2015

Honestly, I can't believe it's been a year and a half since I last updated.  WOW!  Oh well, here goes a brief synopsis....

 2015 was quite the year for the Carleton's!  Still in Omaha, Nebraska, but in the third home in 3 years, we didn't move this year.  We did, however, move Kerri to Iowa State in the summer and move Cole from Beaumont. A move will come in 2016 for him.

It was busy in the first half of the year with home repairs (think 2 major water leaks involving insurance and home remodeling), graduation party for Kerri, and multiple family surgeries (everyone is fine!), but the second half of the year proved quiet and even sometimes lonely with only one child at home who is very active and holds a part-time nanny job. Some days, I was home alone from 8am - 9pm.  I think I need to start planning the "what's next" phase.

Tech Yeah!
Kadi, 3rd from right

 Kadi, still at Elkhorn South, spent a good portion of the year with her friends, AKA "squad." She is thoroughly involved in our church as well as in school clubs such as the Olympus Club, National Honor Society and Drama.  She even joined the Japanese club, albeit just to get the t-shirt!  :) She babysits for several families and holds a part-time nanny job.  Oh, and she tutors. After much prodding, she began researching and visiting colleges.  Just when you think you know exactly what direction she is thinking, she throws the curve ball. Today, she is thinking of genetics and Iowa State.  Tomorrow could be different! 

Jungle Bus Party
Kerri - Center

Kerri graduated in the spring and made her move in August to Iowa State University.  She went through recruitment and found her home with Kappa Delta.  Honestly, I have never seen her happier than when I see pictures of bus parties and formals, and when she talks about her sisters and her school.  It has been amazing watching her grow up and make big girl decisions.  I got several texts, "Adulting is hard!" Oh, yes it is, sweet girl.  She made the dean's list and has decided to change her major to Global Resource Systems.  I am thrilled for her, though I still have no idea what exactly that entails.  It does require an international internship, so prayers will be appreciated when the time comes!  

Downtown Living

Cole, a junior at Lamar University, had surgery in the Spring to fix a torn shoulder.  He wrestled with the decision to give up football, but decided to go back in July for the fall.  In the end, he decided the first of december that school was not for him and accepted a full-time job in the grain industry. (Christmas cards were already made and ordered.) We celebrated his 21st birthday apartment shopping in St Paul, Minnesota!  He is excited about his new opportunity and chapter in his life, but mostly I'm excited he is closer to family! I am continually amazed at his ability to pick up and move to an area not knowing anyone.  

The Carleton's managed to fit a little travel in with everyone's busy schedule!  Kerri visited Spain with her Spanish class, both girls went on a Mission Trip to Milwaukee with the church youth, and we took a family vacation to Fort Lauderdale in June to show the kids where Brian and I started our honeymoon! ;)  Brian and I celebrated 22 years in Aruba, his birthday in New York,  and we finished the year out with family and friends on a Christmas cruise to the Caribbean!  

And that, my friends, was 2015!

Side note:  I still remember vivid details of each day when Brian and I would plan our little family.  I wasn't sure what our life or family would look like, but through the years, when I would take time to remember those plans, I always think, this is way better than I imagined.  I still feel that way.  Raising kids is fun. It's overwhelming. It's messy.  It's perfect.  But when they start to scatter and build their lives, it's bittersweet.  If I have learned one thing, launching kids into the real world is not for sissys.