Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!
Was it me or did 2010 just fly by? And we had two new additions – Cali, a chocolate and tan Miniature Dachshund is almost 7 months old and tips the scales at a whopping 6.5 pounds! And a corn snake, named Tim. So here is what the clan has been up to this year:
Andrew is 17 years old, and is…gulp…driving! (you have been warned). The idea of my first son being so close to being “legal” and out of high school is something that has come way too quick. At this point, he doesn’t know what he wants to do “when he grows up” and we’ll be talking more about that as he finishes up his junior year. Andrew has a great heart and he constantly makes us laugh, whether talking with his English accent or his jokes about anything. He still does his hardstyle dancing and has gotten really good at robotic dancing. Of course he is lethal on his Xbox 360 shooter games – if you play against him, watch out for the sniper, because he is amazing at that. Ok, so back to the snake. He wanted one for years and we finally let him get one. When I saw the “announcement” on Facebook saying “Meet Tim,” yes, I had to ask. Tim? He named him before the snake was rung up at the register. Here is his logic…he said, “Tim was the guy who rang us up, and really, although people are afraid of snakes, who could be afraid of a snake named ‘Tim.’” Go figure.
Blaine is now 14 years old, is in his last year of Middle School and has joined the wrestling team. Like his Dad, his mouth is “full of metal” and my wallet is full of holes…sigh! He is always gone to be with his friends and it is getting hard keeping up with him. Blaine still has that contagious laugh and he constantly comes home with stories that crack us up! This year was a year of growth for my number two son…he loves to lift weights and has bulked up some. Friends at the gym tell me how focused he is and how much he lifts compared to his friends. True to form, he cannot wait to get a job and is now old enough to put an application in with Chick-fil-a. He wants his own money and he is focused on getting a job anywhere he can…where did he get that from?!
Emily Anne is 12 years old and she thinks she is 16! She is now in 7th grade and she is busy with all of her friends. She made her school cheer team and continues with USA Allstars competitive cheering. Emily has shot up to level 3 tumbling skills and is working on level 4 in just one year. She has a ton of passion for competition cheering and tumbling, and would go every day if I let her (and had the money). She has me completely hooked and I LOVE watching her gain new skills and compete. This year, she is on two teams as she tries to gain some new skills. Her Junior 2 team took first place at their first competition and she can’t wait till the next one in January (and neither can I).
Now for a mixed update on to my bride. Angela has been busy competing, coaching and just her normal grueling personal training regimen. I will continue to brag on her as she still amazes me with her talents! Unfortunately, she did not get to compete in her first full Ironman competition this year as planned. She is having a lot of pain in her foot and is taking it easy (still aggressive compared to most “normal” people) trying to get it to heal so she can go all out again. This has caused a ton of stress and anxiety as you know, running is her passion. Our hope is that she heals quickly in 2011 and is ready for a full Ironman towards the latter part of 2011.
As for me, I am having a harder time trying to keep the fort together. I spend a ton of time with Emily at cheer practice, being at Blaine’s wrestling matches, and with everything else, I backed off my gym routine to the point where I unfortunately gained back a lot of the weight I lost in 2009…I WILL have to get that back off in 2011, so keep me in your prayers. As I age, it is very apparent how fast time flies…this year was just a blur and it makes me think how quickly we let things go by. Please take time to think about your loved ones, your friends, and most of all, the gift that God gave us in Christ Jesus.
We wish you the best this Christmas season and may God continue to bless you and yours!
Blaine, Angela, Andrew, Blaine II and Emily Anne
