Merry Christmas!
We are counting our many, many blessings at the end of this year and are so grateful for so many things, but most importantly our faith and our Savior. What a joyous time of year!
The biggest and best gift we received this year was the adoption of our two sweet boys—Aaron and Owen. After 2 years (to the day) of having them part of our family, they became officially ours forever. It was a wonderful weekend filled with love, family and friends—definitely the highlight of our year. They are as precious as the day we received them. Their growth and personalities bring us great happiness. What a blessing adoption is for us—3 beautiful boys.
The second greatest event of the year was our move to Southern California. At the beginning of the year we felt impressed it was time to be closer to family and in an area where outdoor play was more often. Mike began to look for work and accepted a director position in Costa Mesa at a small private physical therapy clinic. Jessica’s hospitable, generous, patient, kind parents agreed to let us stay with them, while our house sold and we find our new home. Luke attends school where Grandma is the Assistant Principal. The boys are spending lots of quality time with grandparents and nearby family.
Mike keeps busy with his new job and the challenges and opportunities it brings. He did an amazing job prepping our house and it sold quickly. He added more letters to his name—first PT, then SCS (sports med) and now CSCS, certified strength and conditioning specialist. He also joined the 21st century this year—cell phone, texts, and even Facebook! He enjoys riding his bike to work, working in the garden with the boys, and living mortgage free at the in-laws. Ha-ha.
Jessica misses her girlfriends in Seattle! (as well as swim team, quilt group, YMCA, etc.) She did the 3.1 mile Fat Salmon swim in Lake Washington and hopes to do it again. She’s enjoying the sunshine and exploring new parks with the boys. Spontaneous afternoon trips to the beach are her current favorite. She dreams of the day she can drop the boys off at school and go surfing.
Luke (5) started kindergarten this year and loves being so big and smart. He enjoys bike riding, creature hunting, picking lemons and making fresh lemonade, playing outside with his brothers, recycling for cash, and selling donuts on the corner to those on their way to school. He is happiest when he is working on an important project or task. He recently learned to tie his shoes.
Aaron (3) learned to ride his bike w/o training wheels (wow!) and loves to play soccer. He is super coordinated and learns quickly. He loves babies and has a very tender kind heart. He makes friends on the play ground easily and is a good friend. He enjoys reading books, dancing (you'll have to scroll down on that post), teaching Owen new things and going to the park. He wants to “get big” and go to school like Luke.
Owen (2) is nothing short of adorable and magnetically loveable. Everyone loves Owen—happy and fun. He loves giving hugs and kisses, playing with swords or guns (he’s a tough one), and spending time with Dad. It’s safe to say his favorite things are 1st food and eating, and 2nd Dad. His baby fat is slowly melting away—sad. At least his happy curls will stay with him for good.
We hope this letter finds you counting your blessings too, especially at this wonderful time of year. We love you and miss you and wish we could see all of you more often.
Love, Mike, Jessica, Luke, Aaron and Owen
We are counting our many, many blessings at the end of this year and are so grateful for so many things, but most importantly our faith and our Savior. What a joyous time of year!
The biggest and best gift we received this year was the adoption of our two sweet boys—Aaron and Owen. After 2 years (to the day) of having them part of our family, they became officially ours forever. It was a wonderful weekend filled with love, family and friends—definitely the highlight of our year. They are as precious as the day we received them. Their growth and personalities bring us great happiness. What a blessing adoption is for us—3 beautiful boys.
The second greatest event of the year was our move to Southern California. At the beginning of the year we felt impressed it was time to be closer to family and in an area where outdoor play was more often. Mike began to look for work and accepted a director position in Costa Mesa at a small private physical therapy clinic. Jessica’s hospitable, generous, patient, kind parents agreed to let us stay with them, while our house sold and we find our new home. Luke attends school where Grandma is the Assistant Principal. The boys are spending lots of quality time with grandparents and nearby family.
Mike keeps busy with his new job and the challenges and opportunities it brings. He did an amazing job prepping our house and it sold quickly. He added more letters to his name—first PT, then SCS (sports med) and now CSCS, certified strength and conditioning specialist. He also joined the 21st century this year—cell phone, texts, and even Facebook! He enjoys riding his bike to work, working in the garden with the boys, and living mortgage free at the in-laws. Ha-ha.
Jessica misses her girlfriends in Seattle! (as well as swim team, quilt group, YMCA, etc.) She did the 3.1 mile Fat Salmon swim in Lake Washington and hopes to do it again. She’s enjoying the sunshine and exploring new parks with the boys. Spontaneous afternoon trips to the beach are her current favorite. She dreams of the day she can drop the boys off at school and go surfing.
Luke (5) started kindergarten this year and loves being so big and smart. He enjoys bike riding, creature hunting, picking lemons and making fresh lemonade, playing outside with his brothers, recycling for cash, and selling donuts on the corner to those on their way to school. He is happiest when he is working on an important project or task. He recently learned to tie his shoes.
Aaron (3) learned to ride his bike w/o training wheels (wow!) and loves to play soccer. He is super coordinated and learns quickly. He loves babies and has a very tender kind heart. He makes friends on the play ground easily and is a good friend. He enjoys reading books, dancing (you'll have to scroll down on that post), teaching Owen new things and going to the park. He wants to “get big” and go to school like Luke.
Owen (2) is nothing short of adorable and magnetically loveable. Everyone loves Owen—happy and fun. He loves giving hugs and kisses, playing with swords or guns (he’s a tough one), and spending time with Dad. It’s safe to say his favorite things are 1st food and eating, and 2nd Dad. His baby fat is slowly melting away—sad. At least his happy curls will stay with him for good.
We hope this letter finds you counting your blessings too, especially at this wonderful time of year. We love you and miss you and wish we could see all of you more often.
Love, Mike, Jessica, Luke, Aaron and Owen
3 comments:
Jess, would you send me your address when you have a moment?? I would love to get your family on our family's Christmas card list. It will be late this year, but on time next year. It has been so great to get reacquainted!!
amberntmac@hotmail.com
Mike & Jessica,
So good to see your good looking and happy family!
I really enjoyed knowing you two and had a great competitive relationship with Mike on the court and appreciated the hard work he did as a mission leader. You were a great example of diving in and doing the work! Thanks.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and good luck on getting that little girl!
God bless you all!
Tony McCarty & family.
Mike and Jessica,
Thanks so much for the card, it has been great to see your family grow-what a great looking bunch! I enjoyed our friendship during your stay in Minnesota, and am grateful for your support and service there. Best wishes for the new year!
Mandy George
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