Victoria is in her final year as a middle school
student. She has grown and changed so
much in the last year. She is realizing
the power of what it means to form her own opinions and the consequences, both
good and bad, of making her own choices.
She continues to maintain a straight A average in all honors program
classes, is an Academic team leader and an extremely talented musician! Most of all, Victoria is one of the most
dependable young ladies I know. Mike and
I are so very proud of her and although it’s tough to watch our little girl
grow up, we look forward to seeing her blossom into the Godly young woman she
is becoming.
Our Ethan has just started a new chapter in his
life…the wonderful world as a middle school student. Oh the changes, adjustments and newfound
freedom it has brought. It was a
challenge at first to realize the demands put on a student in the honors
program, but he got the hang of it fairly quickly. He also continues to maintain a straight A
average. He takes pride in his accomplishments
and always has. It is an invaluable
quality to always strive to be better despite the situation. This proved to be invaluable this year as it
was the first time he was starting quarterback and team captain on his football
team. He highlighted his season with a
last second, 40 yard touchdown pass to win a big playoff game. He is really learning the true influence being
a leader can have on teammates, siblings and friends. We are very proud of Ethan as he is growing
into an honorable young man.
Christian celebrated his 9th birthday
this year. We knew third grade would
bring a lot of challenges with it, being that so many things would be new. He would be getting actual grades, have more
responsibilities and reading would no longer be “just for fun”. I was actually worried about how my little boy would transition into this
year. However, the joke was on me,
because he did great! He is learning how
to study, how to manage his time wisely, how to be a good friend, and what
exactly it means to lead by example. So
far, he has also worked very hard to make all A’s. For sports, he was the starting quarterback
for his football team, and he’s the point guard on his basketball team. He’s a great teammate and always plays hard
making it very fun to watch! He made a
huge step this summer that will no doubt set an example to others, when he
asked Jesus into his heart…a decision he will never regret. Christian is always striving to do his best
and make as many people smile in the process as possible.
Ready or not, here they come! That’s what we told their pre-k teacher as
this school year began. Addeline, with
her beaming smile and her fiery personality.
Kaitlyn, with her infectious laugh and eyes that could melt the iciest
of hearts. Although they are both
precious as punch they are so different.
Addeline loves to read and absolutely anything related to art. I love planning crafts for the girls, but
have found that with Addie Pie, it’s better just to give her the supplies and
let her make a creation! She is rhyming,
making letter sounds and even putting some together. Dick and Jane here we come! Kaitlyn loves math, being a doctor and a
teacher! It is so much fun to eavesdrop
while she is teaching her friends how to check for heart beats. Listening to Kaitlyn add up different objects
or come up with her own math problem just amazes me. The fact that she is able to invent her own
patterns, some of which are quite complex for a 5 year old, just cause me to
shake my head. My little girls are
growing up right before my eyes. What a
blessing these two have been to our lives.
Mike and I definitely find ways to keep ourselves
busy. Mike continues to deploy, coach, plans
family vacations and is passionate about his running. In fact, he ran his 2nd marathon
in November. We were so proud to find
him on the course and cheer him on!! My
life is filled with volunteering, trying new recipes, keeping up with our
ever-changing schedules and trying to nurture a relationship with running…still
working on that one.
This summer was action-packed for our family, to
say the least. Right before Mike
deployed, we spent the weekend in North Georgia hiking and whitewater
rafting. Gracious, it was so much
fun! While the “big kids” played, the
little girls spent the weekend at “Camp Gam”.
Although we missed them, it was nice to have some fun with the older
kiddos. About halfway into the deployment,
my Grandmother took a turn for the worse.
When school was over, we packed up and headed to Kentucky. We were so blessed to spend the last couple
of weeks with her and our family.
Although it is always hard to say goodbye to someone so loved, God was
gracious to give us the time we had. We
shared plenty of smiles, songs, stories and special moments with her before she
took her last breath. A few weeks after
Mike returned, we spent about a week in New York for a family reunion. It was so good to see people we haven’t seen
in a very long time…and hug some I had yet to meet!! Last, but certainly not least, was a big
one. We celebrated my Mom’s one year of
being cancer free!
As we embrace the new seasons of life that this
year has brought, some more hesitantly than others, we are so very thankful to
be together and know that we will never have to face them alone.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6
Your family is so lovely. May you have a continued fruitful life this year and God bless always.
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