Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Praying for love, joy, faith, hope and peace in
the lives of our family and friends this Christmas and always.
Merry Christmas and may God bless your 2009!
With love,
Josh, Erin, Makenzi, Alli & Bryn



2008 Family Update

Bryn is our 2-year old beauty who Makenzi calls, "The little mischief-maker." Just the other night, Josh heard noises coming from her room at 1 a.m., and she was sitting on her bed with her books strewn about and her light on, and said, "It's time to wake up, daddy!" Bryn has a delightful personality and loves to make people laugh. She is truly a joy.

Alli, now 5 1/2, is loving Kindergarten! The read well program they use at school is just perfect for her. She is learning so much and comes home from school a very happy kid. Alli is a natural at memorization. This is her first year in the Awana Sparks group, and she is soaking up God's Word. She has a real heart for Jesus and wants everyone in her life to know Him.

Makenzi is 9 years old (My baby is growing up!) and is such a thoughtful girl. She has excelled so well in school, and she loves to sing. She can hardly wait for 3rd grade Chorus to begin in the new year. Makenzi is in Awana T&T this year and has an awesome leader (her mom!). She is blessed to have so many great friends - at church, school and in our neighborhood.

Josh has been at his job for 7 years now, and we are both looking forward to his new schedule in 2009, which includes NO night shifts. Hurray! He will continue with the 6-week rotating schedule of 14 days on, 7 days off, 7 days on and 14 days off. His time off allows for lots of great family time, for which we are grateful. It also allows him the opportunity to be more involved in Men's Ministries at church which is great too. This year he has enjoyed playing softball and volleyball with church friends. He and I are also facilitating a couples study on Sunday evenings called Love & Respect. If you know Josh, you know he is an avid Seahawks fan. This year has been a disappointment for him, but he is able to look on the bright side knowing the Hawks will get good draft picks for next year. This fall Josh and I got to take advantage of his need for Continuing Medical Education credits and found a PA conference on board a Caribbean cruise.

As for me (Erin), I am thoroughly enjoying being a mom - it's the best job in the world! I am so thankful that I get to stay home with my kids. I have been very intentional about slowing down this year, and have cut several activities out of our lives in an effort to just enjoy life. Our kids are growing up so quickly, and I want to enjoy it while it lasts! Since June, I have had the honor of serving in Women's Ministries as our Bible study coordinator, and have been blessed to see God working mightily in women's lives. He is good! I did have the experience of a lifetime this year while on our cruise - I got to swim with and kiss a dolphin! It was one of the coolest experiences ever to swim with one of these amazing creatures. It is moments like this when I am in awe and filled with wonder at the awesomeness of our creator.
Blessings to you this Christmas!

Feliz Navidad from 10 year old Otis!