Our E-Christmas Card

 I wanted to take a moment to post an electronic version of a Christmas card from our family to all of our loved ones. 2021 has been a whirlwind and yours truly will not be getting traditional cards sent out. Unlike all years prior, we have not even taken annual family photos-though have a session scheduled soon in the snow! 

2021 has been a hot mess full to the brim of blessings and change for our family. I think all of the fluctuations in family and work life (and living in general) the past 2 years have taught us to embrace the unexpected and roll with it. Below, an update for our family as a whole and each member.

Isaiah James: This year Isaiah is an 8th grader and I daresay our first (sweet) girlfriend is happening! Isaiah is a boisterous soul with a wicked sense of humor and adventurous streak a mile wide. This year he is enjoying exploring art as an elective, continued piano lessons and performances, and playing soccer and baseball. He loves that Matthew can drive him around now, and is happiest watching comedies and action movies, lounging at home. School is not Isaiah's favorite, though he is a good student-but he enjoys the social time. We can't wait to see what lies ahead for this exuberant soul.

Matthew Lewis: Matthew turned 16 this year and is our household's newest driver. He too has a sweet girlfriend (who happens to be a fiery redhead keeping him on his toes!). Matthew is a calm, kind, and grounded soul who has always seemed older than he is. He continues to play guitar as well as to sing on his school's worship team. He keeps very busy striving for good grades and playing soccer and baseball. Matt dreams of a big career helping others in medicine, and I have no doubt he has what it takes. He loves to be in nature-hiking, snow skiing, being on the lake. 

Barrett: Barrett was promoted (again!) in the past year and is a Lead Technical Architect and Team Leader at Veritas Technology. This is different than an architect who designs buildings FYI, for those of you like me who do not live in IT world. He enjoys the flexibility of working from home-which makes him available for our family. Barrett also manages the 2 rentals that his grandparents own, and engages in numerous projects on our property-helping with tractor work, tree planting, gardening, and maintenance. My love is most at home on the lake in the summer, curled up with a novel or video game, or target shooting and reloading. 

Me: As you all know, I finished my family nurse practitioner certification in May and due to some unforeseen (but probably ultimately favorable circumstances), I transitioned from my role as an RN to becoming a primary care provider (PCP) down at a small clinic for low income patients in Eugene. I commute the hour each way, but only 3 days weekly as I am working part-time, and will actually begin to commute just twice a week and have one telehealth work from home day soon. It is a good role for me, and I am learning lots. I begin my psychiatric certification program in April and one day will also be certified to treat mental health diagnoses and counsel patients. I continue to enjoy travel (when we can!), yoga, and reading tons of books! I began piano lessons this summer and have been learning to read sheet music and play.

This past summer our family sold our used ski boat and bought a larger, newer one. We practically lived on the nearby lakes-sunning, picnicking and hanging with friends. All of my boys wake surf now and are determined to get me doing it this next summer. We enjoyed a trip to Mexico in June as a family which was lots of fun. Barrett and I celebrated 10 years of marriage in August, and I joined Isaiah on his 8th grade trip to Washington, DC and Pennsylvania in the fall.

 My hopes and dreams for next year include: settling into my job, transitioning to have 2 high schoolers (!!!), getting back in the grad school routine, another summer on the lake, and many laughs and smiles. We tentatively have a trip planned to Italy this summer with close friends of ours (just the adults!) and an Alaskan cruise planned for B and I. With kids in this coming year we will likely remain close to home enjoying our state and possibly venturing to Cali to visit family and to Washington and the San Juan Islands perhaps--- as the year Matt graduates (2024) we are planning a family adventure in Greece and 2 years after that a graduation trip for Isaiah to Thailand (their choices and we hope the world is opened up enough to fulfill them!). In 2021 we also have opened our arms and hearts to new friends, bringing much joy, as well as working to connect with old friends alike. The boys were/are with their dad and visiting California for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, but we celebrate no matter--Move the date and celebrate later with kids, and Friendsgiving and FriendsMas for us. Life is full of blessings and we wish all of you, our loved ones, the same.