We also got a lead on the final scavenger hunt item after a week of searching. We can finally scratch carolers off our list. I am grateful as my alternative solution was to stand in the front yard and sing for the kids so we could say we completed it. As anyone who has ever heard me sing can attest, that would be a rather unfortunate ending for not only my children but also my innocent neighbors. To play it safe, carolers will not be included on next year's list.
I debated sending Christmas cards and a letter this year. I keep up with the blog and Facebook so most of our friends and family are able to see what is going on in our lives if they so choose. But a lot happened in our world this year (isn't this true every year?) so I conceded once again.
This year's letter:
It’s
beginning to look a lot like Christmas……not really but the under ten crowd is
convinced none the less. Ty found himself home alone with both of his parents
this evening (November 7) and after a rousing game of bowling on the wii,
requested The Polar Express movie. So just like that, we are anticipating the
arrival of the big guy in red. The wait shall be brutal but as we look at how
quickly they grow, the magic of the season can linger after all. Ty is our last
little one and we know this period of wonder won’t last long enough.
It has been
a very busy 2016. Lauren surprised us with a wedding we had six weeks to pull
together. Only immediate family and few of their friends were in attendance but
the intimate ceremony was charming and beautiful. Taylor feels very much a part
of the family and his presence has been missed since August when he left for
basic training. Lauren was able to see him graduate from basic training in
South Carolina November 3. He is currently in Texas for AIT where Lauren will be
joining him immediately after Christmas. As of May, the army will be moving
them onto whatever adventure awaits them from there. We are anxious to see
Taylor for Christmas and Lauren is anticipating being with her husband again.
Her mother is torn between excitement for them as a couple and the desire to
hold her close.
Erin started
working for the oral surgery department at the University of Louisville full
time while holding onto a part time position with Aspen Dental who hired her
out of her internship in 2015. She stops by to raid the fridge every now and
then but living across town and holding two jobs keeps her running. She has a
special man in her life. She met Jake around the time she held the maid of
honor title for two weddings and is thinking toward the future with him.
Makenna
dislocated her knee cap in January. And in August. And again in September. She recently
failed six weeks of physical therapy so surgery will wrap her 2016. In fact,
she gets to have a new ligament for Christmas. We are a festive group around
here. Despite life in a knee brace, she has maintained honor roll, a part time
job, endless hours in technical theater and a whole host of friendships. At
sixteen she is strong and determined. She hopes to gain a driver’s license in the
new year. Given all her commitments, her parents are ready too.
Kate started
middle school in July and in October came home to finish her middle school
years. She is a sweet fifth grader who is eager to please and is learning a lot
about the world. She loves gymnastics but is missing a few months of classes as
result of a concussion she sustained when she failed to land a double back
flip. The desire to flip all over the place is strong with this one so being
confined to walking has been tough on her.
She has discovered she enjoys shopping with her sisters, lingering over
books with her mom and crocheting.
Our little
man is so much fun. God really knew what he was doing when he surprised us with
that little package! He is having a great first grade year. He loves to read,
play Legos, be a super hero (including a soldier like Taylor) and play with
friends. He makes his own play dates now and takes everything very literally.
His teacher reports he is a very serious little guy and we see a lot of
perfectionist tendencies in his personality as well. Who has to set a goal for
their seven year old to relax?
Greg has
experienced a few job changes within UPS. In his current position, he
supervises the international accounts working with customs agents. He is mastering
smoking brisket, ribs, pork, and chicken. His wife loves this hobby (his
co-workers don’t mind either). He has been hunting and taken two overnight
trips with the little ones to see new cities in Indiana. We have discovered how
nice it is to take just one age group out for events rather than forced family
fun involving teens.
I am still busier
than I would prefer but believe this too shall pass all too soon. I keep little
ones, run a very busy house, maintain a bible study, read, and have added a regular
workout to my calendar. I am in my fourth year following a Paleo(ish) diet and
the benefits are keeping me mostly on course. I am stronger in my forties than
I imagined possible in my thirties with my arthritis diagnosis.
In case you
are interested, I still post updates on the blog (gsbaughman.blogspot.com).
Please stay in touch!
We want to wish each and every one of you a Merry
Christmas and very blessed New Year.
With love,
The Baughman Family
Greg,
Sherri, Erin (21), Lauren (20), Taylor (19), Makenna (16), Kate (11) and Ty (7)
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