2024

Christmas Greetings,

We now have a 4o year old child, so that officially makes us OLD! Also, this is the second year that Eric has been retired. So, that makes him older than me...not that I'm keeping score or anything. Since somebody needs to support this family, I continue to work at the school as an academic interventionist (fancy word for a paraprofessional that helps the struggling kids with reading and math). Eric does get social security, but I just have to tease.

Caleb is still working at Gentex in Zeeland where they make electronic parts for car mirrors (rearview and outside door mirrors). He's our Mr. High-Tech and thrives at this kind or work. He works the 2^nd shift. He also helps in the sound booth and the internet streaming of our church services. Caleb is renting at a friend's house, but is saving up for his own place. He has a good nest-egg and wants to buy now, but we are encouraging him to wait and see if the prices will come down a bit first.

Grace & Vic are still living with us. With the cost of houses right now, they aren't able to get one at this time. Vic works for a company that trouble-shoots and networks computers for businesses and schools. He is a computer and electronics geek like Caleb. He is also a very good handy-man and helps out with jobs around the house. Grace stays at home and does a lot of the cooking and cleanup after meals. (I appreciate that A LOT!!!) Gavin is in the 7^th grade and plays the trumpet in regular band

and jazz band at the Jr High in Grandville. He also plays baseball in the spring. Emma is in 6^th grade and just started playing the violin.  She had her first orchestra concert this week. She also dabbles at sewing, crocheting, and painting (acrylics on canvas).

She is taller than Gavin at this point, but he may catch up later. Carter is in 4^thgrade and is at an elementary school in Grandville that has a program for autistic kids. He has been non-verbal until this past year. It's still hard to figure out what he is saying and sounds more like a deaf person talking (even
though he can hear). He's really smart and his teachers just love him. He has his moments of emotional outbursts, but is normally a very good-natured kid.

Josh & Lisa live in Greenville, MI (about 40 minutes from us). They have 4 kids, two dogs, one cat, one turtle, and a beautiful in-ground swimming pool that we frequent quite a bit in the summer. We love our summer cook-outs at their house. Clara is in 4th grade, James is in Pre-K, Lucas is 3 years old, and Caitlin just turned one this past May.

The kids go to a private Catholic school there in Greenville. Clara is quite the dancer. She started at a dance school a couple
years ago and she is progressing nicely. She will be part of a Nutcracker ballet through her dance school in a couple weeks. She is also taking private lessons and will have a recital soon there also. We go to most of her dance recitals and productions.

Kristi has her two girls. Ellianna just turned 6 years old at the beginning of November and started Kindergarten this year. Lillianna just turned 2 years old at the end of October.  Kristi is a single mom and they live with us right now, so we support that little family in any way we can. They love their grandma and grandpa and we love helping Kristi out when she gets overwhelmed. Kristi is still working with her friend cleaning houses. They mainly work for builders after they build a new home, for Realtors before selling or renting houses, and clean for a couple client's personal homes.

Isaiah still lives at home. The Inn is full! Good thing we have the room, but it is a tight squeeze. Each room is filled to the max. Isaiah is Josh's attendant. He helps out a lot around their house. Lisa works as a P.A. and Josh stays home with the kids. The insurance company pays Isaiah to help Josh with his personal needs and also helps with the kids, housework, mowing and shoveling.

Eric is enjoying his retirement and helps watch Lillianna when Kristi is working and all the other kids are at school. And if our house wasn't bursting at the seams enough, he got a German Shepherd puppy this past spring. Josh and Lisa's two dogs died last year and when Josh was talking about looking at shepherd puppies, Eric had to go along. They both got a puppy from the same litter; so, our puppies are sisters.

                                   Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!