Well, it's been an interesting year. I have been amiss in keeping this updated so I'll have to post a quick summary and hit the highlights month by month.
April
In April we finished up the new house and completed permitting so we could start to move in! J and C both acted in Midsummer Night's Dream with J as Nick Bottom and C as a Peace Blossom and Moonshine. They and their friends did a great job.
J also did a spring outdoor harp concert as well.
May
In May we took our first family trip out to Fall Creek Calls. It's certainly a beautiful state park and one that we will try to get into a regular rotation!
June
In June I ran/swam/cycled in my first triathlon. It was a sprint, so only a 300 meter swim, 12 mile bike ride, and 5k run. A co-worker convinced me to try it. The only thing that really worried me was the swim as I am not a great swimmer (I call it the "redneck splash" - I can get across the river, but I'll be winded when I get there). Over April and May I watched a lot of YouTube videos and practiced a lot at the local Y. By the time June rolled around I could swim 1200 meters without too much effort, and it felt good to get another form of exercise in my tool belt. My goal for the triathlon was to a) complete it and b) not be last in my age group. I accomplished both goals. The only snafu was the swimming part: I jumped into the water without first putting my goggles on, so I had to tread water in the Cumberland River while trying to get them on and adjusted. I'll try to remember to put them on before I jump into the river for my next triathlon in Chattanooga in June 2023!
C and R1 both performed in a summer violin concert. C got in some Irish dancing, too.
C also traveled to Italy with her violin school and performed in many cathedrals and dance halls. She visited Vienna, Rome, Florence, Ravenna, and several other cities. When asked about the coliseum she said it was "dirty" but then later conceded it was "pretty cool."
July
We're not going to sugar coat it: July was rough. A got into a pretty bad car accident that left her in the hospital for nine days. We are very grateful for the very good care she got at our local university hospital, that a 20-week-old Noble was okay, and that the three girls in the car were okay. The man that hit her was speeding and passing in a center lane. Unfortunately, he is unlikely to face any consequences for that decision as he was both under-insured and driving someone else's car.
I am grateful that A's mom, Juju, came out to help us in late July. Our church and neighbors also came through to support us with food, prayers, and even delivering supplies we needed. It was a rough month, but we also had so much to be grateful for.
August
In August, R2 started kindergarten! We were nervous to see how a kid with special needs would be cared for at our local school, but so far it has been great. R2 is a very social girl, so she has made many friends and is beginning to recognize letters. The school is close enough to us that we can walk, but more often she rides in a bike trailer.
R1 and C started at a classical school, which they have enjoyed. Our nieces came to visit and help out while A continued to recover, for which we are grateful.
September & October
We went to some concerts, including the Schermerhorn to see the Nashville Symphony. We also made a weekend trip down to Atlanta and hit up Six Flags. Everyone did at least one roller coaster (except for A, of course, being pregnant). C busked at a street festival in Marietta and made a killing.
November
We had more violin concerts and more trips to parks. The highlight of the month came just before Thanksgiving - Noble joined us! The girls fight over holding him, and R2 was so happy to have him join her on a walk to school one morning so she could show her new brother to classmates and teachers.
December
And that brings us to this month, which still isn't over, but has been a pretty quiet month with lots of music concerts, baby-time and medical stuff. J, C, and R1 all played at the Cool Springs Galleria during the month.
Happy holidays, merry Christmas, and a happy New Year.