To all our family and friends spread across the world, we hope this Christmas is filled with joy.
Here's a quick update on our family and a few of the blessings we're grateful for this past year.
Eve (9)
Eve has become something of a bookworm. She's either reading, or talking about a book she just read, or planning what series of books she's going to read next. She's enjoying 4th grade and continues to demonstrate a remarkable ability to make friends wherever she goes. She joined the school band, and is now learning to play the clarinet along with the piano.As if the piano and clarinet weren't enough, she decided to join the school choir. She performed her first (very short) solo at the Winter Concert last week. She also joined a special book club that meets before school. At home, she loves party planning, helping mom in the kitchen, knitting, crafting, and party planning. Did we mention party planning? She's forever finding new ways to entertain herself and her little sisters.
Eliza (7)
Eliza is following in her older sister's footsteps with reading. She's practically on a first name basis with the librarians at the library. Her literacy has also helped fuel one of her other loves — animals. She knows a lot about dogs, cats, fish, frogs, and other animals. Her she is in her element:Eliza has also been showing her athleticism and determination in her tumbling classes this year. She's getting really good at cartwheels, round-offs, and back bends. As long as she gets enough sleep, she's really good about playing with her little sisters. Ponies, house, and everyone's favorite, dress-up.
Tabetha (almost 4)
Tab loves to color and draw. It's the first thing she wants to do when she wakes up, and it's the last thing she wants to stop doing before bed. We've had to put the computer paper where she can't reach it. Otherwise, we'd be going through a ream a week. She's made some new friends at church and has loved going to nursery with her little sister, but she's looking forward to joining the Sunbeams in Primary in a few weeks. She likes playing with her older sisters, but she LOVES playing games on the computer. Like the coloring paper, it's now a restricted privilege. One of her favorite books is Fancy Nancy. She's taken to wearing a tiara or other accessories at all times.
Adrienne (almost 2)
Our baby girl is growing up way too fast. One of our favorite things is watching her run. She has a really funny gait.She's starting to talk more. Her favorite words are bobby (bottle), purple (her velvet sleeping blanket), mimi (pacifier), silry (silly). She's very ticklish, and loves her older sisters. She's started to show interest in the potty. Maybe by this time next year, we'll be diaper free. Mom and Dad couldn't ask for a better gift than that.
Rich got a new job in Chicago at Cramer-Krasselt "working" on the Porsche account as an Associate Creative Director. It has some perks:
But it's also very demanding of his time, especially in the summer. He's hoping the time he sacrifices with his family in the short run, will eventually help pay for weddings and family trips in the long run.The rest of the family was kind enough to move to Chicagoland even though it meant leaving their great new life in Lewisville, North Carolina which included close proximity to some of their many girl cousins.
Jenny got to play single mom for a couple of months while Rich went ahead to Chicago for work. With the help of friends from the Tanglewood Ward, and the Lord's help, she was able to get through it without too much emotional trauma. She had her hands more than full with moving, and settling in a new place, unpacking, registering kids for school, etc. She was a trooper through it all. After another extended separation for work, she and Rich were grateful to be reunited.
We both gained a greater appreciation of the sacrifices that couples make who serve in our nation's armed forces. The highlight of her year was the moment our old Ford minivan broke down in the middle of a busy intersection with all the kids, and a bunch of Costco groceries in the back of the van. No one stopped to help her. So she used her incredible "MOM strength" and pushed the van full of kids and groceries up a slight incline to a nearby service station. Dad finally got the hint and got her a new Honda minivan. With the stress of multiple moves and job changes over the last few years building up, she decided she needed a way to release it before something, or someone else got the worst of it. So she started a regular exercise routine in the mornings. Jenny is NOT a morning person. But she's stuck with it, and it's become a habit now. Rich and the girls are very proud of her determination.
2011 has been another eventful year for the Blacks. We are extremely grateful for the many tender mercies that our Heavenly Father has extended to us and recognize His hand in all the good things in our lives. That includes a wonderful extended family who are willing to spend time and money to visit us often, and friends whose great examples continue to influence us and our family today. We pray for all of you and send you our sincere wishes for a wonderful Christmas season of peace and a happy New Year.
