Hello to our Friends and Family! We hope this “letter” finds you well and 2025 was a year of happiness, laughter and memories. It’s always fun to look through the years memories when preparing to share what we have been up to. This year went quickly and the word that comes to mind was “busy”. For Dustin and Tina it was a year in the stands cheering on our girls from Madi’s intramurals, Sing Song performance and Homecoming Parade to Taylor’s track, cross county and soccer teams. It’s a fun stage watching these girls start making their way in the world as we watch.
No big adventures for us as family this year as everyone was moving in different directions we never were able to plan time to get away together so it was just good ‘ol family time together when we could. Sadly, we did lose one of our 4-legged family members, Sandie, after almost 11 years with us. So of course we adopted another dog so Star would have a friend – and what friends they have become! Hazel is such a goofy girl she keeps us all laughing and she and Star bonded quickly (and more than Starr had bonded with our others). Now if we can just keep her from trying to be friendly with all the skunks too!
As mentioned, Dustin and Tina spent quite a bit of time in the stands this year cheering on the girls, but otherwise Dustin continued operating Bright’s Hardware Company managing 3 already established Ace Hardware stores and adding a 4th this year. The Sherman store opened in May with a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening in June. It was much more challenging building a store from ground up including overseeing the construction and building a team of employees. The store is running smoothly and is a great addition to the growing city of Sherman. Our hardware show travels this year took us to Chicago again (one of our favorite spots) and San Antonio.
Tina continued working in the challenging real estate market this year as it became a great year for buyers she was able to help past clients, new clients and even multiple generations of families make moves. She also continued co-leading a weekly D-Group Bible study through several New Testament books. If you are ever looking for way to deepen your relationship with God and His Word she would love to visit with you more about D-Group, Bible Recap or other study methods!
Of course most of the time in the stands was super hot or super cold, but we have learned how to battle the elements by investing in fans, umbrellas and heated seats, vests and jackets! Grandma and Grandpa are able to come cheer sometimes too!
Madison just finished up her third semester at Abilene Christian University and is halfway finished with her undergraduate career as she plans to graduate May 2027. Last spring she pledged into Delta Theta on campus and has had many fun activities with her group from spring formal in DFW to intramural soccer, flag football and volleyball (she pretty much plays them all and was goalie on the soccer team). This fall was an “Out West” homecoming and they danced and stomped their way through the parade. (We don’t mention that it made mom feel old that next year will be her 30th reunion). To get her schedule worked out she spent quite a few weeks in Abilene for summer classes this year and her fall break in Alamogordo, New Mexico hiking with one of her classes.
Freshmen Sing Song group was Barbie and Ken
Taylor continues to run at a fast pace – literally and metaphorically! She competed in the spring for Rock Hill Track Team with the 800 and 1600 events both individually and with relays. She really loved the track season.
This summer she continued “running” both at ACU track camp and with the church youth group as she traveled with them on a mission trip, Trek mountain climb and church camp. She also claimed a coveted spot in Scottish Rite’s Junior Volunteer Program and volunteered in the Frisco campus for a week. She thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work in the hospital setting as she has her sites set on becoming a nurse.
Her club soccer team also started the season with beach soccer in Galveston and then transitioned clubs with the team and coach to Surf Soccer where they won their first tournament to kick off the fall season.
This fall Taylor again ran cross country with her high school team. Once the season was over she moved into high school soccer instead of continuing training for upcoming track season. While she would love to do both it’s difficult with seasons both in the spring. They have already won their first couple scrimmages and we are looking forward to cheering them on (although also a little scared of sitting in stands through January and February).
Not only is she an active athlete she holds a pretty full social schedule and we are currently working on permit driving as she is anxious to be able to not have to depend on mom and dad’s schedule for her activities. (While mom will also miss car time together it sure will be nice for our schedules too!)
Here’s a few more highlights from our year! We are looking forward to a great 2026 and pray the same for you too!
The Marr Family
Soccer Tournament Champs
Top of the Mountain
Snow in January!
ACU Track Camp
ACU Homecoming
Delta Theta in Parade
Snow Fun Hardware Style
Black Friday Samples
Soccer Defender
Driving Practice
Sherman Shopping Center
