As with every year, blogging and December don't mix well. We had a great Thanksgiving, and we're looking forward to all of our Christmas happenings over the next week (and even into January). Our Christmas letters finally went out a day or two ago. I ran out of envelopes, stamps, and decorative paper all at different times. I finally got everything in order and sent them! So, Merry Christmas to all of my readers and creepers in blog land! Hope you get to celebrate with your families and make wonderful memories...
Merry
Christmas! First of all, I need to confess
that I’m struggling with the first paragraph of this Christmas letter. Other than the “Merry Christmas!” at the
beginning, I’m at a loss for words to introduce our happenings from the year. When we were having babies every other year,
it was easy. But now everyone is just
getting older and taller, and “Merry Christmas!
Everyone is getting older and taller!” just doesn’t hold the same excitement
as previous years’ introductions. At
least I have a year to think of something interesting for 2014.
Josh started
the year in his workshop building a set of doll-sized bunk beds for Meredith’s birthday
as well as a picture frame for a print that will eventually hang on the wall of
our kitchen. In the spring, he and our neighbor-friend
pooled their money and purchased a zero-turn mower to share between our
properties. All summer, it was like racing time trials trying to see who could beat their record time from the
previous week. The end of summer brought
some vigorous physical labor when the roof needed replaced. It was torn off and prepped with the generous
help of family, friends, and neighbors (thank you again!). A professional crew then swarmed the house and
replaced the roof in 6 hours flat. It
was impressive to say the least. The plans for the house addition are nearing completion, and we should
be breaking ground in the next month or two.
While all
mothers appear to be in constant preparation and planning mode, this year seemed
as if it required some extra helpings of each on our home front. Parenting both a ten year old and a two year
old at the same time is currently offering a variety of challenges. Individually, these two have a unique way of
testing my patience and humbling any amount of pride I might have previously
held in my parenting abilities. My
desire for sanity and good health continue, so I registered for a mini-marathon that takes place in the spring; running a few times a week this
winter and spring should surely kill two birds with one stone. I’m looking forward to the training, the
challenge, and of course, the finish line.
Prayers for both my mini-marathon and my parenting-marathon would be
greatly appreciated. :)
Claire (10, 5th
grade) is extremely independent and is usually up for a new challenge to
conquer. Age 10 has proven to be a
character building age for all of us.
She still needs plenty of guidance, support, correction, and
reassurance, yet I’m confident she could keep our household afloat for a week
if necessary. Recently, she surprised
our family and our neighbor-friends (10 people total) with an entire restaurant-style
dinner including hand-written menus, homemade pizza, optional sides, and desserts. She is a problem solver, creative, and
driven. Claire would like you to know
that she loves to bake, loves the outdoors, and enjoyed hunting this year.
Meredith (8, 3rd
grade) loves to draw, write, and hold babies.
After having an aversion to socks for several years, she has finally
come to appreciate their role in society.
I think her love of running has helped the process. She is a hard worker and a good friend. Her imagination is absolutely lovely, and it
is truly a joy to watch her play in her imaginary worlds. Our trip to Disney World in the fall taught
us that Meredith does not like the dark, anything unexpected, or anything
adventurous. Thankfully the traumatic
memories have turned into good-natured banter, and her fond memories unquestionably
outweigh the terrifying ones. Meredith
would like you to know that she loves gymnastics, Jase is her favorite Duck
Dynasty character, and she enjoys reading interesting books.
Amelia (5,
kindergarten) started school this year and is learning how to read. She is a great student and enthusiastically
does her schoolwork every morning. Her
confidence and know-it-all attitude get her into trouble on occasion, but her
one-liners are some of the funniest we’ve heard. It would be a true adventure to spend a day inside
her animated little mind. She is a great
helper and jumps at the opportunity to serve others. Amelia would like you to know that she hopes
no one gets hurt this year (she often prays for everyone’s safety),
she’s looking forward to snowy days, and she loves drinking hot chocolate.
Olivia (age 2)
continues to be a bundle of fun and a bundle of work. Legos, changing clothes, and reading books
are some of her favorite activities. She
typically entertains herself extremely well, and only occasionally is it with
toothpaste or toilet water. We continue
to enjoy her sweet disposition, although recently she has begun to campaign for
her own way when it comes to clothing…especially pajamas. Olivia would like you to know that she loves
giving hugs and eating cookies.
As with most
years, our daily activities kept us continually hopping, but September proved
to be our busiest month of the year. We
celebrated my parents’ 40th anniversary, went on vacation with Josh's entire family, and took the girls (minus Olivia) to Disney World and the
ocean. Don’t pity Olivia too much,
though. She spent one-on-one time with
both sets of grandparents and was sentenced to “Grandma Detox” upon our return. We made memories that will last a lifetime;
however, we were completely exhausted by the end of the month! The girls were outstanding travelers, and
we’re looking forward to a trip to the New England states sometime in the next
year or two which will nicely accompany our current U.S. History studies.
We continue to
feel unworthy of our many blessings and truly say prayers of thanksgiving for
all of our family and friends. We pray
that you will join us in celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, God in
flesh. Merry Christmas to each of you,
and we wish you countless blessings in the coming year.
Much love,
Josh, Jackie, Claire, Meredith, Amelia, and Olivia
Christmas 2013
Late in time behold Him come; offspring of the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased as Man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The Herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
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