Tag: memories

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Waving at the end of 2025

So long to another year!

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 I still maintain an account on FB to keep up with friends, but I am no longer active on it.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.

Jim’s Surprise Party
Amy Grant Concert
Tim the Enchanter Costume
Hulky the Elf Costume
T’was the Night Before Christmas

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!

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All the leaves are brown

Summer fades away

It’s been a bit since that last post, and we have had a full schedule since then. We purchased a home again in June and moved in throughout that month. We are very happy to be homeowners and not tenants. In July, we made our usual trip to San Diego Comic-Con. We enjoyed ourselves and saw a bunch of cool stuff. August arrived and school was back in session. Karri began 4th grade as Renee and Doug returned to work at their schools.

At the end of August, a severe thunderstorm, which dropped 4 inches of rain in a 2 hour span, flooded the basement of our new home. We are currently undergoing restoration efforts with floors, baseboards, and drywall being torn out. We are also hoping to put a new shed in the backyard so we no longer need to rent a storage unit.

I could go into more detail, but I will save some of that for the year in review post come December. We hope each of you are well and enjoy a great last quarter of the year.

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2024 Year in Review

It’s that time again for another quick year in review, 2024 Edition!

January brought in swimming lessons for Karri and she won Student of the Month at Bonneville Elementary School. They had a small ceremony for the students who received the honor. Karri was so excited to have us there.

In February, Karri and her little sister had a sleepover to spend time with each other. We try to get the girls together each weekend and occasionally do the sleepovers as a special treat.  We were then surprised by a visit from the sisters’ mom Sabrina, who was in town for the weekend. Karri enjoyed seeing her mom. Doug and Renee took an anniversary trip to Twin Falls, Idaho. It was cold and windy, but it was a good trip. We ended the month with a TobyMac concert in Salt Lake City on Doug’s birthday.

March came in quietly with more swimming lessons for Karri and Jesse starting a new job at a FX company in the mall. We managed to sneak in a viewing of the Kung Fu Panda 4 movie and ended the month by celebrating Karri’s sister’s 5th birthday and Easter.

April came rushing in with a Spring break trip to Oregon to see Chris and Paloma. There were more swimming lessons and a birthday party for one of Karri’s classmates. We ended April wishing both Paloma and Greg a happy birthday.

Things picked up in May.  Swimming lessons for Karri again and then we began preparing for the Bonneville Elementary talent show. Karri did a short tutorial on making a giant origami heart ❤️. She did fantastic! We celebrated Jesse’s 31st birthday and Karri finished 2nd grade. The end of the month also marked the start of Doug’s summer break.

June kept things rolling with Summer school starting and ending for Doug. Karri had art in the park, drama and art camp at the Treehouse Museum, ice skating with her sister, and the Summer Reading program at the library. She also had back to back birthday parties for her classmates. Jesse was able to create and conduct several workshops for the FX company he worked with including a foam top hat, gauntlet and steampunk mechanical armpiece.

Things just kept rolling on into July. We enjoyed our Saturday trips to the Farmers Market. Karri enjoyed VBS at the Genesis Project and a Lego camp at our local Bricks and Mini Figs store, along with another classmate’s birthday. Then it was time for our yearly trip to San Diego for Comic-Con. After a quick stop to visit the Allen’s in Las Vegas, we headed to California. We arranged a surprise for Karri and her sister by meeting up with her sister’s family for a day trip to Legoland. Both girls were so excited to spend the day together. Once again it was another fun but exhausting time at Comic-Con, but we were happy to head home where Karri ended the month with a cooking camp hosted by the local Community Action.

August ushered in the start of a new school year for Karri and Doug.  Karri began 3rd trade at a new school and Renee was fortunate enough to get a job as a teacher’s assistant at the same school. Jesse had several LARP games he attended and continued his job and workshops. We ended August with wishing  Jim a happy birthday and a night out at an Ogden Raptors baseball game.

Phew now we’re heading into September. It started with Doug’s 40th High School reunion in Barstow, CA. The last Farmer’s Market of the season was followed by the Harvest Moon Market, and then FanX. We also were able to enjoy a night at Ringling Bros. Circus thanks to VetTix. Fall Market started and Karri enjoyed a nice day at Roy Christian Church’s Fall Festival thanks to Miss Amy!

All the fun then begins in October. We watched Karri’s sister in the USU Homecoming parade in Logan, enjoyed Fall Break for Doug, Renee and Karri, and Doug and Renee enjoyed a night out at AEW Wrestling in SLC. Karri and her sister had another sleepover and enjoyed several opportunities to go out trick or treating. Renee also had several vein surgeries that she recovered from quickly.

November was relatively calm. We enjoyed church and a potluck with Karri’s sister’s family in Logan. Renee, Doug and Karri had Thanksgiving break. Jesse started a new job at a local credit union. It suits him. Happy Thanksgiving! Finally, we enjoyed a very cold night watching the Ogden Christmas parade with Karri’s sister and her family. 

