Christmas Letter

December 19, 2018

Hi!

Just a brief, little update on what we’re up to these days. Our lives continue to be full of work, school, sports, and church activities/serving. We’re grateful for all these blessings.

Greg--Just returned from a week-long business trip to Japan, where he got to experience new places, new foods, and a different culture while building bridges with his Japanese colleagues. He brought back interesting gifts and treats for us to try. He enjoyed all the sushi and Japanese food...except the raw cow stomach--that he did not enjoy!

Andrea--Spending most days of the week subbing at the kids’ schools and most of the rest of the time driving the kids everywhere and trying (mostly successfully) to keep track of the nutty schedule. Thank goodness for Google Calendar!

Kari--Just turned 15 years old and got her driver’s permit on her birthday. Her first year of high school is going well so far--cross country was a new sport for her this fall and a great experience. She continues to play the piano and clarinet and loves to be with her friends. Her favorite classes so far are Culinary Arts, Spanish, and Honors English. We see less of her these days for sure! She’s a busy girl. She’ll play tennis in the spring.

Joel--Turns 13 in January and is rockin’ the 7th grade. Right now he’s playing on his school’s basketball team AND the competitive basketball team he’s played on for the last 3 years. Last year was a character-building year for him (and his parents), but this year is already shaping up to be a better experience all-around. He worked hard on his skills over the summer! He’s playing the trombone again, too. Basketball, youth group, and homework leave little free time for this kid.

Aubrey--Is 10 years old, turning 11 in February. She’s in her last year of elementary school and is happy to be part of the leadership team at school. She is in her second year of piano lessons. She also just started playing on a competitive basketball team that Greg is assist-coaching. Lots to learn this year!

Grant--8 ½ years old and thriving in 2nd grade. Grant is spending a lot of his time at his siblings basketball games these days and looking forward to playing in his own, come January. He loves playing with our neighbor friends (all the kids do--we have some pretty great neighbors!) and being where the people are.

Never a dull moment around here. This is a crazy, hectic, wonderful season of life we’re in, and we feel it breezing by way too quickly. We’re trying to soak up the time we have with all four kids home with us. We continue to be stretched and grown as we parent these four kiddos God has entrusted to us. Thankful we don’t have to go it alone. “I Need Thee Every Hour” is a song that accurately reflects the way we feel about life these days and, really, should remember always. Thankful for our Savior!

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!