It always seems it is at Christmas and new years when we reflect the most about our lives and the year that is slowly being left behind. We started the year out with 3 students in the house and seems we are ending this year that way too :) We are celebrating Christmas in January with our kids because of Aaron's upcoming surgery right after Christmas. With him being in pain, we thought it would be best financially. I have never had my christmas decorations up so late :)
We rented a beach house this summer with our kids, my brother n law and his family and my mother n love. It was in Lincoln City for 6 days. We had alot of fun laughing and just being together. We joined a new church called All Saints, and have enjoyed getting to know our new church family. The great thing about being a christian is that it does not matter where you worship, you can still be friends with your old church family. At least I would like to think so.
Tracie- I am almost done with school, This is my last quarter, I have to say this is one of the few times that I have been proud of myself. I have worked hard to get to this point, I did not think I could do it, but I am doing it!!! I took a rode trip to California with my aunt to visit my cousins. While I was there I saw Luke Bryan in concert, got a tattoo after leaving a voicemail for my husband I was getting one:) That was a very memorable trip, might have to make that a yearly thing.
The greatest news for me is that I got hired on at Legacy Health Systems. I am a Clinical Services Specialist, it is a fancy name for a receptionist who does so much more than answering the phone and checking in patients. I think I am really going to like it.
Aaron-
has continued to work on his masters. He has had continuous back pain for about a year and it took 4 cortisone and epidural shots to meet with a surgeon and a CT scan to realize his back was broken. So they scheduled the surgery for Feb 20th 2017. But being the determined wife, I called the scheduler and got Aaron on waiting list and his surgery was moved to December 27th 2016. He had surgery and everything went really well. It is always hard for the spouse that is waiting for your person to get out of surgery, but I had friends and family there and that was comforting.
Alex- is a junior and will be 18 this year. YIKES! He is taller than me but still has that big heart for his family. He was really worried about his dad in surgery, he does not show his feelings on the outside much but I know when he is worried. He has been so helpful chopping wood so we can have fires during this very cold season. He is thinking of joining the army or Airforce when he graduates. He did not do wrestling this year because school with homework has become a little overwhelming.
I believe he will be successful in whatever he does!
Braden & Alyssa- these kids are so busy with work and Braden's school that we do not get see them much, but when we do we enjoy every minute. Alyssa got a promotion as a lead supervisor at her job which helps with extra money. They are always hiking on their days off taking beautiful pictures. I keep asking for a coffee table book of all their pictures, maybe someday I will get one so I can show off their pictures to all my friends. Braden's been doing some side photography work to earn extra money. If anyone wants pictures done let me know, I will hook you up.. Here is one he took on one of their many hiking trips..
Kayla- is still living in Kelso. She has a job at the goodwill in Longview and works alot. We don't talk much because she is still out finding herself. I ask all my prayer warriors to continue praying for her. We missed her for Christmas this year, but we miss her all the time actually. I pray God will guide her path and she will find what ever she is looking for.
So this is us, our life, our journey which will continue till God calls us home. I will leave you with this....
Every time a door closes and new one opens, Life is like that... when you are in some kind of trial God is there with you and he is preparing you for another as you come out of this one. He does this so you will draw closer to him.
Love,
Aaron & Tracie
