Our Family Update

December 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

The tree is decorated, our nativities are up and our outside lights are blazing. But an important part of my holidays, writing this update, is sitting undone! I considered not sending an update this year. Then I remember just how much I love hearing what is happening in the lives of those we don’t get to see as often and I know it must get done. We are as busy as ever…perhaps busier. But God is good and we are blessed.

For those of you who have come here for the first time due to a Christmas card you received, WELCOME! Please sign the comments and let us know you stopped by! For our regular blog visitors, we hope you enjoy our family update. (Note: I do not use our family names on our blog, so you'll see DH as Dear Husband, and DSs as Dear Sons. They are numbered by their ages.)

DH finished as a full time pastor on December 31st last year. He spent the first three months traveling extensively coaching and consulting with many churches, then tapered off a little for the Summer months and got right back into a busy busy Fall. 2008 is also looking busy, which is good! He spends most of his time in Texas, but has also been to several other states this year. It has been a blessing to watch him serve in this way. And when he’s home, as he says, he’s home. He and DS3 are working on getting their pilot’s license. DH will have his very soon. They also received their SCUBA certification this summer.

DS1, at 19, is finishing his second year of college and is working at the Gap clothing store during the holidays. In August, he made another step toward figuring out what he wants to do in his adult life. He enlisted in the Army National Guard. He was supposed to ship out in October, but surgery prevented it. He will now leave April 28th for Basic Training in Ft. Leonard Wood, KS. We are very proud of DS1 as he takes this important step in his journey. He continues to pursue his musical interests as well as martial arts training. He and DH have spent quite a bit of time recently at the shooting range. He enjoys target practice and is getting to be quite an excellent “shot”. He has grown into a fine young man. I am so excited to watch him face this new season in his life!

DS2 is 18, and a senior in high school. He maintains great grades while balancing quite a social life. He has been a Debutante Escort this season, which has been quite an interesting experience. This means he has been able to attend some fabulous parties and eat some wonderful food—something for which he is quite skilled! Recently he was voted “Best All Around” by his senior class. Judging by my revolving door that constantly has teens in and out, he deserved it. DS2 continues to play soccer on the varsity team and is hoping to play when he goes to college next year. Speaking of college, he’s chosen to attend Hope College in Holland, Michigan. I keep telling him it’s COLD there…but he’s really set on it. Currently, he’s planning to go into secondary education—something that makes us very proud. DS2 really believes in living large. So I’m sure whatever he does will be with great vim and vigor!

DS3 is thirteen years old and in the eighth grade. In some ways, he’s grown the most this year. He’s almost taller than DH and is changing everyday. DS3 is about all things “airplane”. He has loved every moment he has spent learning about planes this year…and has become quite an expert! During the summer he had his first job as he worked at the airport washing small planes and preparing them for flight. DS3 also received his SCUBA certification in July and put it to good use when we took our family vacation to the Keys in July. Whether it’s under the water or in the air, he is becoming quite the adventurer! It was fun to go with him to the Dayton Air Force Museum in Ohio this summer. He was telling me details and information about each plane before I could read the “fact card” that went with it.! It will be fun to see where this passion takes him.

DS4 will be nine years old in January and is in the third grade. He is an excellent student and continues to enjoy school. I love having him with me and watching him grow daily. In a conference with his teacher this year, she shared how compassionate DS4 is with his peers. He is usually in tune to those in need around him…a very special gift for sure. DS4 joined the traveling soccer team this year. He is honing his skills as a goalkeeper and doing quite well. People ask me how he “learned to be Goalie” and I tell them he’s had older brothers taking shots on him for years! Of course, he’s always wanted to do the things his brothers do…so he was very excited when he got to take his first trip to the shooting range with DH, DS1 and DS3 last week. Some days I think the next nine years will take FOREVER, but I know that he’ll be grown in the blink of an eye!

I continue to work as a Literacy Coach at a local elementary school and love it. My fourth book will be published in 2008. I keep joking with friends and family that I just “live in my house” while life happens around me. Believe me, there is NEVER one dull moment in our lives. And although I do dream of having a “pink refuge room” that is filled with all things “girl” someday…I wouldn’t trade one day of watching my boys grow in this season.

DH and I celebrated our 20th anniversary this year with a 7-day cruise to Costa Maya, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. While there, we WON another 7-day cruise for two, so we will be heading to Alaska in June! As I said, we came right home from our anniversary cruise and spent a week in the Keys with my cousin and her family. Then DSs 3 and 4 and I drove to Ohio to visit family there. It was a very fulfilling Summer for sure!

If you're visiting here for the first time, I hope you'll come back. I have been blessed to meet many wonderful people via this tool. This Fall I was able to meet some friends I met via blogging in real life on a trip to Savannah. It was a delightful time that shall remain one of the highlights of this year for me.

We hope this season finds you counting your blessings. As always, we’d love to hear from you! May God bless each of you beyond your hopes and expectations in 2008!