This year we are grateful for friends and health and the many memories that we built this year.
Highlights
Hope successfully graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Administration and Computer Information Solutions. Steve and I joined her in Colorado to celebrate and attend her graduation. She accepted a position (big girl job!) with Protiviti Consulting and relocated to Chicago in September. We were thrilled that she moved home for the summer before her move. Now she is ‘off the payroll’ as they say. She is thriving and taking in all that great city has to offer.
Lucy wrapped up her freshman year at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. She embraced college life and Cali-life. We are super proud of the success that she created in her first year. She worked hard over the summer with Fabletics and will maintain employment with them over school breaks. Lucy is now back at school and rocking out her first quarter, Steve and I attended parents’ weekend in October. Lucy recently pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and is active with her Christian women’s discipleship group.
Our two girls enjoyed a European vacation together at the start of August. They traveled to Paris, the French Riviera and Italy, where they visited Cinque Terre, Florence and we met up with them in Venice. So special that they spent that time together, strengthening their sister bond. They both have a hunger for adventure and travel and now know that they can plan future trips together. (When I grow up I want to be one of my girls!)
Steve and I met up with them in Venice, one of my all-time favorite cities. I had to cross off the bucket list a gondola ride (if you know the story, you know!) From Venice, we hopped on a 7-night cruise with Holland America. We ported in Croatia – Split and Korchula; Greece – Santorini, Rhoades; Turkey – Ephesus and we disembarked in Athens. Once there, we enjoyed three days filled with sights and flavors of Greek life. Truly the trip of a lifetime, we had a great time together the four of us, cruising through beautiful waters, learning about the amazing history, and walking where the apostles John and Paul walked. Can’t believe that we have been to those far-reaching countries. Our trip ended with a fun night in Dublin, and we headed home.
Fall has brought a bit of calm to our lives once the girls got settled in Chicago and back at school. This season of empty nesting has been filled with many adventures and challenges. I got myself a new hip in early November. Yep, I’m that old! It was needed and I waited too long. Taking care of me is finally a priority for this ole girl. Steve keeps up a high standard of self-care and discipline that I aspire to! Both of us are working hard to be strong active 80-year-olds when that day comes. Steve finds himself in an active job search. I am being challenged with the non-profit that I work for. At every step, we are being drawn closer to what God has designed for our future. We trust that all will be fine and are expectantly waiting to give God all the GLORY!
Love,
The Hegenderfers