Merry Christmas

So another year has rolled around.....this one has steamed full speed ahead!!
What a year we have had!
In January we were enjoying our new little one Lydia Jean, born December 15th 2015, and celebrating her big brother Noah's 2nd birthday on the 28th of January! T

hen in February, on what was probably the coldest, stormiest stretch we had had all winter Charles Joseph joined our ever growing family!  February 13th, our new little Valentine was born!
My Mom and Dad went to Hawaii with gift money given for their 50th anniversary which was August 21,2015)!  They had a wonderful time and saw many things, (despite their travel agent!)

Kevin and I celebrated our 50th birthdays this year....WOW half a century!  but together we make up 100 years!  Our kids were able to surprise us yet again with an amazing party to celebrate our combined birthdays!  Was lots of fun!

Kevin and I with other new members of the 50s club!

Our niece was married on Father's Day in Geneva at a beautiful castle!  It was a gorgeous day and a gorgeous wedding, a gorgeous bride!

Kevin with his Mom, 2 sisters and the Bride!

Marah, the bride Alix, Rachel and Thomas all looking beautiful!

God's blessings have been evident all year, but especially in being with Leah as she goes through her chemo treatments.  AND she and Tim were married in July in a small, private ceremony in their yard with an open house to celebrate following. What an amazing day it was!

 And continued blessings as she is now a surgical candidate this coming January to remove some of the tumors from her lung.

This year marked some BIG trips for Marah.  She went to Las Vegas to a concert in August.
We then went to Fort Wayne Indiana to see Dolly Parton! 

While there we discovered a place called Sweetwater, a music store and academy.  An amazing facility, so impressive Marah applied for a job! (though they have nothing for her yet.)  We went back to Sweetwater and Fort Wayne two more times.  Marah took a 2 part Live Sound course there.  She is now Live Sound Technician for our Worship services! 

Marah with her dream set up at Sweetwater

Pastor Dan and Marah checking out churches new sound equipment.

A friend of Marah's took the trips with us and attended the course with Marah, as he helps with the same thing at his church.  Kevin went along for the first course trip in September.  It was a mini vacation with meals out, trips to Zoo and museums and parks.  Lots of fun.

Second trip back in November was just for the course...though we did make a stop while driving through Cleveland Ohio at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

Marah, Mom and Andrew at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Child care has dwindled down as all my children are growing up and going to school.  I am subbing again at school when I can and am starting at the same hospital Kevin and Luke work at as a per diem "sitter". The grandkids keep us busy!  And WE LOVE IT!

With childcare being minimal Marah is looking for another job, outside of the childcare business.  She is looking for something new and different.  She has had 2 interviews. Nothing as of yet, but she knows God has her job out there!  She has been leading small groups and by years end she will have done 3 "What In The World Am I Here For" small groups and 1 "S.H.A.P.E." small group as well as teaching adult Sunday School.

Rachel and Thomas had drainage and out door projects this summer, their place is looking great as always!  Both have started team teaching Sunday School classes and lead Youth Group at our church.

     

  Thomas, Lydia, Noah and Rachel

                                                    OCC Shoebox packing party 11-16

      Luke and Talitha (with Charles and Duke) on their 2nd wedding anniversary 9-27-16

Luke and Talitha have had many projects too; remodeling the barn, putting up hay and the big garden.  Not to mention cows/calves, chickens and Duke the dog!  Their newest project is to finish Charles new room, so that Baby can have his room come January! (they are due January 28th).

  Our kids have been so blessed with the homes they have. They have worked hard to make them into the lovely homes that they are!

God has been at work all around us this past year, can't wait to see what He has for us in 2017!  He is always at work, we just need to step up and join Him!

We pray Christ's light this season, and through out 2017 on you and yours!