I realize the highlight of the letter for most is simply seeing where the Hillmans went this year...but believe it or not...there were some other big things going on around here worth sharing...so pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and read awhile;)
It's been a great year at the Hillman House...we continue to be blessed with health and happiness (which equates to fun travels for us). We had a couple of big changes. My job at La Croix Church took on a rather drastic change. After 8 years, I moved out of the Worship Arts department where I was primarily producing the weekends into a role more geared towards my training/experience: Business Manager. At the end of this year, it will morph even more, as I will transition into the Director of Operations and Communication. More or less, that means I oversee and am responsible for several teams of folks: Accounting/Finance /IT /Facilities /HR /Communication. Pretty cool how I have that fancy Business and Accounting degree...thought I left it all behind when I quit and went to work at the church...and then - full circle - came right back around to working within my professional training and experience AT the church. Isn't God a hoot??? Even crazier...I'm loving it!
Then, there's that little side business we've got going on...Beef'O'Brady's. OK...not so much a 'side' business...although some day, that's the dream. As of now, it's a more than full-time gig for Lee and takes up quite a few hours of my week, as well. The good news is, it's doing great! (and it took up just as many hours of our time when it was struggling, lol) Lee has worked so hard at developing relationships with folks and establishing an amazing clientele, while working closely with local pharmaceutical reps to create a catering side to the business. He's really in his sweet spot when he's in front of people - I couldn't be more proud of him!
And, last but not least, back on the home front Nicolas is growing up so fast! This year, he 'graduated' from Alma Schrader Elementary,
In addition, because we weren't traveling every weekend with baseball, we got to play TONS of golf as a family and with friends.
We spent last Christmas in Florida with Lee's family - they 'snowbird' down there. While we were there, we caught a couple of football games and then headed back to Missouri in time to celebrate New Year's Eve with some of our closest friends - kids and all. It was a great start to what turned out to be an even better year!
In February, we took our first little getaway to Las Vegas with the Cooks. The trip had multiple purposes for all involved, but for us, it counted as my birthday trip;) Nicolas stayed here with my mom at the house, so he didn't miss school. (We could never travel so much without my mom and dad - they are awesome!!! They actually WANT us to travel so they get to hang out with Nicolas;)
March didn't bring any major travels, but Nicolas did turn 10. He and Lee did make it to a couple of STL Blues games...one game, they were right up on the glass.
April was a good month. The boys headed south for a BIG trip! They had tickets to the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta!!! Unfortunately, they did not get to see Duke play, since they only made it to the final five;( But it was still a big deal. They went to bracket town, the final four and the final game. Nicolas got to meet Coach Rick Patino and Christian Laettner...so he was pretty pumped!
Since they were already in Georgia, they made a trip to Augusta, played a round of golf and saw a practice round of the Masters...what?! I know, right?!!!
But never fear, Momma didn't stay home alone and be all sad. As soon as I found out the boys were taking a trip, I went to making plans for a little getaway of my own;) While they were traveling all over the Georgian map, I was experiencing a little R&R in my hometown of Cancun (OK, maybe a stretch...but I really never feel any more at home than I do when I'm in Mexico...jus' sayin') with a couple of my girlfriends.
In May, we stayed close to home...just playing a lot of golf.
June took us back to Orlando for the annual Beef's retreat. Nicolas took a friend and the four of us spent a lot of time on the golf course, at the pool and even took a day trip to the beach to meet up with some other Cape friends!
In July, Lee got to go to Wrigley Field for a game...and he and Nicolas got to sit in the green seats at a Cardinals game...thanks to our friends, the Sillimans.
August and September, we simply played lots of golf and even played in some tournaments. Lee and Nicolas played in a tournament at Dalhousie where Nicolas (the youngest player there) actually won the prize for closest to the pin!
In October, I was given the opportunity to participate in a Communication Coaching Network at Granger Community Church, just outside of South Bend, Indiana. So, October was my first trip to South Bend. Shortly after my return, Lee and I took our delayed anniversary trip (17 years!!!) to Cancun and enjoyed a great stay at the Live Aqua. As always, it was amazing!
November's only travels were work related. I had a staff retreat and then went back to South Bend for my 2nd coaching visit.
And bam. Here we are in December. My, my, how quickly time flies. I just got back from my 3rd and final coaching trip to South Bend (what an AMAZING experience - I'm so sad it's over;( and we have 10 days left until Christmas.
It's been a little crazy around here...with the ice and snow. But we still managed to pack 700,000+ meals last weekend with Feed My Starving Children and have our first ever employee Christmas party at Beef's. Over the next week, we will have our youth group Christmas party, take each of our managers and their spouses to dinner to spend some time with them outside of the store, my La Croix staff Christmas party, AND my book club (my besties) Christmas get together.
Next weekend, Lee and Nicolas will likely head to Memphis for the SEMO game, while I head to the Fox in STL to see 'Elf'. (I, clearly, am the winner.) After that, we'll celebrate Christmas with my family, go to Christmas Eve services at La Croix, then hop on a plane to Orlando, where we'll wrap up 2013.
Wow. I'm tired just thinking about the next week, haha! I should sleep good on the plane.
And that about wraps it up, folks. I hope that you and yours have a Merry Christmas and happy, healthy and prosperous new year with rich, rich relationships...and if you haven't yet figured out that Jesus loves you an awful lot...I hope you figure that out in 2014 too!
Love,
Angel
PS - I wanted to say that I anticipate blogging more frequently in 2014. But Lee pointed out that I say that every time I blog...and I still seem to only get around to it once a year or so. So, I'm not going to say it. I'm just going to say, I really do enjoy blogging when I take the time to do it. So, if you are interested in reading, should I write, go ahead and subscribe to the blog or save it under your favorites. Whatever. THEN...if I get inspired...you won't miss out. It'll be like a neat surprise one random day...
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