Waving Goodbye to 2023, Welcoming 2024

At the start of every year, I hold my breath a little. What crazy shit is 2024 going to throw at us!? Like most, I want the new year to be better than the last, even just a little. We ended our 2022 rough, so it could only go up from such a point so low.

As I looked back on this year, I see growth, love, closeness, healing, commitment, communication, and accomplishments. 

I asked everyone to give me their most memorable moments this year, to switch things up a bit. 2 events ended up on most of our lists, so I will highlight those separately! 

Rusty Bodagit Sell was the biggest family highlight of 2023. Paul's therapist had suggested a therapy animal for quite some time. As soon as I caught wind of it, I wouldn't stop begging! I don't ever think Paul fully approved until it was too late. I took one look at that shy, tiny orange kitty, and he was ours. Rusty puts up with a lot from all of us, and he doesn't mind one bit. He is the best pet we have ever had! We have become those people who take their pet in the car, dress him up for holidays, and make sure he has gifts. We have already started planning a 1st birthday party, because that damn cat is just like one of my kids. 

The other thing that ended up on everyone's top most memorable was our Little America Christmas trip. I couldn't tell if it was because it just happened, or if it really was that good. It felt really special for me this go around, I wish I could have bottled up those emotions to save for a sad day. My parents started this tradition when they were married, 30+ years later, I get to carry this on with my kids. It makes me smile to think of my siblings and I playing the candy bar game on a hotel room floor, I hope it will do the same for my kids. I randomly decided to include Savannah in the planning, and I loved that I did. It was such a heartwarming thing to watch, and made me realize (AGAIN!) she is a full grown adult. She planned and executed a new fun game, and now she will forever be in charge of it! We played, we laughed until tears, we went swimming, we won money, we really enjoyed being a family of 6.

Drake age 8 -

Drake is fresh off his 8th birthday high. He had his first friend birthday party! He invited mostly girls and a group of 6th graders, and they came (sweetest thing ever)! I was thankful for everyone that showed up days before Christmas to celebrate our baby.

Drake made it 3 whole days into Summer before breaking his growth plate in his ankle. It was rough, and memorable. hahaha. Our Summer activities looked a little different for 6+ weeks, those crutches were a bugger. He did say he loved going swimming, which was one of the approved activities if I carried him.

Drake's personality has definitely developed in 2023. He is opinionated, has a question for every situation, smart, and sensitive. He loves to plan parties, play games, pj's, his scooter, and has started training with Devin. Drake hates haircuts, going to the car wash, and is still a picky eater. He can be found sipping a beverage from the Keurig in the wee hours of the morning by himself.

Bina age 11 -

Our vacation to Palm Springs was her most memorable experience! I asked her what her favorite part was, and she said all of it! She absolutely adores her Grandpa Frog, so a week with him was like heaven to her. 

Mathnasium! Bina has built a community of people that she loves and they love her! She goes 5 days a week, and has learned so much! She has gone up 4 grade levels, and a subject that used to bring her to tears...she loves now.

Bina has had a really hard year emotionally and physically. We have done lots of blood work, medicine, and therapy...and 2024 will be a lot of the same. We are hopeful to be able to narrow down what autoimmune disorder she has, so that we can help her feel her best. She has made lots of new friends, and absolutely loves being the big dog on campus! She loves make up, her iPad, swimming, manicures with Savannah, and relaxing! She hates keeping her room clean, hates drama, and has a phobia of sickness.

Devin age 13 -

All of Devin's most memorable moments are basketball! He said his trip to Vegas to play in a tournament and win the championship with his Hustle team was top tier! He had never been to Vegas, so his Dad (and I tagged along) gave him the full experience. Devin was able to attend the Wasatch Academy Basketball Camp during the Summer with his friends. It was the first time he was away from all of us for so long, and I don't think he missed us at all. He finished up the year playing in a tournament with his CU team and they won the championship in that as well. 

Since this is about memorable moments, not highlights, he did say he will remember this year for how often and long he has been sick for. He got pneumonia, strep in his stomach, COVID, followed up by the flu. He has struggled to keep weight on, is always in a bulking season, and never quits moving.

Devin's schedule is intense. He works out and plays basketball 7 days a week with multiple teams and people, including his manager (his Dad!). If he isn't in the gym, he is playing on his phone or bouncing a basketball! He hates when people tease, thinks school is waste of time (smart kid problems!), and absolutely hates losing.

Savannah adulting -

Graduating Highschool. I think I cried the entire month prior to her graduation, it was such a big step in parenting for me. As for Savannah, she was thrilled to be done! I don't think she misses it. I love watching Savannah do things I didn't, it makes me so proud that she is leveling up the next generation. 

After graduation, she quit her little part time car hop job, and got herself a big girl job working 40 hours. She loves it for the most part, but I think it might be because she works with her boyfriend too! She attends Weber State University full time, and is going into social work! We feel like we never see her, but love that she is living her best life.

2023 was definitely such a big year for Savannah. Getting her own credit card, saving for a brand new car, car shopping, buying herself a new phone, so many tattoos, and paying rent...just to name some! Definitely a year for the books! She is the queen of door dash, being a passenger princess, and somehow manages to run on very little sleep.

Evonne age 42 - 

I lost a lot in 2023, but thankfully I found a lot too! I took my whole family (including my Dad) whale watching on a tiny boat. I was giddy to share with them something I love so much. I got another tattoo, I learned how to cut and color hair, I quit my job at Target, and started my own business The House Nanny. My childhood friend, Kim, asked me to start a podcast/YouTube channel with her, and it has been so healing to work on this huge project together. 

I spent most of my days in the car taking kids to their events, or watching events...and I wouldn't have it any other way. I celebrated big milestones with my family, I supported my kids through loss, break ups, hurt feelings, and disappointment. I tried new things, and I would do all of those again! 

Paul forever 32 - 

Paul's most memorable moments were taking the trips! The Vegas trip to watch Devin win a championship, the birthday trip to Vegas with Vannah, the countless couples trips to Wendover, taking the kids to Six Flags and watching Drake "fly" around the park with his cape. 

His 2023 will be remembered for his new found love of Total Battle. We all sit around talking about the kingdom, clan, and who has gotten attacked. I laughed as we were at dinner last night talking strength of armies, who we are going to recruit, and how weak my city is! 

Paul has changed so significantly, sometimes I am blown away. He is constantly working on becoming a better person, and I have learned so much from his example of determination!

We have made our 2024 vision boards, and are ready to manifest some big dreams and goals! I have a feeling this is going to be a year to remember!