Friday, January 11, 2013

Looking Back on 2012

Whoops! I have been a bad, bad blogger...

..but I'm all done kicking myself over little things like not keeping up with my blog. And since we're not too far into 2013 to still reflect on 2012, here is the Christmas letter I wrote (but never got sent) for my Christmas cards (which did get sent... on January 3rd. Blogging is not the only thing I've been slow about!)


Season's Greetings 2012, with love to our family and friends,

It's been quite some time since I've written a Christmas letter, but this year it seems more important than ever to look back and reflect on our many blessings, and share them with those we love (even if I am a little late!). In the words of one of my favorite authors, we are so thankful to God Almighty, who has – for now – blessed us with these...

Nathan is 25 years old now, in his seventh year working as a heavy equipment operator. In April of this year, he took the big leap of becoming a homeowner, buying a nice three-bedroom fixer-upper just outside of town. It's about a ten-minute drive from our house, very handy for visiting (or when he needs a hand with painting, plumbing, laying carpet, etc.) Overall, a great investment for him, and a nice bachelor pad for the time being – with the potential to be a perfect family home one day. All in good time...

Kaitlin, who is 23 this year, is in her third year working as a Safety Director for a trucking company. This year brought many big changes for Kaitlin, from her engagement to Michael, to buying their first home. And on September 26, she blessed us with our second beautiful grandson, Mason Mitchell...

...and Darren and I couldn't be more proud of our little grandsons. Aaron is four years old now, and in constant motion. He loves super heroes and Legos and trucks and Nerf guns – and his new baby brother (thank goodness!). He's attending one-day-a-week pre-school, and really looks forward to kindergarten next year. ~ Mason is three months old now, and a happy little guy, who does a wonderful job of smiling and cooing and melting our hearts. ♥

Emily turned 18 this fall and is a senior in high school. She has been attending classes her junior and senior years at a local Community College, earning high school and college credits at the same time. She will graduate from high school in June, and should be able to earn her AA degree next fall. What a fantastic opportunity this has been for her! She is also still very busy with her music; singing, playing guitar and songwriting. She's had quite a few singing gigs this year, and was the winner in this year's local Rock the Canal competition (third time's a charm!)

Tim is 14, and a freshman in high school. He also has a strong interest in music, singing and playing piano. He's really enjoying choir at the high school level and is also singing in our church choir, along with Emily, Darren and me. He also likes to play video games, hang out in the garage with his dad, ride snowmobiles and dirt bikes and snowboard. This year he tried rock climbing for the first time – scary for me – but he seemed like a natural!

We're so thankful for our little family, and there are always challenges that make the blessings more sweet. Even so, we hope that in the new year the challenges are few, and the blessings are many, for all of us and all of you.

Much love,
Heather and Darren

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