Happy Christmas! I can't believe 2011 is gone already and everyone is a year older (and hopefully, wiser). God has been soooo faithful this year to our family. Looking back, His care is clear and that makes me excited for 2012. We hope you've experienced His love in new ways, too!
We had two great trips this year - the first to California for a Girl Scout trip. In May, Grace and I went with her troop a week before the guys joined us. We visited friends, stayed in San Francisco and Yosemite and had a great time. Over Thanksgiving, we joined my family - my parents, Billy & Sara and their four children, and my Aunt Deb and Uncle Rick in Cancun for a week. We spent most of the time on the beach/in the pool guzzling virgin strawberry daiquiries but did manage to visit Chichen Itza. In one week, Nate went from being scared of putting his head underwater to snorkeling without assistance. (Okay, he wore a floatie but still.) Unfortunately, he refused to snorkel in the ocean where the coral and fish were, but the rest of us had a blast.
Roger: Continues to work for Southern Air, a cargo company based out of Connecticut. His company has seen some major transitions this year that are still working themselves out. He continues to travel for them (is currently flying home from Africa right now) but may move into a different position for them soon. We could use your prayers for this as we very much want to stay in Alaska while Luke is in high school.
Me: Now working as a part-time PE teacher at Academy Charter, where Grace and Nate attend. It is a FUN job; I get to see Nate almost every day and have first-hand knowledge of why his teachers complain about his behavior. :) My afternoons/nights are spent ferrying everyone to all their activities, although I've managed to squeeze in a weekly Bible study. Some friends and I started up a news blog covering Palmer - http://the-palmerpost.blogspot.com/ - and I also maintain a writer blog at http://foreverrewrighting.blogspot.com/.
Luke: a sophomore in high school. He's entered the International Baccalaureate program, which has advanced expectations of students. He also plays varsity for high school hockey and is on the Mat-Su Eagles, a comp hockey team. He'll be playing in Arizona over Christmas break with the Eagles - his first time to play Outside - and he's really enjoyed the coaching and camraderie within the team. He worked last summer for Vanderweele Farms as a farm hand and turns 16 in early Feb., which means he'll be driving soon. I always have a yay/afraid moment when I realize this.
Mary Grace: in sixth grade at Academy. She had a starring role in a theatre camp production last summer, cluing us in to one of her drama-gifts, and is finishing up a basketball season right now. At 12, she's joined official babysitter status and plans to start up swimming again in Jan. after several years trying other sports. This is her last year in Girl Scouts, as our beloved troop leader is moving away, and we're ending the year going on a sea kayaking trip to Valdez this summer.
Nate: started kindergarten at Academy. He remains the outspoken ham of the family, frequently embarrassing his older brother and sister with exquisitely timed comments that are better left unsaid. He's also a hockey player and participated in his first game a few weeks ago, which was hilarious and so reminded me of his brother at his age.
BTW, if you've yet to come see us - we'd love an excuse to show you around and play during an Alaskan summer. We'd also love to know your news. Send us an email at: rewrighter@gmail.com.
Happy 2012!
