Indianapolis

Lexi’s team competed in Indianapolis at the end of January.  We love this venue because there’s so much to do within walking distance when you’re not actually cheering!

Her team always struggles with 2 day comps.  They tend to totally nail it one day and struggle the other.  I can’t remember how this one went, but I know it was that same scenario.  These girls have the talent and heart, they just need to get their heads in the right spot!

We love the cheer nightlife!  Especially in Indianapolis!  We walked through the mall and the girls stopped in some stores, and then had a great dinner out with the team. 

Day2 is all coming back to me now that I look at the pictures.  The hazard of being so far behind is I don’t remember anything.  Thus the reason I do this blog, so I can remember my life.  I digress…

Day two the girls nailed it.  Hit zero!  Big accomplishment for them! 

Again, I don’t recall, but I suspect we ended up with second. 

The only cheer nightlife we DON’T love, is those Sunday night late drives home.  It’s all worth it though!

January

Every school morning in January looked the same.  The only thing that changed was Sof’s hat.

This one was my favorite.  It was a hand me down from a set Lexi had in elementary school.  It just happened to match!  Unfortunately, Sof is awful at keeping track of things.  This hat went missing at some point and we never found it.

(I’m just going to mention that I’m writing this from my bed at Mike and Alison’s because the power is out and so everyone went to bed.  there was a fly that landed on my screen and when I killed it the font and spacing changed.  I have no more patience to fix this issue, so if you are OCD I apologize for the annoyance.  Also it’s July, so clearly I am very far behind.)

Upon realizing our cute hat was missing, we had to figure out a replacement.  I grabbed the (literal) $3 hat we bought for the girls for Girl’s on the Run, and that was it.  She wore that the rest of the winter.  It technically did match, but is pretty much a crisis for me in the fashion department.  I dealt, thanks for asking. 

So as you can see, every morning did indeed look the same, and in case you aren't sick of these photos yet, I’m sure there will be similar ones in the February, March, and April(because Michigan) posts.  Also, I paid a fortune for this set so she will wear it next year.  Now you have something to look forward to. 

Deer spotting in the back yard.

Sof performed in the school talent show with several of her girlfriends.  The did so good and had so much fun!

We went to visit Adrienne at school and have lunch with her. 

They get along so well.

The girls got their hair cut.  Before… 

After…

Sof had a cheer competition and Grandma and Papa were able to come.

We had a get together with my staff.  Have I mentioned how much I love my staff?  Well I do.

Random pic, we had district level mtg that requires two representatives from each school.  We didn’t plan very well because 4 of us showed up.  We had to send a pic to our principal to prove we were overachievers.  Well, just for that day anyway.

I love my volunteer hour and sometimes we have to run to bus.

Snow is fun when you can play with friends.

Mark took a guys trip to Florida and the only picture I have is a screenshot from a bar they were at that was broadcasting live.  Mark is easy to see with his phone and his bald spot.

Adrienne, Lexi and I went to benefit for Grace Girls Home.  It’s always a pleasure to attend these because being around people that are working to change our girls’ lives is inspiring and motivating.  These are the role models I want my girls to see.  

My friend Barb always gives the most unique and thoughtful gifts.  This year she gave Adrienne this “little black dress” to hold all her jewelry.  It’s so perfect! 

We managed to go to the pool one day too!

I’m sure we were dreaming of summer, and now it actually is summer and I’m writing this.  Only the part where we have no power is pretty annoying.  Good thing my computer was charged…

A Beginning and an Ending

We were absolutely thrilled to welcome in the new year.  2017 was not our favorite, so we had high hopes for 2018.  We spent the New Year with our bowling group(that doesn’t bowl anymore).  Jeff and Barb made a great dinner and we played games till midnight. 

Sof stayed with Em and they sent me snapchats. 

On January 2 Mark’s dad passed away.  It was time, he had suffered for long enough.  He had no quality of life for at least a year before, and we were thankful it wasn’t prolonged.  It was still very sad and certainly a life to be celebrated.  We had a packed visitation, and several friends stuck around to grab drinks and apps afterwards. 

We had a nice service and an awesome luncheon after.  Funerals are sad, but also a reason to reconnect with people you haven’t seen.  We really truly enjoyed that luncheon and so did everyone else!

Mark started a new job right after.  It’s an exciting and nerve-racking thing.  This year “new year” took on a whole new level of new!  We’re ready for it though!