Dearest Family &
Friends, Christmas 2014
Once again, it's Christmas letter
time. I refuse to say “It seems like I just wrote a Christmas
letter yesterday, and now it's time again?”. I really refuse to say
that, because that would imply the year went fast, and I'm getting
older...and well, that just can't happen!
Every year, I get reports of how much
everyone loves receiving our Christmas letter. Our friends and family
seem to like my cute stories about how wonderful our children are,
because let's face it, everyone brags on their kids during the Annual
Christmas letter. It's like an unwritten law or something...”parents
must brag on their kids at least once a year, in writing, and then
send it to all their family and friends.” Didn't you get that
memo??
So this year, I decided to go a little
different with the Christmas letter...Here goes...
Chancey still barks at everything and
everyone who come within 50 feet of our house. It doesn't matter if
she knows the person or not, doesn't matter if there's another dog
around. She still must inform the humans in the house that “hey,
look, there's someone there.” So don't try to sneak around my
house, because the dog is on the job!
Jacob is a head-strong, hyper boy, who
likes to run around the house in his underwear and leave a trail of
clothes. Luckily, he's only 11 and he keeps this habit limited to our
home, so there's still hope he will out grow it before he becomes a
teenager. But if you plan to stop by, especially if you have
daughters, you might want to give me a heads up otherwise, you might
see “Boxer Boy” darting for clothes.
Kalissa is a teenage girl. Do I really
need to say more? Oh yeah, a teenage girl with a part time job (read
“money to spend”) and the ability to drive (freedom). I'm still
waiting for my order of “Drama Be-Gone” to arrive. Apparently
it's on backorder with no shipment date available.
How's that for bragging? Now for the
highlights from 2014! **drum roll
please**
Kalissa became a
legal driver, started her Junior year of High School, started
reminding me often that in less than 2 years she will be “gone away
to college”. (not sure if that's a threat or a promise...jury is
still out, depends on the day).
Jacob
crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, which was somewhat
bittersweet. He had a wonderful Cub Scout experience with an awesome
leader, but the Boy Scout Troop he found to call home is also
wonderful. I can see Scouting being a major part of his future
development. He started 5th
grade, decided reading isn't the most terrible thing to do, but still
would rather play a video game than crack open a book. He also
decided this year to give his life to Christ and was baptized on his
11th
birthday.
We got to have
another daughter for 3 weeks this year, Lea Dietrich, a High School
student from Usingen Germany came to stay with us. She's part of the
Noblesville-Usingen Exchange program, which Kalissa is participating.
Lea was a wonderful additional to our family. We loved having her
here, learning about her culture, seeing our own culture via her
eyes. You never really live until you try to explain some American
slang phase to a foreign teenager who is looking at you like you have
2 heads! Kalissa is looking forward to spending time with Lea's
family this coming June.
In other news,
David continues on with Conseco CNO Financial
working in their IT dept. I am still at home most of the time with
the kids, volunteering at their school and helping out where I can at
church. I also started a part-time job in Dec. I am working with a
Realtor group as their assistant. I really love the work and learning
a new industry! Also, 3 days before Thanksgiving a neighbor's tree
fell on our house. Nothing like glass flying and 40mph winds going
though your home to make you count your blessings and be grateful
that no one was hurt as you celebrate Thanksgiving. The house is
being repaired and our family moves forward into 2015 knowing that
God is taking care of us.
I hope this
Christmas letter finds you and your family healthy, happy and in good
cheer. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of all New
Years.
With love,
David, Lisa, Kalissa and Jacob Brown
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