Remembering 2023

REMEMBERING 2023

Our remembrance begins with Christmas 2022.  It's hard to believe that it was a year ago that Bob and I gathered with all of our family at a rental home on Lake Travis, Texas. It was there that we took our most recent family photo.  It was also there that we surprised each of our children and their families with gerbils as a Christmas gift - best mixed reactions we've ever watched on everyone's faces! (Especially the parents - heehee!)

FAMILY UPDATES

The Texas Goodman Family

Michael, Kristin, Eve and Brady

Michael made a big career move this year, opting to leave a large corporation to manage a start-up company as part of a business Bob and his partner (a former Counselor in his Stake Presidency) purchased in June of 22. Guardian Plug and Abandonment, formed in July of 2023, aims to be the source to contact for help with capturing carbon credits when plugging oil or gas wells. Mike is doing a great job and is having fun learning how to create and manage a business. This change also facilitated a move from Katy, in South Houston, to Conroe, in the North Houston area.  We are thrilled to have them  living in an adjoining neighborhood to ours.

Kristin also made a career change, opting to exchange her successful home bakery business, for a part-time job at a large local bakery.  She is one of their cake decorators and works 3-days a week during school hours. She takes care of her four babies, (Mike, Eve, Brady and their dog, Lexie) and manages their new home well.

Eve is in first grade is a great student. She plays soccer and participates in a dance class.  She has also enjoyed taking online piano lessons. Eve started a doggie "Poop-scoop" business in her neighborhood and is quite successful. We love that her goal was to be able to earn money so that she could begin paying  tithing!

Brady is in kindergarten and is doing well in school. He loves soccer and also enjoyed karate this year. Brady is a natural athlete and he excels at any thing that involves a ball or disc. His curly blonde air, big round eyes, and infectious smile wins hearts wherever he goes.

The Bosen Family

Chelsea, Thomas, Knox, Holly, Jude, and Brooke

Thomas is immersed in his career as a Emergency Room Physician, and likes the flexibility of hours that comes with his job. He manages to get in plenty of recreation time, which is usually spent on hiking or bike trails and camping adventures with his family.

Chelsea's life is kept full taking care of their four children and their lovely home in Boerne, Texas.  They are just north of San Antonio and love being in the middle of Texas Hill Country, along with the many city options nearby. She works with the children in church and keeps everything organized in whatever capacity she serves.

Knox was baptized this year by his father and we are proud of him. He remains off the scale in height for his age is is continually mistaken as being older than he is.  He was on several sports teams this year including basketball, tennis, swim teams, and he's taking online piano lessons.

Holly is quite the little princess, and loves fixing hair and applying make-up. She enjoys playing with anything girly. So, dance classes are a natural fit. But she also plays soccer, and Holly and Knox are bike rodeo champs at their school.

Jude, started pre-school this year and loves it. He is the easy-going, self-entertained, happy child that earns everyone's admiration and love.  And just turn on the music and his body will dance incredibly well in sync to the beat!

Brooke just turned 2 years old and is a spunky independent little girl, who will do anything her siblings can do. She will charm you with her crazy curly hair and cute chubby cheeked smile and the minute you look away, she will be up to something mischievous or daring. She keeps mom on her toes!

The Johnson Family

Stephanie, Ben, Emma, Paige, Bennett, and Tanner

Ben also made a change this year with his job, taking a new position back in Green River, Wyoming, at an Exxon Mobile production facility there. He is working on constructing a new carbon capture structure. As an avid outdoorsman, he is in his element in Wyoming!

Stephanie has been overloaded with home improvement projects, kids' activities, and learning how to be a new dog owner.  She serves as a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and often volunteers to coach or referee local sporting events. She is also a certified swim instructor.

Emma is a great student and is now in High School! She loves being a member of the debate team, an activity that suits her well. Emma also joined the tennis team, a Goodman family favorite sport, and continues to play the electric guitar.

Paige is like Jude, a happy, content, people pleaser. She plays the piano, loves swimming, and plays soccer and basketball.  Paige is creative and excels at all kinds of artwork and crafts. She is very imaginative and writes wonderful stories.

Bennett, is a all-around sportsman, and is happy as long as he is outdoors! He is quick and agile and competes in soccer, football, and basketball. He joined the 4H Club and is sharpening his archery and rifle skills.

Tanner is right there with Bennett - an outdoorsman for sure! He especially loves playing football and collecting antlers and animal skulls and bones. He enjoys video games and is the dog-lover of the family. Playing with "Sunshine" often occupies Tanner's time at home.

