Year ending (beginning) update!!!
I have always wanted to write and mail out Christmas letters that tell everyone about my year. I enjoy getting them from people that I don't see often, as it is helpful in catching up with them. I have been thinking for awhile now that I would do so this year here on LiveJournal, but time got away from me. For those who know me well though, really, 2 weeks late isn't that bad. HA!
2006 in review.
Major highlights: Well, probably the most extraordinary thing that happened this year was my baby sister's wedding. Natalie got married on June 16th to Timothy Yeahquo (said YAY-go). They live in Oklahoma, right outside of Oklahoma city. Tim is of the Kiowa tribe, and this past week, Andee and I got to attend and participate in our first Pow Wow with them (see videos!). Since Natalie doesn't have Kiowa blood she won't get to participate often, but all of her children will get to have tribal Native American naming ceremonies and other cool privileges. Speaking of Natalie's children, she is also pregnant! She is now 15 weeks along and is due around her 1 year anniversary. I am going to be an aunt!
My baby brother (I say "baby" because I can't believe they have grown up and are getting married/having babies/etc.) is also engaged! He and Jessica are planning on getting married on April 1st, yes April fool's day. Jessica is amazing and I am excited to have her in the family. You can tell she is amazing simply by the fact that Gabriel is (usually) nice to her. They live in Tennessee.
Andee Lynn is growing up way too fast. She just turned 7, but is going on 12. She is losing teeth like crazy (5 now) and is loving the 1st grade. Her skin (eczema) is better than it has been in awhile but we also have more doctors than usual on the job. One of these doctors is an allergist who let us know that Andee is allergic to about 50 things, one of which might be causing all the skin problems, and we get to figure out which one(s). She is allergic to quite a few air born things (basically everything they have a test for in Kentucky), but we will be focusing on foods first. She is hoping that she just won't have to eat her green beans anymore and the problem will be solved. Here's hoping!
Sadder moments: This year I experienced the worst loss I have known yet. My dearest grandma went to be with the Lord on March 30, at 82 years old. I have never experienced anything like the loss I felt, and honestly shut down for about a month. I don't know how I made it through the semester, even if I didn't make it with bells on this time. I still have 5 grandparents left, and am truly blessed, but for awhile I was bitter that God took my favorite first. I know she is in a better place, but it was pretty rough for awhile.
Meanwhile: My father went to China to teach English for a year. He left back in August. He is loving it, and some of us are unsure if he will be back when his year is up, although he should return for about a week in April for Gabriel's wedding. Mom is still my lifeline. She moved to Kentucky when I did to help me with Andee while I go to school. Things have gotten tough and she has now taken a second job to keep us on our feet. She is working at a helping people file taxes while there is need, and she loves this job. She has also lost weight as is looking amazing! Andee is in 1st grade and learning all the time, even though she tells me she didn't learn much at school everyday when she comes home. She loves to read. I am still taking classes hoping to graduate one day. I should have about a year left for my undergrad, but I am absolutely in love with the sciences and am happy to be where I am at, to the dismay of most of my extended family. I am still working towards a degree in biochemistry although what I see in the future after that varies with my mood. My mood has been much more hopeful as of late due to a certain gentleman in my life. I met Jason in July (August depending on who you ask) and he has been keeping me smiling since. Our relationship has been tough because he lives in Indiana (3 hours and 7 minutes is our record time), and I have decided that I don't like long distance. I keep telling myself that at least I have more time to focus on class work this way.
All in all, we just hope that our lives are testaments to the fact that God is in control and that He is good. We are well provided for when needs arise, and we are very very blessed.
2006 in review.
Major highlights: Well, probably the most extraordinary thing that happened this year was my baby sister's wedding. Natalie got married on June 16th to Timothy Yeahquo (said YAY-go). They live in Oklahoma, right outside of Oklahoma city. Tim is of the Kiowa tribe, and this past week, Andee and I got to attend and participate in our first Pow Wow with them (see videos!). Since Natalie doesn't have Kiowa blood she won't get to participate often, but all of her children will get to have tribal Native American naming ceremonies and other cool privileges. Speaking of Natalie's children, she is also pregnant! She is now 15 weeks along and is due around her 1 year anniversary. I am going to be an aunt!
My baby brother (I say "baby" because I can't believe they have grown up and are getting married/having babies/etc.) is also engaged! He and Jessica are planning on getting married on April 1st, yes April fool's day. Jessica is amazing and I am excited to have her in the family. You can tell she is amazing simply by the fact that Gabriel is (usually) nice to her. They live in Tennessee.
Andee Lynn is growing up way too fast. She just turned 7, but is going on 12. She is losing teeth like crazy (5 now) and is loving the 1st grade. Her skin (eczema) is better than it has been in awhile but we also have more doctors than usual on the job. One of these doctors is an allergist who let us know that Andee is allergic to about 50 things, one of which might be causing all the skin problems, and we get to figure out which one(s). She is allergic to quite a few air born things (basically everything they have a test for in Kentucky), but we will be focusing on foods first. She is hoping that she just won't have to eat her green beans anymore and the problem will be solved. Here's hoping!
Sadder moments: This year I experienced the worst loss I have known yet. My dearest grandma went to be with the Lord on March 30, at 82 years old. I have never experienced anything like the loss I felt, and honestly shut down for about a month. I don't know how I made it through the semester, even if I didn't make it with bells on this time. I still have 5 grandparents left, and am truly blessed, but for awhile I was bitter that God took my favorite first. I know she is in a better place, but it was pretty rough for awhile.
Meanwhile: My father went to China to teach English for a year. He left back in August. He is loving it, and some of us are unsure if he will be back when his year is up, although he should return for about a week in April for Gabriel's wedding. Mom is still my lifeline. She moved to Kentucky when I did to help me with Andee while I go to school. Things have gotten tough and she has now taken a second job to keep us on our feet. She is working at a helping people file taxes while there is need, and she loves this job. She has also lost weight as is looking amazing! Andee is in 1st grade and learning all the time, even though she tells me she didn't learn much at school everyday when she comes home. She loves to read. I am still taking classes hoping to graduate one day. I should have about a year left for my undergrad, but I am absolutely in love with the sciences and am happy to be where I am at, to the dismay of most of my extended family. I am still working towards a degree in biochemistry although what I see in the future after that varies with my mood. My mood has been much more hopeful as of late due to a certain gentleman in my life. I met Jason in July (August depending on who you ask) and he has been keeping me smiling since. Our relationship has been tough because he lives in Indiana (3 hours and 7 minutes is our record time), and I have decided that I don't like long distance. I keep telling myself that at least I have more time to focus on class work this way.
All in all, we just hope that our lives are testaments to the fact that God is in control and that He is good. We are well provided for when needs arise, and we are very very blessed.