Unfinished Letter
The tradition of writing our annual Family Christmas Letter is a tradition that I typically enjoy. It is wonderful time to record &reflect. The collection of these letters will no doubt one day be a family history treasure.
This years letter I hope will add to that treasure despite the fact that I never finished writing it and thus never sent it. I squeezed time in to start writing it but never could figure how to finish it up. This year has been different so appropriately this years letter feels & reads a little different...
Strong Family Christmas Letter 2019
Dear Family & Friends,
Like never before we dream of taking a long winter’s nap…
This year has been a roller coaster ride that has left me one phone call shy of the looney bin. This past spring I was thrust into the role of long distance care taker of my dad with Dementia while attempting to keep some kind of normalcy on the home front for my family and other responsibilities.
After a long day of work, Paul does his best to pick up my slack around the house and with the kids before he heads to the garage for his part-time gig of building furniture and cabinets…word of his talent is spreading and he built a record number of beautiful pieces this year.
But any attempt at a long winter’s nap is sure to be interrupted…not by a clatter out on the lawn, but by the clatter, chaos and laughter of 5 wonderful kiddos.
They are each growing, developing & finding new talents & interests as they each are becoming the person they are meant to be.
I have enjoyed watching Elizabeth (17) find joy in the service of others as she has ministered, gone out with the missionaries, helped me with my church calling, reached out to others in random act of kindness & been a huge help at home. We are cherishing our time with her before she heads off to college next year at Southern Utah University.
Growing! Rachel (15) is as tall as me now! I have enjoyed guiding her as she learns to find the balance of prioritizing her time with school, friends, helping at home, running, drawing, reading, homework and surfing for awesomeness on Pinterest. She is discovered that she can do hard things & how to be patient with herself in the process.
For years I have been told by others that “John is such a sweet boy” and for years he has seemed to run out of sweetness for use around our home. But finally John (13) has reserved some of that sweetness for use at home. I cherish the moments when we see his sweet side and the humor that come along with it…oh, that boy can be funny. Just don’t mess with his collection of “desert treasures” or the teenage beast may be unleashed.
I have watched in awe as Sarah (11) has come alive as she has found three things that she absolutely loves…acting, swimming and reading. In February she was in the school play, this summer &a fall she swam on the swim team and that girl never goes anywhere without a book and is regularly the bedtime story reader for her brothers. I love seeing who this spunky girl is becoming.
Oh, Jacob, Jacob, Jacob (6)…where to start? Where to end? Perhaps that is because he never stops…he is just one whirlwind of energy, curiosity & observations. Despite his curiosity getting him into mischief he is a tender boy with a pure heart. Thankfully soccer, helping dad with projects & an endless supply of dirt and STEM toys keeps his energy and mind focused in the right direction.
This years letter I hope will add to that treasure despite the fact that I never finished writing it and thus never sent it. I squeezed time in to start writing it but never could figure how to finish it up. This year has been different so appropriately this years letter feels & reads a little different...
Strong Family Christmas Letter 2019
Dear Family & Friends,
Like never before we dream of taking a long winter’s nap…
This year has been a roller coaster ride that has left me one phone call shy of the looney bin. This past spring I was thrust into the role of long distance care taker of my dad with Dementia while attempting to keep some kind of normalcy on the home front for my family and other responsibilities.
After a long day of work, Paul does his best to pick up my slack around the house and with the kids before he heads to the garage for his part-time gig of building furniture and cabinets…word of his talent is spreading and he built a record number of beautiful pieces this year.
But any attempt at a long winter’s nap is sure to be interrupted…not by a clatter out on the lawn, but by the clatter, chaos and laughter of 5 wonderful kiddos.
They are each growing, developing & finding new talents & interests as they each are becoming the person they are meant to be.
I have enjoyed watching Elizabeth (17) find joy in the service of others as she has ministered, gone out with the missionaries, helped me with my church calling, reached out to others in random act of kindness & been a huge help at home. We are cherishing our time with her before she heads off to college next year at Southern Utah University.
Growing! Rachel (15) is as tall as me now! I have enjoyed guiding her as she learns to find the balance of prioritizing her time with school, friends, helping at home, running, drawing, reading, homework and surfing for awesomeness on Pinterest. She is discovered that she can do hard things & how to be patient with herself in the process.
For years I have been told by others that “John is such a sweet boy” and for years he has seemed to run out of sweetness for use around our home. But finally John (13) has reserved some of that sweetness for use at home. I cherish the moments when we see his sweet side and the humor that come along with it…oh, that boy can be funny. Just don’t mess with his collection of “desert treasures” or the teenage beast may be unleashed.
I have watched in awe as Sarah (11) has come alive as she has found three things that she absolutely loves…acting, swimming and reading. In February she was in the school play, this summer &a fall she swam on the swim team and that girl never goes anywhere without a book and is regularly the bedtime story reader for her brothers. I love seeing who this spunky girl is becoming.
Oh, Jacob, Jacob, Jacob (6)…where to start? Where to end? Perhaps that is because he never stops…he is just one whirlwind of energy, curiosity & observations. Despite his curiosity getting him into mischief he is a tender boy with a pure heart. Thankfully soccer, helping dad with projects & an endless supply of dirt and STEM toys keeps his energy and mind focused in the right direction.
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