So Long 2021!

birthday season

As always, our year ends with holidays and immediately goes into what we refer to as birthday season. Literally. Our birthdays are all span between January 1st and February 23rd.

Jason gets a couple years into his 40’s.

Aiden turns the big 1-6 and starts driving on his own.

Austin finally gets his permit and becomes legal(ish) behind the wheel.

Ace rounds out the last of the kids to get into their teens.

I turn the big 4-0.

My High School BFF turns 40 and we celebrate with an amazing 70’s surprise party thrown by her friends.

My little brother turns 30.

My BFF turns 40 and I surprise her in Idaho and then surprise her again with a party.

Freeze

In true Houston fashion, the weather decides to go psycho on us. Just after Ace’s birthday, we get word that we’re going to expect abnormally low temps. The city goes into panic, just like it does during hurricane season and all of the batteries, water and pantry items are purchased. However our homes are just not built to withstand these prolonged temperatures. We lost power and the coldest end of our house managed to get 4 leaks. We were lucky in that I caught them before they caused any damage inside the house. Due to everyone else in Houston experiencing the same problem, we were without water for a week until we could get someone out to find and fix them. We used the pool water to flush toilets and were only without power for around a day. With a house heated by gas, we were one of the lucky ones.

Aiden

Aiden wrapped up his sophomore year and began the ever so tough junior year. He has a love for science and took Chem and Physics as a sophomore, making room for more options his junior year with the plans to figure out which direction he wanted to go in college. This year he’s taking AP Biology and Anatomy and Physiology along with Dual Credit classes in speech, English, US History and Pre-Cal (which means that not only will he get high school credit, but also college credit). Its a vigorous course load and he’s getting a taste of just how much self-teaching/outside studying is involved at the college level. He didn’t get off to a great start as he got COVID Labor Day weekend and missed school for 6 days. Since the school isn’t giving the option to pop in virtually this year, he had to work hard to try and catch up. We’re super proud of his drive and commitment.

In the spring he ran track and field. He asked to start working with an outside private coach, which opened us up to this crazy world of competitive track and meets throughout the summer season. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but Aiden ended up qualifying for and running at the National Junior Olympics Track & Field Championship in Jacksonville, FL. He ran the 4x800, 3000m and 1500m. There are some incredibly talented athletes out there, so although Aiden didn’t place in any of his events, he had an amazing experience and we’re just so proud of what he set his mind to. We had no idea that his asking to work with a private coach would place us at that event just a few months later.

Another year lifeguarding for the neighborhood pool.

For the fall, he jumped into the school’s XC season with a bang and was on track to run the majority of the meets as a varsity runner, but getting COVID set him back physically quite a bit. He did persevere and manage to qualify as a varsity runner and order his Letterman jacket, though. We had a blast watching the XC team together and how close knit they are. With only losing a couple of seniors, we look forward to an even better year next year for Aiden’s final season and all that it brings.

At the end of the summer, we began to think about colleges and start our college tours. Since it was local, we started with Rice University, and of course he fell in love. Since then, we have toured Texas A&M University and Trinity, but Rice remains at the top of his list and what he’s working for. We will continue to consider other colleges that bring the same dynamic and size that Rice does and see if there are any other schools that check off enough boxes as well. With an acceptance rate of only 9%, we know we have to branch out to other schools besides Rice. Prayers for this kid to finish his Junior year with a bang and to end up where he’s supposed to once everything is all said and done!

Homecoming with XC friends and a week spent decorating a trailer for the Cross Country team’s float in the HOCO parade.

He also was confirmed in the Catholic Church last May by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo with one of my best friends, Andrea, as his sponsor. :)

We ended the year with a bang by being inducted into the National Honor Society. His hard work through leadership, philanthropy, grades and coursework all proved that he was warranted for this great recognition.

AUSTIN

Austin continued into his freshman year with his basketball season. They had a phenomenal team and had a record season.

With days left in the basketball season, he tries out for baseball and makes the sophomore team which consists of all freshman at their school, making him a 3-sport athlete in a 6-A school. It was so exciting to see him set his mind to something, try out and reach his goals. From the football field, to the basketball court, to the baseball diamond.

On top of his spring season with his high school team, he continued into the summer with his showcase team playing outfield and pitcher. By the start of summer he had already decided that he wanted to go into his sophomore year focusing strictly on baseball, so after lots of discussions, we hung up the pads and put football a thing of the past. He had a fun summer season on the mound and at the plate. No traveling this summer for baseball, but we are looking forward to that change this summer.

On top of the showcase team, he also plays for the summer league team through the high school at the JV level. So, between those weekday games and weekend tournaments with his other team, his life was baseball.

In his true social fashion, he went to 2 Homecomings with all the pictures, party bus and after party included.

He’s currently taking a few business classes in high school with one of them being one a class where he gains master certifications in the Microsoft Office products. He isn’t sure yet what he will study past high school, but he has his eyes on doing whatever he can to continue playing ball, whether it be at a JuCo or 4-year school.

He’s in the process of working towards his Confirmation, which he is set to receive in May. We look forward to his growth in his Faith.

ACE

The baby. For starters, let me say that he will tell you that he’s taller than me, but he’s got about a .5 inch to go. He did grow about 4 inches over the summer and I just remember thinking one day that I was somehow nearly seeing him eye-to-eye… literally. Not only did he grow, but his hair did too. By the end of the summer, his hair was down to his shoulders. Days before school he chopped it. I couldn’t believe it got that long, and then I was shocked when he cut it.

Last spring we got to get back into summer swim with the neighborhood swim team. It was so nice to see him back in the water after 2 years. The season as short, but by the end of it he had made the decision that it was what he was going to do in High School. Finally. This year he’ll start training a bit more so that he’s better prepared for high school tryouts in August. You’ll notice that he has a little admirer throughout his swim pics.

