The Good
- Started the year off in Myrtle Beach on vacation with my mother in law. It was her first time ever flying as well as Anna's. For the most part we had smooth flights. It was a relaxing trip, with lots of swimming in the pool, playing putt putt (where I won), shopping, and a little time at the beach. A much needed and deserved vacation.
- Hosting Christmas 2023 with the Gilbert's' after New Years. A relaxed time with finger foods and pizza. Followed by opening gifts.
- Brian had a routine colonoscopy and no issues so he doesn't have to go back for 5 years now, it was previously every 3 years.
- My kids had a real snow day, technically they were already off school for end of the quarter but everywhere else was off because of snow. We had fun playing in the snow and even went sledding.
- I started watching my girlfriends daughter a two days a week. Even with crazy schedules, S and Anna on different schedules, and having to cancel numerous times because someone in my household was sick. Anna is loving having a playmate. I ended up being able to switch to the girls being in the same class for the last two months of school.
- Austin went to his first Cleveland Cavs basketball game.
- Austin played basketball for the rec center.
- Ella went rock climbing with her Girl Scout troop, loved it and out of all the girls climbed the highest.
- We spent a lot of time with our neighbors for hangouts, cookouts, parties, and just the kids playing. During the fall NFL season we got together for every Cleveland Browns game and planned our food based on the other teams location. So for Philadelphia we did philly cheesesteaks. Baltimore we did seafood.
- Random warm day in February that I worked out on the back patio.
- Austin had a grade musical it was Dr. Suessical.
- Went to the Monsters Hockey game as a family. It was Anna's first game.
- Anna learned to tie her shoes
- The kids got to meet the Easter Bunny at the American Legion.
- We watched the eclipse in totality. It was a breath-taking amazing experience.
- Austin started playing coach pitch baseball again this year with Brian being one of the coaches. He ended up not playing the rest of the season.
- Anna played spring soccer with Brian and Marc being the coaches. She loved it and was sad when it ended.
- Ella played the flute in Music-ala- mode, then decided she no longer wanted to do band.
- Brian started a new job and had to travel to California for training 3x.
- We hosted Mother's Day brunch with family and friends.
- We participated in a 5k for TJ Carrie's foundation for kids with heart issues. We ended up walking the 1 mile because of Austin's arm.
- Brian, Austin, and I went to see the Cleveland Guardians baseball game with a group from our church.
- Anna graduated from preschool and said she wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
- Ella and Austin finished the school year with good grades.
- Brian started a new job where he got to go to California for a week in May and June.
- We hosted Father's Day dinner on the grill where our neighbors came over.
- Anna went to Safety Town for 4 days, during hottest week of the year. She learned about crossing the street, road safety, fire safety, water safety, gun safety, and more.
- Ella volunteered to help at Safety Town the week that Anna was there. Each little kid was matched with a volunteer. Ella and Anna were teamed together (which was good and bad). Ella said she wants to do it again next year.
- Austin got cleared from the doctor at the end of June to be a kid again and play baseball.
- Cedar Point Passes got used a few times, but not as often as we had anticipated
- Deer Park visit with my parents and niece. The kids had so much fun feeding the deer and goats.
- Random stop at Lake View Beach. We didn't go swimming but had fun for the few minutes we were there.
- Celebrated my birthday with the Hartmanns.
- Family came in from Seattle that we haven't seen in over 6 years.
- Austin got to play in 4 baseball games. His team made it two rounds in the play offs.
- Watched the 4th of July parade with the Shields.
- Celebrated the 4th of July with the Hartmann's and Shield's
- Audrianna turned 5
- Austin turned 9
- We hosted the kids birthday party at the house with the little pools set up and their new water slide.
- Brian rented a excavator to work on our backyard remodel. This will be a few year ongoing project of everything we want to do.
- Anna has been the joy to many at church on Sunday mornings. She dances up front at the end while the other kids are playing instruments.
- My kids and I went on a few random adventures to different parks and natures centers.
- We visited the Cleveland zoo a few times. Brian took the kids by himself to the rain forest before it closed for refurbishment.
- We had a lot of ice cream all year.
