Christmas Letter 2014

2014 has been a year of change…

Devon has been working at Oklahoma Wesleyan University (our Alma Mater) for almost five and half years now.  In late summer he moved from the online program to be the director of a brand new program, the Masters of Arts in Apologetics and Theology.  Devon still enjoys running and flying.  He and I celebrated our 19^th wedding anniversary on a cruise this summer to Cozumel and a few other places.

I’m still teaching in Owasso.  This is actually my first year ever not to move a school, grade, or room!!  But, education is always changing!  Our state standards changed and at the beginning of the school year I had 27 first graders.  After a new teacher was hired, I am down to a more manageable 21.  Hmm…I’m trying to think if I do anything besides school…..I’m on the Alumni Board at OKWU and I volunteer in the church nursery.  Other than that, I try to keep things going for the boys and at home.

Speaking of boys – they are becoming more and more independent.  Micah got his driver’s permit.  He will be 16 next April.  He’s still enjoying his leadership activities at church and school.  He was accepted (by way of a lengthy application) to go to Truth and Peace this summer. Truth and Peace is a week’s worth of leadership training at Welch College in Nashville and then a week’s worth of serving at the Free Will Baptist Church’s National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Levi’s big change was school as he started eighth grade at Rejoice instead of Owasso.  He hasn’t been exactly pleased with the change, but we can see some positive outcomes from it.  Levi is a social guy and he’s made friends quickly.  He also played football for the first time and did well.  Since Rejoice is a small school, he played both offense and defense. This summer Levi was quite the entrepreneur and mowed several lawns in the neighborhood. 

We’ve been blessed this year with wonderful family times, new friends (and seeing longtime ones), and fun times traveling.  There have been down times too, but we keep pressing on and relying on God in all times.  Perhaps our biggest family change was losing our dog of almost ten years, Jazzy.  We’ve found our family misses having a dog in the family so even as I write this we are in process of adopting again. It’s like having a baby in the house again!

Whether you’re local or someplace else, if you’re ever nearby, please let us know – we’d treasure the opportunity to get together. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy New Year!

Devon, Annette, Micah and Levi

Hebrews 13:8 (The Message) For Jesus doesn’t change – yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.

We camped in June with Devon's brothers and fams - the boy in the flag shirt is my nephew.

I'm calling the spot in the park where we took the pictures Jazzy's Ridge.

I had trouble choosing pictures to put with this letter because most of the pictures are already in my blog or on facebook (or both) already.  Please take the time to click on the other months to see highlights from the year if you'd like.

On the Home Front

Outside my window… leaves are scattered across the yard.  There is a for sale sign in our across the street neighbor’s yard.  Once they leave, I think we’ll be the ones on the street who have been here the longest.

I am thankful for… medical care, warm sweaters, an involved Hubby, and holiday plans.

I am wearing… jeans and brown cardigan sweater

Some plans for the rest of the week… M. is working a dinner theatre tomorrow night.  Next week L. has a dentist appoint, M. is (hopefully) getting his driver’s permit, we are packing our shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and Thursday night is Literacy Night at school.

I am hoping … to feel well and have a productive weekend.

On my mind… my children’s spiritual life.

Hearing…. Hubby’s pen writing and the heater.  It makes a scratching noise because of the desk surface.  Every now and then I will hear him talk.  He’s on a conference/video call, but he’s using earphones so I don’t hear everyone else.  I also don’t hear J. the dog – there have been many times on the spot of the post where I mention I hear her snoring. She was usually asleep nearby whenever I was working on the computer.

I am praying for… hunger for God.  I’m also praying for a couple of friends who are going through cancer treatment.

From the kitchen….. barbecue pork (one of our favorite’s with green chile) is in the crockpot for tonight.  I need to write a grocery list and plan for next week.

Around the house… bits and pieces that need put away. 

One of my favorite things…. Going to church with my family and running in to people we know when we’re out – especially Aunt and having an impromptu snack.

                                                               

From my picture journal…

One Last Walk

What We've Been Up to Lately

Seriously?  It's been close to two months since I've attempted any kind of blog post.  What happened?  One word - SCHOOL.  I started the year with 27 first graders.  Our new teacher was added two weeks ago and I'm just now starting to come up for air.  This isn't in chronological order, but here is what we've been up to in addition to school...

Selfie in front of the Will Rogers Birthplace

A kind passerby took a family pic of us with the lake in the background.  If I hadn't already printed Christmas cards, I may have used this.

L and I watched Hubby and M taxi and taxi and taxi some more.  I got a little nervous.

They lifted off just before the trees and I was thankful that L was with me and not adding weight to the plane!

Hubby's first day of classes for traditional campus, not online.

M's first day of 10th grade.  Don't have one of L. because he wasn't cooperative and it would have been in football practice gear anyway.

M has had some preaching opportunities - this was the first in the sanctuary on a Sunday night.  We're so proud of his growth and excitement to keep following what God has for him!

I was looking in to the son, but I'm pretty sure L. is in this photo some place.  We've been enjoying going to Jr. High football games home and away.  L. is doing a great job too!  His last game he caught a pass for a two point conversion, got an interception and made a couple of great block/tackles.

I love my nephew!  We enjoyed our weekend visit  for my niece's 2nd birthday.  I didn't do a good job with pictures of her (they must be on the boys' phones).  You can tell by M's legs that he is ready to relax!

Both the boys knee boarded - L managed this 360. It was a very relaxing and fun few hours - just what I needed! 

I'm glad that I am posting these pictures.  They've helped me realize that even though the beginning of this school year was absolutely dreadful, we've had some really nice times too.  God has provided help, grace, guidance, peace and exactly what we've needed.

