Dear Friends & Family,
I cannot believe that it is already this time of year again!
I have tried to sit back and think, in depth, about all that has happened this
year and it is all just a blur. We find ourselves busier and busier by the day,
but are blessed beyond our imagination and would not have it any other way.
This year started off with a bang and Joel was blessed with
a new job in February that he graciously welcomed. He has had the opportunity
to grow and lead and teach; doing the very things that God created him for. He
went on his annual Elk hunting trip again this year and made SURE he took
sunscreen this year!
Kailee, 13, has had a fun-filled year and is getting too old
too fast (we’ve got our baseball bats ready and have been practicing our swing)!
Seventh grade came to an end in June and
eighth grade is proving to be the best year thus far. This year was filled with
trips to Mission Arlington, camp in Leakey, TX, Seattle, San Antonio, as well
as fun with friends, church, school and cheer. Kailee has enjoyed cheer
immensely and is not looking forward to it ending. She is growing in her faith
and is growing into a beautiful, responsible young lady.
Elli, 4, brings us laughter daily. Elli is at such a fun age
and is enjoying life. She loves the park, learning, helping mom, and anything
that has bling or that is girly. This year we transitioned from waking up in
the middle of the night to play dress up, to sleeping through the night (THANK
GOODNESS!!). Elli amazes us every day with her desire to learn. She is
constantly trying to figure out what letter words start with and the sounds
they make. She is getting better each day at identifying her letters and can
identify numbers 1-12 and write them, and she counts to 50 pretty much on her
own. She is really great at identifying patterns and likes to make up silly
words. She is a “re-memory verse” queen
and she LOVES her bible and the stories that are in it and is learning to pray
“real prayers” on her own. Elli LOVES her sisters and the rest of her family to
pieces.
Preslee, 20 months, is a little ham. If there is any chance
that we will have a gymnast in the family, she’s the one. Preslee has been
walking since her 10th month (February) and transitioned right into
climbing. Preslee is a loveable, snuggly, precious little girl. She is learning
her ABC’s, Jesus Loves Me, and lots of new words. This little girl gives more
hugs and kisses than any other little girl that we know and we are enjoying it
while it lasts.
I don’t even know where to begin about what I have been
doing this year! I have been so busy and so blessed. I was called to come home
and be a stay-at-home momma before the years end last year and have enjoyed every
moment of it (almost). In July, I decided it was time to take a leave from my
photography business and took a part time, work-from-home position with a local
ministry called Restoration Farm. It has been an awesome experience to be able
to pour into the lives of single moms and being blessed, myself, by them.
I wish I could give you all of the details of our blessings
and the way that God has moved through our family, but instead of a letter, you
would have a book. All we can say is that God has been good in 2012, and will
always be, and we cannot wait to see what He has in store for us in 2013.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
The Hollands
James 1:17 Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.
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