Our Christmas Card

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New year

Bubba, Goose and Bear

Many people write a family update and put it in their Christmas card. I didn't think of it in time this year so I decided to write one on our blog. I really enjoy reading family updates, whether it's someone I see often or someone I only hear from every once in awhile.  It's always nice to hear how others are doing and growing.  So on with our update.....

Our family has been richly blessed this year.  2011 was good to us and we are so grateful.  We went to Disney World in June and then went back to Florida in July to spend a week on the beaches.  We feel so blessed to have been able to take not one but two great vacations this year. On March 7th our foster son of two and a half years went home to live with his parents.  Although it was very difficult to see him leave we are so grateful we still get to see him and be involved in his life. We have decided to take a break from doing foster care, a decision that was not easy but best for our family at this time.

 Goose is almost 8 and in second grade.  She is working so hard and enjoys school immensely.  She especially loves her art class where she has become quite the budding artist.  This fall she completed a round of swim lessons and continues to improve her skills. Goose joined Brownies this year and is having a blast with her friends earning badges. She has turned into such a girly girl when it comes to clothes and accessories. She already has an affinity for the clothing store Justice. Bubba is 5 and in kindergarten.  He is doing an amazing job and loves school as well.  He has made many great friends and is learning so much.  I can hardly believe he has started reading.  He played soccer again this fall and did great.  In January he will start basketball and is looking forward to having his big dad coach. He loves Star Wars and the Super Mario Brothers, he can talk endlessly about these two subjects, just ask him.

Jeremy is still the math department chair at Leyden High School.  This is his 5th year teaching at Leyden and his 12th year teaching all together.  He has enjoyed coaching soccer for Bubba and is looking forward to coaching basketball in January.  Jeremy serves on the board of Trustees at our church and is also a member of the finance committee. He stays busy providing for our family and just being an all around great dad and husband.

Kerry is an "at home mom" this year and is loving it.  She volunteers regularly at the kid's school and loves being involved.  She is a room mom for both kids. Kerry teaches Sunday School at our church each week and enjoys having both Goose and Bubba in her class. She continues to serve on our church's board of Session and headed up the Nominating committee this year as well.

After 5 years without a dog we decided on a whim to bring home an adorable 10 week old Cocker Spaniel Cavalier King Charles puppy.  Kerry had been thinking about getting a dog and was combing the shelter and rescue web pages.  Jeremy said we should "put a pin in it" until this summer (which made sense.)  While attending a friends bridal shower and discovering there were several puppies that needed a home we decided to move up the arrival date.  The kids are so happy with our new addition and Mom and Dad are enjoying him as well.   We feel so blessed to all be healthy and to have a roof over our head, food in our bellies and clothes on our back. We pray that 2012 will be just as blessed and hope that each of you has had a great year and many more to come.