It boggles my mind how much can change in just a year. The
only thing that has stayed consistent for 3 years is how deliriously happy the
family is about living in our home that still seems so new to us. I still smile
when I turn down my street and see the Dead End sign. Even the No Dumping sign
brings a smile to my face. I still turn my head in all directions as I cruise
down our street – looking for deer, checking the river level, observing the
wildlife and trying to spot the blue pelican that periodically graces us with
her presence. Just outside our front door, we have a turtle habitat on the left
with guarded turtle eggs that the kids anticipate will be hatching any day now.
There is a duck habitat under our bay window and a ramp that leads in and out
of one of our 3 koi ponds that Roy built over the summer for all of our baby
ducks. We hatched ducks and chickens all year long and watch a momma hen take
care of her little chicks. Bridges have been built, 4-wheelers fixed, new
trails blazed, a sniper stand and walls added to the air soft war, etc. We look
for every excuse to bring people over and share our blessings with them. God
has blessed us beyond measure but he has blessed us infinitely more with the
people He has brought into our lives – our own family.
Nick has temporarily moved into a house just across the state
line with 4 other young men to be a missionary with the St. Paul’s Outreach. It
is a Catholic young adult program that ministers to the students at the local
community college as they struggle with faith and relationships. Nick doesn’t
talk much but he does make visits here and there to pick up props for
inspirational talks he gives to the students, takes some time to play Frisbee
with the kids, and get his monthly haircut from Samantha. He’s happy, safe and
faithful.
Mary Kate is still attending Developing Potential – a program
for adults with special needs so she can continue her education and stay busy
with activities and field trips. The whole family loves to call her boyfriend
“her spoochy-spoochy” so we can see her go nuts. She is still the kindest and
most generous person you will EVER EVER meet. She is always happy, even in the
wee hours of the morning when no one wants to hear it. 
Samantha had a summer that changed her life forever. She spent
4 weeks at two different Catholic retreats. She came home a new young,
confident woman. She read the stack of books about her faith and purity, goes
to daily Mass, helps me without me having to say a word, cares for the kids, is
joyful all the time, studies hard and has very high expectations for her life
in matters of faith, modesty and chastity – the only components of life that
really matter. And even though the boys seem to be lining up on our doorstep,
she is perfectly content having her daddy be the only man in her life. 
Max is 15 and has a permit! He grew quite a bit over the
summer and was constantly asking me for new clothes at the thrift store. I
couldn’t keep up! He is a freshman in High School now which stressed him and
inspired him to try harder with his school work. He spent a week at Camp Savio
where he was the popular man on campus. When I arrived to pick him up, I heard
so much murmuring from boys, girls and staff about Max and what joy he brought
to the camp. One of the leaders told me about a girl that Max sat down with to
talk about her dignity and worth.
Theresa is 13 years old. She also attended the same camp as
Max and had the time of her life. She wants so bad to do everything that
Samantha and Max do and gets so frustrated when she can’t. She loves her
friends and tries to love her enemies even more. She is always reaching out to
people, especially if these people are challenging (quiet, unsociable, or
simple don’t work well with others). She is there to bring them around. She is
not scared of anyone no matter how big or old they are. She could back a grown
man into a corner if she needed to. 
Matthew is trying to keep up with 7 older brothers and
sisters. He fights and wrestles all the time! One time he went to school with 4
black eyes and he only has two eyes! Yes, I got a call. The public school is not well educated on big
family dynamics. He sneaks up to any one of his siblings, whacks them with
something and then runs like hell in the hopes a wrestling match will ensue. He
gets his wish 100% of the time. We have added glasses and a nifty looking
pirate’s eye patch to help fix his vision. 
Andrew is 2 and being so dang cute! He is talking more and
more and we all surround him to watch the new thing he has learned. He loves
looking at his large audience and then shy’s away with a big grin on his face.
He isn’t throwing tantrums yet. I’ve been pretty blessed to not have any
terrible two year olds since Max. Max made up for everybody though. I deserved
a long break.
Roy got to have an amazing summer at Camp Savio with his kids,
Boy Scout camp, and a high adventure 70 mile hiking trip with Max in Philmont,
New Mexico. He escaped another year from being deployed but we know another
deployment is in his future. He still works his tail off every day and night.
He can’t stand to rest or even play with the family if he knows there is work
to be done. He always ropes in the kids to work too so there is plenty of time
to bond. Whenever a boy comes to visit Samantha, he is dragged off by Roy to
split wood for hours while Samantha puts up her feet and eats a bowl of ice
cream. If a boy is ever able to get close to one of his daughters, it will only
be after years of blood, sweat and tears.
I pray you had a fabulous 2015 and an even more blessed 2016.
Love,
The Christy’s
Nick, Mary Kate, Samantha, Max, Theresa, Ben, Josie, Matthew,
Andrew and baby #10
