2025 - other goings on

  This has been a year to punch holes in our walls. I've mentioned the fun with our plumbing. We've also been concerned about a crack from the house resettling (because of the plumbing issues, in part). A friend from church came over to replaster and to fix the worst of it. Another friend from church came over to put the sheetrock in after the plumber made all of his holes.

I did a lot of stagecrafts when I was in high school. So I'm good with wood and paint and such. I understand intellectually that sheetrock is a simple thing, and after watching some more experienced guys go at it, I agree it's something I could probably manage. They sure did it better and faster than I could've!

Jim Gentry has been my good friend and partner in professional development practically since we moved to Tarleton. This year he moved from being in charge of some faculty development to being a department head. This picture wasn't necessarily a going away party - our Scholarship of Teaching and Learning cohort was doing a poster session for their projects - but this would be his last shindig in his old role. Sure have missed working with him!

Family game night and fun at Six Flags. The boys love each other.

JT had a surgery this year. A second hernia needed to be addressed. This one was a lot easier on him than his first, thankfully. For a time there were concerns it might not be merely a hernia, but a cancer. Those diagnoses turned out to be unwarranted, thankfully. He's now right as rain. Speaking of rain, the children's hospital in Fort Worth has a room for prayer and meditation with this stained glass of Noah's Ark.

For our 20th anniversary, Joy and I got each other new rings.
Or at least, we've been working at it since our anniversary. 

 Nia continues to explore new and interesting crafts. She made me a reversable tie for Father's Day. One side is space themed, like her dress. The other side solemnly swears it is up to no good. I think her favorite thing she has learned to cook this year was pork burgers.

My brother and his family moved to Indiana. The road between CA and IN happens to pass through Amarillo, so we got to drive up there and spend a short evening with them on the way. We visited an Italian restaurant. Sadly the pool was not working. 

Oscar P is watching!