Here we are at December. It was Karri’s 9th birthday and we celebrated with a Pokemon birthday party. She really liked it! We went out to explore the Ogden Christmas Village which is all lit up each night in December. Doug, Renee and Karri had Christmas Break and wished Aunt Carla a very happy birthday. Merry Christmas!

We’re ending the year with a very merry sleepover with the two sisters and a few closing thoughts. As 2024 comes to an end, we want to take this moment to wish you all the very best year to come. Remember to take time to enjoy your family and hug the ones who are closest to you. Happiest New Year to you!!

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Closing the book on 2022

A very eventful 2022 has ended and it’s time to recount and reflect on what transpired as 2023 begins.

January began like every new year with hopes of brighter days ahead and better living. At the end of January, we were heartbroken over the sudden death of Renee’s younger brother Scott. Before we could leave for Texas to be with her mom and help clear out his house, Renee had outpatient surgery. Following that surgery and a few days of recovery, we were off to TX to be with her mom and pack Scott’s house into a storage unit for safekeeping.

While in TX, Renee was informed that her surgery revealed cancer and the need for another surgery. In March, she underwent another more invasive surgery to include the removal of lymph nodes. The doctor assured us that all of the cancer had been removed as we awaited the results from biopsy of her lymph nodes. We were relieved to find out they were cancer free and Renee need only take it easy for six weeks while she recovered.

As a result of her brother’s passing, we began making plans to relocate to Texas to assist her mother who was battling cancer. In April, we made a day trip to the Golden Spike National Monument in Promontory, Utah where Karri earned another Junior Ranger badge. In May, we began packing and as the month ended, we celebrated Karri’s kindergarten graduation.

June brought the delivery of the POD, my last day of work, and final packing. On the 8th, Jesse and Karri flew ahead of us to Texas. We took a couple days to drive down making an overnight stop in Colorado Springs to see Jim and his pups. On the 10th, we arrived in Copperas Cove, TX and Renee took over as primary caregiver for her mom.

June through September was filled with countless doctor appointments, hospital stays, and treatments. As September ended, we took mom to MD Anderson in Houston to get their input and direction on mom’s cancer. They confirmed that treatment was no longer an option and hospice was what lay ahead on this difficult journey we had undertaken with her.

At the end of October, we invited Scott and mom’s friends to celebrate their lives and see mom before her condition deteriorated. We hadn’t had a chance to mourn him and mom was still alert enough to speak with all who came. As November arrived, mom grew weaker and she did her best to make it to Thanksgiving, passing on to the next life on the Wednesday before it.

Our hearts were heavy at her departure, but relieved her pain had come to an end. In December, Karri turned 7 and we held a celebration of life for Scott and Mom Rezny a few days later. They were both placed in a companion urn which would be placed in a glass front niche at month’s end just a few minutes from Renee’s sister Carla.

Christmas brought much joy as our 7 year old girl lit up the houses with excitement. She was delighted with her many gifts and we enjoyed her enthusiasm. Christmas is truly best seen through the eyes of a child.

2022 was filled with ups and downs, joys and heartaches. We hope the coming year is filled with more of former and less of the latter for everyone.

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We don’t talk about gun violence, no, no!

There are many things that the church is very vocal about like the value of unborn life and freedom of expression of our faith in public. However, our silence on gun violence is abhorrent. We will march and protest for some things, but when people are killed by the blight of guns in our society, we sit on our hands or label those who call for action idiots.

Let me provide some background for my belief that we must do something about America’s gun addiction. As a toddler, my parents had a hand gun in the home until they found me playing with it in the middle of their bed. After high school, I joined the Army and learned to handle multiple weapons. I also accepted the Lord while serving and lost all desire to take a life using those same weapons.

After leaving military service, I went to Bible school in Dallas, Texas. At that time, a lone gunman drove his truck into a Luby’s cafeteria in Killeen, Texas shooting fifty people and killing twenty-three. One of the survivors was our pastor. He became an advocate for gun ownership and still preaches with a firearm on his hip.

Five years ago, another gunman opened fire on a music festival from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada killing sixty and injuring hundreds. I walked by this location multiple times while attending conferences over the years in Las Vegas. Had I been attending a conference during that fateful night, I might have been a victim as well.

There are more guns in the United States than there are people. More guns is not the answer. Texans have more licensed weapons than any other state yet have five of the worst mass shootings since 1991.

Unless you are an ambidextrous marksman, owning multiple firearms and more than a dozen rounds is excessive. If you say it’s for hunting, recent numbers show about 15 million hunting licenses issued which makes up less than 5% of the United States population.

I ask these questions of all Americans and especially the church. How many weapons are enough? How much ammunition is enough? Why do gun manufacturers continue to profit from tragedies as gun sales spike? How many innocent lives must be lost to gun violence before the church says something?

