Our Christmas Letter 2015

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Merry Christmas to all of you and many happy memories. It’s the time of year where you all receive the Christmas cards and letters from loved ones near and far. We haven’t sent them out for a few years now but this year I feel the need to put a few words down and share them. Read on if you like.

The best gift of the year has been waking up every day to spend another day with my family. My health has been a roller coaster ride the last few years and where my kidneys are staying stable thanks to many lifestyle changes… The last few weeks I have been fighting my depression, something I struggle with all the time. I choose to win the battle and surround myself with friends and family and see my doctor regularly. I am still active in the band boosters, OA and the Troop. I am working my tickets from Wood Badge, almost done!! 

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We have had a very busy year good and sad… let’s get the sad out of the way so we can end this with some amazing celebrations. This September Grandpa Bob, my father, passed away in his sleep. It was a HUGE shock to us all. He and I were in the process of fixing our broken relationship. He was an amazing Grandfather to all 4 of the kids and had just found out he was going to be a Great Grandfather. He went out in the prime of his life in one of the best moods, in my opinion. I can see him bowling and talking with his Dad now.  If you do not have a will, no matter your age, go and get one now. Our family has learned much from his passing that it is a much needed item when someone passes away even if you do not own property or have underage children. … It’s a gift to those that are here after you pass.

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SO on to happier news.

Telling the weather...

Van has been hard at work at Parsec, that means we can still pay the mortgage. The best thing this year is he has been able to step into more roles with the Boy Scouts. He is the Assistant Council Commissioner and the Program Director for Wood Badge 2016. He is also going to be running a podcast with the help of a few Scouters. Van is dedicated to making the program better for the Scouts and Scouters in our area. His blood is truly red and green! He attends the Troop meetings and goes on campouts with Orion and the troop. He has been able to attend training's and campouts without them as well. He is part of the Brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow. He won the District Award of Merit this past spring. I could go on forever and tell you so much more… I am so proud of him.

Van hard at work at camp

Orion, this kid will blow your socks off. He is in 8^th grade already. He is in his fifth year of cello and third year of trombone. He is taking 2 high school classes and all advanced placement classes this year. He completed his Eagle Project and has just a couple merit badges to complete to become an Eagle Scout. Orion is saving money to attend the 2017 Jamboree with about 40,000 other Scouts in Virginia. They will get to tour Washington DC, he is really excited to tour museums and sight see the historic sights of our country! It’s a once in a lifetime experience for him. His popcorn sales that he does every fall has helped him put down his $1,000 deposit for this trip. Thanks for your support! 

Orion is still asking for and doing private lessons on both instruments.

Today Orion got his very own full size cello! He will be able to use it for many years to come.  He will be playing Bach on the cello and a piece from Carmen on his trombone late January at the solo/ensemble for middle school. He is looking for summer camps to attend again this summer but doesn’t want to travel everyday like last year. I think that wiped us both out!

August Court of Honor 2015

Scouts has been amazing for Orion. He is the Troop Guide for the newest Scouts in the troop right now. He is responsible for helping them understand how Scouting works and how our troop functions. It is awesome watching him realize that you can’t make people do things and that they have to go at their own pace. He has been asking awesome questions and has been able to utilize his Scoutmaster and us for these questions. He has come to understand the program better being in this role and has asked why the troop is not doing this or that and my standing answer is go talk to Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol leader about it… bring it up at Green Bar if they have open discussion and see what they think about it. Write an email it’s a great form of communication adults do it all the time. I love what he has learned so far and what I know is still to come. Orion plans on getting palms after his Eagle… This kid has a life plan thank you for the part that you play in helping him along the way.

Signing for his Eagle supplies

Selling Popcorn 2015

Orion and I went to Texas in March to visit my Grandfather, Papa. We spent a week there getting loves and hearing stories. It was a great week even if we all spent a day in bed not feeling well. I love the time we get to spend together and I love my Papa. I miss not having holidays at his house.

We are doing good here in Richland. We are having more and more time with friends. It makes our lives better to have you in it. If you are having game night, hang out and chill, movie night don’t hesitate to give us a call.

May your year ahead be full of fun and laughter. Fill your life with those that make you happy.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Orion just busted in and said its snowing...barely but its a white Christmas!!!