January - Happy 11 years to my one and only! With a newborn, we did not get out for an anniversary date or trip, but did enjoy the time together at home with our three girls. Of course, dad likes to have fun with the bigs... see candid photo from Shelby's newborn photoshoot as evidence. Also this month, cousin Maverick turned 1 and got to come back home for a visit. It's always fun spending time with my sister and her sweet family. This is also the first time that Mav and Shelby got to meet.
February - This month started on a sad note as we had to say goodbye to our sweet first girl, Cambrie. Cambrie was 11 years old and the best big sister (pig). Grace and Scarlett loved her so much and I also am going to miss her terribly. The month did turn to some positive notes though. We enjoyed the FL State Fair again this year with friends Grace and Celine. I love this annual tradition of ours and I love that we are making these memories with such great friends as well! Later this month, Grace's amazing teacher, Mrs. Pence drove out to one of her horse shows and watched both her and Scarlett run. What a blessing she is! This was also Shelby's first horse show outing.
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March - March started with a bang as both girls earned enough points the previous year to win awards at the annual West Volusia Saddle Club awards banquet. Scarlett also got her very own saddle this month and could not be happier... of course our cheetah loving girl went with Cheetah print. In Scarlett's words "I like cheetahs because they are FAST and I like to go FAST!" This month, another amazing teacher showed up when she didn't have to. Thank you to Scarlett's teacher, Miss. Quinones (Q) for coming to cheer Scarlett on at her jiu-jitsu tournament! Then to round out the month, I went back to work, after enjoying a generous maternity leave from Duke. Grateful to have that time with my loves and excited about starting back up in my new role, in leadership (Asset Management Manager for Design Automation Tools & Support)!
April - Y'all, our big girl is officially double digits!! Where has the time gone?! We celebrated Grace by doing an escape room with two of her best buds, which she's been asking to do for a long time. This month we also celebrated Easter, Shelby's first Easter! The annual Duke Energy Lineman Rodeo is always a fun time and we are grateful to be able to enjoy that as a family.
May - May is always such a busy month and this year was no different. We celebrated Grandma Dee Dee turning 90 this month! The girls also attended their first "Lovely" event by going to Lovely Jr and they cannot wait to attend another. The big girls and I had the opportunity this month to see Mathew West with Cain in concert with friends; what a great 1st concert experience for them that was. Mother's day is always such a special day and made even more special this year with four generations together. Lastly, the girls had their school awards banquet and we are so proud of them!! Scarlett even won the Citizenship Award for her class, which is such a great honor.
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June - This month Scarlett earned her second barrel buckle!! She won the National Barrel Horse Association FL-District 09 Peewees!! Not only did she get her buckle, but she also came home with some other great loot. June was also a fun month with summer camp mixed in. The girls had so much fun and always come home with the biggest smiles, saying "when can we go back?!"
July - This month was probably the best month because Scarlett was baptized!! Nothing compares to the joy of watching your child be baptized in Christ and also watching her big sister tell her how proud of her she is. This mama heart melted. She was baptized by her Great Uncle Donnie and prayed over by her Great Papa. It was a day to forever cherish and remember. We ended the month with Scarlett turning 8 and by attending NBHA World, where both girls did amazing! Dad even got in on the fun and ran in the armature costume race; picture evidence below. He's the absolute best!! I think the girls' highlights though may have been Scarlett winning the art contest and Grace earning herself a funnel cake. Happy girls.
August - Cannot believe it is already time to start another school year. Grace is now in 5th Grade and Scarlett is in 3rd. Time, please slow down. Grace had the opportunity to try out for middle school volleyball this year as a 5th grader. We all knew that it would not be easy. She was prepared to go in, have fun, see what it was like in preparation for future years. To all of our surprise AND joy, she made the team!! Her and her friend, Darcy, were the only two 5th graders on the team and they had so much fun together. By the end of the season, they even ended 2nd in their district. Way to go Legacy MS Girls Vball!!
September - Shelby's baby dedication was this month at church and she got to wear the same sweet dress that both Grace and Scarlett wore at their baby dedications. So grateful for our loving and supportive church family to help guide our young family. This month was also a big one for the Sheppard family, as this year was the 75th Annual Sheppard Reunion!! What a special and fun time it was with family. Papa was even the oldest surviving Sheppard at this year's reunion. Already counting down to next year's.
October - I need to start with saying that month was the most roller coaster of a month. This month was filled with joy upon joy, but also had our family mourning greatly. We started the month with Year number 5 of the Mother-Daughter Retreat. This time with my girls and with my mama is my favorite time of the year. This month I celebrated my birthday by seeing the Judds Final Tour with my mom and sister. Wynonna has been my favorite singer for as long as I can remember and is the only artist that I've seen multiple times and would see again in a heartbeat. This birthday weekend did not disappoint!! Unfortunately just a week later, my Papa passed away. Papa Sheppard loved God, his family, and his country more than anything. He made such a positive impact in my life and my girls. He and Granny's marriage was the model marriage and one that Garrett and I strive to have. Cannot wait to see you again Papa. We love you and miss you!! After Papa's passing, we tried to get back to some normalcy and joy... Halloween right around the corner allowed us to have some fun together and keep making positive memories. This was Shelby's first Halloween and she got to wear the same costume that Grace and Scarlett both wore for their first. We went trick or treating with Wednesday Addams, a Cheetah, and a Sunflower.
November - I cannot believe November is now here and our sweet baby is a year old. It cannot be possible... time should not be allowed to move so fast. We celebrated by going to Vampire Penguin and letting her chow down into a sweet shaved snow treat. This girl loves her sweets. Cutting down our Christmas tree together is another favorite family tradition of ours and one that the girls enjoy so much as well. Shelby also met Santa for the first time this month. The girls shared with him what they wanted and gave him big hugs. Did I mention that Mrs. Claus wrote back when Santa's letters were received??
December - This month started with Scarlett getting promoted to a grey/black belt; her 4th belt! Congratulations Scarlett. We are so proud of you and all your hard work. As she said, she had been "looking forward to this day all year!" This month was also a month to enjoy time with family and celebrate the birth of Jesus. We hope that you each had a blessed Christmas and enjoyed time with your loved ones this month as well. Merry Christmas from us to you!
