetest reunion. Lows and highs. 

September

It was a weird month. Readjusting to life. Life after Harvey. Even though our town was left pretty much unchanged, everything felt different. Off. Life just felt off. School started eventually. Hannah started kindergarten! (That was hard for both of us!) And Levi and I figured out our routine at home. We all adjusted back to residency life and Joe's ever-changing schedule. My parents and cousin and Aunt & Uncle's visit helped things feel normal this month. I snuck away for a conference in Kansas City for a few days.

 

October

We did all the usual fall activities - pumpkin patch, planning and creating costumes, and trick or treating. As well as South Texas fall activities - beach days and time spent outside at parks since it was finally cool enough. Joe and Isaiah were able to go on a father-son camping and kayaking trip for the first time in a long time! (Five years...but who's counting?!). Joe also attended an EM conference in Washington D.C.

November

Our family got some much needed family time in the form of a morning at King Ranch, a (surprise!) trip to Sea World and camping during the kids' fall break! Getting away together is the best. And just what we needed! We also hosted our third and final Residency Friendsgiving. With nearly 80 people in attendance and WAY too much food - I'd say it was a success!

December

 This was the year we were finally able to buy plane tickets "home" in order to give our kids a white Christmas. So of course it snowed in South Texas!!! The most snow they have had in 112 years! It was magical. Getting on a plane and being "home" a few short hours later was equally magical for me. And despite my worries about flying solo with my four kids it went perfectly! We've been playing in whatever snow we can find with family and friends ever since our arrival. It's been a great way to end our year.