Leslie’s family 2022

 2022 Recap of the Gutierrez Gang!

Sophie, Maggie, Leslie and Gerson

The things that bring value to life are not tangible. They are the time, dedication, service, love, and support we give to others. Especially to our family members. As children grow into adults, their morals, ethics, values and priorities begin to mimic those of their parents.  In Leslie, I see a daily commitment to raising her girls to become Christlike, poised, well-rounded and service oriented young women; just like their Momma. Living closer to them this year has given Ron and I an opportunity to see the girls literally bloom before our eyes.

Sophie and Maggie at Ft. Worth stockyards.

Sophie has spent the year building on her natural athletic ability. She is on the cheer squad at her middle school. She tried out for volleyball and had a successful season with a picture perfect serve. She stretched herself artistically by creating the most adorable crocheted mug caps for her mother; and, perfecting her nail art. She has a great group of friends from school and church and is doing fairly well in school. She did struggle a bit with school assignments, not always utilizing her 504 accommodations for dyslexia. However, that is part of finding her own way. She will either become her own advocate, or develop coping skills. Sophie also had an uncomfortable first this year. Her first stay in the hospital. Sadly, she developed a staph infection on her chin and was admitted until antibiotics got it under control. Thankfully, she is now healthy and has minimal scaring.

Sophie in the hospital.

Sophie being awarded a medal at cheer camp.

Sophie mid volleyball serve.

Sophie with Maggie before their Half-time

Family Performance

Maggie’s year is an example of how one single class can change your life. Last year, she replaced her outdoor living elective with a dance class. Because of that one choice, Maggie discovered a love for dance and developed so much grace and coordination! We, as a family, have marveled at how this shy, pre-maturely born, clumsy girl has transformed into an outgoing, confident, and graceful young woman. Maggie is now a member of the Charmers dance team at her school. She continues to be a member of the honors choir. She shares her love of music through singing, dancing, and playing piano. Lastly, a couple of Maggie’s important first this year have been getting her driver’s license and having her first boyfriend. 

Maggie with her choir members.

Maggie ready to “charm” the football fans.

Maggie with Shane after their winter performance.

Maggie learning to drive.

As I listen to and watch Jamie and Leslie fight the good fight in the battle waged by career women who are also mothers, I am so thankful they have always put their kids first… above work, house and home, spouse, and personal interests. It is difficult and exhausting battle. Luckily, they are both winning the war. Their girls are lucky to have them for their mothers.

Soul sisters…

Leslie, like Jamie, has an extremely stressful job, regulated by government laws and guidelines, that often make the job challenging. Leslie made the decision to switch from elementary school therapy to middle and high school. The students there have entirely different needs and goals.  As the school year reaches the mid-point, she seems to have found her footing. 

On top of work, Leslie is Maggie and Sophie’s greatest supporter, joining every booster club, attending every meeting, supplying service hours for every activity, and still managing to keep things running smoothly at home. As an added bonus to me, Leslie rarely misses her daily, “how are you guys doing” call or text to me. She truly has a nurturer’s heart.

Leslie in a workplace selfie.

Leslie and Maggie

Leslie and Sophie

The four legged population in the Gutierrez house is now up to 2 furry friends. Our puppy, Boomer, was too large to meet the size restrictions for our community. Honestly, as much as he had been sick in the spring, I totally expected him to cross over the rainbow bridge before we moved. Thankfully, Tico is Boomer’s best bud, Maggie and Sophie love him, and Leslie loves all dogs. G isn’t too happy about Boomer living there. But, I think he is used to being outvoted and over ruled. Boomer and Tico keep each other company during the day and really enjoy their walks together. They even dress alike! Ron and I are still able to see him often and have seen a positive change in our old man dig. He hasn’t been sick at all and loves his new home.

The boys in their matching bandannas. 

Gerson has changed jobs, again, this year. I swear, he switches companies more often than Ron did while on active duty! He is still working in HR… just don’t ask me what that is. I only know he has clients, does handbook translations into Spanish, deals with benefits and travels. Oh, and watches soccer games on TV while he is in the office.

