Merry Christmas!
As with many aspects of life these days, the Christmas season brings a complicated mix of emotions for our family. We strive to find a healthy balance with the thoughts and feelings we each experience, finding ways to remember Christmases past as we work to make new memories together, and discover how to celebrate the joy of the season while at the same time honoring Anna's memory and continued place in our lives.
Although 2019 included many painful adjustments to our lives, we have found ourselves well supported and continue to heal individually and as a family.
Kate finished 4th grade with a flourish just a few short weeks after she turned 10.
The beginning of 5th grade has brought with it added responsibilities and independence, but Kate is weathering the experiences well. She enjoys opportunities to plan, record, and edit videos for Student Council and the Waubesa Word, her school's weekly news broadcast; and has begun learning to play the viola as part of the school's orchestra program. (She's also taking lessons from her god-mother!)
Kate's preferred activities these days are writing, reading, creating, and playing all while having a tender heart for animals (except spiders). She remains active in 4H, having earned county fair ribbons this past summer in creative writing, poultry (for a poster, not showing the chickens), and art.
Ethan ended his kindergarten year by being selected as his classroom's Super Spartan Star, before taking the summer off of academic responsibilities in preparation for 1st grade. Ethan continues to endear himself to most adults with whom he interacts and is soaking up all of the learning experiences this school year has to offer.
Ethan began formal music lessons this year to help fuel his innate desire to interact with all things musical. After a handful of ukulele lessons this summer, he has been taking weekly piano lessons this fall, looking forward to his practice times with mom and even asking to use a metronome (!) during practice.
In addition to his passion for music, Ethan also inherited a passion for building and tinkering. Given free time, he can often be found building in his very own workshop that he receives as part of his 7th birthday celebration.
I have continued to substitute teach periodically in our local school district this calendar year, finding joy and satisfaction in being able to use many of my experiences to help other teachers and kids. I have also continued to share what I have learned about children affected by cancer with educational professionals through a handful of invitations to be a guest presenter.
I was able to grow many vegetables and fruits in the yard this year, un spite of the shorter-than-average growing season. In addition to gardening, I also thoroughly enjoyed going hiking, biking, and swimming with Ethan and Kate all summer long.
After 13 1/2 years working at GE Healthcare, Matt took a new job in December at Trek Bicycle Corporation. Although he will miss the comradery of his co-workers (yes, Matt sometimes likes being around people), the relationships he had were no longer enough to offset the negative aspects of working at GE. The new position (and longer commute) will be the cause of many transitions for our family, but we are optimistic that the shift will be a healthy one for all of us.
Our family was able to make some special memories together this year:
meeting acclaimed children's author Patricia Polacco,
participating in a family camp in the Kewaunee Peninsula,
camping at Wyalusing State Park,
donating a bench in memory of Anna at McDaniel Park in McFarland,
walking with a few dozen friends and family at the annual BCCN Superhero Run in Anna's honor,
and attending a For King and Country concert in Madison (the kids' first concert!), among other things.
As you celebrate Christmas this year, we hope you are able to create positive memories with friends and family, find joy in small moments, and rejoice in the birth of Jesus, our God, Savior, and Friend.
