Thursday, December 17, 2015

Merry Christmas 2015!

Well, hello again!  It’s been almost a year.  I admit, when big life changes happen it’s hard for me to keep up with the blog.  In the past 10 months since the last update, we sold our house, bought a new house, did some home renovations and decorating projects, and switched schools for the kids.  Life is flying by!

At Christmas, however, it seems like a good time to slow down and reflect on all the changes and milestones that have happened in the past year.  God is good, and wonderful times have been enjoyed amidst all the transitions. 

So here we are, alive and well, wishing you all the very best and God’s richest blessings and peace as we begin a new year!

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To briefly catch up on a few of our big changes this past year, here are the highlights:

February: Logan turned 9!

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March: Our offer was accepted on our new house!

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April: Audrey turned 6!

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May: We moved!

We left our Crown Point house after living there 7 years.

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June: We are now St. John, IN residents.

Fourth of July Kids Parade

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July: New babies!

We added a new niece on the Darling side and will be adding another new niece or nephew on the De Groot side in 2016!

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August: New school!

Logan and Audrey started school at Providence Christian Academy.

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September: Emily turned 5!

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October: Change of pace

We went to the Great Wolf Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells for the kids’ fall break.

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November: We hosted Thanksgiving at our new house.

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December: Two Christmas programs

Emily was the star in her preschool Christmas program (the 3 wisemen followed her and her light up wand through the audience), and Audrey had a solo in our church Christmas program.

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As I look back over old blog posts and Christmas cards we sent in years past, I am reminded how quickly things change.  People change, fashions change, seasons change.  In no time, all the gifts will be opened, the trees put away, and the lights turned off.  It will no longer be Christmas; it will just be winter.

But the baby in the manger remains.  He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.  God is with us, Emmanuel.  And that truth remains the same yesterday, today, and forever!