High and Low of 2013
Stouts
High - getting married, having our whole family there for our
wedding, honeymoon to Ireland/France/Italy/Belgium, Colie graduating with her
master's, Jed starting at Weber State University, opening a box full of Belgian
chocolates for Christmas, swimming on Christmas day in 70 degree weather, &
both of us getting a roommate we can't live without.
Low - realizing that social workers don't make as much as we
thought, crawling on the ground, being at sea level, right before filling up
the gas tank, and shopping at Lowe's.
High:
2013 was non-stop travel. I enjoyed exploring new places. We
visited over 7 countries, and many cities in the US and Europe.
Tori walking and being such a sweet baby made my whole year.
Low:
2013 was non-stop travel :). Even though is exciting it can be
tiresome as well as expensive.
Noel
On
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 2:46 PM, Felicia Sparhawk
wrote:
Steve
proposed to Felicia on 1/2/13 in Rockefeller Center
Steve
and Felicia got married on 3/29/13 in Washington DC. Best day of our
lives.
Felicia
took Steve to his first New York Yankees game
We
spent some time in Belguim, traveling around Europe giving Felicia the full
tourist's experience
Drove
across the country from New Jersey all the way to Utah
We
fell in love with Café Rio
Moved
into our first apartment in June
Steve
got laid off his job in July
We
adopted DeeDee, the cutest ferret, into our family in July
Felicia
Got a job as apartment manager in SLC in September
We
adopted Tobi, the cuddliest kitty, into our family in September
Felicia's
mom had surgery, so she was able to go home and see her family
before they moved to Saudi Arabia
Steve Started
a new Job in September, Got laid off in October.
Steve
took Felicia to her first BYU Football game in October
Steve
got a new job at Duty Free America before Thanksgiving and
they've already given him a raise! YAY
Steve
got accepted into LDS Business college on New Years Eve
Highs:
-Bike ride trip through the Loire Valley with Seth
-We're pregnant!
-Seth being recognized by his peers and superiors and being
elected for Chief Resident.
-Approval from the IRS to make Fostering Childhood and official
nonprofit charity.
Lows:
-Terrible morning sickness in Belgium
-Finding out our boys bike's were stolen while we were in
Belgium (who steals teeny tiny bikes from teeny tiny kids?!)
Heidi
High was getting a new job. Don't have any lows - life is good
right now. Dan.
Lows:
First year I did not make it out to Utah, and a couple of ER trips for stomach
problems (hoping to be determined soon)
Highs:
Having lots of family come to the east coast (makes up for not making it home),
our family trip to Niagara Falls and Palmyra, having Lily join our family, and
seeing Rachel get baptized.
Mel.
I had a great year. My Highs: Surprising Daphne and attending
her end of ballet camp performance in Boise--She worked so hard, was very brave
and I was incredibly proud of her; Watching Zane work hard to conquer his 'no
hits' streak in baseball--he became a powerhouse hitter; Scarlet's baptism and
our trip to the East Coast--I love that girl. She has the most pure heart I
have ever known; Sending Brauer to Kindergartener--it was a very difficult
decision but for sure the right decision. He is doing well and is happy as can
be; Just everything Levi! But one of my favs was witnessing how determined he
was to walk and his serious work ethic. Dan and I are confident that Levi will
keep us on our toes.
I guess it has been a great year when you can't think of a low.
If I had to choose a low it would likely be Levi getting RSV. That was a really
long couple of weeks. Lara
My high for 2014 is Valentines Day...for 2013...
High
Rachel's baptism. I couldn't have scripted a better experience
for all involved!
Low
The indifferent, condescending, Jersey Strong nurses in the ER.
I'm still upset at them, which then makes me feel guilty because I'm supposed
to live a higher law and bless my enemies...and wondering what's wrong with me
when, of the very few enemies I have, a couple of nurses fit the description.
But they do. Jake.
