Can you believe it’s already 2026?
I remember when the girls were younger and starting school and we would talk about them graduating in 2025 (Liz) and 2026 (Emily) it would seem so far away. Yet, here we are to Emily’s graduation year. So unbelievable!
This past year went fast and furiously!
Here are some of the highlights from The Bolin Bunch:
In April we took in a foster girl named Savannah. She was one of my Bloomfield students and I couldn’t stand the thought of her going to the children’s home, so I called Chris and told him I was bringing a kid home. We had just finished getting our foster license renewed so the timing worked out great.
Adjusting to life with a 6 year old was a challenge- I never felt more 40 in my life~HA! I am so glad we were able to give her a safe and loving home for the 6 months we had her. At the end of September her case goal changed to long term/guardianship and we only do short term fostering, so she was able to go to a family that hopes to eventually adopt her. We still keep in contact with her and get her when we can so it works out great! She will always be so special to us.
Both girls attended Prom this year- our pocket book hurt but they looked beautiful and had the best time, so it was worth it!
In May, I ended my time at Bloomfield Elementary as principal. I will miss those students and staff members so much, but I am so glad I made the switch to go back home to Dexter to work. I am thankful Bloomfield took a chance on me and I gained so much confidence while there as a leader.
Also in May, Liz graduated from HS! I never really got too sad because I had an overwhelming sense of pride knowing what a great kid she is and how bright her future is! We celebrated her big and she was shown how loved she was!
Emily had her first senior pictures made for her summer session in June and it made me realize how it was my baby this time graduating and knowing now how fast it truly goes makes me sad! They turned out beautiful and she also had her fall pictures made in November- I can’t decide which ones I want to get made for our house!
In August we moved Liz to college. I had the hardest time with this knowing our house will never be the same with all 4 of us living under the same roof. Yes, she comes home some weekends and has stayed with us during winter break, it’s just not the “same”. She is loving college, is working 2 jobs to pay her way through college, and thriving! We are proud of her!
I started my new job at Dexter as head principal there. It is actually at the school I started teaching at in 2007 so definitely a full circle moment for me. It is a grind starting a new job again, but I have loved every second of it. Dexter is the best community and my school is full of great staff and students.
Chris had a wonderful deer season and is continuing to rock life being a teacher, baseball coach, and avid deer hunter. HA
That’s all I can think of as far as this past year goes.
We are looking forward to a great 2026 and pray you have a blessed and healthy year as well!
Aw, what a big and fabulous year you all had! Your girls are just beautiful in their prom photos. Glad to hear your daughter is loving college. I didn’t feel sad when our middle went off to college either as I was so excited for him and seeing how excited he was built on that but our youngest will head off this fall and it is definitely hitting different!
What a wonderful year. It is definitely bittersweet when they go to college and then into adulthood, but each stage has its own positives. Happy New Year.