Merry Christmas!

Several friends and family members have been making fun of Christmas newsletters lately. I laughed right along with them....and then decided to write a Christmas newsletter for my blog. 

(Hannah Elizabeth Photography)

Rich and I are doing well. We celebrated 13 years of marriage this year. Rich is still working with IBM, he's been there at least a quarter of a century- ha! I'm still staying at home, homeschooling our children. God continues to amaze us with His provisions and blessings. We love serving alongside our friends in our church family, we've been at Community Baptist Church for 5 years now. Rich's health isn't great, so prayers for him are always appreciated. I managed to lose and keep off 25 pounds this year. Maybe 2013 will bring more weight loss and health benefits? Thanks to all our friends and family who constantly encourage and support us in the roles we fill. God is so faithful to provide godly relationships for us!

(Amy Allen Photography)

Kimberly hit double digits this year. She is 10 years old and really growing up! She's a huge help to me around the house and with her siblings. We love seeing her God-given personality develop. Kimberly loves boy-short hair, dangly earrings, and motorcycle boots. She's an avid writer, outdoors girl, and lover of babies. She's joining a competitive gymnastics team after the new year and is really exciting about competing after taking classes on and off through the past few years. On December 27, Kimberly celebrates her 3 year salvation birthday. She loves Jesus and serving others.

(Amy Allen Photography)

Lauren has had a very eventful year, healthwise. Our beautiful, 9 year old princess is still struggling with pain and discomfort after two surgeries this year, and we are trying to teach her to choose gratitude and find blessings in everything. We are learning what it means to lean fully on the Lord! Lauren loves all things girly; princess gowns, make-up, musicals, and Barbies. Lauren also loves slapstick comedy and there is nothing better than hearing her peals of laughter as she watches a Jerry Lewis movie. She loves to draw and color and play with her sisters. We are praying that God will draw Lauren to Himself and she will learn to find her identity in Him and not in her abilities. We are also praying about having Lauren continue her voice lessons and begin piano lessons after the New Year.

(Amy Allen Photography)

The boys are 7 years old. Brandon and Connor keep us on our toes, that's for sure. They are sweet and loveable and crazy and dangerous. They love wrestling, super heroes, climbing trees, and wrestling. They both learned how to ice skate this year, taking lessons locally. We are hoping to have them join a junior hockey league at some point. If they can quit wrestling long enough.

Brandon can boogie like no one's business. He loves to dance! He's quite the chatterbox and loves to analyze everything he sees. He loves baking and cooking too. And wrestling. And dressing up like Star Wars characters and scaring people. He constantly has black eyes and bruises. From wrestling.

Connor is our runner. He loves to run and jump, to skateboard and wrestle. He moves constantly, even in sleep. Which might explain why he can't gain weight. The pediatrician has tried multiple ideas, to no avail. Connor still struggles with asthma and is on a number of meds at this point. We are praying that healthy eating and plenty of outdoor time can eventually change that. Too bad wrestling doesn't cure anything.

(Amy Allen Photography)

Mira will be 6 in January. She is really gaining weight and growing! She communicates really well now. I can't believe it's been 3 1/2 years since she became a Wells. She has changed so much! Mira loves pigs, food, and her sisters. She loves slapstick comedy and clumsy people and soft animals. Mira is doing really well healthwise. No surgeries or hospitalizations this year at all, and none planned for next year. YAY! This kid is NEVER sick. We praise God for His continual blessings in her life!

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Christmas, celebrating the joys of family and friends and the birth of our marvelous Savior! God is so good!

My soul doth magnify the Lord! And my spirit doth rejoice in God my Savior! He that is mighty has done great things, and holy is His name! His mercy is on them that fear Him, from generation to generation.
Luke 1: 46-47, 49-50.