High: Isa driving
the boat in Austria, “I’m not going to be a bad driver like my dad” all the
while our boat was going in circles and she wasn’t even looking where she was
going. Two magnificent
weddings. Paid off Heber
house. Summer guests which include
trips to Austria, Turkey, Germany, Normandy. The firework show from the picture window of our
apartment. Mom’s 90th. Reunion, and everyone there.
Low: The owner of
the house in Durango (Lisa).
Packing up the nest at 20 Sijsjeslaan and leaving the Strombeek
ward. Wrecked the Volvo. Selling the piano. This is probably more Steve’s low:
trying to get his apartment rented.
Anita/Mom
Okay. You asked for it so I'm giving it to you straight
from the gut!
Highs (mostly highs)
1. All the family time in March at Steve and Felicia's
wedding, May at Audrey's 90th, and June at Colie and Jed's wedding.
Pretty darn close to the celestial kingdom.
2. The Sound of Music tour of Salzburg, Austria, and the
Salzkammergut lakes, thanks to Natalie.
3. Sailing, swimming, and double chocolate Magnum bars on
the Turkish Riviera with Seth, Heidi and company.
4. Realizing that after all the life changes I went
through in 2013 (retiring after 36 years, moving from our house of 25 years,
and being released as SP after 8 years) that I really didn't mind it at all.
There is a time to leave things behind and move on and embrace the
future. Happiness is not a place or a job or a calling, but my eternal
family and my relationship with my Heavenly Father. That's all that
matters.
Lows (all work related, but they pay me a lot so no one feels
sorry for me)
1. Being in an offsite meeting in Glons, Belgium, for two
long days and nights with the senior management from the Agency where all day
long people were trying to steal people and responsibilities from each other,
including me. During the breaks people would get together to conspire
against others. Common sense, reality, and logic didn't matter. It
was all about eloquence of speech and who could conspire the best. I
survived, but it was very ugly. That which doesn't kill you makes you
stronger. Tom
Ok here it is:
High: 3 months in a row hanging out with my parents. Oh yeah and
we were in Belgium/Europe too, which was a close second. I am also very
grateful that I continue to get to be a stay at home mom. Many of my
"highs" are just the little moments with my kids.
Low: Although I am very grateful to have a hardworking,
intelligent husband I would be lying if I didn't say I extremely dislike that
Noel travels for work. In 2013 it added up to about 3 1/2 months including many
weekends and important dates like Valentines day and Isa's birthday. Natalie
PS.Love this list! Learned a few things I didn't know. I think we should skip the lows. I like to just forget the bad stuff. Like Tori getting RSV and spending the night in the hospital the night before Colie's wedding. Let's just pretend that didn't happen!
I thought of another high... did I ever tell you about the time I scared my 40 year old neighbor and he screamed like a little girl then slammed the door in my face and wouldn't open it back up again because he didn't realize it was just his neighbor? IT WAS THE BEST!!!
Bryn's high: birthday in Belgium and going to Pop's work
Isa's high: the whole year and going to Hofstade
Bryn: the whole year for me too
High:
biking through the loire valley with Heidi. That was an awesome trip. Renting
the boat in turkey and having a great day on the water w everyone. Mtn biking
in Sedona. Seeing everyone at the reunion. Finding out we are having another
baby.
Low:
felt really bad for Heidi when she was pregnant and sick again. But not so
bad that I couldn't eat another double chocolate magnum bar. Seth
Highs first/lows second
Scarlet: Getting baptized and going to NYC/My mom making me
quit tumbling
Zane: BYU football camp and playing football, making district
finals for swim team/ my football team losing most of the time
Daphne: Ballet Camp in Boise and getting the news that we are
not moving/Homework stress
Brauer: Lake Powell/ Christmas break ending
Levi didn't have much to contribute. :)
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I just did a copy/paste job. So it's all mixed up. Didn't even put couples comments together. Hope you enjoy reading. If more kids want to put in their comments, I can always add!
Enjoy reading. I think we all had a great 2013. Here's to a great 2014!