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Who can it be now?

The 80’s song by the Australian band Men at Work comes to mind as loss once again comes knocking on our door. The longer we exist on earth, the more frequently this unwelcome visitor appears at the threshold.

I lost my parents in 2009 and 2017. My father-in-law passed in 2014. Recently, two classmates passed as well. In November, I had to put down our 16 year old feline family member after being diagnosed with renal failure.

Over the weekend, my sister-in-law called to inform my wife that their younger brother was no longer with us. He was only 46 years old, but had lived with diabetes since childhood. My wife looked at me and said “now there’s only 7 of us” referring to the four members of our family, her sister and spouse, and her mom.

While longevity is certainly what we all wish for it does come with this caveat. The longer you live, the more frequent visits from loss will occur.

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
I Thessalonians 4:13?-?14 NKJV

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Year end reflections, the 2021 version

In past years, we would alternate each year who would write the Christmas newsletter that would be included with our Christmas card. In 2017, that traditon ended as a result of two painful losses we suffered that year. They were always a great way to wrap up the year and look forward to the coming year. It is in that spirit that I write this blog post.

2021 began with us in Texas assisting Renee’s mom following major back surgery. I was able to telework from there for the IRS as a Contact Representative. That is just a fancy way of saying tax collector. At the end of the month, we returned to Utah for a few days before the family went back to help mom while I remained. February passed with us spending our anniversary and birthdays apart for the first time.

As Easter approached, the family would return and this time only Renee would leave to help mom. The rest of us stayed in Utah until Mother’s day when we would all remain under the same roof for the first time since January. Renee spent 6 months helping her mom and was happy to be back together in Ogden as was I.

Summer was filled with swimming lessons which Karri enjoyed greatly. In June, we met up with Jim as he traveled from San Diego to his new home in Colorado with his pups. We would pay them all a visit in July to see the new place and spend some time together. Summer ended and Karri began kindergarten.

As Fall arrived, changes began to occur professionally. Jesse and I would both start new jobs. I reapplied to the school district after the part-time job I had previously held was made full time. The position with the IRS which allowed me to telework was moving to the next phase where I would begin placing levies and liens against taxpayers. I was not looking forward to that and was grateful to be offered a position as Site Tech at a nearby high school.

In November, we traveled to California to attend San Diego Comic-Con after missing it for several years. It was the largest crowd we had been around since the onset of the pandemic. With all attendees required to be fully vaccinated and wearing masks, it was good to be back amongst the fans.

As 2021 comes to close, we hope the challenges we faced in the past year will not be repeated and that many new blessings await us in the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.

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Get back to where you once belonged!

Each of the logos above is from one of the schools at which I have taught or been a staff member. After graduating from Christ for the Nations Institute in 1992, I served as a youth pastor and began teaching 4-6th grade in the church’s private school. I would eventually move up to 7-12th grade to teach and coach athletic teams. In 1996, I attended Oral Roberts University working during the year as a student worker and over the summers coordinating faculty payroll.

After moving back to California in 2003, I was employed by Excelsior Education Center as a computer tech and an instructor. I taught at the high school for a short while before moving to the Prep Academy, their junior high. I even attained a California teaching credential. I left education again in 2006 until I rejoined the Silverado High School staff as a computer tech in 2015. I left that position in May 2019 to join my family in Utah after a prolonged and unplanned separation.

In September 2019, I became an office assistant part-time at Bonneville Elementary School entering attendance. In April 2020, I transferred to Ogden High School after securing a position as a part-time computer tech. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced my resignation and another departure as I began teleworking for the IRS full-time helping taxpayers with their tax debts.

After the computer tech position was converted to full-time with benefits, I reapplied with the Ogden School District. The position was not offered to me and I remained with the IRS. A few months later another computer tech position within the district became available and I reapplied. I am now returning to education at Ben Lomond High School and the “Friendly Fighting Scots.”

It’s exciting to be going back to where I once belonged. Whether it was as a teacher or a staff member, I always enjoyed being in education. I hope the rest of my career is spent there.

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Heart to heart, 12 years later.

Today marks twelve years since the fateful morning of my mother’s desperate call to me while paramedics worked to resuscitate my father following a heart attack. He was 67 years old when he passed that day and had suffered a heart attack almost thirty years prior outside my bedroom door. I saw paramedics in the hallway working on him from the bottom bunk while my younger brother slept in the bed above me.

Yesterday, I met with my cardiologist’s PA a year after my own heart attack to check my progress after a stint was placed. I was told I am doing great with good blood pressure, pulse and having lost 15 pounds. I was cleared to stop a few prescriptions, but still have two arteries with blockage percentages that will keep me taking some of the meds.

I miss you pops and wish you had done more to make sure you were around longer to see your grandchild grow to adulthood. I will do all I can to make sure I stick around as long as possible to be here for my grandchild.