Dearest Friends and Family,
This year has been one filled with love, joy, excitement, adventure, new life, and finally loss. Up and down as life often is---- through it all we have grown closer together, I think we can all agree. In general, our whole family has faired well with good health all year--- minus the ongoing asthma for both John and Caleb. Dennis underwent at least three reconstructive surgeries on his face this year--- and the results have been amazing…. He is amazing. Adam, Julia, and Andrew have faithfully attended guitar and piano lessons filling our home with wonderful music. Rachel, Caleb, Jonny, and Andrew have enjoyed a variety of sports throughout the year. Caleb, our eighth grader, was voted class president for this school year--- maybe he has a future in politics! All of the kids have put forth great effort in school this year, with report cards they can be proud of. I know John and I are very proud of them. Anna, Sveta, and Annalyn have been taking great care of our new cat Rosie--- along with whatever stray cats come by for a visit. I imagine at least one of them having some sort of animal profession when they grow up. During the summer, John and I along with Julia and Dennis traveled to Ukraine once again to adopt our newest son Alex. After two weeks, John and Dennis flew home, while Julia and I stayed another two weeks to finish up the adoption. Just one week before school started back up, we came home with Alex! All of the kids are in school now, including Alex and Dennis-- allowing me some free time for myself. Shortly before Thanksgiving, we got some devastating news that my father had went into cardiac arrest, and though they were able to revive him, he suffered severe brain damage and passed away a few short days later. There has been much grieving, yet God is still sovereign and has blessed all of us through this tragedy. To be reminded of what is really important and that life can end in the blink of an eye--- is a blessing in itself. To continue just going through the motions only to be described as lukewarm is not what life is about. We miss my father very much--- but he continues to live on in our memories.
As this year is winding down, after we celebrate William’s 10th birthday, John and I will celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. It is with continual thankfulness that we can both say our relationship is stronger and better than it has ever been. Each of our children--- Adam 14, Rachel 13, Caleb 13, Sveta 12, Annalyn 11, Julia 11, Anna 11, William 9, Andrew 7, Jonathan 6, Alex 4, and Dennis 3 are such a blessing to our family--- we praise God for our family every day.
As we approach Christmas, we hope that all of you remember that Christ’s love for each and every one of us is the most precious gift of all---- may your holidays be richly blessed with friends and family surrounding you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
From The Reed Family!
This year has been one filled with love, joy, excitement, adventure, new life, and finally loss. Up and down as life often is---- through it all we have grown closer together, I think we can all agree. In general, our whole family has faired well with good health all year--- minus the ongoing asthma for both John and Caleb. Dennis underwent at least three reconstructive surgeries on his face this year--- and the results have been amazing…. He is amazing. Adam, Julia, and Andrew have faithfully attended guitar and piano lessons filling our home with wonderful music. Rachel, Caleb, Jonny, and Andrew have enjoyed a variety of sports throughout the year. Caleb, our eighth grader, was voted class president for this school year--- maybe he has a future in politics! All of the kids have put forth great effort in school this year, with report cards they can be proud of. I know John and I are very proud of them. Anna, Sveta, and Annalyn have been taking great care of our new cat Rosie--- along with whatever stray cats come by for a visit. I imagine at least one of them having some sort of animal profession when they grow up. During the summer, John and I along with Julia and Dennis traveled to Ukraine once again to adopt our newest son Alex. After two weeks, John and Dennis flew home, while Julia and I stayed another two weeks to finish up the adoption. Just one week before school started back up, we came home with Alex! All of the kids are in school now, including Alex and Dennis-- allowing me some free time for myself. Shortly before Thanksgiving, we got some devastating news that my father had went into cardiac arrest, and though they were able to revive him, he suffered severe brain damage and passed away a few short days later. There has been much grieving, yet God is still sovereign and has blessed all of us through this tragedy. To be reminded of what is really important and that life can end in the blink of an eye--- is a blessing in itself. To continue just going through the motions only to be described as lukewarm is not what life is about. We miss my father very much--- but he continues to live on in our memories.
As this year is winding down, after we celebrate William’s 10th birthday, John and I will celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. It is with continual thankfulness that we can both say our relationship is stronger and better than it has ever been. Each of our children--- Adam 14, Rachel 13, Caleb 13, Sveta 12, Annalyn 11, Julia 11, Anna 11, William 9, Andrew 7, Jonathan 6, Alex 4, and Dennis 3 are such a blessing to our family--- we praise God for our family every day.
As we approach Christmas, we hope that all of you remember that Christ’s love for each and every one of us is the most precious gift of all---- may your holidays be richly blessed with friends and family surrounding you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
From The Reed Family!
6 inspiring thoughts:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Christine, so nice to ready your Christmas letter. I have continued to pray for you and your family as you process the passing of your dear father. I know how hard it is. I just posted about losing my mom as well. It has been 10 years, and the pain is still very real. Please know that if you need to chat, I am just an email away. Merry Christmas and may your New Year be blessed beyond measure!
Terry
http://pink-itsmorethanjustacolor.blogspot.com/
Very nice. You have had some big changes--good and bad this year. Thank you for sharing it with us.
What a great letter. Thanks for sharing it with us blog readers. Your family has been through so many ups and downs in this past year, but I can tell that you have all come out stronger.
Peace.
Merry Christmas, Christine and your family! Our family is even bigger than yours! Six daughters, two sons-in-law, and six grandchildren! Your list of ages is amazing! Three 11 year old girls, a 12, and a 13! Even me, with 6, can't imagine the amount estrogen in the air at your house! =)
Merry Christmas too! Thank you for sharing your lives with us! God bless!
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