The Not Christmas Letter

I've decided that I'm not even going to make excuses for not getting a Christmas letter done.  If there's anything people don't need it's another Christmas letter, so I like the tradition of picking some other "day of note" to send my letter out on.  So... here's my National Compliment Day letter.

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Since it appears that I am physically and mentally incapable of getting a Christmas Letter done by Christmas…

Happy National Compliment Day!

(Jan 24^th)

You look amazing in those pants!

            2014 has been a great year for us, we really are so blessed that I hate to even write this letter for fear I’ll either jinx us or alienate all my friends for writing one of “those” letters!

            John is still moving and shaking at Spectrum Healthcare and runs both satellite health clinics for Ft. Belvoir Hospital.  They recently received a contract to expand both clinics and will be adding 10,000

new patients.  He’s really running his own 2 cities.  He hunted almost every weekend this season, but the white-tailed deer proved to be a canny and elusive opponent.  He really had to work for it this year, but I’m pleased to say that there will be Hyzy jerky in the house this year and that’s all we really care about! Last but not least, he is the high scorer in his Half Century Hockey League!  Like I said, a mover and a skater! J

            Brenna is starting her final semester of college.  OF.COLLEGE!  I have no idea how the Wonder Child became a senior in college, but it makes me a little teary-eyed.  She has applied to a graduate program at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and since they practically created the program for her, it looks like she’ll be heading out there in May.  Again with the tears…  She’s still working with bats and that will be the primary focus of her graduate work, but she should end up with a Masters in Wildlife Ecology.  She turned 21 this year and is enjoying all the perks that go along with that, including bonding with John over Beer!  She is an amazing young woman and after all those years of trying to sell her to the gypsies the thought of her being so far away is… is… enough to make me start drinking…more…

            Zack is a junior in high school. A.JUNIOR.IN.HIGH.SCHOOL!  I feel like everything about Zack needs to be said in capitals because he continues to amaze and perplex us!  He’s now DRIVING! IN.A.CAR!  While I love that he can get himself wherever he needs to go, it freaks me out when I pass him on the road.  He’s on the Academic Team – think Jeopardy in a team format.  More incredible he gets a lot of the questions right… these are questions that I have trouble even following to the end.  How does my kid even know who Kierkegaard is, let alone buzz in under pressure and answer correctly!  He and a friend started a Chess club at school, which now has about 25 students attending… who is this kid?  To top it all off, he stroked (rowed in the lead seat) his boat to a top 12 finish at the Nationals regatta this year!  He’s smart, handsome, athletic, funny, kind… practically perfect. If only we could get him to pick up his damn clothes, throw his trash in the trashcan and stop hiding fruit snacks in his bedroom, he really would be perfect!

            I’m still running – 12 races in 2014, including my 1^st Half Marathon.  It was amazing and horrible, but mainly horrible! J  I ran with my brother, Ian, and SIL, Cari, which was the amazing part, but the actual running part…not so much.  The other result of running my 1^st half…my 1^st tattoo!  Because nothing celebrates the misery of running 13.1 miles more than the misery of getting a tattoo!  13.1 on my inside wrist.  I also picked up an oar for real and learned to row.  After years of watching, cheering and encouraging, I decided it was time for me to give it a try.  Rowing was also amazing and horrible, but mainly amazing!  I made a ton of new friends, learned so much, and pushed myself more than I thought I could.  I will be back next year!  I’m still doing all my volunteer stuff, making copies everyday and trying my hand at coaching.  Most days I hardly know if I’m coming or going… but it’s all good!

            Like I said, it’s been a fabulous year in the Hyzy House.  We are so thankful for our families, health, home, happiness and friends!!  We have much to be grateful for and try to make sure we appreciate all we have everyday!  Our door is always open, the sheets are mostly clean and the dogs only slightly annoying; we’d love to see you anytime!

Happy 2015!

 John, Julie, Brenna, Zack

We don't need no stinkin' Christmas letter, because any letter is better than no letter!

Among the other things I didn't get done on time for Christmas, like mailing out Christmas gifts, was also writing our annual Christmas letter.  When I first realized I wasn't going to get it done in time for Christmas, I just shifted gears and aimed for a New Year's letter - after all, it wouldn't be the first time I was a little late.  Well… that didn't come to pass, so I set my sights on a Martin Luther King Day letter, and then finally maybe a Chinese New Year letter… Finally it was the 2 snow days that spurred me on… So here it is… better late than never….

