January
I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. This picture I took the morning I knew I would be getting my results, trying to show Chris I had my brave face on.
The girls attended their winter homecoming dance and looked beautiful like always!
February
I had my thyroidectomy and missed 4 days of work.
We surprised Emily with her new car (a few months early).
March
My sister and I took the kids to St. Louis for a day of fun on Good Friday. We had a blast!
Celebrated Easter- I love this picture of me and Chris!
April
Solar Eclipse Fun- I was able to watch it at school with all my students and teachers.
Liz attended her first prom. She looked gorgeous and her dress was made perfectly for her!
May
Emily turned 16!! I took her and a couple friends to Nashville for the weekend. We shopped a lot and ate great food!
She passed her driver’s test with a score 83.
June
Chris turned 41!
Chris and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with a trip to the beach for the week! I love him more with each passing year.
Liz was able to attend Girl’s State at Lindenwood University. She has a lot of great stories to tell from her week there and was able to go to the Capitol in Jefferson City.
July
Celebrated 4th of July at my sister’s house
We went on our first family cruise. The girls both got to bring a friend. We went to the Bahamas, Princess Cays, and Turks and Caicos. All the islands were beautiful that we were able to visit and we had the best time!
Lots of summer volleyball for the girls
Liz was baptized- best decision she’ll ever make!
August
We went on our annual Bolin/ONeal back to school Branson trip. Time together when your kids are getting older is priceless!
I turned 40!!! We celebrated all the birthday girls: Sadie (1), Haley (30), me, and my mom (61).
September
Got family pictures updated finally!
Liz was nominated to be on the fall homecoming court and was voted 1st alternate from her classmates. What an honor! Her pink dress was the prettiest homecoming dress she’s ever picked out! Both girls look beautiful for their fall homecoming, I just didn’t get the best picture of them together.
We went to Louisville and watched a Louisville vs. Nebraska volleyball game. Nebraska swept them and played great! The atmosphere in the Yum Center this time was really cool!
October
Chris and I were able to buy 13 acres that touch the other 12 acres we already owned, so now we are the proud land owners of 25 acres in Doniphan! We will build our forever home in a couple years if all goes according to plan.
Senior Night for Liz with volleyball. It was so bittersweet seeing her play her last volleyball game this year!
November
We celebrated Thanksgiving this year at Eminence with Chris’s grandma Bolin. We were able to enjoy a quick hike at Alley Springs (it was cold).
December
Liz turned 18!
We had a great Christmas and were so glad we were able to make it up to Springfield to see Chris’s grandma Welch.
I haven’t said a lot about my health since my cancer diagnosis at the beginning of the year. I am still really struggling to get my TSH levels straightened out. A few months ago, my number was going down in the right direction (3.6) so my doctor upped my medicine dosage.
However, Monday I went and got blood work done and this is my current TSH level. I am going the WRONG way even with my medicine getting upped. I have an appointment in January and I am anxious to hear what Dr. Sheikh tells me. This journey has been a roller coaster and the fatigue I feel is so strong sometimes, but having a TSH level this high explains why. I am hopeful we can get my numbers lined out at the beginning of this year!
I pray you and yours have a healthy and happy 2025! I hope to blog and check in more than 3x a year also!
