Growing up. Looking back, this is how 2019 feels. Which will sound funny if we read this again next year or 10 years from now.
Our oldest child is still but 12, although he just received his first smartphone. Our dog is still going strong at age 14 although she doesn’t do stairs anymore. Aimee and Marshall are knocking on 40 and 50, respectively. And we had enough things go wrong with our house to bring us to our knees and feel a little too much like adult homeowners.
After a banner year like 2018, 2019 was still one for the record books.
It began with an escape to Orlando from a dreadful Kansas City winter. There we spent a couple days at Disney, several afternoons at the pool, and had a great visit with Brooke and Pete.
March brought March Madness and the unbelievably redemptive run to a national championship by our beloved UVa!
A little later, Marshall and Aimee joined John and Sooki on a dream trip to the Masters in Augusta. We were blessed with great weather, pimento cheese sandwiches, legendary hospitality, and the luxurious landscape of Augusta National.
Then the rains came. Our basement flooded and there began house renovations that are still ongoing as we write this. New roof, new basement, siding repairs…from top to bottom, inside to out, our home has been in disarray. It looks like we might finally be able to have our living room back in about a week!
In June we had a fun visit from Paw Paw and Betsy, followed soon after by an epic three week road trip out west, culminating with the Morsman’s in Red Lodge, MT.
There were also a few smaller trips here and there, like to Dallas for The Gathering and to Philly for the Army-Navy game (Aimee and Liam). Aimee travels a bunch for work but enjoys occasionally taking the kids with her one at a time. It is great education for them.
The kids are thriving in many ways. All three are playing club soccer and have enjoyed multiple league and tournament championships. We are really proud of how they courageously faced tryouts and have worked hard on improving their skills. Andy also decided to take on basketball and cross-country!
Marshall has been kept busy by the renovations, and Aimee continues to grow Impact Foundation with Jeff and Steve and the wonderful staff they’ve assembled.
Click here for more photos from our adventures. As we close out 2019, we pray God’s blessings on all who have blessed us during the year. Cheers to 2020!
-Marshall, Aimee, Andy, Liam & Reagan
