Happy Holidays Family and Friends! As I sit here and reflect on 2018 all I can think about is how blessed Jeremy and I are for our health and happiness. Two thousand and eighteen started out like all other years but has repeatedly shown us how valuable life is and how each day is a blessing. In the middle of June I got a wild hair and decided to e-mail the State of Kansas to see what it would take to renew my teaching license. I was not thinking I was going to be in a classroom anytime soon in front of students. I was thinking I was going to have to go back to school myself. After a whirlwind of events I started my first teaching job in August as a 4th Grade teacher at Holton Elementary. This definitely threw a big change in our day to day operations at the Stallbaumer household but we take it one day at a time and I greatly appreciate how Jeremy and the kids have adapted to our new normal and encourage me to follow my dream. I have truly enjoyed being in the classroom and feel I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing.
Jeremy continues to work at the Seneca Corn Mill - Fairview Mills and this past year coached Junior High football and basketball at Sts. Peter and Paul. This was his first year for football. He was the assistant coach for football and was the head coach again for basketball. The head football coach assists Jeremy with basketball so they have the same coaches for both just in different roles. They do an outstanding job at, in my humble opinion, and have had success this year with a good group of 8th grade boys. Jeremy still volunteers for the local fire department and participated for the 2nd year at the 9/11 Memorial Stairclimb event in Kansas City.
Ava is having a big year in 2nd grade. She made her First Reconciliation this month and is gearing up for her First Communion in late April. She has grown up so much this past year, both physically and in maturity. I can hardly believe it sometimes when I look at her. She makes us proud every day and keeps busy with piano, sleepovers, and played softball this past summer. She also joined her brother this past summer in the stitches club. She jumped off a chair on the back patio and caught the metal end of the folding chair with the corner of her eye.
Will continues to go, go, go. He couldn't be outdone by his sister and has made two trips for stitches this year. Again he did it when mom wasn't around. He is still anxiously awaiting his turn for organized sports. He feels he has done enough spectating and is more than ready to participate. He has a smile that can light up a room but can also make you feel the most frustrated you've ever felt all in the same minute. His new thing is he loves to dance, typically it's a touchdown dance or a victory dance but all the same he loves to show off his moves.
We hope everyone had a great 2018 and wish you many blessings in 2019!
