You know what we need to do?

Practice sleeping a little bit more often…

Now I know it sounds like I am complaining – and maybe I am – but we are all awful at it.

I have hobbies, need more downtime than most, and often stay up too late. That’s on me.

But none of you kids sleep well.

Mom takes the brunt of it, constantly exhausted from work and keeping up with you kids all night.

Honestly, I don’t know how she does it sometimes.

T – knock on wood – you have slept the best so far.

H and K, I don’t think either of you slept longer than four hours at a time until your first birthday.

Mom and I have been trying to go to bed earlier the last few weeks but we are still dragging.

Maybe we are all just out of practice?

Goodnight.

I love you.

-Dad

Pop and Grams sold their big pecan orchard last week.

We went down Sunday before last, walked around one last time, and took a few pictures.

It was a nice day.

You girls stomped around all over and picked up every stick you could find trying to fashion yourselves walking sticks.

Mom was nostalgic all afternoon – and I get it.

Pop and Grams still have the small orchard with the barn but they are moving towards selling that one soon too.

Don’t quote me but I think they have owned that land since the 1970’s.

Probably a smart move since Pop is getting older.

130 acres of pecan trees is too much for him to farm alone anymore. And land like that is hard to divide up among three children.

I wish we had a farm/ranch to go to now and then, but they will likely move to Lubbock and it will be good to see them more often.

With the proceeds from the farm Pop and Grams are in the process of buying a modest real estate portfolio (townhomes/duplexes/etc.)

These phases of life often begin and end in the quietest of ways.

I love you.

-Dad

OMgoodness everyone.

What a week!

We survived the snowmageddon (bug) of a lifetime.

No lie it was some of the coldest temperatures that Texas has ever seen. Not only that, the freezing cold and snow covered the entire state!

Many people went without power for days at a time. Water pipes freezing and leaking in people homes became a problem. Some cities even ended up with boil notices because of water sanitation issues.

But here’s the thing. We never lost power during the entire ordeal! Sure it was drafty here and there, but overall we stayed snug and warm.

Our struggle came because – I kid you not – we all passed around an awful stomach bug during the entire ordeal.

H got pale and feverish. K started throwing up. Mom started throwing up. T got pale and sick. I gloated that I was going to survive it unscathed. And then I got sick right along with everyone else.

I wished we had spent more time playing in the snow and building fires and being silly, but I’m just glad we all survived.

Valentine’s Day 2021 was for the birds.

But I’m glad I got to spend it with you.

I love you.

-Dad