I did not manage to get a Christmas card out or even a Christmas letter so this year my blog post will have to be enough. We did manage to get family photos taken and Rachel at Rachel Spencer Photography did a great job capturing our family. Everyone has grown so much this year and 2023 has brought some changes for each of us.
In February I left Longmont United and my ER group after nearly 12 years there. I never thought I would leave that hospital but because of numerous changes at many different levels it was no longer a safe place for me to care for patients. And so in March I joined Emergency Physicians of the Rockies and we staff all the UC Health hospitals in northern Colorado and it has been such a great move. I have the staff, support, and resources to take care of patients. I have met great people and made a number of new friends and its slowly beginning to feel like home. This fall I also got to lead out in starting an American Heritage Girls troop at our church and every other week along with a great group of women leaders pour into a number of girls ages 5-16 as they learn skills in leadership, creativity, life skills all while growing in their faiths.
Clint is holding the home front down in amazing ways and has also stepped out in leading Edric’s scout troop this past fall. It’s a small group but they have all learned and grown a ton through it. He often fills in to lead our small group at church when needed and is exploring starting a podcast for other Dads who homeschool.
Leighton started high school this fall as well as his first job. There’s been a lot of growth and learning in that whole process. He had the opportunity to take a class and earn college credit through the Career Elevations and Technology Center and has enjoyed that. He’s coaching boys gymnastics two nights a week and the other three nights working on his own skills and routines and gearing up for his first meet in January. He’s learning to navigate friendships in the midst of his shyness and growing in those skills as well.
Caedmon decided to switch ballet companies this fall after spending the summer dancing in a summer intensive at Colorado Ballet in Denver. He now dances in Denver for all his classes and has loved every moment. His dancing has grown by leaps and bounds and he leaves each night with a huge smile on his face. He’s loving seeing professional dancers that he has watched up on stage from the audience since he was in preschool now walk down the same halls he does. Caedmon also has had the opportunity to dance in the Nutcracker with the professional company and has had a blast with all of that. He’s learning to navigate all things middle school.
Edric has loved scouts this fall and is eagerly awaiting the early spring when he will get to move into Boy Scouts with many of the older boys that he adores at church. He has started learning how to play the flute and really enjoyed his choir class this year at Apex. He’s figuring out his first round of braces and all the adventures that his teeth have given us. He is fascinated by trains and rockets and will tinker with anything and everything.
Paxton is a little old man stuck inside a tiny 8 year old body. He prefers most days to wear a 3 pieces suit and tie. He carries a brief case around and says things years older than his 8 year old self. He loves to laugh and is super ticklish. He loves playing the drums and piano. Paxton has grown in his gymnastics and is also looking forward to his meet season starting soon. He still dreams of growing taller than Daddy and having a full beard.
Coppelia is full of spice and sass and keeps everyone on their toes. She loves others and is rarely quiet. Docile and shy will never be words that are used to describe her and that’s ok, no one will take advantage of her either. Besides telling everyone what to do Coppelia loves riding horses and has developed a number of skills with her weekly lessons. She loves her American Heritage Girls troop and asks me every day if we have a meeting that night. Her goal in life is still to have a unicorn farm.
It’s rarely quiet in our house, but its also a lot of fun and everyone sleeps well at night. We love playing games together, going hiking, backpacking, and just spending time together. It has been a year of change and growth but it’s been the best to spend it with these amazing humans that I get to call my family.
Hiking Mommy 