What everyone has been up to in 2023!

Hello dear readers! Welcome!!!!  

'Tis the season for dusting off my blog and sharing some updates from the land of Motekai! 

Come on in and see what we've been up to!

Dominic was accepted in Texas A&M this January, he graduated from high school in May, turned 18 in July and started his own photography business! He is majoring in Physics and even though he is living at home, we rarely see him :) He is happily spending most of his days studying or practicing his violin on campus, getting plugged in with the St. Mary's student ministries and eating at Taco Bell at various hours of the day with his new friends.  In his free time, he is known to bake something carb-o-licious, or take advantage of a good nap!

Milo developed a new passion of rock climbing over this past year, and is always trying to invite friends to join him at our local gym! He is enjoying French and Chemistry immensely in his sophomore year, and continuing his involvement in orchestra and youth group at church.  He loves working on car models in his free time, and he received his driver's permit and is ready to take to the open road!

Jonas is somehow the busiest of all of us, and requires many chauffeurs to get through life.  This year, he enjoyed studying Tae Kwondo, participating in the Bluebonnet Community Choir and currently is enjoying acting, singing and dancing with the The Theatre Company's most recent production of A Christmas Carol. He is enjoying Science class the most this year, and in his free time, he loves to draw, write stories, sing, compose music on the piano and join his brother in rock climbing! 

And these two people.... we've been hanging on tight to the Lord and to each other! :) Though our children are growing up, we find that parenting is still very much a "keep your eyes on the ball" effort in today's busy world full of so many distractions and influences. We are enjoying goofing off more with our teens as their personalities emerge, and it helps us to keep our sense of humor to remember how WE were as teens. Oof! 

In all truth, we are so proud of our boys and how they are working hard at what matters most in life, and they continue to be loving & helpful to us, and each other. 

Bronius is our hero, as he adapts professionally to a changing tech world with his flexible mindset, happy spirit and strong work ethic.  He is still the most creative and people-oriented software engineer I have ever met. :) He has had the opportunity to lead Drupal workshops at conferences, and is continuing to define his career path. He loves to participate in musical opportunities for singing and violin whenever he is able, and has enjoyed playing in the Brazos Civic Orchestra and playing for The Theatre Company's pit orchestra as well. He also serves on our parish council in his free time, and coaches couples in Marriage Preparation together with me.

Julia has been a busy entrepreneur these past few years, continuing to establish her own wellness coaching practice as well as working for a mental wellness company remotely. She helps lead a women's group in our church community, and serves on the PTO boards at the boys schools as well as chaperoning any field trips that she can ( hey, I miss school!) In her free time she enjoys attending dance workshops and since good food is REALLY important to this crew, she is always trying out new recipes for dinners! 

We have been stretched this year.... in every possible way, mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially.  But all of this stretching has come with growth, and resilience. I am so proud of how hard our family has worked in everything we set out to do this year, including prioritizing visiting our relatives in different states which has been something we haven't been able to do for SO long! God has provided for many blessings and opportunities this year, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Thank you for coming to visit our little home on the web!!! If you would like to read more about our year, check out the post below!

Wishing you a very blessed Christmas and Hannukah, dear friends and family, and a bright and hopeful New Year!!!!