2024 Family Adventures
We have been so blessed with a busy and fruitful year. Thanks to God's abundance of grace, we've had so many wonderful activities to attend as a family and with friends. If you're at all interested in catching up on the fun we've had in brief, take a look below. You'll find more photos and fun ideas for your family if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, and check out our Homegrown Catholics Blog! Find all the links here: https://bit.ly/m/homegrowncatholics
2024 Highlights
January: More celebrating the Christmas season, visiting friends and resuming our 18th year of homeschool lessons. Jonathan altar serving as often as he can. Sabrina & Jonathan continue on CORE youth ministry team.February: Molly is 10! Father-Daughter Dance. Visited the MN Zoo & Bell Museum. Tom went on a wilderness, silent retreat at Pacem in Terris. Melissa gave “Living Liturgically” presentation to Mom’s Group, and gathered so many ideas for this year.
March: Went on double dates to see “The Chosen” in theaters. Kids acted in the Homeschool Co-op and Living Stations of the Cross.
April: David turns 9! Easter joy included a 100 mini duckie hunt. Catholic Prom for Sabrina and Jonathan. Stanley’s HS graduation party after finishing his last 2 classes. Took a sword making class. Tom & Melissa fly to Florida for 22nd Anniversary.
May: Molly hosts her Little Flowers Club tea party. Attended a Ball & Tea Party for Sabrina’s 1770’s sewing class, having sewn her own dress. Spring gardening, hiking and watching the Northern Lights. Walked the Marian Route for the Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Attended the Ordination of Priests at the Cathedral. Tom takes a group of teens to build over 100 bunk beds at Trinity Woods Catholic Camp.
June: Stanley’s 20th Birthday! He spent most of the year working at Target. We joined the Corpus Christi procession. Tom doing repairs at cemetery. Summer bowling, swimming, and organizing Homeschool Kickball Crew. Stanley chaperones, and Sabrina & Jonathan lead at Extreme Faith Camp. Started Ketovore nutrition.
July: Jonathan’s Golden 15th Birthday, celebrated with friends. Sabrina gets her drivers license. Tom, Sabrina & Jonathan retreat at the Steubenville Conference. CORE team teens & Molly attend Summer Stretch (volunteering & activities). Lots of time with friends!
August: Mikayla is 22, living a quiet life in Oregon with Mitchell. We take more long walks, lake swims, kayaking, fishing and campfires… especially while at Catholic Family Camp. Family listening to the Narnia audio book series.
September: Sabrina turns 17! Begin our 19th Year of Homeschool with grades 11th x2, 5th x2, and 1st. Another delightful year with our homeschool co-op. Visit Amaze’n Farmyard. Golf, bowling, swimming, hiking and much adventure. Biggest little garden harvest ever! Went to the hottest day at the Renaissance Festival in full costume.
October: 7 years since Eddie passed. 1 Year since Tom’s work injury, still at home helping and teaching Noah. Noah’s 1st stitches. Visit Tom's parents' farm and guys rebuild the hunting stand. Hiked up north, and at Maria State Park. Many youth ministry events to attend or help. Youth Choir joined by David, Molly, Jonathan and Sabrina.
November: Tom’s 48th & Melissa’s 45th Birthdays. 6 months on Ketovore nutrition and feeling the best ever. We voted! David becomes a Junior Altar Server. A month full of hope, intention and ambition. Just no deer for the freezer, so we got a whole beef instead.
December: Noah will be 6! Jonathan earns his drivers permit. Melissa hands over a 25 hour (5mth) long project of repainting a Mary statue for Holy Name of Jesus parish, and commissioned for more. Advent begins with much activity at home and church, and no slowing down in sight. We’re glad of it!!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Read my reflection on this past year "A Year of Practice - A 2024 Memoir"