- Brian had a work trip to Orlando in August and I got to go with him. He also surprised me with a day at Disney World Epcot, and resort hopping.
- Ella, Austin, and Anna started back to school at the end of August. Anna has two teachers that send so many pictures, Ella likes the team she is on.
- Ella is back on a Lego kick. She has been building them then displaying them.
- Anna played fall soccer with Mr Marc as her coach. I think we are done with our soccer era.
- Every Sunday Anna has been the highlight at the end of our church service when she gets up and dances during the last song.
- In September we took a long weekend down to Kentucky to stay at the farm. We stopped at Jungle Jim's grocery store on the way.
- I volunteer every Tuesday in Anna's classroom for 25 minutes.
- Ella turned 13 and had a sleepover party at the house.
- Ella had a part in her school drama performance of How to Enchant a Bookshop, she played Cinderella.
- Anna and Austin had a fun Halloween. Anna was Owlette from PJ mask and a mermaid. Austin was a construction worker.
- Anna did one 6 week session of swim lessons. She learned some and gained confidence.
- Austin started winter basketball.
- Ella got certified in Red Cross babysitting.
- We hosted an uneventful relaxing Thanksgiving.
- Gusgus our Elf on the Shelf came back for another season of fun and brought a long a friend, Snowflake.
- We celebrated Brian's birthday with our neighbors. They planned a "Brian's favorite foods" themed dinner. They went above and beyond.
- Anna and Austin had lunch with Santa Claus at the American Legion.
- Anna, Ella, and Austin saw Santa Claus at Cabela's where he made them all smile and laugh.
- Anna and Austin were in the church's children's Christmas pageant. Anna was an Angel and Austin was a Shepard.
- Ella had her Winter choir performance.
The Bad
- First week back to school after the New Year and vacation, Austin and Anna were already home sick before the end of the week.
- Ella got the flu the end of January, down and out for 10 days.
- Austin and Anna both got the flu right after Ella in the beginning of February.
- Austin got better from the flu then 5 days later gets the stomach bug.
- Anna has had two ear infections in February. She was given amoxicillin which she ended up having an allergic reaction to again. She missed two weeks of school with her rash, this time it was all over her face as well as the rest of her body.
- Everyone in the house got the stomach bug in February.
- Anna got strep throat in April.
- Austin broke his arm and had emergency surgery the end of April. He also had nerve damage and couldn't move or feel his first three fingers for 3 months.
- Ella had her last band performance playing the flute. She is no longer in band. (not bad but sad)
- Austin ended up with strep throat the first week of summer break.
- Austin got on a old roller coaster at Cedar Point that he had rode numerous times before and his glasses fell off. They were never found.
- While on a work trip in Orlando, a tornado hit our neighborhood. We had tree branches down and part of the chimney torn off.
- Ella got sick a few days before we left for Kentucky.
- While removing all the Christmas decorations on Black Friday, I flared up my back and was down and out in pain not doing much for about 3 weeks.
- Christmas brunch with the Gilbert's.
- We had Christmas Eve at my parents house after attending the children's service at church.
- Christmas morning was just us, then Brian's mom, aunt and uncle came over for breakfast.
- Christmas dinner we celebrated with the Hartmann's.
Random Thoughts
- Sometimes the worst case scenarios become the best outcomes, you learn the most from, and change isn't always bad.
- We all have excuses and blame others but in reality most of the time it is all on you. (I am just as guilty of this)
- I feel so much better when I move my body compared to being lazy.
- Everything in life is easier said than done.
- We usually can’t control our external circumstances, but we can control our internal responses. (I keep hearing about how calm Brian and I were when Austin broke his arm. You do what you have to do in the moment to keep
- There has been so much sourdough baked and consumed in my house.
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XOXO
What a beautiful reflection on your year, Adrienne! It sounds like you had so many wonderful moments, but also plenty of challenges. One thing that really helped me manage my busy year with the kids was getting regular carpet cleaning—it made such a difference in keeping the house feeling fresh despite all the hustle and bustle. It’s such a small thing that has a big impact, especially with little ones running around! Here's to a clean and stress-free 2025!
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