Looking Back on 2025

December 31, 2025

Looking Back on 2025

What an amazing year 2025 has been for our family! We were blessed with three new grandbabies- one granddaughter from our son and a set of twins, boy and girl, from our daughter. Tripled blessed in March and April with these precious little ones. A week apart and our crew doubled- isn't God wonderful. All healthy and growing so big.

Another grand decided to move in with us, and I must say although it has been a huge change in our lives, I can see such a difference in her and her work in school. I am thankful that we are close to mom and that she can live with us and still see mom when she wants to. Being full time caregivers for a child was not what my goals were for the year, but it has been a nice change of pace. Although, the way they teach math these days may make me crazy before the year is up.

My husband and I celebrated 30 years of marriage. It is hard to believe that it has been that long. We were married in the middle of an ice storm in a nursing home so my grandma could be there. What a story and what a life we have had. Several homes and many trials, but we have always stuck it out and found our way back to a good place. He drives me crazy at times, but I am thankful that he is mine.

One of my favorite photos of us taken at our daughters' wedding during the longest married dance.

February brought my daughter-in-law's baby shower. A couple that I never expected to have children, but here we were having a baby shower for a precious little baby. More cold weather and some snow, but we knew spring was around the corner.

March brought about the first of the three new grands. The last week of the month our beautiful granddaughter made her arrival into the world. Followed a week later, by the arrival of the other two. One spent a few hours in NICU, but both were healthy and their big brother was now going to share time with mom and dad with these two.

April brought some heartache, my best friend's brother and a dear friend to me as well as a high school crush for me, passed. He had been sick for a while, but the same age of me and you don't expect a death at that age. He passed in his sleep, which I was thankful of.

May brought the end of school and the start of a summer that offered many trips and lots of fun with grandbabies.

June brought my birthday. It also brought a trip to Michigan with my friends. It was a short three-day trip, but lots of fun.

Lake Michigan is so pretty, and the sunsets are absolutely breathtaking.

July brought many exciting summer activities to us, as we made a trip to my oldest daughters and stayed a few days and made several memories. We also had the county fair, which we always look forward too.

His first time at the fair! He loved the rides and the chocolate milkshakes. Of course, mammaw had to share her cotton candy as well.

Sunflowers in the garden area! Aren't they beautiful?

A trip to Bass Pro Shop to see the fish as well as a stop at Jungle Jims.

A quirky little Boba tea shop! We loved the decor.

A birthday party for this sweet little guy!

No summer is fun without a trip to the zoo! This small zoo is only $3 to enter and has so many fun things to do. We go often and love it! Is he laughing at us?

The prairie dogs are one of our favorite exhibits!

The kangaroos are always a fun time too as we can walk through the exhibit.

A nearby city playground makes for even more fun!

Love these slides!

An impromptu puppet show at a small nature conservatory.

Fun with props at a Rotary Museum that we stumbled across.

More fun with props!

She's in jail! This rotary museum is such a fun place and so unique to see. The history behind it is amazing.

August brought the first day of school and another surgery on that arm that was broken on the dirtbike. All pins are out, and she is good to ride now.

It also brought a rework of the Pink Zebra shed. Still don't exactly as I want it set up, but closer each time that I make changes. Hopefully, next year a larger office is in the works.

Mid August brings thoughts of fall and so we put some decorations up to enjoy the beginning of the fall season that is shortly followed by the BER months.

A quick trip to a blueberry festival and a visit with a friend from high school church camp days. We had so much fun and it was so much bigger than we expected the festival to be. We enjoyed our visit and hope to go back again soon.

While we were close to the area, we decided a trip to South Haven Michigan was a must do. Lunch at Clementine's and some quick shopping. We really needed to go to the blueberry store there.

South Haven

We love the walk to see Lake Michigan!

September brought some more good memories and another surgery.

My 40th class reunion was in September, and we had a great time! I was very shy in school, but I will talk to any of them now. I love this outfit, but the shirt is not flattering with the stripes.

Another foot surgery for me. UGH! Recovery was not as difficult this time, but now it seems as though it made no difference in my walking ability.

Spirit week at school brought two Superheroes to our house. Ghose Spider and Spider-Man were in the house!

October was another short vacation. We went to Henderson, KY and were able to see several cool things along the riverwalk. The train trussell was something neat for all to see.

I believe that this was called Locks of Love and anyone can add to the 'wall" of locks. You write encouraging words on a lock and place it on the "wall". Below is an example of a lock that someone has added.

The statue below stands in an area near a play area. I thought that it looked as though he was overlooking the town to be sure danger did not abound.

We found a Halloween store and the kids were very excited to find a costume.

Near my oldest daughters' house, there is a small community area that you are able to go paint pottery and have it glazed for reasonable prices, so we took advantage of it, and I painted a cute little turkey to add to our Thanksgiving decor.

November is "almost Christmas" at our house. That usually means the tree and Christmas decorations are going up and we can find a light display or two to take advantage of. It also means that we celebrate Thanksgiving with a meal and time with kids and grandkids.

Christmas trees

November is the month my mom was born, and we were lucky to get to celebrate her 90th birthday. She is still fairly healthy, other than the strep infection in her back that is always there, but does not always rear its ugly head. She doesn't like being away from our home, but it is a safer option for her at this stage in her life.

Do we have Elvis fans in here? My friends and I love Elvis, and one friend has an entire bedroom decorated with Elvis items. Tyler Christopher is a great performer that does amazing Elvis tribute shows.