Christmas 2001
Dear Family & Friends,
Christmas time is here again. We are watching, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” I sure am glad Christmas is more than just presents. It is a birthday celebration for our Lord Jesus, who came to seek and to save those who are lost. I am truly grateful for God’s act of love towards us. We have the greatest hope for our futures no matter what happens here on earth.
This year has been a good one. No one has had major health problems and school is going well for everyone. Not that everyone is getting all A’s, or even all A’s and B’s, but everyone is passing…if you know what I mean. Some just are academically challenged! Anyway, some of the report cards were all A’s and B’s and everyone has been trying harder than other years. I can finally take a breather each evening since more of them are able to do more of their schoolwork on their own. I used to come home and hear, “Can you help me? I don’t know how to do this”, from all 5 of them. Now, just the two younger ones need help. Once in awhile I need to help the others. Grace has been our shining star in the academic area. She came home with all A’s & B’s this last marking period. She is very diligent in that area. More about school later.
The only health problems this year have been in the last month. We have had the various viruses that are going around…fevers, aches, stomachaches, coughs, etc. We just got back from the doctor for Grace. She has missed a whole week of school. She has walking pneumonia. She just can’t get rid of her nasty cough. With the prescribed medicine, she should be better soon.
We have some new additions to our family. No new children (praise the Lord), but two lovely cockatiels. Caleb bought Chuck last May, then sold him to Joshua. Then we acquired Spooky when a friend gave him to us. We all love the birds. We almost lost Chuck this Fall. Isaiah took him out on his shoulder and Chuck flew off. He actually went across Wilson (major road by our house). I thought he was gone for good. Isaiah was just in tears. He really loves the birds a lot. Joshua finally found him and all is well. I have even learned how to clip their wings.
Caleb is 17 and has a driving permit. He makes mom and dad nervous, but we probably made our parents nervous too when we first learned to drive. Caleb and Grace attend Grandville Public High School (our local public school). Caleb will be taking computer classes next year. He is pretty excited about that. That is his area of expertise. He has a natural sense for electronics. He has wired up many things around our house and fixes any problems we have with our computer, VCR, stereos, etc. He also has a job doing a paper route. He is also trying to get a job at Radio Shack. That would be right up his alley.
Grace is 15 and will take driver’s training next summer. She is our scholar. We are so proud of her. She is in the school choir and we have enjoyed her concerts. She has also joined our church choir. We sing side by side as sopranos. Grace isn’t sure what she wants to do after high school. She has two more years, after this one, to decide. She does like children and babysits. Maybe she will become a teacher or do something that involves children.
Joshua is 13 and is one of our athletic ones. He loves building up his muscles with weights. He plays basketball at school and every moment he can. He’s pretty good at it. Joshua in now known as Josh or Professional. He kids around with his teachers and says he is a professional. They ask, “at what?” He just replies that he is a professional at everything. He still spends more time in front of the mirror each morning than the girls do. I have to keep a good supply of gel and hairspray on hand. He is doing much better in school. He is the one who has amazed us this year with his academics. He has taken ownership of his schoolwork. He still has learning difficulties, but is really trying to rise above them. We are very proud of his improvements. He would also like to join Grace in driver’s training next summer. He would be old enough, but he really makes me nervous. He is always talking about sporty cars and driving fast. Dad can take him out driving when the time comes. J
Kristi is 11 but seems older. She loves children and babies too. Both my girls will be good mommies someday. Kristi helps me out in the church nursery too. She’ll probably start babysitting in a couple of years. She is doing well in school. She has academic struggles too, but is improving all the time. She has a very friendly nature and has lots of friends at school and church. Many have noticed her helpful spirit too.
Isaiah is almost 9 years old. He loves sports and takes great care in his hair and clothing. He helps Joshua use up the gel and hairspray and takes his turn hogging the mirror each morning. Isaiah is still doing very well academically, but is challenged in the behavior department. Last year he drove his teacher nuts, but this year’s teacher is just the one for him. She is very firm, but compassionate. He doesn’t ever act up for her at all. He is well known in the principal’s office, but we are working on changing this. He has to learn who is in control. Someday, this determined character quality will be an asset. He says he wants to be a policeman. I just said the other day that it is good to have a job that you enjoy. He said he wanted to be a policeman because he likes to shoot guns. Watch out!!!
Joshua, Kristi and Isaiah now go to the school that I work at. Last year, just before Spring Break, I moved them over to my school. It makes transportation easier. I continue to work with first graders in the mornings and work with other struggling students in the afternoon. Right now I work with a boy from Bosnia in the 5th grade. He is quite a character. I still have the privilege of doing lunch/recess duty. I get to enjoy the heat, cold, wind, rain and snow while I keep a watchful eye on the children. Someone has to do it.
Church keeps us busy too. I am still the 1st/2nd grade Sunday School teacher. I am really enjoying it. Eric teaches during Children’s Church a couple months of the year. I help with the record keeping on Wednesday evenings in our Olympians program for the kids and still sing in the choir. We now have three in the youth group. Next year, Kristi will join them when she enters the 7th grade. My, how the time flies.
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas holiday.
Love, The Holts
Eric, Sue, Caleb, Grace, Joshua, Kristi, and Isaiah
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