The Utah Goodman Family

Bobby, Jill, Linley, Max and Elynor

Bobby has been with Goldman Sachs for over 16 years now and has the gray hair to prove it. Or perhaps it is that calling as Bishop that makes him appear so "celestial".  He continues to find time for fitness routines and challenges. Bobby coaches Max's soccer team and it's a "hobby" he has almost as much passion for as Max.

Jill continues to teach anatomy and dissects cadavers with her students at the community college. She  found a new outlet teaching fitness classes at a local gym. She was recently awarded the Utah EOS group fitness instructor of the year! All that, and keeping up with home and family, keeps her out of trouble.

Linley started High School this year and enjoys doing half of her classes online at home. She took on a couple of new jobs this year, and works part-time at a local dinner theatre as well as helping fill orders for an online fabric shop. Linley was recently selected for the star role in a school play.

Max started junior high this year and is a good student. He plays the piano skillfully, although he prefers video games when given a choice. Max is a talented soccer player and wants to be a professional player someday. He has fun managing a YouTube channel with his siblings.

Elynor can flex and bend in every imaginable way, thanks to her training at tumbling and dance. She is a very good dancer! She is also a talented pianist. Elynor is the friendly, fun, nice girl that all the boys have a crush on. Thankfully, she reserves her love for their dog, Messi.

The Goodman Grands

Bob and Sharon

Bob continues to wear many hats and manage many responsibilities with fervor and zeal. I guess it's what keeps him young and happy at heart. He added a new ward to our stake at our recent conference, as our Conroe Texas Stake grows and thrives. He was also appointed the manager of a new youth camp within our Stake boundaries, which the church purchased in 2022. Do you have any idea how much time and effort it has taken to get this up and running?! And as mentioned above, he and his partner have added a new business to the portfolio purchased in 2022. This means Bob oversees the operations of DB Bit Services and Guardian Plug and Abandonment. Additionally, Bob serves on the Board of Directors for the Goodman Family Business, Padre Island Rentals. And, somehow he finds time to take care of the yard and pool (jobs he decided he didn't like others doing), playing with his family, and traveling with Sharon.  Whew! This is retirement! I can't keep up with him. He truly is a Grand Good Man!

Sharon admits her life is quite boring compared to Bob's. She loves being with family and being mom and grandma. She finds fulfillment in her calling as a seminary supervisor and loves serving with great teachers and amazing youth. She likes to go to the temple often tries to serve others regularly. She is a level 1 certified ropes course facilitator, and volunteers on the course at Camp Caney Creek, and helps manage the course needs at the camp. Sharon hosts a ladies "Podcast Posse" once a month and loves the spiritual, fun discussions and good food with friends. She hits tennis balls as often as possible - coercing Bob to be the return hitter. Addicted to travel and taking photos, Sharon spends way too much time researching, booking, planning, enjoying and recording her extensive travels. Yep, life is good! 

OUR TRAVEL ADVENTURES

Bob and I had an awesome time on a 12-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean from Barbados in February.  From exploring colorful Curacao, driving 4x4's to beautiful beaches in Aruba, to soaking in volcanic mud baths in St. Lucia, and everything in between, this was a trip to be remembered!

In August, we took our children and their spouses on an Alaskan Cruise.  It was the first time we've had that much time together as adults with no children.  What a blast!  The highlight was a helicopter ride to the glacier, followed by glacier trek and ice climbing! Believe it or not, we all scaled a 40-ft. ice wall.

The end of September, Bob and I took a fantastic road trip to the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota. The Black Hills were such an unexpected treat, and we loved hiking in the beautiful mountains and pinnacles. We hiked around Devils Monument in Wyoming before spending a few days with Stephanie's family. Then on to Utah to visit Bobby's gang, followed by a week on a houseboat at Lake Powell with Sharon's brothers and wives. A tour of upper Antelope Canyon concluded our adventures. We couldn't have asked for better weather and certainly enjoyed the best of company!

Fun with Family

Some of the fun things we did with our grandkids this year included going to a monster truck rally . . .

Enjoying Easter festivities . . .

Cheering on Emma as she rocked the guitar and played powder puff football . . .

Playing and working at Camp Caney Creek . . .

Having fun with the Johnsons; who came to visit after moving to Wyoming . . .

Witnessing Knox's baptism in San Antonio . . .

Exploring Green River while at the Johnsons new home . . .

Having Halloween fun with Linley, Max and Elynor, in Murray . . .

Followed by a Fall Festival with Eve and Brady in Conroe . . .

And giving thanks, with feasting and fun, in San Antonio.

We are grateful for the blessings of family and friends, as well as the beauties of the earth which we have so abundantly enjoyed this past year. We love our Savior, Jesus Christ, and celebrate His birth and His life with reverence and love this Christmas Season. May His peace and joy fill our lives and light the world in the coming year, as we live His gospel and follow Him faithfully!