Our Twelve Days of Christmas 2008
…On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
Twelve Bible Study kids playing,
Eleven loads of laundry piling,
Ten K trail Running,
Nine months a-growing,
Eight partners working,
Seven days star wars playing,
Six monster trucks a-carrying,
Five years a-staying,
Four airplanes a-boarding,
Three softball teams losing,
Two half-days working,
And a Savior in a manger!
2008 has been quite an adventure for our family. Here is a glimpse of what our family has been like over the past year…
Twelve Bible Study kids playing,
You wouldn’t think that a Bible Study with twelve kids (soon to be 13) could actually study the book of Romans and learn anything, but it works. We continue to lead a home group with 6 couples where childcare is provided on site. The 9 boys have been studying modernized roman gladiator war tactics (Nerf guns), and the 3 girls just stay out of their way. We have also been blessed this year with our respective men’s/women’s accountability small groups where we have been challenged and encouraged.
Eleven loads of laundry piling,
Somehow adding Bryce to the mix seemed to more than double the number of loads of laundry we do. In addition, our food budget has grown exponentially, but of course, that food produces energy which can be burned in the form of voluntary helping with chores, mowing the lawn, and raking leaves. Ah, the benefit of two more helpers…
Ten K trail Running,
Imagine: Napa, on our anniversary weekend, without kids, and we are…running a 10K trail race of course. Visions of a simple dirt race danced in our heads, only to be quickly displaced by the reality of running up and down steep cliffs and through streams of running water. Who’s idea of fun and romance was this? Ours.
Nine months a-growing,
We are very excited about baby boy number three due in April 09. The boys were able to go to the ultrasound appointment and see their new brother in 3D and hear his heartbeat. They still have no idea what changes are going to be taking place.
Eight partners working,
Brett continues to work as a hospitalist. This year, he felt called to become a partner to serve as a community liaison to their outpatient doctors. No, that doesn’t mean more pay or benefits, but it does mean more say in how the group is run.
Seven days star wars playing,
“Mommy, it is a dark day for the republic.” Yes, you can say that our children have been totally brainwashed at this point. They pretty much play Star Wars seven days a week. Garrett draws ships on the back of his Sunday school papers and makes ships out of almost everything. Bryce joins in by humming the Imperial March while flying his Millennium Falcon and Star Destroyer. Joy is not immune either, as she watches the new Clone Wars episode on TV every Friday night with us.
Six monster trucks a-carrying,
No more baby toys: Bryce loves everything his brother loves. In one trip, while making truck noises, he carries as many of his prized monster trucks (“bump, bumps”) as possible. He also enjoys saying “ready, set, go” and then running full speed at you.
Five years a-staying,
This is the first time since high school that either of us has lived in one place for more than four years. We feel blessed to be able to invest in the people in our church, neighborhood, and community. Plus, even our boys have a clue when our various fruit trees are ready for harvest.
Four airplanes a-boarding,
We started our travels with our annual trip to Arizona for relaxation, swimming, and, oh yeah, cactus league baseball. With two active kids, Brett doesn’t keep score anymore, but we all enjoy rolling around on the grass, playing catch, and collecting autographs or balls. We got to experience Disney World with Joy’s family who all met up for our Christmas in April. Garrett went on his first big kid water ride (shocked and wet), but wasn’t tall enough to battle Darth Vader at the Jedi Academy (Vader didn’t want to defend his knees). Both boys, interestingly, qualified for the Star Wars gift shop thanks to Grandma. Bryce guaranteed we didn’t wait in line for any Princess autographs or pictures. Later, we went to Idaho to visit Joy’s extended family where the boys were in tractor heaven. Garrett spent most of the days begging to sit in all the farm equipment, but his favorite was getting to ride in a real combine. We spent an extended weekend with Brett’s family at a cabin in the Sierras where we relaxed and watched the cousins play together. Our last trip for the year is still to be had as we write this letter. We plan to travel back to Michigan for a white Christmas this year. Garrett is very excited about the snow and Bryce is just excited about airplanes.
Three softball teams losing,
When we said we were going to softball, Garrett would ask “the big one (A’s/ Giants) or the little one” (Mommy & Daddy). This year we still were able to swing being a part of two coed and one men’s softball teams. Our kids are growing up at these fields before our eyes. They love to join us for clapping hands and then running the bases after the games. Garrett already has mastered the baseball slide into home plate after watching Daddy.
Two half-days working,
Joy is still working at the Public Health clinic seeing children and Christian refugees from Iran and Iraq. Since the addition of Bryce, she works two half days. This seems like the right balance between work and home: a rewarding place to use the talents and education that God gave her, while just enough to keep her sanity and foot in the door. When Joy is at work the boys enjoy getting to spend more time with Daddy, which often includes a Star Wars day or possibly a run to Toys R Us. The rest of the gaps are filled in by Grammy and Poppy and a gal from church who comes to the house.
And a Savior in a manger!
