It seems like only a few weeks ago, that I was sitting here and trying to think up what to write for the Christmas 2011 letter. I read that letter and can't believe what all happened ... was that ONLY last year????
For the most part - this year has been wildly hectic and forever "wait and see" dull. We've occilated between hectic too much to do and too little time to do it in ... and waiting for something to happen so we can do the next thing on the list.
The year started off after a really nice and totally unexpected Christmas. My best friend's family was still living with us - and stayed here until the middle of May. During that time, she helped with housework and meals, and I helped with the schooling all of the kids. At some point that winter or early spring, my brain fuzzed out to encompass a crossing off the days and little else, I somehow got through the days, but I have little memory of what made any one day stand out from others. Our friends met with numerous delays in getting their house ready to move in - but by the middle of May, we celebrated the boys birthday's (Joel and Matthew have close birthday's and often celebrate together) and then they moved out.
The next six weeks, we tried hard to get things back into a routine, and then my dad let us know that his sister would be moving down during the Fall. Good news ... but suddenly getting Dad's house emptied and sorted became a much more urgent task. My brain was still muddled, and the houses were hot trying to keep the cost of running the AC down. I still feel muddled. I need sleep, and a schedule ... maybe I just need some down time from everything. My mother use to say, "I'll rest when I am dead." .... and this year I've caught myself mumbling this phrase more than once.
In other news....
Kendra turned 17 - and is rapidly approaching 18.
She has published 2 books, and should publish a third book very soon, "Do You Take This Quest?".
Her Author Page -
Her personal blogs
http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/
http://claraclassics.blogspot.com/
http://kendraeardnek.weebly.com/
Plus - one she shares with myself and a cousin - http://oscarlettreviews.blogspot.com/
She's every bit of the "eccentric author", and has been known to have arguments with characters in her books.
Vannan is almost 15 1/2. She is still quite independent and likes to fend for herself.
She has made huge strides this year working at WR - even though a pulled stomach muscle had her on bed rest for a few weeks. Deep cleaning our houses for Aunt V's arrival caused several bouts with her asthma as well. But sometime this summer, she found her voice, and has been singing songs that she is writing herself. All who have heard her have been quite impressed! Now all she needs is an avenue to express it.
She has 2 blogs.
http://makingmeaservant.blogspot.com/
http://singingmiownsong.blogspot.com/
Joel is 7 1/2. He's marching his way through second grade, in spite of numerous delays. We are once again working our way through the states - and currently are in the N states. He recently got his own room - a real treat after rooming with his sisters for so long. It is the first time that he has had a room with a closet and a door. Grandma bought him yellow paint - and he helped paint the room. He loves science and building things. He's not an engineer - he'll leave that to the cousins next door. He's more of an artist or architect. He draws the most elaborate pictures and there are cute stories to go with them. If you get a Christmas card from us ... look carefully at his pictures - often there is a LOT going on that is not obvious at first glance. And some of them - he was just having fun drawing something new.
LaRue just had her 3rd birthday. She is blossoming into a more social child, and is nearly ready to start a bit of formal preschool. Currently, she spends her days in the kitchen - either with Kendra, or Aunt V, or her play kitchen. She also LOVES playing with the Fisher Price doll house, pushing her buggy around, watching videos, and joining Joel in all of his activities. She's also asking for "school papers" and doing a pretty good job of tracing and writing her name - so we'll be starting up Preschool come January.
Tim is still job hunting. He is heavily involved in the Rapture Ready Radio program. And he refs volleyball and basketball. And writes a blog - http://pretribactivist.blogspot.com/
Me - Just trying to stay "un stressed" and "on task". I now have 3 blogs ... this one ... and
http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/
http://kiddoswithkindles.blogspot.com/
Overall, it has been a very calm year - very few unexpected and high expenses - and many unexpected blessings that have kept us fed and clothed. God has been good and faithful as we trudge through this wilderness of the past 12 years. Yet we have not felt forsaken. Each year that passes - we learn to trust God more. God has used MANY of our friends and family to bless us by meeting our needs - some have brought us food after culling their cupboards, clothes after culling their closets, picked up specific items from garage sales (including a new inner crock pot after ours broke!), money for gas, taking one of the kids along on fun outing, purchased a wanted toy for one of the kids, last years presents under our tree, care packages in the mail, words of encouragement, prayers, odd jobs for the girls to earn extra money, and so much more. We DO appreciate it all!
So, to all of you .... Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and We love you all.
Tim, Rachel
and Kendra, Vannan, Joel, and LaRue.
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