Happy 2023! It may be hard to believe, but 2022 has come to a close. We had a very eventful December. We had several holiday related events, including a date night event at the air and space museum. We also joined the Russin clan in Las Vegas for a week of fun. Now back at home we finish the year by staying up late watching movies by a fire.
Cordelia had lots of growth this year. She finished 2nd grade and is doing great in 3rd grade. We switched swim schools at the beginning of the year. When Cordelia started, she was just doing free-style with side breathing. But now she’s doing all four strokes, flip turns, and has almost leveled out of the pre-team classes. Cordelia is also improving in her piano, now starting her level 3 books. She did two piano recitals and in December played outside Walmart with her teacher for the Salvation Army donation. Cordelia finished Sparks in AWANA and graduated as Sparks Girl Clubber of the year for 2022. Her vest was very decorated by the end of her time in Sparks! Now she’s starting in T&T. Cordelia started several new things this year too. She started ice skating, starting Basic 1 and graduated through Basic 3. She’ll be starting in Basic 4 in 2023.She also started playing basketball.
Anthony had lots of changes this year. He graduated from Kindergarten in Legacy and his been doing good in 1st grade being home schooled. He’s doing a PE class and co-op with art and choir for this homeschool year. In swim class Anthony went from just starting free-style to all four strokes, side breathing, and flip turns. Anthony also continued in piano, now into the elementary level 1 books. He also did two piano recitals and in December joined Cordelia playing outside Walmart for the Salvation Army donation. Anthony is in his second year of Sparks in AWANA. Anthony started soccer this year. He has been loving it and graduated up from the intro level class to the next level, skills class.
Lydia had some big changes this year. At the beginning of the year, she was at home with our au pair, Maria. Now she’s back at Legacy and learning to read, do basic math, and general life skills. Lydia is making progress in swimming. She switched techniques and learned to roll over instead of popping up. She’s starting to do a little bit of intro free-style and just leveled up to level 5. Lydia is in her second year of Cubbies in AWANA. Lydia tried soccer over the summer, but ended up not liking it that much. So she switched over to gymnastics and seems to be enjoying that.
Natalie started off the year as a 3 month old, just learning to sleep through the night. Now she sleeps through the night, is down to one 3hr long nap. Now, she’s a walking all over and is trying to talk. She’s also eating mostly the same food our family eats and is a little person. Natalie is starting to be a more interesting part of the family. All her siblings love playing with her and she’s starting to play with them too. Natalie’s learning how to jump on the trampoline, climb steps and go down slides.
Alicia made lots of changes this year. At the beginning of the year, she was setting to go back to work full time in her new role and Project Engineer. Then over the summer she switched to part time work while homeschooling Anthony and staying home with Natalie. Overall it has been a good transition and we continue to believe this is what God had for us at this time. Alicia continues in her AWANA Sparks director role and it’s continued to be a fulfilling and challenging. Alicia has enjoyed the extra time to spend with the kids. She’s likes see their extra-curricular activities and encouraging them in their learning.
Tim switched jobs in May and then back to his old job in September. It was a bit of a roller-coaster ride but things seem to be settling down. His company seems to be getting more stable and giving him some more solid tasks. December was a bit rough, due to a number of deadlines coinciding, but the second half of the month has been more relaxing with time off to visit family and to relax. He finally finished a box for Papa’s cast iron Cajun cooking pot, and he’s got a couple more projects in mind as well as the usual home maintenance / improvement tasks. This year promises to be pretty busy at home and at work.
In 2023, we’re not expecting a whole lot of drastic changes. We’re looking forward to growing together as a family, as the kids continue to get older. We will be switching life groups this year, hosting one at our home, so we pray for God to be able to use us and our family there, as well as Alicia’s Awana ministry and the people we interact with at school and work. We’re looking forward to Anthony’s 7th birthday later in January, and whatever else 2023 holds.
