It's Been One of Those Years

“It’s been one of those years.” I heard this quote in a movie I saw recently. It really was not a significant line in the movie, but it resonated with me. It’s hard to believe that 2010 is almost over. But to be honest, many times in this year I have thought about the fact that 2010 is a year that our family will never forget. It's been one of those years.



On Christmas Eve, as we feasted on our Christmas dinner, we spent some time reflecting on our year, centering our conversation around the advent candle themes. Hope, Preparation, Joy, Love and Christ.

As we reflected on these themes, we shared memories as a family and brought closure to this monumental year. Here are just a few of our memorable events from 2010.


Marking Chelsea’s senior year in high school with our family’s first trip to Disney World…

Losing my Dad in February... It was an incredibly low season for us as a family, yet we were so loved and encouraged by our friends.

So many senior/graduating activities – a fun time celebrating Chelsea’s accomplishments.

Sam’s mission trip to the Dominican Republic

Jack facing his fear of all things medical as he had an unexpected surgery

Figuring out how to let go…

A quick trip to Haiti for Dave and me

Sam gaining more thespian experience as he dabbled in Shakespeare

Jack turning 11 and officially entering the ‘tween years (how can that be?)

As we journey into 2011, there is no doubt we have grown as a family and as individuals. We have grown in understanding what it is journey in this life; what it is to walk in the ways of Jesus as we experience Hope, Joy and Love; and what it is to give Hope, Joy and Love to others.

  
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Project Patio Update

It’s high time for a patio project update.
 No, we’re not finished. It’s amazing how life can get in the way of a do-it-yourself project. Especially if you let it.

Despite my lack of an update, progress has been made. In August we had ten trees taken out of our front and backyard. While it doesn’t even put a dent in the amount of tree-age on our property, it does allow a little more space for our plan. And it allows for a little more health for some of our trees.

In September we dealt with the damaged siding on our house from the old deck and rot that was uncovered behind the deck.

 In November we had our back yard re-graded, raising the grade near the house and improving drainage while preparing a space for our patio and landscaping.

 In the process of removing the trees, and raising the grade, our dog discovered that it is all the easier to hop over our fence whenever she gets a dog’s itch to roam the neighborhood. I will disclose that our dog has always had a Houdini-like gift of getting out of any area she wants, including our fenced-in yard. Usually it's only when she gets fed up with being treated like a dog and not a human. But this past couple of weeks she has been asking to go out much more frequently, only for us, or our neighbors, to find her gallivanting around bringing traffic to a screeching halt…

 So the project today was to plant a pointy, pokey shrub at the sweet spot where she jumps. It will be much more effective when it gets a little taller and wider, but it’s a start. She looks thrilled, doesn't she?

Next step for the patio project… a new back door, storm door, and back stoop. The posts holes for the stoop are already dug.