Happy New Year!

It's like opening a present. The year 2016 is a gift perched on the table, dressed up in shiny wrapping paper - with ribbons and bows. It's full of opportunity! I'm excited. More than I have been about a new year for a while.

big hair

Let's take a quick look back at 2015. Not a bad year overall. They go by so quickly now - or has it always been that way, and I just didn't notice? Yeah, that was it. Like my 30's...where did they go? I feel like I missed that decade! When I look at photos from the late '80s to the late '90s, ugh. I know why I'd like to forget. Bad hair, glasses. I digress.

The year 2015 - the highlights revolve around our children of course. Jud asked Kara Whited to marry him - which we happily look forward to on April 23, 2016. They seem to enjoy their lives in St. Louis. Amy has settled in with a fella, Corey Park, and the two of them have adopted a puppy named Franklin. The three of them are moving to Pennsylvania in January for Corey's job. You know what. Seeing your kids lead lives where they navigate the ups and downs successfully - that is satisfying! Of course Mom and Dad still like the opportunity to weigh in with our opinions and back pats and hugs when necessary.

Paul and I both feel so rich when it comes to friendships. That doesn't happen easily - both parties must take time to nurture the relationship. Sometimes it might take a lot of work. Other times, you can lose track of someone and then connect again years later - like finding that long lost Benjamin you hid and rediscovered. Joy!

When I went to college I lost track of several of my high school friends. Oh sure I lived with Sally - and she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. And Robyn and I kept showing up in each other's lives. Some of the others I'd see at class reunions - and we'd have fun catching up, but then off we'd go to our lives, raising kids or working. When our classmate Theresa Faust passed away right around when we all turned 50, several of us talked and decided we should get together in Omaha. I thought it would be fun, but that would be it.

I swear someone said to act goofy in this shot...homegirls

I was wrong! Thanks to Theresa, what happened was a reconnection with the grown up versions of a bunch of girls I didn't really know how much I loved. Now we seem to find ways to get together at least every couple years if not more often. We text each other frequently to say how important this group is to us. And to talk about funny things like anatomical mushrooms.

Though I don't get to see them as frequently, my college pals are as comfy as old shoes too. I can slip them on easily - like when Behrs and Wilts came to a football game in October. Paul too enjoys his pheasant hunting trips to SoDak with college pals.

Creston homies at the lake

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our Creston pals - people who have hung with us since the '80s and looked past my bad fashions during those years...We had fun biking with Bobbie and Jeff this summer. Okay, I sat on the deck at the bar and made memories that included beer. It sure was fun though. Paul got to go to Lake of the Ozarks this year with Higgins and McKims while I did the Atlantic Homegirl thing, but I vow to plan my trips better in 2016. We got together with Lents and Weis's a couple times too. Our tailgating peeps, Kevin and Kari went all out this year and we had a great time despite our team's less than stellar play. I enjoyed several get-togethers with my bestie Deb - including a couple concerts and my only kayak outing of the year. There are too many others to mention. I love you all.

Deb and me

We are one of those families who actually like each other! Not everyone does....our Florida trip with my sis Cindo and her son Colby is what gets me through Iowa's winter. We were back in Colorado in May and visited Susi and Jim again in Grand Junction - such good hosts. The Goldsmith Golf Trip to Wisconsin is a perfect time to touch base with Paul's sibs - much better than trying to meet in winter months. We hope to see them soon at our nephew Craig's wedding in Iowa City too.

We loved having our own kids home for Thanksgiving. We had a blast and Franklin the puppy terrorized Odie joyfully! Of course we could pass up ended the year in Colorado again without going to Denver to see our Lamm cousins. And then on to Vail, to the Lefebvres even though the cherubs weren't with us. Our friends the Pottorffs hosted a grand Christmas din din as usual. The Sanders family and Frank are like our real friends too by now - after joining the group for seven whole years!

Yes, the rendition of the year is the sugar-coated version. You don't want to hear about doctor's appointments, job stress or the like. We had all that too. Sometimes I feel like we're in one of those old video games - we're all starships and something is shooting at us. Some of us get hit and knocked down. Some are just injured and keep flying. It can be brutal! My goal is to just keep flying in 2016 and to have fun along the way. I will surround myself with friends and family and be the best person I can be. Of course my very best friend will be by my side. #luckygirl.

Best wishes to you in 2016! We hope to see you. Help us open the present.