Originally from December 2011
Merry Christmas everyone! I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by. Like many of you, 2011 was filled to the brim with mountain top highs but also heartbreaking lows.
As for the highs, boy were they high! We welcomed the fifth member of our family this summer. Lauren Anna Elise was born in the early morning hours of July 13. Daddy and Auntie Julea almost missed her appearance because she came faster than anticipated. You would think I would know what labor feels like by now…
Lauren is our little love. Her personality has emerged as sweet and very social, much like Grandpa Steve. Out of all of our children, she is the one who reminds me of him the most. Our time with Lauren is a treasure, a rare glimpse into heaven. In honor of my dad, we chose the name Lauren which literally means “crowned with laurel.” His meant “crowned.” A few months back I came across a verse in Isaiah that reminds me of their names. “Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness” (Isaiah 35:10). Talk about hope! How my heart leaps inside me each time I ponder those precious words. We are blessed to have Lauren. We pray that she will have the love of the Lord in her heart at a young age and that her gentleness and sweet disposition will be a light in this very dark world.
As for Uno and Dos, as we refer to Emily and Steven when we don’t want them to know we’re talking about them, Emily is on the brink of turning 5, while Steven is quickly approaching 3. Emily is in her second year of preschool at Westgate and Teacher Pasi is her beloved teacher. Greg and I met back in the day when I taught with Pasi. I’m sure most of you know the story of how I met and married my student Bradley’s uncle through a certain “matchmaker” named Julea. Anyway, having Emily in my dear friend’s class is a blessing and brings back many fond memories. Although my little go-getter is as fiery as ever, there is a growing tenderness about Emily, especially when it comes to her baby sister. According to my sweet big girl, “Lauren is a present from God.” Yes she is, Emily, and so are you.
Steven’s great milestone of 2011 is that he no longer thinks he’s a dog. That’s right, he has stopped growling at most people. It occurred to me around Thanksgiving that maybe Steven was growling because he desperately wanted to interact with others but didn’t know how. We’ve had ourselves a little talk about manners and proper salutations and now Steven mostly says “hi” to people and is quick to give out hugs and kisses. Hopefully this means we will no longer have to leave restaurants due to all of the growling coming from our table. We’re still working on not growling at babies, especially baby boys. But Steven is starting to warm up to Lauren, especially now that she rolls over. Perhaps he thinks she’s a dog.
Steven’s eyes are constantly changing. The right eye, the one touched by Morning Glory Syndrome, is getting better and better with each visit. And the left is starting to catch up. There’s been only the slightest change in that eye, but it’s been enough improvement to need a new lens. All praise and glory to Steven’s Healer! We’re thankful for all of Dr. P.’s help, too. We press on, not knowing what’s ahead, but claiming victory and hope for the day when Steven’s eyes are perfect in structure, strength and vision.
As for Greg and me, honestly we are so exhausted most of the time. A scene from the movie Marley And Me comes to mind when I think of this season in life. Remember the scene where Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson’s characters are lamenting on how HARD parenting is? Everyone tried to warn them about the challenges of parenting, but they just didn’t listen. Kinda how we’re feeling these days. But the scene ends in affirmation. Aniston and Wilson’s characters wouldn’t do anything different. They love their children, they love each other, they love their life. They even love their unruly canine Marley (and we love Steven). I must be wired for struggle because even though my sanity is in question most days, this has been my very favorite season, challenges and all. Our three children are a constant reminder of all that is tender in life.
I almost didn’t write a Christmas letter this year. As I’ve said, this year’s been filled with extreme highs but also devastating lows. I need to be real about that. Yet I am compelled to write. With a joyful heart I want you to know that we are hanging in there, not just surviving, but thriving because Hope has come! Hallelujah, Hope has come! He came as a tiny, helpless baby, much like baby Lauren. And because He came and dwells with us, our hope cannot be shaken. Merry Christmas.
Love,
Greg, Nicole, Emily, Steven & Lauren
After much praying, tons of confirmation, a slow change of Greg’s heart, and a semi-surprise, we are pleased to announce that our What If? is in the works and will come to pass this July. It may seem little and insignificant to some, this What If? of ours, but for us, it dares us to dream beyond what’s comfortable and prompts our hearts to trust God more by taking a giant leap of faith. By the way, our What If? is this: What if we had another baby?
Love,