Christmas 2023

“I ask only one thing from the Lord. This is what I want: Let me live in the Lord’s house all my life. Let me see the Lord’s beauty and look with my own eyes at his Temple.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭4‬ ‭NCV‬‬

Big Cedar 2023: Kim is holding Tess, Shaffer, and Amelia's hand, and Brett is holding Harry and Annie.

Over this past year, so many beautiful things have been revealed. When we look for beauty, beauty is revealed in everything--from sunrises to the night sky, the birth of new babies to great-grandmothers meeting these precious babies for the first time, and so many in between.

Fall 2022: Landon and Mary-Margaret Tabor, Alyssa and Conor Kirkman, Everett Kirkman, Anna-Grace and Josh Hurt. Front Kim is holding Amelia (11 months) Tabor, and Brett is holding Harrison (10 months) Hurt.

 

This is our family picture from our card last year. How could we have possibly known all that was ahead? Three beautiful babies joined us, and we could not feel more blessed. 

Big Cedar 2023: Alyssa, Conor, and Tess (2 mo) Kirkman, Harrison (2 yrs), Josh, Anna-Grace and Shaffer (2.5 mo) Hurt, Kim and Brett, Jaxon Nash and Everett Belle Kirkman, Landon, Annie (3 mo) Mary-Margaret and Amelia (2 yrs) Tabor

Annie Mills Tabor: 8.5.23 7.2# 21"

On August 5, 2023, Annie Mills joined Mary-Margaret, Landon, and Amelia James (10.22.21) to make the sweetest family of four. They live north of Atlanta in Hoschton and enjoy friends and family nearby. Landon is in the benefits industry, and Mary-Margaret keeps Amelia and Annie busy keeping her Physical Therapy skills in practice.  

Annie is named after her grandmother, Kimberlee Ann, great-grandmother, Peggy Ann Kirkman, Aunt Anna-Grace, and great-aunt Ann Tabor Baur and Mills is after her great-grandfather Millard Fillmore Tabor.

On August 14, 2023, Everett started Law school at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville after working in Little Rock for the year after graduation. Seeing her working hard and enjoying her work in law school has been rewarding. 

Everett and Jaxon Nash met in undergrad at Harding University and have been dating for about 2 years. They have enjoyed the Northwest part of Arkansas with the outdoor recreation and coffee. (and being close to Anna-Grace and Conor's families.) Jaxon runs the social media for Onyx, which fits perfectly with his talents and love for coffee.

Shaffer Elizabeth 8.25.23 6.11# and 19"

On August 25, Shaffer Elizabeth joined Anna-Grace, Josh, and Harrison James (12.11.21) to make their family of four so perfect. They live in Rogers, Arkansas, where Josh is an orthopedic P.A., and Anna-Grace manages the household and keeps Harry and Shaffer busy in the beautiful outdoors.

Shaffer is named after her grandmother's maiden name, Kim Shaffer Kirkman and Elizabeth is named after her aunt, Mary-Margaret Elizabeth Tabor.

Theresa Ruby 9.13.23 9.13# and 20.5"

 On September 13, 2023, Theresa Ruby was born to Conor and Alyssa Kirkman. Seeing Conor and Alyssa become parents to sweet Tess has been beautiful! They live NWA in Centerton, Arkansas, work remotely in the tech (Conor) and therapy (Alyssa) industries, and attend church with Josh and Anna-Grace. 

Ruby is her great-great grandmother's name: Ruby Eichelburger Kirkman.

 

Our summer ended, and we added three beautiful girls to our family. 

In September, Brett and I visited Southern California to see family and friends and celebrate my high school reunion. This is the first time that I have been able to attend. It was fun to plan the event with my two dearest high school friends and reconnect with another high school friend. The evening exceeded our expectations, and I connected with so many I had not seen since the summer after graduation.

Robin Cragoe and Ruthi Cragoe were with me at the end of the Maranatha High School class 1983 reunion.

Robin, Ruthi, and Steve Elder were with me. We have found ways to keep our chat going because we enjoyed working together.

The gorilla returned to pass out candy for Trick-or-Treaters at our house, which brought a playful scare to our door. Be on the lookout for Buddy the Elf and Cousin Eddie during the holidays.

Brett continues to serve on the Searcy City Council and has brought his business acumen and strategic planning to the council to serve the citizens of Searcy. I am proud of his work for the betterment of our community.

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7

Our Halloween little ones:

Minnie (Amelia)

Tractor man (Harry)

Baby Yoda (Annie)

Pumpkin (Shaffer)

Cow (Tess)

The Big Bass Mini Golf tourney started 23 years ago and had ten adults and five babies 2 and under this year.

Our family has grown since our first time playing in 2000, and I love our tradition of being together for the weekend and this friendly competition.  

Congratulations to Brett on the W at six under. He brought the trophy home!

Next year, we will have to add a junior division and will likely have 5 little ones walking around the course with us.

We had no idea last year that we would be adding 3 beautiful babies to our family this year.

“Happy feelings are evidence of happiness, which is a combination of enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose.”

Arthur C. Brooks

I recently read the Power of Fun by Katherine Price as a recommendation from our Rotary Club 99 President.

Honestly, I was shocked at the research-based content proving that having fun in your life was essential to a healthy, happy life.

Brett has always brought fun to our family, so I have always focused on organization and planning as my role.

About two and a half years ago, we started training together. We each maintained our workout schedule, but as empty nesters, we had more flexibility in our schedules to train together.  

I immediately loved this new experience together. I have always welcomed challenges, and this time together, brought fun to the challenging workouts.   Turns out there is research to prove the magical results—more than the results of our strength training.

My only regret is we did not begin our training together any sooner!

“Playfulness, connection, and flow have each been shown to improve people’s moods and mental health when experienced independently. But when people experience these three states at once — in other words, when they have true fun — the effects that they report are almost magical. When people are having actual fun, they report feeling focused and present, free from anxiety and self-criticism. They laugh and feel connected, both to other people and to their authentic selves.” Katherine Price

As I signed each card, I thought about how we knew each other and hoped our paths would cross in the new year. I pray that you find ways to see beauty in your life on roads full of joy as well as challenging roads. 

Happy New Year.