December 2012

 

Hello Friends,

 

Our family was so happy to welcome 2012, especially when we learned that we would be growing by one! The highlight of this year is the addition of our youngest member, Nathan Edward, on October 19. We were blessed to be uplifted in prayer by many and to have all of the grandparents close by to help usher our baby into the world. He has dispelled any anxieties his parents may have had before his birth by his rapid growth and development. Daddy, Mommy, and Rachel could not be happier. "'In the same way I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born,' says the Lord." Isaiah 66:9, NCV.

 

Rachel has been a real trooper of a big sister. She's only asked once when we are going to take Nathan back to the hospital. On most days she smothers him with hugs and kisses. We do our best to spend one-on-one time with our beautiful three year-old. She rewards us with a rapidly developing vocabulary, sharp observational skills, and a (usually) cheerful disposition. Allow us to share a few Rachel-isms heard around our house this year:

 

• "Mommy, can I have some chapstick? My lips are grumpy."
• "It's an ice cream ambulance!" (when we mistook an ambulance for an ice-cream truck)
• "Mommy, I'm on the potty. Don't talk to me."
• "Who wants a smoothie? Rachel! Rachel!" (sung to the "Who Has Come to Sabbath School" melody)
• "This is my commandment, that you love one another, that your George may be four." (her take on a Bible song)
• "Do you want some raisin coffee?"
• "Mommy, can you stop making weasels please?" (when Mommy was whistling)
• "If you throw up, you get a time out. And then there will be a big mess, and then it will be splish-splash time." (no, we don't give time-out for being sick)
• "It's time to go upstairs and watch Mommy eating baby Nathan." (feeding! feeding!)
• "Grandma, don't touch Nathan. Grandpa is using him now."

 

Despite being great with child, we still managed a visit out to New Mexico in July to visit Rachel's newest cousin, Andrew Stephen, born on April 15. (How's that for a tax break?) Uncle Leo and Auntie Edith are the wonderful and proud parents of the cutest little boy we could ever want for a nephew. We hope Andrew and Nathan will be close friends.

 

Gina will be taking Rachel and Nathan up to Washington (brave or crazy? or both?) to visit Nana Betty right before Christmas next week. Weather permitting, we will all fly back to celebrate Christmas Day with Grandpa George, Grandma Shirley, Uncle Ron, Auntie Susan, and Paige at Aunt Marj's house. We can pretty much guarantee that we will not be staying up to ring in the new year by choice, but there is a good chance Gina will be awake anyway.

 

A big thank you to all our friends and family for the love and support you have given us this year. We love and appreciate you all so much.

 

Merry Christmas!

Ed, Gina, Rachel, and Nathan