Merry Christmas & Warm Greetings!
Well, another year has quietly slipped away. Amazing. I was just chatting with Katie today and reflecting. We literally could not remember what happened from January to July. Life with a 1, 4 and 6 year-old does that to you. We don’t plan much of our lives months ahead— we are happy to survive each day until bedtime!
In the busyness of raising our 3 children, I’m reminded of a quote I heard once that I like. “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” This quote often comes to mind when Katie and I fall into bed just dead-tired wondering where the day went and when things will slow down a bit. But amidst all the activity, we’re always reminded to live each day we have to its fullest and appreciate each moment we have to be our children’s mom & dad. All the cajoling to eat vegetables, the wrestling when I come home each night, the snuggles at bedtime, and the beauty of a child sleeping will soon be just fond memories.
This year we watched our “baby”, Nathan, age 1½, grow so much from learning to sit, to standing, to walking and now sort of talking. He’s fond of saying “Hi fish” to our 2 pet fish, the expected “Daddy” and “Mommy” of course but his favorite expression by far is a loud “NO!” as he slams a fist down and shakes his head from side to side. Quite often we’ll walk into a room only to find him standing on the dining table because someone had forgotten to push a chair in. That boy!
Sam, age 4, has been attending a local preschool two half days a week. He loves it! He’s learning to color inside the lines and sit still for more than a few seconds. In late October Sam decided he would give his bike a shot without his training wheels. Since he can’t reach the ground with his feet he conveniently “dismounts” his moving bike when ready to stop. But by far the biggest news happened in July when Sam surprised Katie in the minivan by saying a quick prayer—“Jesus, come into my heart. And I want a puppy and to go to Santa’s North Pole” (a local amusement park for kids).
Grace, age 6, is a constant blessing to us. She has become our “little helper” assisting us with Nathan, in the kitchen and helping clean up. She started kindergarten this year and loves learning to read and count. She has a sweet spirit and displayed that when she befriended a girl on the playground that no one else was playing with. She has gotten involved in ballet, AWANA at church, and also learned to ride her bike on 2 wheels this summer.
Katie somehow finds a way to keep all the kids (and myself) clothed, fed and happy while driving to and from schools, taking part in a women’s Bible study and working out at a local gym. She is tireless and patient and I am always amazed at what she accomplishes with so little help.
I (Matt) will celebrate 10 years in February working at The Christian and Missionary Alliance and accomplished a long-standing goal when I completed the Pikes Peak Marathon in August.
A few 14,000 ft. peaks got checked off my list as well when I climbed Mt. Harvard & Mt. Columbia with friends. Good times.
As the cadence and rhythm of our lives has quickened so have the blessings that flow from above. It never ceases to amaze us how the Lord brings new friends into our lives and provides for our every need.
Well, with that, we wrap up 2009 and look forward to a new year. We pray that the Lord brings His rich blessings, health and favor to you all in 2010. Please stay in touch. We love hearing from you all!
Love,
The DeCostes
Matt, Katie, Grace, Sam & Nathan
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