What's Happening With the Hagers: Every Summer Has A Story.....

It's true...every summer has a story. Last summer's story for my family was by far not our best chapter. With the passing of my Dad and the whirlwind of emotions that accompany such a life event, in addition to facing another major life event with my mom and sister's kidney transplant approaching, it was difficult to pick up the book again, so to speak. I tried, I stumbled through the rest of the summer months, made the best of a long winter, and celebrated the new year with a strong belief that the rest of the story was gonna have a happy ending. I had let my blog go..every time I sat down to write it seemed to be the same emotions coming through. I was a little tired of being so intense. I tried to lift my spirits with our Elf, and did for the most part, enjoy Christmas, however, the new year with all of it's uncertainties at the time, left me lacking.
I was invited to do a little book study with some other ladies that, just like me, had some uncertainties in their lives. (Thanks Heather for the invite) Little by little feeling like I wanted to document what's happening with the Hagers again and what's been happening is really pretty uplifting compared to last summer's story.
The boys are, of course, growing bigger and smarter each day. Braydon is feeling high and mighty as an upcoming 2nd grader and a bit smitten with his next year's teacher. Both front teeth are gone and he is full of 7 year old wonder with a splash of sass. Rhett is thrilled with his new summer hair cut and as carefree as they come. He looks forward to any adventure, whether it be in the backyard, my mom and brother's farm, or talking about trips in far away places we have planned.

Garett and I are good...this summer we will be married 13 years. Wow! Amazing how that can happen and we still be in our twenties ;0 Both of us are staying busy, enjoying time together, as well as making time for our own hobbies.
His side of the family is growing as we look forward to meeting our new niece, Landy and the Idaho crew, in about one month and patiently await the arrival of another niece this fall from Jeremy and Cheryl. Work is picking up again for the railroad construction business and the boys are back at it.
My nephew Seth has graduated from Arizona State with engineering degree and headed to Texas to begin a new job with Baker Hughes Inc. and my nephew Geoffrey is starting a new career as an EMT and about to be a new daddy!
Mom and Kelly's kidney transplant has been an amazing experience. Stressful, more for them than me, of course, but a miracle in the end. Both are doing and feeling great! Here is my shameless plug.... If you haven't thought of being an organ donor, please consider it. I know it can sound creepy and unnatural, but just think of families like mine, but without the living, willing donor like my sister. It could make a huge impact on many people's lives. Without it my Mom's days were numbered and her quality of life was quickly slipping away. Now she can look forward to many more years with us; a gift that we could never repay our sister for giving to not only our Mother, but all of us.
All of this to say...this summer's story is gonna be anything but a tragedy. Maybe a comedy (who am I kidding...if our family are the main characters there is gonna be some humor in it), maybe some "how to's" and a little non-fiction, and some time to reflect on the history, but, all in all, I'm looking forward to a sunnier summer than last.