Going Mendel

Thursday, December 26, 2024

2024 Christmas Card

December 26^th, 2024

Merry Christmas to All and Happy New Year to Everyone!

Another year has come and gone too quickly. As I steal some precious time from my over-scheduled calendar this season to type this 3^rd annual Christmas letter to the special people who have impacted my life in some significant way over the years, I realize that the act of doing so is a unique gift as it forces me to pause, reflect and show gratitude for the experiences, both joys and struggles, that have been granted to me this last revolution around the sun. God has seen fit to bless us with life lessons. Encouraging us to learn, grow and change – hopefully for the better. Below is just a snippet of the Sowell’s 2024.

First snow day of the year!

Easter

Volunteering as a family

Hazel (11F) finished fifth grade and started middle school this year! So, for one year, my kids are at the same school – yay for Mom! She is excelling in all of her classes and enjoys cross-country running and Environment club as her after school activities. I have no idea what she does in Environment club, but in cross-country, she consistently placed in the top 40 of 6^th-8^th grade girls! She also continued in Scouts, ranking up to Tenderfoot and taking the job of quartermaster (chief stuff organizer). She loves the camping trips and is more into the experiences and friendships than worrying about completing badges. Hazel threw us all for a loop in early June when she broke the radius and ulna in her left arm. This tough cookie didn’t shed a tear or let her cast get in the way of any of her summer plans including Scout camp and cottage time. This year, Hazel’s interests included weaving, crocheting, Legos, American girl dolls, playing with friends and listening to audiobooks (new and repeatedly) on 2x speed.

Macy (14F) started her last year of middle school in August. In addition to consistent good grades, she hyper focused on Robotics and the school play. She tried out for a role as a circus performer in Dr. Doolittle Jr., purchasing and teaching herself to ride a unicycle for the part. She did a great job, but I’m convinced that she really just wanted to ride a unicycle on stage. She talks of circus camp, but we haven’t been able to fit it into our schedule yet. Her all-girl robotics team, Super Splash Bros, won 1^st place at their competition last weekend and are heading to state in February. This year, the challenge was ocean-themed, so for part of their presentation they (mostly Macy with me driving to the fish store) built a demo saltwater aquarium for coral-health awareness. Macy also joined Scouts this year (which is super great because we can do a lot of activities family-style) and is Tenderfoot rank, assistant pack leader, and general camping known-it-all. In all her free time (sarcasm), Macy decided to join the 3M Science “fair” just for kicks and won the award for best project in MO with her design of recycled plastic shingles that reflect sun and reduce global warming, took 8^th grade Algebra online summer school and attended online quantum physics summer camp.

The 3M haul

On their way to Scout camp.

Sarah (46 F) started a new job as a lab tech at Washington University in a Molecular Microbiology lab working with virus infection of C. elegans. My change of employment had a rocky start due to Hazel breaking her arm requiring insurance coverage which necessitated me delaying my start date (long story). It has been good to reawaken my science brain, but catching up is humbling and I miss my kids (biological and sped). Wash U has a longer commute time which I am making the most of by catching up on audio books and reading (listening to) the Bible in a year through The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble on YouVersion. I still love to craft and have moved into making stone and glass jewelry, ornaments, windchimes etc. I got a lap grinder for Christmas last year and love it and wish I had more time to spend in my amazing craft room.

John (49 M) experienced an uptick in his depression, anxiety and insomnia in late spring leading him to resign from his position at C3. His summer was a period of much-needed self-care. He focused on his mental health but also had time for a family trip to the cottage, lots of quality time with the girls and lots of bike riding (mental and physical fitness twofer). In October, John found a new job at Gaylord Chemical Co., a chemical processing company that specializes in hydrocarbon applications. It’s only been a couple of months, but he has embraced his return to chemistry and is enjoying the mental challenge of the work. On the downside, Gaylord Chemical Co is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, so once again, we are living separately until the end of the school year.

At the cottage

Museum of Illusions St Louis

MOISTLouis (They maybe should have re-thought their name)

I was not excited to move to Missouri, but God provided wonderful neighbours, community, church and housing and we’ve loved our time here. We will be sad to move again, but rest in the knowledge that He loves us and will continue to provide.

Praying that God will also provide for all of you and that your hearts will be filled with gratitude this Holiday Season.

Love,

The Sowells.

Friday, May 24, 2024

Court of Honour

I can’t remember what they were awarded, but they earned some patches and probably a rank or two.

The Last Day of School

The last day of grade 7 for Macy, Dominick and Ezekiel and the last day of grade 5 for Hazel and Ezra.

Cicadas

13-year cicada Brood XIX emerged with a vengeance in our neighbourhood this week. Their calls were so loud that Hazel and I thought I was having car trouble as we drove into the neighbourhood and heard a weird sound, but when we rolled down the windows, the sound got louder! The kids getting off the bus all had their hands over their ears. The bugs and their exoskeletons were EVERYWHERE. The kids at school were freaking out during recess. They don’t bite, but their legs are a bit prickly and they fly at you from every direction.