MERRY CHRISTMAS

from the Mehmen's!

From left to right:

Katrina (5), Ashley (7), Taylor (9), Brooke (11), Courtney (16), Gunner (9)

Thinking over this past year, I cannot tell you every single detail that has taken place, but I can for sure tell you that our year has been filled with blessing after blessing.

January: Brad & I celebrated our 13th year of marriage, Courtney turned 16, and I also turned another year young! (I have decided that I do not need to divulge that information!) My mom was able to come for a visit from California for our birthdays, as she normally tires to do! It was a great visit and a good month. I LOVED last years winter, for we were dumped on heavily with the snow! I was a happy happy girl. I love snow!

February: Taylor turned 9 and we treated her to a pizza party with all of her friends. She had a great time, and loved every minute of it. Katrina turned 5 and we celebrated her special day at home with family. My baby is growing up & that makes me sad!

April: Ashely turned 7, and we moved back to Ames, and have felt right at home, as if we have never left! We are so blessed to have the home that we do, and it's perfect for our family! We also have room for visitors, so if you can, come for a visit! We'd love to have you! Although we hadn't even finished unpacking, the four younger girls and I packed up and took a trip out to CA to visit my family. It was a great time spending time with them. I do miss them all very much living 1800 miles away and all, but I don' t for see us moving back to CA, so the time spent with them is treasured and sweet and I look forward to the next time as soon as I leave. Of course it's never long enough to get in everything we'd like to do, but there's always next time, we'll see.

May: We officially finished our school year, well, our home school program anyhow. We do keep going through summer, just with a lighter, more flexible load. We took a camping trip with some friends, and it was a great time! Although, three specific female friends may not agree (since they were all 9 months pregnant! :-) What troops they were! Let me just clarify the numbers here. When I said, "some friends", that meant six couples plus one adult, so that was 13 adults, with 25 children! What a great time we had! Chaotic & fun! That was our only trip of the summer with the expectations of three births.

June: June was a time of sticking close to home to be of help to my dear friends that were expecting at any time. (As if I could help any! Emotional support maybe??) My first friend to have her baby was Kim, and she had a boy! This was on the 15th of June, followed by my dear friend Abby, which had her son at home on the 17th, and then last but not least, Laura Lynn, which also had a boy at home on the 20th! HA! None of them knew what they were having, and they all had boys! I was so blessed to be at two of the home births and witness new life coming into this world. It was so amazing & wonderful! This was the first time I was able to witness a birth, verses being the one giving the birth! LOL All three boys are growing big and strong & are just adorable. The Lord has blessed me by giving me my "boys" through my friends!

July: Brooke turned 11, and had a swimming party at the new aquatic center that happens to be right across the street from us. (Isn't that convenient?) Followed by pizza and a sleep over. We were all tired the next day!

August: My wonderful husband had his birthday and we celebrated by having a day out with out the kids. We ventured out to Des Moines (I know, we are so crazy!) and spent the day walking around downtown, had lunch, and came back to Ames to hit the dollar movies! Aren't we exciting? I don't know if this is a sign of getting older, but it's what we enjoy doing! Oh yes, and lest us not forget that this month is the month that our eldest daughter Courtney acquired her drivers licence! She is doing well, although, now with snow on the ground, it's a whole new ball game. More learning! Who ever thought that you stopped learning at any particular age or grade?

September: The official beginning of the school year. In our home school group, Classical Conversations, we have 21 families, totalling 65 children! I tutor the 4th grade girls, which is nine total, and it's a blast! It's good for me to be taught by them, as well as learning how to teach them! I really enjoy our group, community, and couldn't do it without their support, encouragement, and wisdom! I am truly blessed by the friends that the Lord has placed in my life. I am very thankful!

October: This was a fun & exciting month for us! Not only did my mom come for a visit, but she brought my dad along, and a dear family friend from Alabama with her son & granddaughter! I love having a full house. It was great to see mgf Crista, as well as meet her son & grand baby, and spend time with my dad as well as my mom. I don't get to see my dad as much as I see my mom, so the time was sweet and fun was had by all! I'm trying to get my dad to come out again in the spring when my mom comes again!

November: A time of giving thanks, and as you can see, nothing ever got posted on here for that, although, I did try! We hosted Thanksgiving at our home with Brad's side of the family. It was nice to have them over, and to be able to serve them. (If you didn't know this already about me, I love hosting!) Brad's folks stayed a couple days, and it was nice to visit with them, as we don't see them too terribly often either. Brad also celebrated his 2nd year anniversary with working for Almaco. He really enjoys his job and is blessed to work for Gary Clem, his boss.

December: On December 9th, my grandmother Jennie passed away, after 87 years of life. I was saddened that I could not be there for my family during that time, but my heart was with them. So, this brings us right back to December; where we all wonder "Where did the time go?" Time just flies by each and every year! I wanted to purposefully begin this "Christmas update"with the reminder of why we celebrate Christmas each & every year. The birth of Jesus, the Christ, our Savior. It's not a "holiday", it's not a "winter celebration" as some may call it. It is Christmas, a time in which our Savior was born. May you all wish others this Christmas season a Merry Christmas, and not a happy holiday. May you all remember what the purpose of this celebration is this Christmas Day, and rejoice in it.

What kind of King would leave his throne in Heaven to make this earth His home?

While men seek fame and great renown, in lowliness our King comes down.

You left the sound of angels praise to come for men with unkind ways,

and by this Baby's helplessness, the power of nations is laid to rest.

What kind of King would come so small from glory to a humble stall?

That dirty manger is my heart too, I'll make it a royal throne for You.

Jesus, Jesus, precious One, how we thank You that You've come!

Jesus, Jesus, precious One, a manger throne for Gods own Son!

Merry Christmas,

Love the Mehmen's