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It’s time once again to reflect on what has happened and look forward to the start of another year. As with most years, it has had its high points and low points. Let’s look back and recount what took place in the year 2025.

As January started, we all returned to work  with Jesse at Goldenwest Credit Union (GWCU) while Renee was at Leadership Learning Academy (LLA) and I remained working at Highland Junior High School (HJHS). We all enjoy our jobs and were happy to continue in them. With the change in our federal government affecting so many, I decided to shutter my Twitter account and remove all my content from Facebook as their owners backed a person I despise. I still maintain an account on FB to keep up with friends, but I am no longer active on it. I chose to start using BlueSky instead as my only place to post as well as this blog.

In February, we celebrated our birthdays and took a trip to Capitol Reef National Park for our 35th anniversary. You may see photos from the trip in a previous post. Karri also performed in her school’s talent show. She sang well despite being thrown off by the use of a track with vocals in it instead of just the music that she had been expecting.

March and April had us contemplating where we wanted to reside as the lease on our townhouse was coming up for renewal. We began by meeting with GWCU and then started working with a realtor Renee knew through a coworker at LLA. I decided it was time to use my VA loan, and we got pre-qualified to start our search in earnest for a home. As April ended, we were under contract, but the home inspection caused us to withdraw our offer and start searching again.

Halfway through May, we were once again under contract. The home inspection went much better, and the upcoming move became imminent so we started packing things up. Our new home would be only two blocks away, which made the move easier. As the school year at LLA and HJHS were rapidly approaching their end, an unfortunate accident would affect our family. While attending Safety Day during the last week of school, Karri would collide with a classmate falling awkwardly. The fall resulted in two broken bones and a full-length cast on her left leg.

In June, we got keys to our new home and had some work done before moving things in. We used most of June to move in and move out of the townhouse. In the midst of moving, we attended a Weird Al concert that was both fun and entertaining. By month’s end, we had everything either in our new home or in a storage unit after losing the garage storage. It was so nice to be homeowners again, with equity being built up for ourselves instead of a landlord.

As per usual, July was time for us to start getting ready for our trip to San Diego Comic-Con. Karri would get out of her cast a few weeks beforehand and would still have some weakness in her leg during the convention. We managed to secure a wheelchair for her, which made traveling the crowded venue much easier for her. Highlights included seeing an advanced showing of Fantastic Four and participating in Pokémon card tournaments.

A trip to Colorado Springs for Jim’s surprise birthday party mid-August brought a HUGE smile to his face. He had no idea we were coming until we walked through the door at his daughter’s house. School started at LLA and HJHS, so we were back at it. As August came to a close, another low point in our year would occur.

On August 27th, 4 inches of rain would fall in a 2 hour period. At HJHS, water would bubble out of cracks in the floors, resembling a visit to Yellowstone. Upon arriving home, I decided to go downstairs to check and found it underwater. Many things were drenched, and a quick trip to the hardware store to acquire a wet vac was necessary. A claim was filed, and the very lengthy restoration process began.

Renee and I would attend a concert for Amy Grant in the middle of September. We enjoyed seeing her as we had when dating so many years ago. After the concert ended, we discovered a former coworker and siblings had sat in the row in front of us the whole time. October brought costumes and candy for all as well.

November came around and a pod was delivered for moving half the contents out of the basement. Restoration work continued as drywall and flooring were removed.  Jesse would live on bare concrete until December. Thanksgiving passed, and we stayed home for the holiday.

A birthday party for Karri was held in the gymnasium of LLA to start December. She had a lot of fun while Renee pushed through a bad sinus infection to ensure things went well. Schools let out for winter break, and we enjoyed Christmas at home. Jesse was FINALLY able to sleep in his own room again while we await the completion of the basement. We hope floors and baseboards will be installed in the game room before New Year.

That concludes another year recap for the Zeliff family. I may have missed some details, but hopefully, I provided a meaningful post about the past year. We do hope each of you has a happy new year and knows love in your life. God’s blessings to each of us as we enter another year!