Gerson at work.

His interest this year have been playing soccer, following World Cup soccer, supporting a Dallas based semi-pro soccer team called the Vaqueros, officiating YMCA soccer, coaching a soccer team, and watching soccer on TV and YouTube. He is also very competitive when playing table soccer.

Coaching Sophie.

Playing and probably cheating, based on the look on Sophie’s face.

Moving to the Ft. Worth area has also afforded Gerson an opportunity to actually take Leslie on an occasional date night to watch a football game at UNT, their alma mater.

Go UNT!

My hope for the Gutierrez family during the 2023 year would be strong backs and less tender bottoms to withstand many hours of bleacher sitting; lots of quality family time, good health and fewer orthodontist visits; healthy and happy puppies; and less annoying neighbors!

Rebecca’s Family 2022

If I were to say that the insanity that has filled the lives of Rebecca’s family members for the past few years has ended, I would be lying. However, the heartbreaking insanity is slowly being replaced with the insanity that accompanies a busy and mostly happy life. It comes with a life in which you live among people that make you unbelievably happy one moment; and, furiously angry the next..  Right now, Rebecca lives in a house that desperately needs a revolving door. At times, every corner of her 2 bedroom, 1 bath house is filled with noise and chaos. At other times, it’s relatively quiet and peaceful. But that’s what happens when you create a blended family.

Rebecca with John, Ashton & Jayden

Rebecca and Seth with John’s friends and family

John Collier, or as the grands call him, Almost Uncle John, has increased the size of the family by 3; well, 4 counting Princeton the poodle. John has two beautiful daughters, Ashton and Jayden, that he shares with his ex-wife. The girls grew up in a small town west of Waco called Mart. There they have life long friends and relatives that provide support when needed.

 The girls are typical Texans who love sports and agricultural interests. Both girls have raised and shown livestock for several years. They are typical teenage girls; sweet and adorable one minute and moody and infuriating the next. Hence, the insanity.

Seth seems to have adjusted to having a couple of “little sisters.” He affectionately calls them The Trees because they are so tall.  We have had either one or both of the girls at several family gatherings. They are steadily staking a claim in our hearts.

I like to think of Rebecca and Seth as being in the midst of a major renovation. Seth is still working through the challenges of building a foundation for adult life. He originally intended to get certified as a welder. He was enrolled in and completed 2 semesters of the welding course offered at a college in Waco. Unfortunately, it was mid-pandemic and everything was online. I often worried about how effective online instruction could possibly be for a trade or skill that was basically hands-on. Needless to say, it was frustrating for Seth. He decided to take a break after the second semester. 

During that time, he spent a lot of time with John. John has been a semi truck driver, and has owned his own trucks. He also loves hunting and every aspect of Texas country lifestyle. I think Seth has become very fond of John, and is influenced by him in a positive way. Seth decided to give truck driving a shot. John and Rebecca have been very encouraging and supportive of Seth’s new journey. He is almost at the finish line; just needing to pass the driving test. 

Rebecca continues to work for Coryell County Hospital in the Rehabilitation and long term care facility. Several years ago, she started out as the activities director in a nursing home where Helen Mundy was the director. Helen has been influential in helping Rebecca find her career path. Rebecca has worked for her at three different facilities, taking on new and challenging responsibilities with each move. I don’t know Rebecca’s official title, but she deals with admissions and payroll. She loves her job and the people she works with. Thankfully, the insanity of her job is just due to the pace and urgency associated with admitting people in need quickly and smoothly. 

The crazy, insane lives of the Castello-Collier family includes sports activities, livestock shows, summer fun, exploration, hunting, concerts, grooming the family poodle, Princeton, and more. Here are a few examples:

Rebecca and Jayden at her awards ceremony.

This attempt at a family picture cracks me up!

John after his arm surgery.

My big boy, Seth.

John in his ugly Rebecca print shirt.

Enjoying a concert together.

Giving Princeton a haircut.

He actually wore that shirt in public!

Ashton and Jayden at volleyball playoffs.

Rebecca & John in the deer blind.

