Category: Family Dynamics

Ennen Christmas Letter 2008

 

Greetings and God’s blessings to you this Christmas season. We trust that 2008 has been a good year for you. It has been for us if for no other reason than it was a pretty quiet year. Some of the highlights included:

 

  • Our first all-family trip to Six Flags where Anne was quite the coaster lover and Ty wasn’t quite as sure but did it anyway.
  • Getting to spend lots of time with Grammy & Papa Luttrell, as well as Steph, Joy and their kids this summer. The cousins LOVED hanging out with one another.
  • A week-long vacation for Mike and I (Chrisy) with some friends which in turn meant a week-long spoil-fest for the kids with Uncle Derek, Grammy & Papa.
  • Family vacation weekend at Starved-Rock State Park with lots of hiking and beautiful scenery. Over three days we hiked for almost 15 hours. Not bad for two kids with short legs.

Anne has been quite the star this year. A tumbling recital and kid’s musical in May, a dance recital in June, a solo at the Academic Foundation dinner in October (all the 2nd graders provided the entertainment), dancing at the nursing homes for Christmas, and a number of solos as well as a speaking line in the K-2 Christmas program at school. She loves being in dance, tumbling, kids choir, and 2nd grade. It’s hard to believe that she’ll be 8 years old in less than a month.

 

Ty is loving preschool and Sonrise (daycare). He is learning so much and is looking forward to Kindergarten next year. He does tumbling (but only because it is with sissy) and is active in every possible way. (What that means is we have lots of bumps, bruises and scratches all the time.) His 5-year-old humor keeps us laughing (or trying not to laugh) most of the time.

 

One of the biggest moments of the year was the completion of my practicum and Masters of Leadership and Ministry. I walked during graduation ceremonies in May and turned in my practicum paper in August before we left for vacation. I think Mike and the kids like having me around a little more now.  Another accomplishment for me this year was running and finishing my first half-marathon in May. It was hard, but really good. I’m still loving ministry at the church after 8 years and will be doing some new stuff in 2009.

 

Mike is now in year 5 at Carlisle Syntec. He is doing well and got a promotion this year. He has filled his free time with kids, golf, bowling, hunting and fishing (as always).

 

As we look toward 2009, we have hopes and dreams for our family and we pray that you will be richly blessed this season and in the coming year.

 

Thanksgiving

This holiday is an interesting one for me. Growing up we didn’t have any kind of consistent “tradition” other than specific food items and our immediate family. Sometimes we would have extended family over, sometimes we would have church friends over, and sometimes it would just be the five of us. Whatever it was, it was always a day full of love and fun. When I got engaged, Thanksgiving was THE big holiday for Mike’s family, so we made it our tradition to have Thanksgiving dinner with the Devores at a rented hall in Mulberry Grove. Over the years the numbers have been high and low as various family members travel to different places sometimes, but the Devore Thanksgiving is always a constant. This year, the second year without Mike’s mom and Aunt Lois, there were only a select few in attendance (and no one brought mashed potatoes – a travesty in Mike’s book!), but it was a nice time of visiting and being together, even just the few of us. The afternoon nap upon returning home and just hanging out with Uncle D here at the house while I made party mix has made for a mellow Thanksgiving. But after all the busyness and craziness of the last year or two, I welcome the quietness of this day. The kids are now in bed and as I sit here and reflect, here are a few of the things I am thankful for this year:

  • My wonderful husband and the fact that we are getting closer everyday.
  • My sweet Anne, who is growing up and making me more proud of her all the time.
  • My active Ty, who makes me laugh and smile even while he’s being ornery.
  • My loving parents, who love me and my family unconditionally (and who I miss terribly this time of year!).
  • My sisters – life wouldn’t be the same if I couldn’t share it with them.
  • My nieces and nephews – those sweet voices over the phone made my heart soar today.
  • My brother-in-law, Derek – he is the best Uncle D ever!
  • My brother-in-law, Jeff – I love the fact that he is such a good husband to Steph and dad to the kids.
  • My friends – I couldn’t ask for better ones.

and most of all…

  • My Father God who has given me all these and more and who blesses me daily.

May I remember to be thankful always, and not just on Thanksgiving.