Merry Christmas letter 2009

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay. The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

In 2009...

We enjoyed… birthday parties, a bedroom makeover, children’s choir, smiles, sleepovers, visits from family and friends, coffee dates, art class, family movie nights, church, dinner parties, family gatherings, swim meets, sweet friendships, fire pit evenings, ballet, beach vacations, giggles, dress up, dancing, Minnesota trips, hugs, tennis, lots of tooth fairy action, bible studies, laughter, joy, love, blessings, each other.

We endured… 2 broken arms, sister wars, chaos, lots of laundry, fights, tears, strong wills, meetings, discipline issues, overflowing paperwork, sleepless nights, illness, bills, car trouble, lost belongings, job angst, carpooling, a difficult economy, worry, fear, sadness, pain, sin.

We embraced…forgiveness, growth, comfort, healing, hope, peace, love, grace,…Jesus.

Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room. And Heaven and nature sing!

Family Updates…

Evie Jill is a wonderful 5th grader who is blossoming into a lovely young lady both inside and out. She excels in year-round swimming, adores her friends, laughs maniacally and gestures wildly (some would say exactly like her mother), reads voraciously, and recently started tennis lessons.

Mady is a precious 3rd grader with a tender heart of gold. She is soft-spoken, imaginative, creative and tidy. She is excelling in a year-round art class, enjoys children’s choir and spending lots of time with her friends. She is our tiny treasure.

Sarah Rosy is a 1st grader and continues to be our little firecracker! She is enjoying children’s choir and becoming a great reader. It seems she lost about half her teeth at once over the summer, and also suffered a terrible break of both bones in her arm which she weathered for 10 weeks with her usual charm. From one mood swing to another, she keeps us laughing and loving her feisty and joyful personality, and admiring her compassionate and serving heart.

Gracie Goo, my partner, my sidekick. She is totally a mommy’s girl. It is my last year with her at home before I send her off into the world. She is ready. I am not. She is a deliciously lovable 4 ½ year old who is branching out with a ballet class. She is lost without her thumb and bunny, broke her arm this year, is learning to write letters, adores Sarah, and has spent the entire past year wearing orange.

CJ and I celebrated 14 years of marriage in May, and 20 years since our first date, on December 3. We are getting away by ourselves for a weekend this month, and are humbly grateful to our loving God for the kindness and grace He shows us through the triumphs and trials of life. May we always enjoy, endure, and embrace them.

We love you, and look forward to hearing from you and seeing your beautiful, smiling faces flood our mailbox. MERRY CHRISTMAS! And HAPPY NEW YEAR!