The Year Was 2015

As 2015 begins to wind down, I once again reflect on how blessed I am. Bails and I had many memorable moments in 2015.  Some of them were captured back in a blog post on June 4th which you can read here. This blog highlights the milestones and times spent in 2015 with family and friends.

We kicked off the year with our 4th annual trip to Mall of America.  This time together is spent shopping, eating at a variety of restaurants, checking out our favorite stores and watching the ball drop for the New Year.  This tradition has become one we both look forward to every year.

A milestone anniversary was celebrated this year.  Dad and Mom celebrated 40 years of marriage.  We kept the celebration simple with just our immediate family.  I'm so blessed to have 2 parents who have shown what marriage is all about: hard work, dedication and love.

Bailey turned 14 this year.  Her talent for art continues to grow and get better all the time.  She's also getting better behind the wheel since she got her learners permit (and Mom is getting a little more comfortable in the passenger seat).

Bailey, Hope and I walked in March for Babies in Cedar Falls in April.  It's such an overwhelming feeling to be surrounded by so many people who have been touched by a premature birth.  I'm honored to walk for this wonderful cause every year.  With Bailey walking by my side, I count my blessings once again.

In May my dear friend Gina Cyza lost her battle with pancreatic cancer.  Her fighting spirit never lost hope so those of us left here on earth to honor her memory will not lose hope either.  We will raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and be #ginastrong forever.  Gina sends gentle reminders to her friends whenever we hear a phat beat or see a sunbeam come through the clouds.  

I celebrated the big 4-0 this year.  I spent my birthday weekend riding roller coasters and water slides with Hope at Adventureland, having some drinks with friends (including fellow birthday twin Breck Danner) and enjoying a birthday lunch with Dad, Mom and Bailey.  It was a great way to celebrate this milestone birthday.

The other milestone birthday was Dad's 6-0.  

In September Bailey and I ventured down to Mount Pleasant for the Old Threshers Reunion.  We had a blast catching up with friends.  Highlights included a caricature portrait and Saturday evenings concert, Parmalee.  

Bailey gets up close with band members of Parmalee.

One of the best things I do for myself during the year is take a weekend away for a scrapbook retreat.  This year I was able to get to a couple different retreats.  It's a great time of self-reflection, as well as the opportunity to unwind, relax and of course scrapbook.  

Bailey and I always enjoy going places together.  One amazing show we saw was Theatre UNI's production of Rent.  Working at UNI has it's perks and one was discounted tickets in the 4th row of the theatre.  It was an amazing show and we can't wait to see more live theatre in the future.

One of our final highlights of the year was the Disney on Ice production, Dare to Dream.  These shows never disappoint and we are looking forward to the next show that comes to the area.  After all you're never too old for Disney.

Well that's our 2015.  We always enjoy hearing from family and friends through Christmas letters, cards and photos.  Thank you for taking time to share your lives with us.  We hope you have enjoyed hearing about ours.

Merry Christmas!
  

That's What Friends Are For

This summer I've been meeting with students during freshmen orientation to assist them with their schedules for the fall semester.  Since many freshmen live in the residence halls their first year, a common question I ask is where are they living on campus.  I love sharing my brief story about how my lifelong friendships at college began in Noehren Hall and this circle of friends grew until graduation.  

 

2 weeks ago my college girlfriends and I got together for Panther Reunion.  After graduating from UNI, we often got together for wedding showers, weddings and baby showers.  Wanting to continue getting together for years to come, we started Panther Reunions.  The inaugural year was 2006.  Since then, we have planned an annual reunion with a summer weekend of fun, food and a few beverages.  This year we rocked pink tee shirts and koozies with #Ginastrong on the sleeve in memory of our dear friend Gina.  Panther Reunion is always a good time and a great reminder to take a break from our busy lives and enjoy the company of friends.  Cheers to my Panther Sisters and many more Panther Reunions in the coming years.  

Bails 'n Me Are Back

Ready for Mall of America, June 2014

After a one year hiatus, I'm back to get my blogging juices flowing.  There have been different times when I've thought about shutting this blog down because I just haven't felt like writing a post.  It takes time.  It takes a creative, literary flow of thoughts.  Or so I tell myself.  Then I pulled one of my Blog Books off the shelf recently and saw all the memories captured over the past 6 years when I first started Bails 'n Me in May 2009.  This was just the reminder I needed to get back to journaling the adventures of Bails 'n Me.  Here's what we've been up to over the past 12 months...

Aunt Holly and Cousin Amber with her husband Jim visited Iowa in June.  Although the miles may separate us, it's like no time has passed when we get together.

Bailey participated in the Bremer County Fair in July 2014.  She showed these 3 art pieces, as well as her dog Homer in the Pet Show.  In short, it was a learning experience and I was so proud of her poise and presentation skills when talking to the judges.  

 

First Day of 7th Grade

My cousin Lucas Matthias married Courtney Buzynski on September 13th.  It was a beautiful day followed by an evening of dancing and celebration.

5th Annual Fall Harvest at the Seegers Farm

On October 6th I received the heartwrenching news that a dear friend from college, Gina Cyza (Opsahl), was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  My sisterhood of Panther friends rallied around Gina in the months to follow.  An amazing benefit was held in December and all the Panther sisters were able to attend and show our support for Gina and her family.

Christmas 2014

Bailey went out for basketball this year.  She learned about the dedication and hard work it takes to participate in sports. 

Bailey also participated in the school musical, Aida.  It was an amazing performance!

On March 28th Bailey turned 14.  Turning another year older also meant another milestone, getting her Learner's Permit.  

