So much happened in 2017. I am going to share some highlights by month.
MAY
Our good friend Madison Stratton came out to visit us for 11 days! We weren't sure how that would go. I've never had a friend come and stay in my house that long, but we had a great visit! Highlights included, but not limited to:
-Bridge
-Basketball
-Sharing good food and laughs together
-A day trip to Springfield for Cherry Pie Day
JULY
Geoff and I celebrated our anniversary by taking a trip to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore
-We enjoyed the Amtrak ride out there - I especially remember being enchanted by the lights of Pittsburgh in the wee dark early morning (about 4am).
-I had never been in the House or Senate chambers in the Capital building before. We also had interesting conversations with people while waiting in line.
-Pad Thai with fried soft shell crab (my highlight, not Geoff's)
-Great breakfasts and conversations with people at the B&Bs where we stayed
-Delicious fried pickles and crab dip on a "P" pretzel at Pickles Pub before the Cubs game
-Friendly Baltimore fans at the game
-THE CUBS WON!!!
God gave us a baby in July and provided people and circumstances to help me be at peace with being pregnant. "The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes."
AUGUST
We lost the baby
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21
Rebekah, Katherine and I were able to fly to Texas to visit Madison.
Some highlights:
-Rebekah's first flight!
-Galveston
-Experiencing just a little of the effects of Harvey
-BJs Irish root beer and pizookies
-Codenames
-Sandra Bullock movies
-Good food like stuffed avocado and queso with Texas-shaped chips
-Just hanging out and meeting Mabs' friends
OCTOBER
Apple Butter Day is always a highlight of the year. A couple things that made it interesting this year:
1. A tornado warning that brought the celebration inside with the Russells and Devin
2. Musical chairs with live music
NOVEMBER
We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. So thankful for my husband and for my kids who knew that even though we took a trip to celebrate, that we would still appreciate an open house to celebrate with others. I love you all!!! The kids even kicked us out of the house the day of so that we would not have to deal with the pre-party stress. They did a great job!
DECEMBER
I was so thankful to be able to go down to Macomb just to visit Geoff's 99 year old Grandma White and his 101 year old Great Aunt Juanita. We don't know how much longer we will have to be able to visit them. Which brings me to my last thoughts.
REMEMBERING THE DEAD:
This past year we went to Elaine's, Gerald's cousin's wife, funeral in July.
Gerald's brother Stanley died in August and Geoff was able to go to Texas for the funeral with his Dad and Aunt Christine.
Geoff and I were able to go to Ohio in December with Mary Jane and Gerald when her brother Bill died. It was sad, but a great time with family.
We don't really have any exiting plans for 2018, but I look forward to what God has in store for us! He is faithful!
(And BTW, this was a super long post! If you made it to the end, you deserve a gold star!)