Finally, as we reflect on all the adventures our true love (God) has provided to challenge and grow us through the last year, we look to the one Savior in a manger. What an awesome gift of love and life He has given us that we celebrate this Christmas. Above all, may you know the peace and love His gift brings.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Brett , Joy, Garrett (3 ½), and Bryce (17mo)
…On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
Twelve Bible Study kids playing,
Eleven loads of laundry piling,
Ten K trail Running,
Nine months a-growing,
Eight partners working,
Seven days star wars playing,
Six monster trucks a-carrying,
Five years a-staying,
Four airplanes a-boarding,
Three softball teams losing,
Two half-days working,
And a Savior in a manger!
2008 has been quite an adventure for our family. Here is a glimpse of what our family has been like over the past year…
Twelve Bible Study kids playing,
You wouldn’t think that a Bible Study with twelve kids (soon to be 13) could actually study the book of Romans and learn anything, but it works. We continue to lead a home group with 6 couples where childcare is provided on site. The 9 boys have been studying modernized roman gladiator war tactics (Nerf guns), and the 3 girls just stay out of their way. We have also been blessed this year with our respective men’s/women’s accountability small groups where we have been challenged and encouraged.
Eleven loads of laundry piling,
Somehow adding Bryce to the mix seemed to more than double the number of loads of laundry we do. In addition, our food budget has grown exponentially, but of course, that food produces energy which can be burned in the form of voluntary helping with chores, mowing the lawn, and raking leaves. Ah, the benefit of two more helpers…
Ten K trail Running,
Imagine: Napa, on our anniversary weekend, without kids, and we are…running a 10K trail race of course. Visions of a simple dirt race danced in our heads, only to be quickly displaced by the reality of running up and down steep cliffs and through streams of running water. Who’s idea of fun and romance was this? Ours.
Nine months a-growing,
We are very excited about baby boy number three due in April 09. The boys were able to go to the ultrasound appointment and see their new brother in 3D and hear his heartbeat. They still have no idea what changes are going to be taking place.
Eight partners working,
Brett continues to work as a hospitalist. This year, he felt called to become a partner to serve as a community liaison to their outpatient doctors. No, that doesn’t mean more pay or benefits, but it does mean more say in how the group is run.
Seven days star wars playing,
“Mommy, it is a dark day for the republic.” Yes, you can say that our children have been totally brainwashed at this point. They pretty much play Star Wars seven days a week. Garrett draws ships on the back of his Sunday school papers and makes ships out of almost everything. Bryce joins in by humming the Imperial March while flying his Millennium Falcon and Star Destroyer. Joy is not immune either, as she watches the new Clone Wars episode on TV every Friday night with us.
Six monster trucks a-carrying,
No more baby toys: Bryce loves everything his brother loves. In one trip, while making truck noises, he carries as many of his prized monster trucks (“bump, bumps”) as possible. He also enjoys saying “ready, set, go” and then running full speed at you.
Five years a-staying,
This is the first time since high school that either of us has lived in one place for more than four years. We feel blessed to be able to invest in the people in our church, neighborhood, and community. Plus, even our boys have a clue when our various fruit trees are ready for harvest.
Four airplanes a-boarding,
We started our travels with our annual trip to Arizona for relaxation, swimming, and, oh yeah, cactus league baseball. With two active kids, Brett doesn’t keep score anymore, but we all enjoy rolling around on the grass, playing catch, and collecting autographs or balls. We got to experience Disney World with Joy’s family who all met up for our Christmas in April. Garrett went on his first big kid water ride (shocked and wet), but wasn’t tall enough to battle Darth Vader at the Jedi Academy (Vader didn’t want to defend his knees). Both boys, interestingly, qualified for the Star Wars gift shop thanks to Grandma. Bryce guaranteed we didn’t wait in line for any Princess autographs or pictures. Later, we went to Idaho to visit Joy’s extended family where the boys were in tractor heaven. Garrett spent most of the days begging to sit in all the farm equipment, but his favorite was getting to ride in a real combine. We spent an extended weekend with Brett’s family at a cabin in the Sierras where we relaxed and watched the cousins play together. Our last trip for the year is still to be had as we write this letter. We plan to travel back to Michigan for a white Christmas this year. Garrett is very excited about the snow and Bryce is just excited about airplanes.
Three softball teams losing,
When we said we were going to softball, Garrett would ask “the big one (A’s/ Giants) or the little one” (Mommy & Daddy). This year we still were able to swing being a part of two coed and one men’s softball teams. Our kids are growing up at these fields before our eyes. They love to join us for clapping hands and then running the bases after the games. Garrett already has mastered the baseball slide into home plate after watching Daddy.
Two half-days working,
Joy is still working at the Public Health clinic seeing children and Christian refugees from Iran and Iraq. Since the addition of Bryce, she works two half days. This seems like the right balance between work and home: a rewarding place to use the talents and education that God gave her, while just enough to keep her sanity and foot in the door. When Joy is at work the boys enjoy getting to spend more time with Daddy, which often includes a Star Wars day or possibly a run to Toys R Us. The rest of the gaps are filled in by Grammy and Poppy and a gal from church who comes to the house.
And a Savior in a manger!
Finally, as we reflect on all the adventures our true love (God) has provided to challenge and grow us through the last year, we look to the one Savior in a manger. What an awesome gift of love and life He has given us that we celebrate this Christmas. Above all, may you know the peace and love His gift brings.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Brett , Joy, Garrett (3 ½), and Bryce (17mo)
