WELCOME 2025! *January*

Happy New Year!  The Rakoz Family welcomed 2025 with a new tradition....New Year's Brunch!  This year we enjoyed Dutch Bros, mimosas, Cinnabon, hashbrown patties, fresh fruit and maple glazed bacon. Not a bad way to start the day/year.

I, for one, had a rough 2024 and was very excited to bid the year farewell. I instructed everyone to take a plate and write down all the things they wanted to leave behind in 2024.

Then we took turns dropping them into a tote below as a symbolic gesture of starting 2025 with renewed motivation.

We had some holiday chocolates laying around and Diesel tried his best to sneak a taste.

This combo is a new favorite beverage in the house. Presley learned how to make a "Peachy Tea" from her time working as a barista.

Dylan has been attending EARLY morning batting practice. Here's this season's schedule in case you are interested in attending a game.

Dylan tried the Dave's Hot Chicken Challenge which consists of eating a Level 7 chicken tender. This heat treat requires a waiver at purchase. It's just as hot as advertised.

January started right in with basketball games for my Cheer season. Here is this year's squad. Aren't they adorable?

My fave dance

Teague and I met the Beardmores for Hungry/Thirsty Sasquatch for pizza (my fave!) and drinks. During this evening, I was able to celebrate getting a new job.

Although a lateral move, I have accepted a job at Union HS as the Master Schedule Registrar. The job duties are very different and I hope I can acclimate quickly.

Unfortunately, Grandpa took a bad spill at the end of the month while taking out his garbage. A few head scrapes and a broken leg (with subsequent surgery) landed Grandpa up at OHSU for some time. I spent most of the 1st week visiting as much as I could. He's looking well and has good spirits with little pain. We are now waiting for a rehab bed to open up so he can start working on his recovery.

I was humbled with gratitude at all the well wishes, cards and flowers I received from co-workers and students. It will be hard leaving Shahala MS and I'm grateful I will still be over there to coach Cheer to help with the transition.

These are from my co-worker and friend, Lisa, that I sit next to every day. I will miss our daily conversations.

This huge bouquet is from one of my favorite students. He also wrote a nice card and gave me some candy. We consider each other "Besties." Luckily he plays basketball and football so I will see him during Cheer.

This gorgeous arrangement is from my sweet mother-in-law who always supports and celebrates fun things in my life. She is invaluable!

That wraps up January!