Now he’s in his last year at middle school and next year he’ll join his brothers in high school. He played football as a receiver and linebacker and had a great time. He went into basketball tryouts knowing he wanted his place to be a manager… which is what he got. So, he goes to practice with the team, assists the coach on the bench, and carries his clipboard the coach made him. They dress up every game day. “Coach Ace”

With 8th grade brings Cotillion, something he’s looked forward to for a long time. Teaching all the age-old past-times of basic dance (rhumba, push-pull, etc) and etiquette. He left the first class wishing it was every weekend instead of once a month. I chaperoned the last class and got to help teach place settings and the proper way to turn the girls. The kids love it.

Ace is still as animated as ever. Smart as a whip. Will argue with a rock if you let him, but constantly brings laughter to our household. He loves to help us cook and is one of the most loyal and empathetic friends I have ever met. When he’s not driving me insane, he’s cuddled up on the couch with me binging Modern Family. He knows he’s the baby and isn’t afraid to use it towards his advantage. I’m terrified that high school is going to ruin him, so I am living up these last few months of middle school days we have left in our family. I NEVER thought I would say that about middle school. :)

SUMMER

We started off summer with selling our starter home that we were renting out over the last several years. It was bittersweet walking through it one last time with the boys since when we built it and moved in, Aiden was 1 and Austin was only 3 months old.

Nice visit from my dad who got to watch Aiden run, Ace swim and Austin play all in our Houston heat.

Then off to the Big Island of Hawaii for 9 days. It was amazing. We did all the things and traveled around the whole island. Cliff jumping, Green Sand Beach, Black Sand Beach, Sunsets, snorkeling with manta rays, Air BnB Container on lava rock, hiking to waterfalls and beautiful beach valleys and ending at the amazing Four Seasons.

When we got back, I went straight to Sandpoint, ID to surprise my bestie for her 40th. Record high temps meant we lived in the lake. A quick pop in at Gonzaga on my way back to the airpot

More birthday celebrations with friends.

Aiden, Jason, Ace and Faith travel to Jacksonville, FL for the National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championship for Aiden to compete in the 1500m, 3000m and 4x800.

I brave taking 6 13 year olds on a quick overnight trip to Austin with a friend.

We head to the Schulenburg Festival with one of Jason’s agents and join their family. Ace/Jason knock their daughter into the cheer dunk tank.

Summer ends with a concert at Wolfpen Creek In College Station to see Cody Johnson.

VOLUNTEERING

I have always had a passion for philanthropy. Now that the boys are hitting high school, their need for volunteer hours for college applications, makes it easy for us to do it together.

In the spring I continued my 6th year as a Vice Chairman on the Graphics & Signage Committee for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. We still didn’t have a normal rodeo season, but we sure did put in HOURS of time making signs for other committees. Since we weren’t able to require our volunteers to work, the leadership team had to step up and fill in the gaps. It was a huge undertaking and we re-created how we normally do things. Looking forward to implementing it all for the upcoming season as this will be my last year as a VC.

At the end of the summer, Aiden and Austin and I joined Young Mens Service League, which is a mother-son organization that provides service to the community. It requires the boys to put in 20 hours each year and for me to do 10 of those hours with them. We partner with lots of organizations in the community, but I have a heart for a few special ones. Special Olympics, Boys & Girls Country (privately run foster-like system) and Reach Unlimited (adults with intellectual disabilities). From September to early December we managed to put in over 20 hours each, which is on top of school and sports. I know there are times the boys would have chosen to something else, but the people we have met and the experiences we had I hope are making a lasting impression on them.

Some of our involvements:

• Gardening & harvesting in the Cy-Hope garden (produce is in turn provided to those in need)

• Re-doing the garden at Boys & Girls Country to give them fresh produce to harvest on their property

• Fishing Tournament with Special Olympics

• Race Helper for a Veterans Fun Run

• Trunk or Treating at Boys & Girls Country

• Assisting with athletes for Special Olympics Bowling

• Hosting Christmas Bingo Night at Reach Unlimited

FALL

The fall started off with a bang with news that my brother FINALLY got married to his high school sweetheart. They eloped to NY and had the most beautiful pictures. So happy for them.

Aggie game to see TAMU beat Alabama.

Grandpa teaching Austin how to play pool… his way.

Fun “Witches Night'“ with friends.

Bridal shower for my besties daughter.

Quick trip for Jason and I to Tampa… couples massages, beach, blueberry wine, great food.

Thanksgiving with my family. Ace in the kitchen.

Traveling with my brothers… Wimberley, Salt Lick, New Braunfels… so. much. fun.

PUPS

Tag and Cinder turned 3 this year.

Cinder still runs the roost. Tag climbs in our lap as if he’s as little as Cinder.

He throws fits every chance he gets and comes running any time the massage gun comes out for his turn.

He thinks everyone that comes over, comes over to play and entertain him. He’s the best teenage babysitter and will always check on what the kids are doing.

He got the big snip and figured out how to get past the inflated ring. Moved on to the large plastic cone of shame and purposely ran into things so we could hear that he was miserable and had to wear it. Then when we took it off, he would often make sure I knew what I did to him.

Then his most exciting moment was getting to do a Doggy Splash N Dash with Aiden. It was a jump into the lake for a swim, transition, then 1.2 mile run. The totally gave out rewards to the wrong people because Aiden and Tag killed it and technically finished first by their overall time. He was very proud of his medal nonetheless.

Cinder is the baby who is my shadow. She follows me around all day and insists on sleeping under the covers with me at night. Tiny baby.