Merry Christmas to you and yours!
We are sending our Christmas wishes this year by way of the cyber world!
If you know us at all, you would know that our lives are never dull, and always full of changes and revolving doors. Our year has been very full with life happening all around us.
We had 2 children join us this year in February. One was a 7 yr old boy, and the second was a 1 yr old girl. That was super fun having a boy in the home (definitely different) and also a real quick reminder that our home had become 'unchildproof'!! Our time was sweet with them, and they stayed with us until October. In July we added 2 more children (yes, totaling 8 children) one 6 yr old boy and a 3 yr old girl. That was fun, wild, busy, and a lot of mouths to feed! It was perfect timing with it being summertime and having the whole yard to use as a playland, along with learning about chores, insects, taking care of the animals, and having a routine. Our children ranged from 1 to 14 years old. Having older children to help with all of the younger kids was very appreciated, and a wonderful opportunity to teach them life skills that they will need one day, Lord willing. We for sure gained strength and knowledge regarding teamwork, and did it pretty OK. Oh yes, and have I mentioned that we only have 1 full bath, and then a half bath? Yes, it was quite the rotating 'stations' getting ready each morning and night! HAHA! Talk about efficiency! Things are going well, and it's very lively around here. For sure, never a dull moment!!
Brad is doing well, still working for Almaco and just celebrated his five year anniversary. We just bought him a 'new to us' truck, a Ford F250 and he is in heaven!
Courtney is doing well. She has her own apartment in Ames, and is working two jobs, and has a steady guy. She is living life and learning all sorts of life skills and how to manage them all at the same time. We are very proud of her.
Brooke is 14 and in 9th grade! CRAZY! We have our second teenager and a freshman! YIKES! When did this happen? She is great. Quite the young lady, and always happy.
Taylor is 12 and in 7th grade. She is just about as tall as her mother, and is a work horse! She likes to get her schooling done so she can 'get to work' whether it be something that she is working on outside, or going to work with her daddy. She works with him often, and loves every minute of it!
Ashley is 10 and in the 5th grade. I can't believe that either! Next year, she will be apart of the 'middle school' youth group, and that is just CRAZY to me!!! My babies are growing up so fast. She is having a great year this year in school, and is really enjoying reading. Yes, even when she isn't required to!
Katrina is 8 and in the 3rd grade. This girl loves math, loves to help, and wants to be a grown up already. She is currently NOT the baby, and I think that she is still adjusting to this! :) Because Katrina isn't the "baby" anymore, she likes that she can boss the two other ones around, AKA helping instructing them, but we are still working on those skills so that is more of a 'helping' tone, and not so much of a 'bossing' tone. This is quite the task, but we are tackling it one day at a time.
Our little guy is 6 and in kindergarten. He is the cutest ever, and talks non-stop! He is always happy, super creative, and really, he does talk more than any of the girls in the house! (Yes, spoiled being the only boy!)
Our little girl will be 4 on Christmas Eve! How special is that? She is going to preschool and is loving her friends, and all of the 'projects' she get to do there. Our refrigerator can't hold much more. I have to admit, with our 'baby' being 8, it's really fun to have a 3-4 year old girl in the house again.
Me, well, I am a very blessed woman. I have an amazing husband (17 YRS IN JAN. WHOOT!!!) who loves me, loves his family, and provides for us all. He is one of the hardest working men I know, dedicated to his family. He always rolls with the new (weird/wild/crazy) ideas that I am always throwing at him, and he is often willing to go outside of his comfort zone, just to appease me! Our children are healthy and happy, and I am feeling truly blessed.
Praise God for whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
May all of our dear friends and family celebrate this Christmas season rejoicing in the Hope that we have in Christ Jesus, our Savior who was born on Christmas day!
