In a Nutshell: Gratitude, Griswold Moments, and Giving Thanks

This is my first Thanksgiving at our new farm; it has been exciting to decorate a new place and space! I spent the weekend (thank you 65 degree temps) installing lots of outdoor Christmas lights, cutting greenery from the forest, and simulating a Griswold-kind-of-look for the season! I have faced more significant challenges decorating the inside of the house - remember that kitten (Rascal) I found last summer? He is VERY confused why we have a tree in the house, but he LOVES it; it has been toppled over (completely) at least four times - shattered glass, broken bubble lights, and an overall disheveled look for the poor tree! Rascal is living out the “Bad Kitty” children’s holiday book! But, I do love him!

We will spend this Thanksgiving similar to year’s past - a Turkey Trot in the morning, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in the background, lots of yummy food in the afternoon, and some football sprinkled amongst it all! Of course the parade will not hold a candle to Oakhill’s Thanksgiving Day Parade last Thursday (thank you 2nd graders)! Brooke will be here for all of the festivities; Brady will be with Eliza in Austin, TX (insert sad face here)! Luckily, we will all be together in about a week - meeting in Branson to really kick off the season (and Eliza’s first time in Branson - at Silver Dollar City)! Good times to come!

Tis the season to be thankful! Personally, I have much to be thankful for this year! I am grateful for my husband, Kevin (he and I really love life on the farm together). Brady and Brooke mean the world to me and I appreciate quality time with them - backpacking, watching the Chiefs, and making adventures at every turn! Ralphie (my Dalmatian) and Marley (my English Cream Golden) love me unconditionally and brighten up a more challenging day! My cats (Pebbles and BamBam) are always up for “cat-type” fun! Rascal, my rescue kitten, is the sweetest when he wants to be and REALLY honery the rest of the time! I am grateful for my friends (they allow me to be me)! And, my extended family is there to keep me grounded and remind me where I came from - my roots. My dad has been gone for 6 years and my mom has been gone for 3; I really miss them this time of year…the traditions, mom’s mashed potatoes, dad’s stuffing, the Black Friday paper ads they combed through, and the stories from the past. I know they are enjoying a heavenly Thanksgiving together without all the hustle and bustle and fuss - fulfilling that “Norman Rockwell” painting of Thanksgiving!

I continue to be thankful for Starbucks mochas, glass bottled Cokes, key lime pie, homemade chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter balls, and homemade casseroles! I am grateful for football on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays (and sometimes Wednesdays and Fridays)! I am grateful the Chiefs are absolutely incredible - in it to win it every single game! I am grateful for streaming services (remember the days of 4, 5, 9, 41, and 50), Saturday Night Love (although it was better in the late 70’s and 80’s), and Hallmark movies (wouldn’t it be great if life was really that predictable)! I am grateful for the seasons - snow flurries, spring flowers, summer sounds, and fall leaves! Living on the farm makes all of these things more dramatic and magnified!

I am grateful my family loves to travel; I love the mountains, the beach, the desert, the lakes, the trees, the rivers, and all the animals that call these places home (Brady saw a ring-tailed raccoon in the Grand Canyon). I am thankful for adventure - I enjoy downhill mountain biking (although bike wrecks hurt more and more as I age) and snow skiing (the feeling of being in control…just by a little bit)! I enjoy fly fishing in a peaceful stream (hearing the line whip in the air), walking along a peaceful trail, the journey to a summit (challenging yet rewarding), the view from a tent, and the sounds of nature all around - true awe! I am grateful for farm life - the serenity, the endless projects, and the beauty that exists at every corner!

I am grateful for those I work alongside each day...a supportive and driven local community, dedicated and passionate families, amazing students, talented colleagues, and masterful teachers. I am thankful I get to come to work each day...to be a part of something so extraordinary...it is truly my second home!

Our Admissions Office has been working tirelessly over the past few weeks to prepare for re-enrollment for the 25/26 school year. Each family should have received re-enrollment information; we hope to walk alongside you in this process to make sure your questions are answered and to ensure this experience is pleasant; we want to provide the best customer service we possibly can.  Please reach out to the Admissions Office if you need any help at all. Thank you, in advance, for choosing Oakhill Day School - for believing in our mission and trusting us to meet your expectations on this journey!

I am grateful I “live” at Oakhill each and every day; I see, hear and feel our mission coming to life on a daily basis! We should all be proud of the Oakhill “way” - what we do…for our students!

I look forward to the coming weeks...to the second semester of school!

Deep roots, strong traditions, and tons of gratitude...always,

Suzanne