Merry Christmas from Us

Well, the first Christmas cards/letters have begun to show up in my mailbox. They are always so fun to get and it makes going to the mailbox a daily excitement. I am still going to send out our Christmas picture this year but here is my Christmas letter. I've used this picture (which I may end up sending out because it is so "real" to our lives) for my Christmas memory picture.

Merry Christmas from Us

This year has brought about a great change in our family...as you'll notice, there are no longer just the two kids in the picture but a little baby girl, Aria, has been added. She is normally a happy kid except for all the times she is knocked over, poked too often, growled at (by Josh), laid on (by Darci) or has to wait for her bottle for too long (Mom's fault). She's 7 months old now and we're blessed to call her ours.

Darci is now 3 and brings us lots of laughter. Her greatest trademark is probably her sagging pants (and skirts)...to the point that she has little red marks on her cheeks from everyone constantly pulling them up for her. The "Plumber" rear doesn't slow this girl down. As you can see from the picture, she can hold her own. She likes her meat and potatoes but not her veggies. We give in and just let her eat frozen peas since she WILL eat those. She loves teddy bears and to singing at the top of her lungs. She's our little Doozer and I wouldn't trade her for the world.

Josh is now 5 and is now doing preschool at home with me. That sounds idillic until you know that there have been many class times that have ended with us both exasperated and no one has learned anything except for the fact that Mom is not always a good teacher...nor Josh always a good student. Josh spends lots of time playing outside and loves to play with the three laboradores next door. He's learned a couple lessons there too...like dogs don't have as much energy as he does...and dogs WILL kill pet rabbits if you let them play together. (Not OUR pet rabbits mind you...the neighbor's pet rabbit...*sigh*) He enjoys going to Sunday School...after telling us all the way to church that he's NOT going. He's reminded over and over, day after day to say "please" and "Thank you"...yes, still working on that one! He is a sweetheart and aside from the all too often tantrum, he is growing up into a great little guy. I love him like crazy!

As for Matt, he's going to be 30 in a couple weeks. He finally signed up for his school vision program (which he forgot to do last year!) and so we will get him a decent pair of glasses that he won't have to prop up on his nose to see clearly out of...or fix with tiny tools when the lenses fall out. He got to mow lawns all summer which he enjoyed because for the most part, the lawn mowers didn't talk back and he got to forget about work when he'd come home at the end of the day. At school, this year, he's working on loving his students. When he prays about frustrations, many kids faces pass before his eyes...but he just prays for more love. He's still as funny as ever and is the best daddy and husband ever! Can't put into words how much I love this man.

As for me, I am 29 almost 30. Every time Heidi gives me a haircut we find gray hair...grrrr....so the debate in my mind "to dye or not to dye?". I still have yet to lose the 25 pounds I gained during my last pregnancy...my feet grew a bit so my shoes (which are supposed to fit no matter how fat you get) sometimes are tight. I am enjoying being a mother except for the days when I spend more time lecturing my kids than snuggling and loving on them. Kind of like this week when we were trying to decorate the mantle for Christmas. As the song on the CD sang about "the joy of the season"...I was hollering at the kids not to pull the lights when I'm working with them...don't throw that ornament...stop hitting your sister...stop barking like a doggy...remember to say "please!"...stop YELLING!!! (as I heard my voice at a very loud decible, I realized how rediculous I must look and had to for the second or third time that day say, "I'm sorry" to the kids) I'm learning to try to be more disciplined and a better homemaker...but also not to let the status of my laundry set the level of my self worth...kind of a tricky balance really!

God has been good to our family...after our near tragic accident recently, we're more grateful for eachother. Everytime I drive back into our garage I am thankful that God has brought us safely home again...every time is a gift.

But most of all, we are grateful for the gift of Jesus and His gift of Salvation. Without Him, we would be MOST miserable! But because of Him, we have REAL life! God bless you guys and hope you have a wonderful Christmas season! Don't forget the Birthday BOY!

Love,

Us