Christmas 2025

Hello family and friends! Thanks for trying out this new format.

As the year comes to a close, we are grateful for God’s healing and provision in such a tumultuous year. We started 2025 with a great snowstorm, which Robert loved playing in, building an igloo and sledding. The Chiefs went for a three-peat at the Super Bowl, but didn’t win. Samantha did, though, when she was awarded the Timothy Days scholarship to Manhattan Christian College! The second half of her senior year of high school was filled with continuing dance, youth group, and working at our church, Foundry. She had a journalism showcase, Foundry high school retreat, senior prom, and senior prank - they brought younger siblings to school for the morning. (Robert did not want to leave!) May was full with the senior reception at her elementary school, a surprise grad party at dance, her last dance recital, and, of course, graduation. 

Snow Fun • Chiefs Fever • Journalism Showcase • Senior Prom • Graduation

Riley finished her freshman year of high school strong, continuing voice lessons, student council, and choir. She and Robert spent Easter with me in St. Louis. She debuted in Forensics and made it to Nationals! The only downside to that was she missed her cousin, Abby's, wedding (but she made it to the bridal shower 😊).  

With Her Voice Teacher, Ms. Kristi • Choir Concert • Easter • Debate Banquet • Abby's Shower

Robert wrapped up 5th grade playing trumpet in band, singing in choir, and participating in Mathletics at school. I was able to join his field trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and take him to his school carnival. He stayed active in gymnastics, Scouts, and soccer until April when he broke his ankle in two places and had to be in a cast.

Field Trip • Mathletics • Scout Campout • Grandma & Grandpa at Choir Concert • Soccer Game

I stayed busy during the first half of the year with book club, Bible study, serving in children's ministry and on the missions team at church, and doing one last mother/daughter dance with Samantha. I was able to attend the Foundry women's retreat in Branson again; this time I learned how to play (and won!) Mah Jong. I also got to go on my annual Ozarks girls weekend, which is always refreshing. Yard work resulted in an incident with the hedge trimmers, but luckily some magic glue at urgent care fixed me up. And after a year-and-a-half of sharing the main shower when the one in my bathroom started leaking, I was able to get a new shower installed! 

Dance Recital • Retreat • Ozarks • Boo Boo • New Shower!

Things took a turn when I was diagnosed with breast cancer on May 5. With the flurry of activities at the end of the school year, and more tests needed for a plan to be put in place, I waited to share the news until June 1. I started treatment June 11. Thankfully, my company, Global Prairie, has been incredibly supportive through the whole process. (For more details about my experience, check out Jenn's Journey; the password is Ducky2025.)

The kids were shocked at my announcement, of course - not the start to summer they expected. But they were supportive and resilient. Sam continued to work at church, and Riley cashiered at the pool. Robert and Sam got to have one overlapping summer together in youth group. Sam went to CIY MIX camp as an assistant, and Robert went for the first time as a camper – also a nice transition for them. Sam went to her last CIY MOVE camp. Robert got to go to Scout camp in Colorado, and, for first time since 2001, we were able to go to the gate at the airport with him. Riley took health in summer school to make room in her schedule for more electives in the fall. 

Before we knew it, it was time to go back to school. We moved Samantha to Manhattan, KS. We were so grateful she got a great roommate and suitemates, and has had an incredible first semester at MCC. She made it back to KC a handful of times for different events, and we were able to see her in her element at family weekend.

Riley jumped back into debate, choir, all honors classes, student council, and voice, adding the school play, Trap, to the mix. She was the first of the kids to need stitches, but she didn't let that stop her from having a blast at the special Chappell Roan concert at the Liberty Memorial (one of only 3 shows in the country).

Robert started 6th grade, his last year of elementary school! He was able to get back in soccer. He also participated in Battle of the Brains, Mathletics, and Scouts. He'll wrap up the year getting braces, which he's not very happy about, but we know it will be worth it in the end.

As for me, I got season tickets to the KC Ballet with my friend, Emily, after a hiatus of a few years. The first performance, Swan Lake, was wonderful! I took Riley to see Madame Butterfly - the first opera for both of us. We decided it wasn't our thing, but appreciated the talented singers and were glad we went. Sam and I kicked off the holidays with The Nutcracker. I finished my chemo infusions before Thanksgiving - hallelujah! - and had a successful lumpectomy after my birthday. I'm about halfway through treatment now. The love and support from friends and family after my diagnosis was overwhelming. The men’s group from church did a work day at my house and took care of a bunch of things that were on my to-do list. My friend, Stephanie, redid my bathroom after my shower was installed and updates were needed since the footprint of the new shower was different than the old one. So incredibly grateful for their efforts!

New Bathroom • Robert in CO • Men's Group • Aunt Denise & Uncle Tui at Trap • The Nutcracker

We enter 2026 with joyful, grateful, hopeful hearts and wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love, 

Jenn, Samantha, Riley and Robert