2014 - Merry Christmas . . . Happy New Year... can you believe we did this before Easter!
Ranen:
She is 2… and soooooo funny! She tells jokes and
understands jokes, and even if she doesn’t understand what is funny, she still
laughs. She is super into the color purple, and if I tell her she is beautiful,
smart, funny, or kind, she just nods and says, “YEP.” To be honest, she’s not
really kind… yet. She’s not unkind per se, but I am just encouraging her that
kindness would be nice to develop. In the video, in the part about “we sing pop
songs and dance along to a tape”… she says “pop corn” every time. Cute. She is on my lap right now yelling “Me
do it! Me do it.” So she is going to type her favorite letters for you. She
usually goes for “h” and “r” but we’ll see what she cooks up for you today:
Hrreewwqq vjkkl’rrftfrrr hhhhghhhgHRPOIEEEEEERRRRR
hhHHHHHHHHHHHHHJJJHHHHHHHHHHHHHuuuuu
ppPPPOPPPPPPPPPPPRPPRRRRRPPPPOPPPP
Zoe:
Just like her video shows, Zoe loves animals.
She has been so desperate for a pet. One day, after a neighbor’s cat had to go
back inside and we had to go, Zoe bawled the whole way home. In that moment I
resolved to get her something pet-able. Enter “Happy” the cat. Our cat is
feisty, but Zoe is patient and has learned how to hold Happy when she is hyper
and calm her down. Zoe has endured some biting and has some scratches on her-
more than I would like, but she is learning give and take respect with Happy.
Zoe loves to journal and cut and glue and draw and color. She probably changes
outfits 6 times every day on average. She is very thoughtful, creative,
compassionate and fiery. This was a big growing up year for her. She goes to
her own Junior Kindergarten program once each week. This has been a great
venture for her and has helped her build a dear friendship with another little
girl.
Noah:
Noah discovered Rainbow Loom Bracelets this year. Oh my.
Because they are a little tough to make, he has had hundreds made for him by
friends and family. Ok, maybe more like 200 I guess.. and just this summer, his
cousin Arabelle sat with him one afternoon and taught him how to make a
Fishtail bracelet out of these elastics. This made his year. He is so excited
to sit down with anyone who will take the time and make a bracelet. Noah and I
just made 4 bracelets this morning. Noah
also learned how to do a bunny hop on his scooter. That also made his year,
just for his own pride in himself, but also because not all the kids in the
neighborhood can do one. .. and as we all know, it’s nice to be one up on at
least someone on something. Just feels
good.
Adam:
Adam is growing up. He is full of questions and loves to
figure out how things work. He and Zoe are developing a great friendship and
have an interesting game they play called, “Ga-boo.” They do not speak English
when they play it, but there are lots of forts made, costumes worn, and time
spent together. Adam is super into his scooter – but recently has decided that
skateboards are ok too. He’s pretty good at both. Adam is a really sensitive
guy. He loves to talk about movies and tell funny parts or as questions about
confusing aspects. This year he developed some really great friendships with 2
brothers in our neighborhood. He has loved having boys so close by to build
lego with, ride bikes, watch movies, and
just hang out with.
Heidi:
I would say 2014 was a great year. I had my ACL surgery (re-do) and 3 wisdom teeth pulled. I was able to fly down to Redding and visit Bethel with a couple friends and attend a conference. We actually had about one or two days there where we had a completely potty trained family, but then someone cute and littlest got sick and regressed, so I can’t boast about not changing diapers for at least a few more months. I still don’t sleep through the night… the precious wee ones always have something they are working through, but it will come. Sometimes it’s particularly tiring, but how long do I have left to get up in the middle of the night and hold someone and sing them back to sleep.. this privilege won’t last forever. I also found a version of the Bible called “The Voice.” I had been finding Bible reading really tough because it all blurred with familiarity. The Voice’s byline is something like “an accurate translation that reads like a novel.” So now I actually read the Bible and find I am able to be unfamiliar enough to really engage. In 2015 I am looking forward to rehabbing my knee, going to bed on time (aka watching less TV), and growing with my husband and kids as we navigate life. I also decided to take the time to watch “How to” cooking videos on youtube when I want to learn something. I have a feeling it could revolutionize my kitchen skills.
Joel:
It was a pretty crazy year. In January I travelled
with some pastors to Russia – an average temperature of -26 degrees. In
November I was blessed to be supported and encouraged by Heidi to go to Israel
- about 30 degrees. Just to say God is bringing a deeper foundation to our
family this year. We really have experienced His supernatural reality.
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