It’s a wrap…2023

We started the year by meeting Craig’s girlfriend and wrapped up 2023 welcoming a daughter-in-law into our family. Before Craig went back to school for spring semester of his senior year, his girlfriend, Claire, came for a visit and we got to meet this wonderful young lady who stole our son’s heart. Little did I know this would be the last Christmas (2022) and birthday that Craig would spend at home.

Also in January, Ken and I enjoyed a day at the Happiest Place on Earth (for free, thanks to a co-worker) and we met up with our old friend, Karen-Leigh.

In addition, Clare was privileged to play on the All-Stars soccer team and I had to laugh as I stood watching her tournament in the POURING RAIN, wondering why they didn’t just cancel the game. They lost but I still get to keep the memory. Our middle child, Luke, became an adult, which means we have more adults in the family than minors! Luke was able to obtain a Costco card and now does my grocery shopping weekly. The younger kids were very disappointed that I no longer took them to get their samples.

Ken and I enjoyed two wonderful shows last winter. First, To Kill a Mockingbird, with Richard Thomas was phenomenal and Staged with Rita Rudner at the Laguna Playhouse was especially funny considering we didn’t realize we had bought tickets to a play because the last time we saw her perform there it was a one woman show!

On a sad note, we lost a very dear friend, Denise Hall, who began the homeschool group I still belong to twenty-five years ago.

February brought us Mark’s 16^th birthday and his pet bearded dragon, Draco. Draco is a wonderful animal who doesn’t bark or pee on my carpet. Also, he’s a little boring but I still love him. In addition, Gabriel officially received his diploma and left his job at Target just in time for his trip to Scotland to visit with friends.

Spring was filled with soccer for the girls, Stations of the Cross with Ken’s co-worker, Rose, Craig’s proposal, and Mark’s confirmation. Mark also got his driver’s license in May, right before Ken, Sara, and I left for Steubenville for Craig’s graduation. Claire’s parents also came out to Steubenville to celebrate Craig and meet us! The next day was Mother’s Day and the day after that we celebrated Sara’s 9^th birthday right before we came back home.

The summer was filled with the beach and park days. I was privileged to speak at our homeschool conference and Clare was the perfect assistant at my Norwex booth. Sissy had her bowling league and enjoyed a week at RAD camp. The girls went to Blossom camp (Jenna had her first year as a junior counselor) and Mark was a floater at St. Michael’s Summer Camp the same week. That left me alone with the six-year-old. Beb and I had a blast spending time together every day. I treasured this special time with my son as he is growing up fast.

The month of August found us at Whispering Winds for family weekend. We brought the four youngest who enjoyed the campfire (and songs and s’mores), karaoke, swimming, and zip line. Unfortunately, archery was cancelled due to the upcoming “hurricane” that came thru the area on our way home. At the end of the month, we celebrated Gabriel’s 21^st birthday and first legal drink. In addition, fall session of soccer started with four players this year. It made for fun juggling and I was thankful when Mark bought his own car so her could help with driving.

We were so busy all summer long that I looked forward to school beginning again so I could have more spare time to plan Stephanie and Martin’s wedding. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my earthly angels, Sabrina and Maryam for all their help. Maryam and her team at All Events Solutions threw the best wedding reception and I had so many compliments from our guests. And a special shout out to grandma for her labor of love making Steph’s wedding dress!

The new school year saw Gabriel as a college student at our local community college. Mark is a junior. Jenna began high school. Clare started middle school and through our charter school she is enrolled in Choice Plus Academy where she attends classes online and is thriving with all A’s. Sara is in 4^th grade and Aaron is in 1^st. Both of them also have online classes during the week with me overseeing their work.

The last three months of the year were the most spectacular of them all! At the end of September I was able to fly out to Wisconsin for the future Mrs. Shepardson’s bridal shower. I came home to a house full of sick people while I had T-30 days to finalize Sissy and Martin’s wedding. Enter my sister, Tery, who dropped everything to come out and help me. She not only helped with last minute wedding things she cleaned the entire house!! Mr. and Mrs. Medina walked down the aisle on October 21^st and we have had a blast welcoming Martin into our family and our home.

Two weeks or so later, Ken and I fled the country (literally) as Ken was invited to join his company for President’s Club in St. Martin. Enter white sand beach directly off the steps of our room. I enjoy snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, eating, and meeting Ken’s Dyntek co-workers! It was truly a magically trip.

We came home the Sunday before Thanksgiving and the following Thursday we flew the whole family (and Grandma!) out to Wisconsin for wedding number two. This was Luke’s first time flying on a plane. That’s what happens when you’re the middle child! Craig and Claire arranged for us to stay at Camp Gray (where they met the summer of ’22 and where the reception was held) and there was just enough snow for the kids to build a snowman. My littles were in their glory.

The best part of the trip was welcoming a new daughter in the family. Now there are two Clare/Claire Shepardsons!!

Three special highlights to note: First, after what was a very emotionally stressful year completing all the tasks that needed to be done for Stephanie’s wedding, my daughter grabbed the mic during her reception and publicly acknowledged all of my hard work.

Next, with all of my galivanting across the country, Jenna was my stand in. One day, out of the blue, she made this announcement to those gathered in the living room and told them all, “You know, Mom works really hard. She gets up at six everyday and does all this work all day long.” It felt really good to be appreciated.

Last, and by no means least, my quiet son Luke, sent me the most special text message while I was gone for Mother’s Day and the best present he gave me was to buy flowers and place them on my mama’s grave because he knows I would have wanted to if I was home. This thoughtful act of kindness is my favorite memory from 2023 and still brings tears to my eyes.

And, with that, we wish you love and joy as we continue our New Year.

Warmly, The Shepardsons

Ken, Laurie, and the Crew: Stephanie (26) & Martin (27), Gabriel (21), Luke (19), Mark (nearly 17), Jenna (15), Clare (11), Sara (9), and Aaron Robert Augustine (6)