Christmas Wishes 2008

Happy Holidays!

It’s hard to believe another year has passed. Once again, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and the blessings we have been given. We’re so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area of the country and to enjoy freedom and security. Here’s a little taste of what we’ve been up to this past year…

David still flies the friendly skies several weeks a month with his job as a Senior Construction Manager at the Wal-Mart Home Office. In the last couple of years, he’s gotten to know parts of Michigan better than he ever thought he would! He tries to hunt and fish whenever he can, which isn’t as often as he’d like. David’s recently put his DIY skills to the test as we’re repurposing the garage…It was going to be a den for the family/design studio for Kristen, but he’s now dubbing it "The Craft Cave" after seeing the amount of scrapbooking and crafting supplies that are coming to the surface in their move across the house.

Kristen is always found volunteering at church or the three different schools the kids attend, or hanging out at the scrapbook store where she teaches classes. She’s starting her own business designing scrapbooks for others and selling scrapbooking kits; "Urban Butterfly" should take full flight in the first part of the new year. Our family expanded a little this year in the most surprising way…her birthmother Marianne recently found her after years of searching. They are looking forward to a reunion in the upcoming weeks. What a blessing it has been to be able to personally thank her for the ultimate gift of life.

Colin, 15 and 6’ 1" tall, keeps us constantly moving…with high school cross country, track, and basketball, (he plays on both the sophomore and JV teams) and his traveling lacrosse team, there’s always a sporting event we can watch. He’s a little sad that he took a year off from football after several years on the field…and his high school just won the state title without him! He got his drivers’ permit a few months ago and is anxiously awaiting the Sweet 16 in March that will allow him to drive himself freely around town. Funny thing, he hasn’t really mentioned dating much, and the fact that the magical upcoming birthday opens that door, too…though with all the girls that follow him around, we’re sure it’s not far behind.

Lindsay turned 11 this month, and she is growing up faster than we’re ready for her to! She’s quite the musician, still taking piano lessons, and now singing in both the middle school’s choir and the Bentonville Children’s Choir. She also plays lacrosse and has turned into quite the athlete! She’s become a whiz on the computer and a babysitter extraordinaire. She has a bold imagination and is not afraid to try anything, and we love her courageous spirit.

Rebekah turned 8 last month and she’s anxiously awaiting her upcoming baptism. She’s also growing so fast—Kristen’s bound to be the shortest person in the family in the not-so-distant future! Bekah is definitely the trivia princess at our house, with a genius brain that remembers everything she learns. She takes piano lessons, and she also sings in the Bentonville Children’s Choir. She loves the second grade and is interested in everything—especially space, which is her latest love. She’s determined to be an astronaut when she grows up, and we’re sure she can do anything she puts her mind to.

We hope you are all happy, safe, and well this holiday season. This year, more than ever, we’re taking time to remember the reason we celebrate Christmas and to give thanks for our savior Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. May you find peace and joy in the coming year.

Love,
The Blacks