For so many years the 'writing' of the Christmas Newsletter was a highlight. I can prayerfully, humbly, and gratefully say...it is a highlight of this holiday season...as there is MUCH to share.
Our lives are full, very busy, but this family is smiling - each face and we know and thank our Lord.
The photo was taken at Thanksgiving. I have to BEG Taylor to get me a copy of it so I can put it in a frame, otherwise it may disappear into the big information data byte in the sky.
Trying to get 4 people to smile all at the same time and to make sure the hair is just right was as hard as when the kids were babies and I just wanted them BOTH looking forward! Taylor posted this photo on Facebook so I know it meets her approval. For so many years she will tell you that she HATED our Christmas photo as there was something wrong with it. She was not smiling or looked like a boy or whatever. So...I guess it is a sign of my maturity when I posted this and would of rather found one where my hair could of looked just a little bit better...anyway! LOL
Taylor has one more year of college. She did her one day a week teaching practice in 5th grade at the local middle school where she attended and LOVED it. How sweet our Lord is, she taught 5th graders and I am teaching 5th grade. To sit with my first born and help her with lesson planning was a stressful but glorious task. Mothers LOVE being needed especially by 21 year old adults! She has one semester left of practice and Student TEaching will be around the corner with a walk down the graduating asile in December of 2013 if all goes well. God is good. She sees the light at the end of the tunnel. In her spare time she dotes on a little girl named Eva, babysits, and coaches a travel/club volleyball team and LOVES that as well. Her sweet spirit still grabs the attention of many and she has great friends!
Hunter is our Senior and has verbally committed to be a FIGHTING OWL and play at Florida Atlantic University come August of 2013. His many years and Brendan's faithfulness of DRIVING to practice have paid off. He gets frequent emails from Coach Kos and has already made an official visit and we hope to watch him 'sign' come February. He is getting some academic and sports scholarships and we are very proud. After many years of soccer, both Brendan and I comment and talk about the 'withdrawl we will have but have already begun to SAVE for some flying trips to watch him play out of state. The BEST thing about FAU is that it is only 1.45 hours south of Okeechobee; which is, far enough way to feel like he is at college, but close enough that we can still attend some soccer games! In his spare time, he does his homework, he will graduate with almost 30 college credits like TP did and ping pong has become the new family passion. Currently HP is doing most of the winning between he and Bren but Brendan practices and I KNOW he will overcome! Hunter has a great set of friends as well, and many of them adorn our family room frequently to watch the HEAT play - Hunter is a fan!
Brendan and I are well. We enjoyed a trip to Wisconsin this summer and rented a Harley for 3 days and put on over 700 miles! That is our plan again..just not sure 'when'. We have had the bike for a year now and have well over 6000+ miles on it - so, YES, we do enjoy the entire BIKE scene. Our kids may just see us on a major trip to Sturgis or the Mountains...LOL.
Weekend trips on the Harley, watching soccer games, traveling to soccer games, and enjoying Duck Dynasty our our usual routines. Both of us are just enjoying our family before it will change again with HP leaving next summer. We are both still teaching - our 25th year!!! Brendan is at the High School and I am at the Indian Reservation teaching 5th grade this year and am really enjoying my 2nd year there! My students are priceless and it is a JOY to ENJOY being at school again for so many reasons!
This letter has to end, but the start was Merry Christmas....Merry CHRISTmas.
Both Brendan and I would tell you - HE is the reason for the season, the reason why I looked forward to writing this, the reason why there are smiles on our faces...and HE wins.
God is tremendous, both of us have fallen in love with HIM in a new way, wishing and praying the many people around us would allow that to happen in their lives as well. Our past put us here, but that was our destiny and God has brought such beauty out of the ashes. HE wins.
As I close this letter, I pray that YOU too would call on Jesus and allow His saving grace to empower you and then heal. It is hard being the 'grown up'...but the rewards are tremendous - heaven...eternal life. Jesus is the reason for the season. Faith is believing in something that is unseen - and HIS timing is perfect. TRUST HIM. I promise, HE will NEVER let you down!
In HIm,
Michelle
PS - GOD WINS!
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