2016 - The year of incredible life challenges, BUT GOD was faithful!
What began as a mild winter turned into the Blizzard of 2016. With 30.8 inches of snow and not enough plows, everything was literally shut down. Our neighbors shoveled together for two days before we finally got out. Talk about craziness! However, the boys couldn’t get enough of it: sledding, snowball fights, making snowmen and building a fort. Once frozen, they hurried inside for some hot cocoa by the fire...only to head back outside to do it all over again.
Gavin’s 4th birthday in February brought out Brian’s parents. An expressive story teller who is always cackling at his own jokes, Gavin doesn’t take life too seriously. Riding his scooter & playing soccer are his top two favorite things to do. He knows his ABC’s & numbers. And after much practicing, he can now write his name!
After an emotional 7 months of being without a lead pastor at Harvest Fairfax (our former pastor resigned), God finally brought someone new in March. A servant-leader who radiates God’s love, Pastor Jeff and his family were an answer to our prayers. His leadership for our church is exactly what we needed! Right around the same time, Brian was dealing with stress related health issues from work that took a huge toll on him physically and mentally. After much prayer, he decided to switch jobs and joined a new company as a Senior Commissioning Engineer. Where is his new office? Our house which means no more commuting! At the end of the day, he simply walks upstairs to join us for dinner and to play with the boys. What a difference it has made on his well being! Through all of these trials and uncertainties, we had to renew our minds daily and cling to God’s Truth. His strength & hope are what got us through this year!
Ethan & Gavin welcomed their summer by moving into the same bedroom. It turns out having a sleeping buddy was exactly the bonding they needed. With the empty bedroom upstairs, Ikaika quickly claimed it and moved himself in permanently. They also took swim lessons and by the end of their sessions, became ‘lil swimmers. In August, we flew to Colorado for an 8 day adventure with my parents: the Denver Children’s Museum, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Pikes Peak, hiking, beach day at the reservoir and playing in the vegetable garden. It was their best summer ever!
Ethan turned 8 in November and loves all things Golden Retriever! After losing his only tooth this year, he came up with a scheme to prove the Tooth Fairy’s true existence. As a second grader, he joined the city’s basketball league. And also the Billman Running Club where Brian takes the boys running every week. Ikaika even gets to tag along! I’m really loving this season of life with both of them and wish I could freeze this moment forever!
This year we’re thankful once again to be with family during the holidays. My parents joined us for Thanksgiving and we’re looking forward to Christmas in Illinois with Brian’s family.
We have had a blessed year, and we hope you have too. May our Lord, Jesus Christ be glorified in this Christmas Season! Wishing you a wonderful 2017!
