In the meantime, enjoy our Christmas letter that we sent out this year and we'll see you again in 2012:
Merry Christmas! What an amazing year. We just got done decorating our Christmas tree and it brought tears to my eyes. My usual Christmas routine is to adorn my tree with a specific color theme each year- purchasing new decorations and goodies to match my whimsical mood of that season. Sometimes red and silver, other times candy like colors such as pinks and greens. I let my craftiness consume me. This year, without having the time or money, I took out “old” decorations. Each ornament that I put on was carefully placed as I reminisced whom had given it to us and for what special occasion. I have one from my childhood that my Aunt Dorine gave me as a little girl. Another of Matt’s that his mommy and him made as a boy. Deshae’s first angel and one Ila’s daycare had her make last year- just a piece of paper with stickers on it. I hung up Ila’s First Christmas that we were given by grandma last year and our first one for Evie’s First Christmas as well. I loved re-reading the words of encouragement from our church’s ornament exchange as I opened each one up again, and I especially loved re-reading the letters just like this from other families and reminiscing on everything that happened in the last year. What joy my “homemade tree” brought us. Matt and I have been dreaming our entire lives of the family God would give us one day. It is finally here. All our three little girls tucked away in their beds, their special decorations on our tree, OUR tree; it is my absolute favorite tree ever.
Ila turned one this June and is becoming a true toddler. Watching her language develop and her little personality blossom into her own has brought us so much joy. She is such a ham and makes all of us crack up with laughter on a daily basis. I’m excited for this Christmas, where she has an idea of what is happening and we can’t wait to watch her little face light up as we start family traditions like Santa visiting, reindeer prancing and stuffing stockings.
Our third little girl, Evangeline Rae came into this world on October 17th at 8.5 lbs. She came out looking nothing like Ila and shocked us all. With long black hair and olive skin, Matt and I were blessed with our own little Pocahontas. Evangeline, meaning Good News is just that. She is so precious and truly completes our little family.
Deshae turned 12 this year and is in the 7th grade. She got straight A’s again and is in all advanced classes. She decided to take a sabbatical at soccer and try her hand at Volleyball. She loved trying a new sport and meeting new friends, as well as standing in the warm gym rather than running in the cold rain- oh wait, that was me that loved that part ☺. We are so proud of what an amazing young lady Deshae is. With or without her excellent academic and athletic achievements, Deshae is truly amazing.
She is so great with her baby sisters, and really has a funny personality as well as a gentle heart. What has most impressed me the most this year with Deshae is her relationship with God. She prays for people at church and gives words of encouragement far beyond her years.
Matt and I both decided God wanted us to pursue our own careers this year. With our ever growing family, we knew that we needed something that allowed us time with our children. Matt started a Landscaping Service on his days off and it is going really well. We are praying this avenue is what God wants for Matt to transition out of Les Schwab and be around his family more. I started Keepsake 3D Imaging, an ultrasound center. While it is taking as long as one would expect for a start up business in this economy, we are hopeful for the potential that it has.
My other favorite tradition this year, that I finally got to be a part of was canning. We started our own garden and had a surplus of fruits and veggies. Between that and other locally grown organics, my grandmother, Phyllis and I got together and she taught me how to jam, can and pickle all of my fresh goodies. I had such a blast learning and tasting and giving away. I’m excited to pass this tradition on to my girls each year, to know that I’ll have Oregon Blackberry jam in my fridge year round for breakfast guests and most of all, to have spent some precious time with my Nannie.
As 2012 approaches, we can’t believe that within our first two years of marriage, we’ve had 2 children and started two businesses. You can imagine that we’re looking forward to the New Year bringing a little rest to enjoy these amazing blessings that God has given us. It’s time to put down the anchor and wade in the water for just a bit. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you. May He make His face shine up on you and be gracious to you. May He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Bless you all,
Matt, Rebecca, Deshae, Ila and Evie
2011
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