So… between acclimating to a new and ever changing family and home life, teenage angst, injuries -John had an on the job injury that he is still recovering from, cramped living conditions, busy schedules, and everyday challenges, Rebecca’s family continues to plow through the ongoing “renovations” of life.

My wish for the Castello-Collier family is that 2023 will be filled with continued happiness and a little less chaos!

Scott’s Family 2022

 Scott, Molly, and The Crazies!

When I saw the series of pictures these two took while trying to get a “good” Christmas picture, I laughed out loud. They have the craziest, most lovable, I-do-what-I-want dogs. When their Christmas card  arrived and this picture was in it, I was so surprised they actually got a great picture. I love it as much as I love this crazy little family.

Scott and Molly have filled their year with fun, food, friends, fur babies, music, travel, love, and support. They both have non-traditional work schedules, which can make their lives a bit challenging. Scott is still with Temple Fire and Rescue as a senior driver. His schedule is 24 hours on and 48 hours off. Because he is a driver with seniority, he often steps up as a captain when someone is on vacation or out for personal reasons. Therefore, he rotates stations quite often. Molly still works for the state of Texas; but, she has changed to the child protective services office. As a result of the new job, she no longer has to drive to Austin and is assigned to the Temple location. However, she works from home 4 days out of 5. She does have to drive in for court appearances from time to time. Luckily, they don’t have childcare or school issues to work around as well. Their kids have four feet and fur, are housebroken, and can be left on their own for periods of time.

Pete and Daisy live with Scott and Molly out in the country. It is perfect for two active, healthy dogs. Unfortunately, just like 2 legged kids, the get sick, have accidents, get into fights with the neighbors… you name it. Here are just a few examples of their misadventures.

Pete often engages in power struggles through the fence with the neighbor dog. His most recent confrontation cost him about 10-12 centimeters of ear. He usually escaped the tussles with a nip on the lip or a scratch on his face. This was the worst injury by far. Luckily, his daddy was home for 48 hours straight to tend his wound and he is back to his normal, fearless self.

Pete in the freak snowstorm.

Pete in the cone of shame.

The ear has healed. Just looks a little rough along the edge.

Daisy is a sweet rescue that Molly took in. She had stranger anxiety when they first got her. It took her a while to warm up to Ron and I; but, she now welcomes us with excited barking instead of fearful noises. I have to say, she is a beauty; but, really high maintenance! She gets car sick. Can’t leave skunks alone, which requires humiliating stink removal baths. Loses her Mommy’s belongings in the yard. Loses her doggy sweaters in the brush. And, has a rough time with her nails. Well, more specifically, her dew claws. But, she is a happy girl who loves her Mommy and Daddy.

Daisy at the vet after tearing off her dew claw.

Love their matching smiles!

Daisy getting yet another skunk shower.

Molly has an adorable little dog named Dash. But, Dash lives with Grandma Marian and Grandpa Mark because he wouldn’t be able to survive country life. Dash is blind, frail, has no teeth, and very sedentary. He is very happy where he is. At least until Pete is visiting. Pete just doesn’t understand that Dash only lands on him because he can’t see him when he jumps off the couch! 

Sweet little Dash!

Grandpa and Grandma Edwards.

When Molly and Scott travel, either Ron and I get to house and dog sit; or, Molly’s parents let the hounds stay with them. Either way, the kids are in good hands while Mom and Dad are away. I don’t think the following pictures cover all of Molly and Scott’s travels. But, I think you can tell that they are all about having fun together regardless of where they are.

When Molly and Scott aren’t on a plane, car, or ship, they support one another in many ways. They help out at the charity events for the fire department. They support their nieces’ activities. And, they are always up for a family gathering. 

Molly and Scott at one of the fire stations.

Molly and Scott helping out at a charity golf tournament 

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Scott (in gray) watching the action.

The family at the lumberjack show in Alaska.

Supporting the twins at their band concert.

Supporting Maggie as she dances.

Part of the family on our Alaskan cruise.

As I mentioned earlier, these pictures are just a little glimpse into life in the Yellow House. Here’s wishing Molly and Scott many more adventures in 2023!