What I Learned in July (and a Few Days in August)

1.  Slowing Down is a Really Nice Thing to Do

I bought Hubby rocking chairs for the back porch for his birthday.  Does this mean we're old?  He mentioned he wanted some more patio furniture and I noticed he had been sitting in the porch swing with some regularity so I suggested it and we shopped together for something we both liked.  We've enjoyed them some together in the evenings, but I've really used the rocker in the mornings!  We were home quite a bit in July and we had some beautiful weather - especially mornings.  We even had rain to watch and enjoy.  A normal time on the porch went like this:  Sit and watch the going-ons around me, just be, and ponder; let the dog back in and then let her back out less than a minute later to sit on the porch near me or lay in a flower bed; check the weather for the day; read something in Proverbs, Psalms, and the New Testament - pray while I'm reading it; pray for pressing situations; check Facebook and make a response or two; pray for friends on FB; sit and be a few minutes more and then go inside to face the day.

This morning I was thinking about this slowing down thing.  I watched bees for a while.  Many of them flew around the crepe myrtle and then the huge-est one I've ever seen flew around the grass and then the porch.  I was really thankful that I wasn't a flower!  Today was my last day of slowing down - Monday I "report for duty".  Once we I was telling Hubby how much I've been enjoying the porch I asked him how I could keep doing it once school started.  He suggested getting up earlier.  Eeeewwwww.


2.  I can snorkel!!

I cannot swim.  Well for any substantial length of time and I absolutely do not like getting my face wet!  I'm not sure exactly what I was thinking (except I knew he'd enjoy it), but I booked a kayak, snorkel, beach time excursion for Hubby and I when we went on our just the two of us cruise.

I made it completely clear to guide that I was a non-swimmer (maybe I was thinking he'd let me out of this part).  The guide said that wasn't a problem - he brought a ring and I held on the whole time!!  I only had a little bit of panic when I saw how far away from shore we were getting and my life vest wasn't blown up.  Hubby quickly fixed that.  As soon as learned how to blow the salt water out of my mouth through the snorkel life was good.  I saw all kinds of fish and they swam right under me!  We saw a conch, some stick looking crab, coral and the opening of caves.  My favorite part was watching Hubby dive down to take a closer look!  I'm so thankful I didn't let fear get in the way - of this or the kayaking.  We also enjoyed some time on the beach and eating the best mango ever!

Cozumel

3.  No two summers look the same.

I guess I'm feeling this summer ended more quickly than I remember last doing.  And I didn't complete as many items on the summer bucket list (though Aunt told me I should include the do kind of items like cleaning out the closet).

But here goes, this is what I DID complete:  read Captivating, complete extra work (two projects), tour the new apartments in town, run again (just a bit), pick blueberries, Parade of Homes (just two houses), clean out the game closet, and read 10 books.  I did drive some with M. and give the dog more attention (we took her to the dog wash each time we picked her up at the kennel too), but not nearly enough to count.

If you'd like to see the actual list, click here.  Mentioned in that post were a mission trip and football conditioning and Hubby's new position.  Trip went great and L. made it to conditioning (except when he was gone or I forgot and slept in).  Actual practice starts Monday.  Hubby has made the transition - his work replacement is here now with his family and settling in the job.  Hubby has participated in some recruitment and conferences for his new job and is gearing up for the fall semester.  It's been a welcome transition for me to - to have him around the house some in the mornings!

We got to see my niece and nephew a couple of times (quickly) in Texas.

The boys saw their Albuquerque grandparents and went to Durango.

Book Review - A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Mosley

A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Mosley

I was so excited to get this book so I would have something with paper pages to read on my cruise.  It was a perfect summer read for me – not too light and not too heavy.  After reading a lot of bad reviews for this book too, I was anxious to find out for myself.

It was actually refreshing to not have the character’s faith all tied up in a neat package.  For most of the book both main characters are very cynical, but there is change and I can see how someone growing in their faith could benefit from seeing a character grow and change.  A mature believer should be able to handle a character grappling with faith issues.

Two of the books themes – forgiveness and sacrifice – have been coming up a lot lately in things that I’m reading.   I thought Mosley handled these themes in an honest way and although I haven’t personally dealt with the specific issues (besides death of a loved one), I’m sure that many have.  I did figure the mystery part out (except for a little tweak) part way through, but that didn’t make it less of a mystery or not worthy of a read.

Like I said – not too light and not too heavy.  It’s a good read.  I enjoyed the time and am glad I read A Stillness of Chimes.

Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

One Thousand Gifts

Really - I'm just going to have to deal with the fact that 100 of these aren't digital.  If I wait to "catch up" I won't put any online.

I continue to count gifts and be thankful...

1722  Wiggly clean almost two year old

1723  The love and hospitality of family

1724  The hope of doing it again

1725  Figuring out the right direction

1726 Rain – so many places in need (gifts in water)

1727  J’s expression of adoration for and pleasure in vacationing with is family (words)

1728  Fluffy clouds – something to look at when we drive and I could look at clouds for hours (white)

1729  Five days in the Black Hills

1730  The sound of the water from the back porch fountain

1731  Bug spray

1732  A second way inside the house when the inexperienced in flying birds are flying in the front

1733  Watching them have a flying lesson last Sunday

1734  Starting book number ten for the summer

1735  Teenagers having dinner

1736  Teenagers upstairs

1737  Throwing a tomahawk

1738  New rockers

1739  Knowledge and love (I Cor.)

1740  A kindle for several years and an IPAD now

1741  Sharing family times with true friends

1742  M. going to Inner City Chicago (Gifts in Challenge)

1743  Reading before watching TV (Conflict)

1744  Hubby is in the midst of his job transition (Change)

Not everyone is looking, but I like the close-up.  I can't believe how much they've grown up!