Following 7 months of fighting cancer, our dear friend Gina passed away on May 22nd.  We said our earthly good-byes 4 days later, but will always carry Gina's love for dancing and her caring spirit in our hearts. 

Last Day of 7th Grade...Beginning of Summer 2015

It's been a year of joy and sorrow, celebrations and challenges.  Through it all, one Bible passage that resonated with me a couple years ago gives me hope.  'For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'.  Jeremiah 29:11 

 

My Daughter: The Artist

Descriptive Artwork Of Me:
School Art Project

I've been meaning to blog for some time now, but just couldn't think of something "blog-worthy" to write about.  Don't get me wrong, I've been plenty busy in the 5 months since my last post.  In seeing Bailey's latest drawing she sketched out last night laying on the kitchen table and looking at her artwork at school on Artsonia, I couldn't help but share what a talent she has and how therapeutic art has been for her.  This is definitely a blog-worthy post.

Today marks one year since we packed up and moved from Mount Pleasant.  It was definitely a bittersweet time and has been a bit of a challenge over the past year.  But one of the bright lights I've seen Bailey get excited about is drawing and her artwork.  After buying a drawing pad and some sketching and colored pencils at Hobby Lobby, she's has filled at least 3 drawing pads with her creativity.  The house that we live in also allows her to have her own personal space, or "Bailey Cave" where she sits downstairs for hours and draws.  I encouraged her to take her drawings in to the school to show her art teacher who asked her if she would be interested in drawing for the yearbook next year.  This girl definitely has a talent and I'm grateful that her art teacher has recognized it and will give Bailey this opportunity in 7th grade.

Bailey would say that because I'm her mother, I have to say I like all her artwork, but I really do.  However if I had to choose some of my favorites, here is what they would be:

Tribal Image: School Art Project

Eagle: Oil Pastel School Art Project

Monster High Andy Warhol School Art Project

Flower from Bambi

7 Dwarves from Snow White

Like any artist, Bailey is now challenging herself to a new kind of art called Anime Art.  She titled this one '6th Grade'.

With less than 2 months before the Bremer County Fair, I have a feeling there will be more art projects to share in the future.

The Year Was 2013

Although I didn't find much time to blog in 2013, here are the highlights from the year.

20 Year Reunion of West Central Girls Basketball 6-on-6 State Tournament Team

Class of '93 Reunion With Coach Klinge

Heidi Accepts New Position at University of Northern Iowa, Leaving Behind Many Great Memories From 7 Years In Mount Pleasant

Forever A Mt. Pleasant Panther

Heidi Reunites With High School and College Friends

West Central Class of '93

Panther Reunion In Okoboji

Bailey Crushes On James Maslow After Big Time Rush Concert In Sioux City

Big Time Rush Concert Summer 2013

A couple other highlights I didn't get around to blogging about were our 8th March for Babies in Iowa City and the 4th Annual Fall Harvest on the Seegers Farm.

B and Me

Grandma and Grandpa Seegers Offer Their Support

Aunt Hope Walks With Us

Graham and Bailey

Proud To Be A Farmer's Daughter

Proud To Be A Farmer's Daughter

Hanging Out In The Ranger

Bailey and Graham Ready For A Ride

With so many blessings in 2013, we look forward to what 2014 has in store.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love, Bails 'n Me

Summer's Over

1st Day of 6th Grade-Janesville CSD

Well another school year started today.  Here's a look at Bailey's First Days Of School over the years.  Just as beautiful as she was her first day of preschool. 

 

Before heading into the new school year, I thought I'd recap some summer highlights.  With the move in the beginning, we kept the summer fairly low key, but still worked in fun with family and friends.

 

It started with my 20 year class reunion.  The weekend was filled with dancing to retro 80's and 90's music in the Maynard Community Hall, a tour of the school building, dinner and drinks, and capped off with stories around the campfire.  It was another great reunion of time spent with lifelong friends.   


West Central Class of '93



20 Years Later

 

A couple weeks later was the annual Panther Reunion with my girlfriends from UNI.  It actually fell on the weekend of my birthday so it was fun to celebrate in Okoboji with my birthday twin, Breck Danner, and other great friends.

Cheers To Turning 38

Fun With The Photo Booth At The Reagle Beagle





Panther Reunion 2013 in Okoboji  

A new adventure for Bailey this summer was attending church camp at Camp Io-de-sica for a week. Of course it would have to have been the hottest, must humid week of the summer.  The camp shared a CD with pictures it so I could see all activities during the week.



 

Bailey's Cabin Mates

Shooting archery

Pool Pals

Summer Camp 2013

The final highlight of our summer was out to Sioux City's Tyson Event Center for the Big Time Rush/Victoria Justice concert.  It was great to stay with my friend, Kathy Thode, while we spent a couple days in Sioux City.  We had seen BTR at the Iowa State Fair last summer and it was a blast!  This year's concert did not disappoint and was filled with even more energy, dancing, trampolines on the stage and a "felt like the front row" view of Kendall for one of the songs.  Bailey has been a Rusher for many years, but after this concert, I think I may have become a Rusher as well.  

BTR Concert 2013

 



The guys came out to the arena and sang a song.  Kendall sang in our section.

BTR/Victoria Justice Concert at Tyson Events Center

 

Bailey's Tee Shirt Of The Guys: Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan

 

Tomorrow marks my return to UNI, with the fall semester classes beginning on Monday.  It's been great to have the summer to relax and recharge.  Now we're looking forward to cheering on the Panthers and Wildcats at football and volleyball games this fall, as well as a return to Mount Pleasant for the Old Threshers Reunion in a couple weeks.