Welcome to the 1^st annual “write it whenever the hell I get to it” Hyzy family letter.  It seems like it gets harder and harder to write this letter each year, mainly because, and I hesitate to say this,  my children no longer irritate or bewilder me on a regular basis!  I fear my letter will turn into one of those nauseating missives of positiveness that I used to make fun of.   I’ve always preferred my news with a little sarcasm and a lot of humor!  So, let’s see what I can come up with…

Brenna is a junior at Radford University and doing amazing if we squint when we look at her Organic Chemistry grade.  She spent her Spring Break in the Galapagos Islands studying Evolution and the unique animals living there…and I don’t mean the boys!  She’s also been all over Virginia and Tennessee studying bats and researching the White Nose Syndrome that is affecting them in the U.S.  She’s become quite the bat expert and will be helping to present their findings at the Virginia State Wildlife Society meeting this year.  Our previously girlie girl now regularly camps, goes caving and can catch just about any critter she sees.  She’ll be heading back to the Virgin Islands this year as a TA (teaching assistant) and hoping to do some more research that will allow her to publish!  If she has one fault, it’s that she does things too fast… she drives too fast, spends her money too fast and dammit she’s growing up too fast!  When she’s home with us, she’s funny, pleasant and helpful and I think she’d be my friend even if she wasn’t my daughter!

Zack is a sophomore in high school, ¼ inch away from 6 feet tall and doing great!  At least we think he’s doing great, but since he only comes out of his room for bacon and Poptarts it’s hard to tell.  I get most of my news about him from Facebook and his friend’s mothers!  His grades are great, his attitude  It’s amazing to watch him row in those boats!  Aside from the fact that sometimes we forget what he looks like and I wish he’d stop growing – he’s practically perfect!

is so “non-teenage” that I sometimes worry we’re going to end up on Jerry Springer when we find out that he’s been running a meth lab or exotic animal smuggling ring from his room, and he’s kicking a** on the high school Crew team.

John is still the Program Director for Ft. Belvoir’s two satellite health clinics.  He splits his time   He’s also spent time on Capital Hill hobnobbing with Senators, Representatives and other big muckety-mucks talking about the future of military medicine.  When he’s not working, he’s still playing hockey every week and is one of his team’s leading scorers, while at the same time trying to dominate both his fantasy football league and the local wildlife.  2 – deer, 2 – turkeys this year… Wildlife 0 Hyzy 4!

between both clinics and with over 47,000 patients he stays plenty busy.

This has been an eventful year for me.  Last December I completed a Couch to 5K program and so I spent most of 2013 running!  I did twelve 5K races (one a month) for my 2013 resolution.  I began a love affair with running shoes (some may say obsession) – I now own three pairs that I actually run in… the others don’t count. J  For the girl who never ran – not even to the bathroom – it’s been quite a transformation.  And I like it!  I have my eye on a Half-marathon and Sprint Triathlon for 2014.    I also got a job…for money!  I am now officially Woodbridge High School’s “copy girl.”  I work Mon-Fri from 7-12pm making copies for the whole school…for money!  SWEET GIG!  Let me tell you, we aren’t saving any trees in Woodbridge, I make and average of 25-30,000 copies A DAY!  Don’t let anyone tell you the Principal runs the school… the power is in the copy room!

Here’s hoping your 2014 is fun, fabulous and full of wonderful surprises!

John, Julie, Brenna, Zack                              

A New Tradition

I never got around to getting the annual Christmas letter together this year.  So, I've decided that an Annual New Year's Letter is a much better idea!  So much less stress... so here it is....

Happy New Year 2013!

                        Welcome to the 1^st annual Hyzy New Year letter!  Totally better idea, after all who needs another Christmas letter, less stress for me and the postman has something to do after Christmas.  Totally planned – Yep, that’s my story and I’m sticking with it.

