In a nutshell - it's been a good year. Not only did we get more settled in our home, but we also got my parents settled in their new home (about 5 minutes away). It has been super nice to have Mom and Dad near by. I am trying to get used to asking them for help when I need it;)
The kids are awesome and as they become more independent each month, I am trying to keep it together.
E- is 16 and driving (definitely one of the hardest parenting milestones for me). As I type she is at her library Christmas party and I will pray until she is home safely. Ever busy, she has some super sweet friends, activities (Boy Scout Venturing Crew, Hapkido, Teen Zine, Library group, book club, and guitar), and a very active brain (Aristotle's Rhetoric is her favorite and she has even said she 'kind of' likes physics)! She took the PSAT this year for practice and did pretty great considering I told her not to even study! She has her sights set on attending Thomas Aquinas College (in California) in 2.5 years. We will be visiting in the Spring. Feel free to send money now!
M- is model 13 year old. Everywhere he goes, people love him. He is polite, conversive, sweet, and quite handsome. Girls young and old adore him and the boys all follow him. Like his dad he is a natural leader. He got his black belt in taekwondo this year and is now helping with some instruction at the younger classes and performing with some of the older black belts. His next goal is to get his Eagle Scout - which I am certain he will achieve in the next couple of years. He and his Dad will get to spend 2 weeks this summer at Philmont - the premier scout camp for anyone into Boy Scouts! When he is not at TKD, scouts, or teen group, he is building things on Minecraft. He is still thinking he'd like to be a navy seal, but if that doesn't work out he'd be happy as an architect or engineer.
Hubby is hanging in there. Trying to escape his hectic work environment, he has taken to building an Expedition trailer. And although finances and time constraints will likely delay this project until the kids are both in college, the time he gets to play with it relaxes him. He has been invaluable in helping with projects for my parents to get them settled and of course working on keeping our house in order.
I am good. Still love the Southwest. I spend most of the days schooling and driving kids to activities while trying to keep the house semi-clean and feed everyone a healthy meal. I have figured out the best spots to walk while the kids are doing classes and love to get a little time on my elliptical with the "Pioneer Woman" or in my awesome kitchen to bake up a tasty treat when time allows!
We are all looking forward to spending the Christmas holidays with the entire family (a first for all of us since Michael and I got married!). My sister is already here (from Wisconsin) and my brother, sis-in-law, and niece arrive from Nashville on the 21st. I have lots of fun games, activities, and of course food planned for the visit:)
Wishing all you readers a very Merry Christmas! I would LOVE to hear from you via comments, email, or phone. I know a lot of you check up on me and that is awesome, but I'd love to know about your families too:)
Leaving you with my 2 favorite kiddos!
Happy Holiday Season!
Ann
A lovely Christmas letter! Merry Christmas!
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