It's quiet in the house. Rich is currently in New York, texting me beautiful pictures of gigantic buildings, and I'm curled up with the iPad attempting to get this Christmas letter done. My kids have been practicing for their Christmas concert, and I've got the melody of “The Love Of God” swirling around in my head as I write. We've recently found our place in a church, and are continuing to seek the Lord as we live our daily lives.
Nolan (5) started kindergarten!!!!!!!! {did you hear me breathe a sigh of relief?} I legitimately give his teacher all my respect as she manages to corral my energetic, saggy pants, wiggly boy, into his seat at school each day. He's is full of life, and quick to run and hug me at the end of each day. He's very much into hoarding any item that is like or similar to a stick, rock, leaf, or tree nut.
Maeve (7) started ballet and enjoys it (every other class). She is still my quiet, watchful one, {although still waters run deep}, and her latest quiet plan involved hog-tying her little brother, gagging and blindfolding him, and leaving him in a dark room with the door closed. True story. I'm keeping an eye on that one.
Cannon (9) continues to amaze me everyday with the things he knows. He loves reading the dictionary and spends time geeking out creating Google spreadsheets…just for fun. He's all about minecraft, Legos and math. He is still insistent that he will be enlisting in the military at 18...and I'm continuing to look into DNA testing to see if he is really actually related to me or not.
Brynn (11) is enjoying her final year at PHCS. It's bittersweet for everyone. I wish she could have had more time at the school. She's thriving in the small setting {11 students to 1 teacher}, and has expressed the desire not to return to public school next year. She has asked to homeschool next year, so I'm mentally trying to prepare for that. Her favorite memory from this year was our 4 state road trip, and wants to help us plan out the next one.
Rich (38) is still working at Economy Lock & Key, and is currently in the process of applying for seminary. He excited to dig into the Word and learn more throughout this next upcoming year. I'm not sure I'm ready for another student in the house. He's the source of much laughter in the house, and has the super cool ability to grow an amazing red beard in an unnaturally short amount of time.
I (Angie) turned 38 this year, and I'm continuing to enjoy my work writing for the Dear Handmade Life website (http://dearhandmadelife.com/blog/inspiration/), and the perks that come with my “work from home” job. I took a huge step outside of my comfort zone this year as well, and jumped into starting a business. It's scary, and fun, and there are so many things that we are still learning, but I have enjoyed it! (www.facebook.com/makeandtakebpb or Instagram @makeandtakeBPB) With all the kids in school this year, I'm also tapping into my superpower of multitasking, as I help 4 kids with homework each afternoon at the kitchen table, and amazing everyone with my awesome ability to grow gray hair.
The pets…..what can I say about our four legged friends. Treks is 13, and every year I joke it is his last Christmas, but this time it REALLY might be. He survived another year, but probably only because of the medicine that he has to take every 12 hours. It's real fun having that added responsibility on my shoulders….
Lily the crazy dog (up for grabs still if anyone wants her) has also survived another year in our house. Even though I offer her to every. single. person who mentions they like her, she has yet to go home with anyone. She still eats all the left-foot flip flops if not put away in the shoe bins, all stuffed animal eyeballs, and most recently - nerf gun bullet tips.
We lost the pet rat, gained a few fish, and thankfully dodged a bearded dragon. This mama can barely handle the load as it is.
May 2016 be filled with joy as we rest in the peace of the eternal gift of our Lord. Merry Christmas to your family, from mine!
Rich, Angie, Brynn, Cannon, Maeve & Nolan
