Let’s move into the 21st century… and instead of mailing our Christmas letter… put it on our blogs! Most of you stay up-to-date with our lives via our blogs anyway so I don’t know that we have much news for you. Anyway… here’s the recap…
2006 has been a year of anticipation, triumphs, adventures, and getting back to the simple life. We celebrated our 2nd year in our “new” home and still enjoy this blessing that God has given us. As of 2 days ago, we experienced our first blizzard in this home and neighborhood and were housebound for 2 days! It is large enough for each of us to have our own space, but warm and comfortable enough for us to be “family” too!
Austin is 15 and a sophomore at Ralston Valley High School (whose claim to fame is the new band, The Fray). He joined the Boys Cross Country team this past fall and had a great time building relationships there as well as challenging himself to run faster and faster. He also took Driver’s Ed but has not had much of an opportunity to practice what he learned as 3 out of 4 of our vehicles are standard transmissions… He’s patiently waiting for the clutch/gas thing to click! He’s a soft-hearted kid who has typical teenage tendencies… sleeping away the morning, staying up late at night and communicating via texting and im to all of his friends!
Cameron is our young adult now… 18 years old and contemplating moving in with a friend in his apartment. He graduated from high school this past May… found his “dream” job (as far as 18 years of dreaming can go) working at his flight school as a dispatch manager. He’s completed his first semester of college at Metro State College in Denver with all A’s and one B. He stays busy between his two jobs (at his flight school and the church he’s worked for a couple of years), his girlfriend, Nicole, his buddies, his flying, his school and studies, hunting, 4-wheeling, and anything else that might interest him at the moment. This is the kid who can’t sit still and our housebound blizzard days had him chomping at the bit! He’s coming close to completing his instrument rating (where he can fly in the clouds).
“Our third child”, Brynn, is now 19 months old, and keeps her Aunt Sissy busy and laughing every moment of the day! Austin loves finally being a “big brother” figure in someone’s life and is teaching her how to say all kinds of words! Her first two-syllable word was Au-tin… She loves helping… and is quite the domestic help… she helps unload the dishwasher and load it… frequently rearranges the dishcloth drawer and cereal cabinet, vacuums ferociously with her popper, sweeps the floor with a broom three times her size, carries the mail box key ever so carefully while we walk to get the mail, and helps put clothes in the dryer, one at a time. She loves to read books, especially the “I Spy” books with bugs being her favorite things to find (in books and outside)! She has the cutest smile and most beautiful dark eyes and is a joy to have in our home 5 days a week!
Shelly, our canine daughter, arrived 11 years ago today into our household, and she doesnt look nor act more than 11 months old!
David is anxiously, but patiently, waiting for his time to end at his job as a police dispatcher. He’s been there 18 years with 2.5 more years on the horizon. He’s still working our Ebay business for extra money that will now be going towards our “rewirement” (more on this in a bit). He’s become quite the expert in thrift shopping for jeans and athletic and ski wear. He still loves to eat so therefore he still runs! We purchased a “new-to-us” treadmill a couple of months back for days like the past few (blizzard) so he can keep eating what he wants. He’s still slim and trim with that beautiful head of curly salt and pepper hair! Truly my knight in shining armor!
I am enjoying finally being in my dream role and one that God completely ordained for me and my family… a stay-at-home wife, mom and auntie! While Brynn keeps me busy during the weekdays, I enjoy my domestic role immensely. I’ve met some kindred spirits online and am a part of a very active group of Christian ladies who share my interests, hopes and desires. I am so thankful that God has led me to these ladies (Heather, Kristen, Annie, Mary, Mary J, Jenn, Jen, Steph, Jamie, Melissa and Raquel)… love you girls!
We still have not found a church that we can call home, but then we haven’t look really hard either. We’ve got the mindset that we are only here in Colorado for a few more short years, it makes it hard to establish roots only to have them pulled up again. Austin is still attending our old church and is comfortable there. Cameron struggles like all college students in where to worship and build relationships. David and I have continued to attend our old church off and on but it’s just that… attendance. So while we have visited one other church, we aren’t gung ho about “starting over” in establishing relationships. I know, something we need to pray about and are.
In April, my Grandma Harpster passed away and we flew to Austin with Brynn to then drive to attend her funeral in the Rio Grande Valley. I got a blast from the past as I reconnected with some high school friends and friends of my parents. My grandma was such a significant part of my entire childhood and I have such special memories of her… in my heart and mind and in my home. I treasure quilts and dishtowels she’s made for us, recipes that take me back to her home on Delta Lake and her love for all people… everyone loved Elsie Mae.
My parents blessed us by coming to Colorado several times this year! They even supplied the authentic Texas fajitas for Cameron's graduation party. My mom filled in for me in keeping Brynn while we were on our summer vacation and a couple of weeks ago when David and I went on our anniversary trip. Mom and Dad both made the trip two more times... once to celebrate Cameron's graduation and Brynns first birthday and another time this past fall.
This year our summer vacation took us to very hot Playa Del Carmen, Mexico at the end of July… beautiful resort, kind people, crystal clear blue water… but very hot! We all enjoyed lounging about the beach and pool and then stuffing ourselves at the buffet each evening!David and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary by flying to Jamaica (our first stamp in our passports!). This was our first major trip away from our kids and their first time staying at home alone! What a difference a season makes as far as temperatures in the Caribbean! Once again, beautiful blue waters, perfect 80 degree temperatures and a “no problem” type of attitude allowed us to relax and enjoy each other with no responsibilities!
As we look forward to 2007, we have lots to “look forward” to. Our Ebay business is allowing us to prepare our way to move back to Texas. We are looking for property (at least 1 acre) to purchase this next year in anticipation of our “rewirement” years! We will take a trip to the Hill Country hopefully in the Spring to start this process! We’ve been looking and dreaming of this for several years now and are ready to take the plunge. Austin has 2.5 more years before he graduates high school and we plan to move shortly after that. He’s even casually mentioned going to University of Texas (Go Horns!). And he’s our only native Coloradoan! This Texas thing goes deep =). Dan and Kelli have mentioned moving back too which would make it all the easier for us to have Brynn continue to be close by!
I am thankful to God for His handprint in everything that happens in my life. I am thankful that He is in control and that He uses everything, good and bad, for my best interests. I’ve grown to love Him more and trust Him more. He’s my daily strength and my purpose for everything I do. He’s touched everything that has happened to me and my family this past year. Everything goes by Him first and He’s using every little detail to fulfill His purpose for my life. I’m so grateful for His love, tender mercies, grace, forgiveness, strength, omnipotence, and for just being God.It is my prayer that this season and the upcoming year will bring you closer to Him. Allow yourself to sit quietly and know that He is God. He is everything! Peace is not a season… it’s a way of life. May Jesus Christ bring you peace this season and in the upcoming year.
Blessings, T
