Our 14 in 2014

We contemplated whether we should take a ‘family’ photo this past year and/or write a summary letter.  We are very glad we did and found it therapeutic to reflect on the year.  Although we faced trials and challenges, we realized that our year was still very wonderful – because of so many good people in our life.  We are lucky to be a part of your lives.  There are too many people to mention, but we remember each of you and each act of love.  Thank you for every single moment this past year.  We are still blessed daily.

 

Memories:  We cherish the time we spent with multiple family members, especially those we had not seen in a very long time.  Thank you for visiting with us!

Meaningful:  We are so grateful for the many declaration letters provided to us back in February and March.  Thank you for all your amazing words, they mean the world to us!

 

Generous:  We have super-duper friends who are consistently lifting us up and praying for us.  Thank you for inviting us to spend time with you, participate in your happenings, and stay in your homes.  We are humbled by the thoughtfulness when you hosted us for date nights, dropped by for visits, brought gifts and treats, hiked with us, and took care of us!  

Firsts:  We experienced many new activities.  Troy free dived in the Blue Room on Oahu, Karaoke, and Hot Yoga.  Scheris volunteered with the Cedar River Salmon Journey program, got a mountain bike, and submitted a photo for the Selfie Exhibit.  Together we took a ride on the Mt. Rainier Train, attended multiple parenting seminars, tried indoor skydiving, caving, and found a new favorite restaurant Din Tai Fung. 

 

Football:  We watched every kind of football; high school, college, and professional.  Troy traveled to Kansas City to attend the Seahawks game with his Dad and brother.  He took pals to games using our UW Husky season tickets.  He was delighted when his friend surprised him with tickets to the Seahawk/49er game, 12 hours in advance.  We spent evenings gathered with couples watching games on TV and at the local high school.  Troy had a good time attending the Seattle Super bowl parade with his co-workers.

Notables:  We celebrated Scheris’ 10 years at Microsoft, Troy’s 2 years at Amazon, and adding another running race shirt to the collection. 

 

Refreshed:  We kept busy refreshing the entire house creating his and her offices, bathroom remodel, storm door addition, had a gigantic family tree mural painted in the front room, installed concrete trim in the yard, and began preparations for planting of dwarf fruit trees this spring. 

Parties:  We enjoyed a number of fun parties in Seattle; including events held at Century Link (Clink) field and the Experience Music Project (EMP).

Venues:  We sang with Mötley Crüe at White River Amphitheater, Vampire Weekend at the Clink, Book of Mormon musical at the Paramount Theater, and Fleetwood Mac at the Tacoma Dome.

Travel:  We visited some new states.  For work travel, Scheris saw sites in North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Texas.  Troy flew to Missouri to spend time with family.

 

Getaways:  We snuck away for overnighters in downtown Seattle, Salish Lodge, Orcas Island, backpacking in the Enchantments, & Seaside, Oregon.

Vacations:  We officially vacationed in Hawaii and Mexico.  We love the sights, animals, flora, and adventures in the tropical climate.

Celebrations:  We made sure to celebrate important dates; Scheris’ aunt and uncle came over for the Super bowl, went to the spa for our 6^th anniversary, enjoyed Easter dinner with family in Chehalis, spent Mother’s Day with Scheris’ mom, Independence Day potluck and Halloween costume party with Troy’s co-workers, dinner for Uncle birthday, threw a party for Roxy’s 8^th birthday, ran a race for Scheris’ sister’s 23^rd birthday, treated ourselves on Thanksgiving to a Ferris wheel ride, spent Christmas on a hot sunny beach, and rang in the New Year with cousins. 

 

Survived:  Frankly, it is a miracle that we survived 2014.  We experienced multiple days and weeks with crushed hearts, feeling no hope for life, lost purpose for our futures and confusion from the cruelty that was nearly unbearable.  We have struggled to appreciate the trials presented in our walk of life, even when we know that many of you were enduring your own equally difficult challenges.  With reflection, we now see that much insight has been gained.  We have more compassion and less judgment toward others.  We are grateful for the learnings. 

Life is different for us now, but as Doris Day sings Que Sera, Sera in The Man Who Knew Too Much, we accept that the future’s not ours to see.  Maybe tomorrow, the earth is going to smash into a meteor, or maybe its not.  Life is this big fat gigantic stinking mess, but that’s the beauty of it (if you know what movie this quote is from, you should take a moment to call us and get your gold star, we’d love to hear from you).  Thank you for being you.  Thank you for loving us.  We hope you all find wonderful aspects to enjoy in 2015, we certainly are planning to!  We love you.