(I copied and pasted my letter onto this blog and for some reason it doesn't look the same.)
Here's our family update ...
Its Christmas time
and it’s the best time of the year - if you ask us!!! As I sit here and reflect back through our
2013 year, I realize once again just how blessed we really
are! Not everyone lives like we do. We have so much to be grateful for! Here are just a few things happening with our
family.
~ Mike … Working at
Lapp Structures is still where you will find him during the work week. He loves his employees, dealers and all that
goes with having a good job! He does a wonderful
job at balancing work and family time! I
love that he walks out the door happy to go to work and then later walks in the
door so happy to spend the evening with his family! He’s truly the best husband and daddy! The kid’s love when they can get him on the
living room floor rolling or wrestling with them! In May, he took a 5 day trip to Florida for a
public speaking course. Being trained by
pros in speaking was a stretch that Mike enjoyed. Mike still loves to play baseball but this
year he coached the “Gators” ball team and did a great job! He also still likes to golf and in September
he got to go to Arizona on a three day golfing trip. Compliments go out to Lumberman Associates! He took on a new sport this summer of
biking. He’s loving his new way of
exercising but still likes to go for a run now and then. Traveling is something Mike loves to do and
he dreams of him and me traveling to faraway places sometime in our older
age. J He had a good opportunity to travel to Belize
in October. He toured the country and
really was inspired. The two of us
together also got to spend a weekend in Dallas, TX, with friends! We had such a great time!!! A six point buck was killed by Mike’s arrow
this archery season! He was so happy to
have an archery kill again and the deer meat is tasty! Even though life is busy at times, Mike is my
true love! We are blessed to celebrate
our 13th wedding anniversary in a few
weeks!!! Time doesn’t stop, but if it
could, I would freeze our moments together.
I love this man and he loves me!!!
Mike is
fun, funny & frugal.
~ Lori … I am a wife
& the mother of our three gorgeous children! I wouldn’t trade “my job” for the world! Between mothering, serving, cleaning, keeping
up with the laundry and all our everyday activities … I am kept busy. It’s the kind of busy that I really
enjoy! A few things I like to do are
cook, take candid photos, spend time with my family and in my spare time –
blog, play Settlers and enjoy the sunshine.
You can read about our family events throughout the year at:
reallife-lori.blogspot.com. A goal of
mine this year is to not take life for granted.
Embrace the good times! Pray
through the hard times. Laugh and enjoy
life! Reflecting on Christmas, I love
this time of year. The Christmas
music! The nativity scene & the
fresh cut greens. The smells! And everything that
comes with the
holiday season! I am thankful that
Christ came as a baby, died for my sins and rose on the third day!
Join me
by enjoying the sights, the sounds & the sand tart cookies this Christmas
season!!!
~ Hadassah … She’s
growing and so much that she’s almost as tall as her mom. J I teased her so often already that when she
is taller than me, I will need to start wearing heals. I am realizing that else I need to go shoe
shopping or just be OK with the fact. J She
loves to hang out with friends. She
loves to have a good time! She brings
much laughter into our home! Entering
the tween stage is exciting. She is
looking forward to redoing her bedroom soon and then sharing it with
Ashlyn. She shares scarfs and sometimes
shoes with me. It’s so hard to believe
our oldest baby is growing into a young lady!
She’s beautiful inside and out!!!
Listening to her practice her Christmas songs on the piano, is sweet
music to my ears. Middle school is going
well for her. She’s doing a terrific job
keeping her grades up midst the newer responsibilities. She loves to shop, eat chocolate and nibble
on cucumbers. Ginger, her puppy dog,
makes a perfect pet! Hadassah is a blessing, a blast, and a bunch
of fun!!!
~ Matthew … He’s
eight years old. He likes 3rd
grade. Matthew loves his family and his
normal routines. He and his mom have
that in common. J His favorite past
time events are throwing balls, playing baseball, playing games on the
computer/iPad, and riding his new four wheeler he got for his birthday. I know riding this in
the snow will be tons of fun! He made a
new goal of reading more. (Actually, we
all did. Reading is so good for the
mind!!!) He loves to spend
time with his dad. They enjoyed many
ball games together this past summer!
Matthew joined the “Rockies” team in little league this year
and played
great! His imagination is never ending
and it gets interesting to see all his drawings or Lego creations. Teasing Ashlyn is still so much fun for
him. He knows how to get
her going. He has a passion for
people. He is a happy boy and enjoys the
outdoors.
Matthew
is carefree, cool, and a big charm in our family.
~ Ashlyn … She is a
sweet gal and a handful at the same time.
She seems to like things on her time, her way, and that brings its own
set of challenges for us parents! Her
small figure, blonde hair, blue eyes are so pretty. Ashlyn does bring such joy and many kisses
into our home. We love and adore her to
death! She has a handful of
songs she loves to sing. Her favorite
activities right now are … books, coloring, playing with her kitchen/dishes,
and caring for her dolls. The house would be
way too quiet without her and we are so happy she’s part of our family!!! Maybe with her turning three in the Spring
will
bring us less
drama?! J However, some drama is good and makes for no
duel moments!
Ashlyn
is gorgeous, girly, and has a whole lot of giggles!
Well, that’s our
family update. Celebrate this time of
year because of the real meaning of Christmas
… the birth of Jesus!!! He came to this world to bring true
happiness, true peace and lots of joy to all who believe in Him! He died for our sins! He arose on the third day! He ascended up into heaven and promises to return for His
church at any time! May this Christmas
be the best celebration you have ever experienced!!! God is so good!
Merry Christmas!!!
~ Love From The Lapps
… Michael, Lori, Hadassah, Matthew & Ashlyn
