Hello! It’s been another action-packed year here for us.
Millie is a very busy two and half year old. She spends her time accompanying her mom to playgroups, swimming, story and rhyme time and going to friends’ houses to play. She is still a real charmer, talking a mile a minute and now says absolutely everything. The next big challenge will be using the potty- she doesn’t know it yet, but it is her new year’s resolution.
Libby started school full-time in September and is thriving. She is very serious about learning to read, constantly reminding us to help her with her homework. She loves school and her friends there and comes home every day with detailed stories of her adventures there. She is also taking swimming lessons and has gotten a lot more water confidence. She and Millie get along well- they especially love pretending, creating their own schools, camps, ships, etc with all their stuffed animals and dolls.
After 11 years at ESI, Gareth learned in September that he was being laid off, which came as a huge shock to all of us. He immediately set to work looking for another position, and he is looking forward to starting his new job at Synectics in Sheffield on December 15. Everyone at ESI continues to think very highly of Gareth, but unfortunately in this economic climate no one is safe. He continues to play guitar and bass in the church worship band and helps to lead the youth group.
Kat is still working full-time as a mom, but has started to take on more volunteer work as well. She is helping to run the playgroup at school once a week, is serving as a school governor and became churchwarden in March. She also took an Open University class in creative writing and is hoping to write something publishable very soon.
We did get several fantastic family holidays this year. We spent two weeks in France at the beginning of the summer, then had four weeks in Michigan in July/August (including one week on the beach in Saugatuck), then came back to England to go to Grapevine camping with friends from church followed by five days’ camping with Gareth’s parents in Suffolk. It was great to spend time out as a family, as well as to enjoy our family and friends in Michigan and have quality time with friends and family here. Kat and the girls will be back in Michigan for four weeks next summer, with Gareth hoping to join them for the last two weeks. Further plans are temporarily on hold until Gareth gets settled into his new job.
We hope you and your loved ones are happy and well and enjoy many blessings in the year to come.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Gareth, Kat, Libby & Millie
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