Family Update

Hello friends!

It is hard to believe that I havent been able to sit down and finish a blog for over a month and a half! *whew* Well, I guess I better get started with this update, huh?! You've waited long enough!

1. Scott, Ady, Charlie, and I have felt so busy lately. I guess that is to be expected with all the holidays, but this year we had some added family things going on, so it felt even busier than usual. In fact, since the first weekend in November until the end of December, we drove up t0 Northern Colorado 7 out of 9 weekends! Scott and I have also driven up a couple times in-between! We both think that we could make the drive blindfolded now. Maybe next time we go that way we'll try just to keep things interesting.

2. Adyson is officially able to walk, and she is loving her independence! Every day she seems to have a new word, sound, or skill. It is mind blowing to watch her. She can also climb onto things, so she now has earned the name "Monkey". She loves climbing on just about everything, and she will certainly try. At my parents' house she started climbing onto their coffee table and then jumping off. She likes to climb up onto the guest bed at our house and pridefully shriek with delight. She has monkey printed pajamas, and I would say they are rather appropriate for this new stage she is in. Ady now is saying lots of things, and she continues to crack us up. Her newest word is "WOW!", which she uses especially when there are Christmas lights to be seen. She can also say "ickk", "No", "Yeah, yeah (for yes)", "meow", "brr", "hot", "ma-ma", "da-do", "issch (izzy)", "car (charlie)", "baba", "ney, ney (blankie)", "mmm", and "hmm, hmm, hmm (charlie's whine)". She also can do a lot of things on command like tell you where her nose, eyes, ears, mouth, and belly button are. Needless to say, we are buy busy busy, and we laugh more than we ever have. Ady truly is a blessing to us. What a gift!

3. We spent Thanksgiving with my family in Longmont this year. It was wonderful to get to help my mom cook the big meal from start to finish. She is always so full of good cooking advice. My cousin Michael came with his family of 4 kids, and we had a nice visit with them. Their kids were so well behaved and sweet! What a joy!

4. After Thanksgiving, Scott, Charlie, Ady, and I all headed up to the cabin in Estes Park. We had such a nice stay up there. We were getting tired of driving around, so we ended up staying an extra night before heading back home. We hiked, shopped, and ate leftovers most of the weekend. It was very refreshing. Bill, Tricia, and Sarah (Jeff's wife!) came up on Friday, and we all had a nice visit and lunch together.

5. Scott is starting busy season again, so he has started traveling a little more. The nice thing is that he seems to have a lighter travel schedule lined up for this busy season so far, so we are looking forward to having him home a little more this winter.

6. Scott's brother, Jeff, got married on December 19th at the Stanley hotel in Estes Park. We are really excited for him and Sarah. She is a great fit for the family. The wedding was beautiful, and it was wonderful to see Jeff so happy! I am excited about gaining a new sister!

7. We put up outside lights on our house for the first time this Christmas. The lights turned out beautiful! Scott climbed up on the roof to get them all up there, and he did a great job!

8. We had a job opportunity come up in Fort Collins a few weeks ago, and we were really hoping it might work out so we could be closer to family. We prayed hard about it, and Scott did a great job at the interviews. However, we found out that the company was actually going a different route. They didnt hire anyone this time around. We were a little bummed, but we trust that God has other plans for us for now. We are so thankful for Scott's job, and we will continue to stay here until we see another green light for something different. Colorado Springs is a beautiful city, so we cant complain too much!

9. I am still on a big popcorn kick. I thought for sure it would have gone away by now, but I am pretty sure that it just keeps getting stronger. Is there some mineral or vitamin that popcorn has that I am lacking? Hmmm? At least I'm not addicted to chocolate icecream or snickers bars! That would not be good for the ol' weight loss regime.

10. I love Christmas. Scott is pretty sure that he somehow married a tall Christmas elf. I just love everything about the Christmas season. I love the cold, snowy air; the twinkle lights; pine tree smells; and Christmas baking. I even love the crowds at malls and stores. I bake as many special Christmas recipes as I can to share the sugar high with all who will partake. Garland, Christmas lights, or Christmas carols are never in short supply at our house. As the holiday draws closer, though, I cant help but be awestruck by the true meaning.
After dropping Scott off at the airport early in December, I had a long drive back to my parents' house in a snow storm. The roads were very icy, visibility was poor, and it was very cold and windy. On the drive, I had a lot of time to ponder some very familiar Christmas songs. So often I sing these songs with a disconnect. I've heard them so many times that I just sing them and dont really think about what they are really saying. With all distractions darkened by the storm around me, with my speedometer stuck below 35 the whole way home, and all else put aside, I had time to just focus on the story of Christmas. My prayer was " Lord, quiet my heart and my mind. So often in the chaos of life, I forget the real story of Christmas. I want to hear the Christmas story again as though it were the first time." Then, I just listened to the familiar songs as they played. I was in tears before I had even made it through the first song. Christ the Lord is born!
"Silent night, Holy night. Shepherds quake at the sight. Glory stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah. CHRIST the SAVIOR is born! Silent night. Holy night... Round yuan virgin mother and child. HOLY infant so TENDER and Mild. SON OF GOD, love's pure light. Radiant beams from thy holy face. With the DAWN OF REDEEMING GRACE. Jesus, LORD at thy birth."
Christmas truly is a celebration of the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus, fully God, took on human flesh so that he could redeem His people out of our imprisonment. He came to deliver us from our bonds and pay the price for our sins. He came humble and selflessly; and He paid the ultimate price of death on a cross so that all who repent and believe can have eternal life with Him. Praise His holy name!
What a wonderful reminder it was to get a quiet drive early this Christmas season to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas!

11. We had a lovely time with family this Christmas. We went to Bethel for a Christmas Eve service, and then spent time with Scott's family. We had a sweet time together. On Christmas day we headed to my parents' house for Christmas dinner with my parents and dad's parents. It also was a sweet time! Ady got the hang of opening presents, and she had a great time ripping paper off of boxes. My brother and sister brought their families to my parents' house the next day, and all our kids got to play. What a wonderful holiday! The Lord has truly blessed us with a wonderful family!

12. For New Years we spent time with our closest friends, Blythe and Corey. We werent sure if we would be able to stay up until midnight, so we were sure to have some caffeine with dinner. Corey and Scott both had red bulls, and Blythe and I made lattes. We played games and watched a scary movie. It was so much fun! And I am happy to report that we all stayed awake until midnight!

13. I am looking forward to this new year and all that is to come. After recently finishing a Bible study on the life of Jesus, my resolution this year is based off of a verse from that study.
Luke 2: 52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." It is my prayer that I will grow in Godly wisdom and faith, in my physical well-being, in my relationship with God and knowledge of His word, and in my relationships with people.

14. Thanks for your patience as I havent written for a while. I will do my best to write more frequently! I promise pictures next time too!

Have a blessed new year!