This is the latest that we have ever put up our Christmas tree. It's been so busy these past couple of months and I'm glad that we were able to finally get it up. This year we put only shatterproof ornaments on the tree because we have a Stella and we just aren't sure how she's gonna be with the Christmas tree. Last year she was a tiny timid kitten and this year she's a full grown active cat. It will be interesting to see if she does anything more than paw at the low hanging ornaments.
This is our first Christmas Season without Nan and our second without Popsie, and the holidays simply don’t feel the same. We know they are at peace and rejoicing with their Savior in Heaven, but their absence is felt in a hundred little ways. Family gatherings are different now—quieter, softer—because the warmth they brought is no longer here.
It truly feels like a piece of our hearts is missing. Life goes on, as it must, but it has undeniably changed. There isn’t a day that passes that we don’t think of them, miss them, and wish they were still here with us.
Hookgrip USA took some amazing videos that Tim told us about so we ordered them for him to have and share on his social media. I wanted to share them with you all here:
Tim's Snatches:
Yesterday marked 84 years since Pearl Harbor happened. May we never forget!
Tim had a huge year in 2025, moving through three weight classes. He began in the 61 kg division and finished in the 71 kg division, with the June weight category update shifting the weight classes. Despite all the transitions, Tim made tremendous progress. He earned 4 Gold Medals, 4 Silver Medals (6 Silver finishes) & 3 Bronze Medals (4 Bronze finishes) - which were his 1st USA National Level Medals. To top all that off he is the record holder for the snatch & total in the Youth 71kg division for WSO Carolinas. A standout year filled with growth, experience, and momentum for Tim.
On Thursday, December 4th, Tim competed at the Finals and earned 3 Bronze Medals. He went a perfect 6 for 6, hitting all white lights on every lift. He posted a 100kg (220 lb) Snatch PR and a 121kg (266 lb) Clean & Jerk PR, finishing with a 221kg (487 lb) total PR — a 13kg personal - record in total.
This meet brought a 4kg PR in both the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk. His previous best Snatch was set at States in October, and his previous best Clean & Jerk was set at Barbells-n-Sprinkles in May. He jumped from a 208kg meet-PR total at States to a 221kg meet-PR at Finals.
Tim has worked incredibly hard for these PRs, and he is so proud of every lift he earned on that platform.
We hope you enjoy looking at the photos and watching the videos below:
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| His Credentials. |
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| The t-shirt design. |
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| The morning of competition. |
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| He had a no miss day - even with his warmup lifts! |
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| His 3 Bronze Medals. |
| Giving Glory to God and Honor to his Grandparents who are no longer with us. |
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| 1st National Level Medals! |
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| At the end of competition day feeling grateful and thankful. |
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| Tim with our Bronze Medal Olympian - Hampton Morris. |
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| Tim with his coach - Jarrod. |
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| His 6 for 6 Bracelet. |
Stella missed me while I was away making Ravioli's. She sat beside me on our loveseat all night.
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| The Set Up! |
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| Another Pic of The Set Up. |
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| Mom Making The Dough. |
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| Donna and I Stuffing the Raviloi's. |
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| Donna and I. |