            Brenna is a sophomore at Radford and totally kicking it’s ass.  She successfully completed her first year at college, voted for the first time and moved into an apartment.  She is the treasurer of The Wildlife Society,  does bat trapping and research with her wildlife biology professor, participated in mussel rescue and local river cleanup.  Last spring she went to the Virgin Islands on a biology trip and this spring she’s heading to the Galapagos!  I’m pretty sure she will be running Radford by the end of the year.  Who knew that when we started calling her the Wonder Child it really would turn out to be true!

            Zack is a freshman in high school and totally kicking it’s ass.  He is in the engineering program at school and loving it.  Much to everyone’s delight, he has decided to row.  I’m not sure he’s ever worked so hard or enjoyed something so much. We now own stock in Advil.  I’m still having trouble adjusting to the fact that my baby boy is in high school.  He spends all his time in his room, eats nothing but waffles and Fruit Loops and sleeps late into the afternoon.  Unbelievably, when we do get to see him he is pleasant and funny.  We have yet to see the horrible hormone storms that generally rage at this stage.

            John is kicking ass at work.  He recently changed jobs.  He left Booz Allen Hamilton and is now working for Spectrum Healthcare.  He’s running two Army satellite health clinics like they’ve never been run before.  He is the Golden Boy, the Fixer of all Things – the Man with the Plan!  He’s happily planning a summer trip to Alaska with both the kids, and somehow talked Brenna into hunting with him twice this year!  He really is a miracle worker!

            I’m not kicking ass, more like getting my ass kicked, especially by all my volunteer obligations,  but I am quietly and secretly planning my exit strategy.  The biggest change for me is I’ve started running.  I hesitate to call myself a runner since that would imply that #1 – I like running and #2 – that I’m good at it, neither of which seem to be the case, but at least I’m out there slugging along.  First 5K in a week and then 2013 goal – one 5K a month!

            It’s been a kick ass 2012.  We are very lucky and very blessed in all that we have - family, friends, safety and security!  Hope 2013 finds you and your family healthy, happy and enjoying each other.  If you are ever in the DC area, our door is always open!

 John, Julie, Brenna, Zack

                                

Christmas Letter 2011

Here's our Christmas letter that I tried to get out in a timely manner, but was less than successful.  So here it is instead...

Goodbye 2011 – Hello 2012

         Happy whatever holiday is closest to the time you receive this letter.  At this point all bets are off and I’m not even going to predict.  Just know the Hyzys hope you enjoy it to the fullest.

            It’s been a big year in the Hyzy House.  The Wonder Child graduated from high school this year and has transitioned very successfully into her freshman year at college.  She is happily ensconced down at Radford University in southern Virginia.  She loves her roommate, loves the area and loves most of her classes.  Chemistry…not so much, but let’s be honest who really loves Chemistry.  We’re getting used to the house being a little quieter and a little lonelier.  We text daily, call a couple times a week and Facetime at least once a week – so there is still plenty of contact.  She was one of only a couple freshmen accepted into a Tropical Biology Study Abroad Program and will be spending her Spring Break “studying” in the Virgin Islands!  I know, it’s tough to be a college student.  My mother always told me (during the dark years) I just had to be patient and eventually we’d like each other again.  It’s true – she has become an amazing, funny, delightful young woman and we are so proud of her.  I think her new moniker The Wonder Young Woman is very fitting.

            The Zackman has hit his stride and is going full force through 8^th grade.  While I don’t want to jinx myself, he seems to be coming out of the “obnoxious middle school boy” stage and we see glimpses of the entertaining young man he’ll become.  His voice is starting to change and I swear you can see him growing daily.  He’s taller than me and the pants I postponed buying until Sept are already too short.  He’s doing great in school including taking 2 classes for high school credit. For the most part we are enjoying him – when we can pry him off the Xbox.

            John and I are doing fine.  He’s working harder than any human should and still having to contend with his hellish commute.  He breaks it up with forays into the wilderness.  2 deer so far this season and he’s deep in the planning of a 10-day adventure back to Alaska.

            I continue to sub at the elementary school, vainly trying to help fund all my family’s exciting adventures.  I spend more cumulative hours at the high school than most people who actually work there and have taken on additional responsibilities with the Crew Team.  Maybe the biggest change… I’ve been caffeine and soda free for 5 months!  I know! Right!?

We are wishing you all a happy and healthy 2012!