Our Family Christmas Letter

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

Okay, well, not so long ago, and not so very far away. Pretty much just 2008, in fact. This year was an eventful one for our family. 2008 started out with a bang, and hasn’t let up yet.


“Happens to every guy sometimes this does” ~Yoda
Our adventure began in January with M. and *********parting ways. M. loved his job at ******* and the people he worked with. Though a generous package was provided by the company, it was still a scary time. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, we knew that God would do the best for us; we only worried about how painful His best would be. Yet, looking back, it is wonderful to see how God provided for us during the 4 months that M. searched for a new position. Not only was His provision evident, but our family grew closer to Him over those months and we continue to see evidence of that spiritual growth in our boys today.


“I am your father!”~ Darth Vader
In April M. accepted the position of Plant Manager at another company. M. lived in a hotel for over 2 months while we searched for a place for us to live. M. enjoys his new job, and especially appreciates the workplace atmosphere of this new company. The biggest struggle involved in this move has been finding a place for us to live. There are no houses in town for sale in our price range. As a result, we are renting a house in a town 30 minutes away. We are praying that some houses will come on the market in the spring.


"Wonderful girl. Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her." ~Han Solo
Prior to our move, I continued to teach Latin to homeschoolers, and taught Sunday School to second and third graders at church. I also learned to knit, and have found great enjoyment in that new hobby!

In the fall of 2007 I began singing in a trio with some ladies from church. Before our family moved our trio decided to record the songs we had worked so hard to learn. Along the way we decided to change the focus of our CD from one that simply recorded the songs on which we've worked, to a CD that discusses our faith and the God for whom we sing. Pastor H. graciously agreed to write and record some devotional thoughts to be interspersed throughout the CD. The experience was terribly nerve-wracking and humbling, but we had so much fun!

“That’s great, kid. Don't get cocky.” ~Han Solo
Braden turned 13 and is in 7th grade. Academically, things begin to get serious this year, and that has been an adjustment for both of us! (It’s been a long time since I’ve done any sort of algebra!) Braden continues to study piano and in October began to learn the guitar. He earned his AWANA Timothy Award in May, and participates in a Trek group (the AWANA program for jr. high) in our new town. Braden swims with the YMCA team here as well. He “aged up” this year, and that is always difficult. “Aging up” means that he swims in an older age division: 13-14 year olds. Often the boys he swims against are much larger. It’s a good opportunity for him to focus on improving his times, rather than trying to beat the boy in the lane next to him.

“Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.”~Yoda
Brogan turned 8 in November and is in 2nd grade. He swims on the YMCA swim team, but loves trying all sorts of sports. This fall he’s taken gymnastics classes and next spring he wants to add tennis. Brogan began taking piano lessons from a “real” piano teacher this fall and is steadily working his way through his level 1 book. Most exciting is the maturity we’ve seen in Brogan this year. He has a tender heart, and we’ve seen some wonderful qualities beginning to develop. In many ways it seems like we’re just beginning to get to know him.

"Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?" ~Princess Leia
Colson is 5 and is learning to read and do math in our preschool activities. He currently has 2 loose teeth, and M. and I are in shock. How is he old enough to have loose teeth already? Colson loves to be the charmer and is convinced that everyone who meets him is destined to love him. He is one of those boys who knows no strangers; only friends he hasn’t yet met. We have been challenged to teach him that what adults may find adorable in toddlers, they do not find adorable in 5 year olds. He is slowly learning these lessons and we are thankful to have such an outgoing, friendly child!