Merry
Christmas! We hope that this
letter finds you happy, healthy and contemplating “The Wonders of His Love” in
your own families. As I reflect on
2012 and contemplate how the wonders of Christ’s love have been manifested in
our home this year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Our family has been abundantly and undeservedly blessed. And so this card seemed uniquely
appropriate to 2012 as “LOVE” was the common thread that opened and closed our
year and changed the landscape of our family.
We started the year by welcoming our newest
LOVE, Abby Grace, in February.
With dark brown hair and chocolate drop eyes, she is her Daddy’s mini-me
(which delights him in every way).
She is completely different from her older siblings in ways that extend
beyond her physical features… she is strong, muscular, early to move (almost
walking!), and the absolute happiest baby we have ever known! Her one similarity is her inability to
sleep through the night despite being nearly a year in age! Nevertheless, she delights us daily
with her joyful disposition and giant grin!
Noah Robert is 7 ½; a 2nd grader,
a math wiz, a lover of all sports, a die hard KU fan, a basketball, baseball,
golf and tennis player, a fort builder, an adoring big brother to Abby, a
negotiator/arguer deluxe, a shark encyclopedia, a KU football and basketball
go-er, a cursive writing learner, his Daddy’s best bud, and an analytical,
tender-hearted soul.
Emily Kate is almost 5; a preschooler, a
lover of music and dance, a cheerleader, a basketball player that skips and
flutters down the court, a “fancy clothes” wearer, an “in the lines” color-er,
an alphabet letter writer, an imaginary play lover, a dramatic fit thrower, a
crying Tball player who doesn’t want to get dirty or hot, a “mommy” to her
babies and her little sister, a lover of lip gloss and nail polish, and her
little sister’s BFF.
Molly Clare is in the throws of 2 ½ year old
glory; an iPhone lover, a ballet dancer, a nap taker, a big eyed beauty, a
Veggie Tales and Mickey Mouse lover, a snuggler, a big sister mimic, a lover of
PJ’s, a sometimes potty trainer, a mess maker extraordinaire, a “search and
find” book lover, a finger sucker, a singer, a Band-Aid waster, a Tinkerbell
lover whose only Santa request is to fly, a “naughty spot” frequenter, and a
tough little personality that is all her own!
After several years in a row of canceling
vacations, we finally made up for “lost vacation time” this year. In early Spring, our family of six embarked
on an adventure to Seabrook Island, SC.
We rented a house on the beach and vacationed for over a week on the
Carolina coast. Vance has dreamed
of going to SC to play golf for many years… although his dreams probably didn’t
include 4 small children and a rental mini van filled to the brim with suitcases
and kid gear! Nevertheless, his
golf dream was realized and was highlighted by getting to play the Ocean Course
at Kiawah Island just a few weeks before the PGA Championship was held on the
very same course! The entire
picturesque vacation was a treat and we hope to make Noah’s newfound dream a
reality too. His dream as revealed
while on vacation: “Mom, I think
we should come here every year!”
In late August, we made a spur of the moment
decision to escape the dreadful Kansas summer heat and drive to Breckenridge,
Colorado for a vacation with my mom and dad. The mountain air was good for our spirits and the alpine
slides and mini golf were good for the kids’ need for outdoor fun! The beach and the mountains in one summer…
I’m not sure it gets any better than that!
Finally, our family landscape changed again
as we closed the year with another celebration of LOVE… the long awaited
wedding of my little brother!
Bryce and Toi were married in late October with a gorgeous ceremony (in
which we all participated) and fun reception filled with friends and family
that we rarely get the opportunity to see. Their LOVE story is unique in that it originates with my
“meddling” and the family blog that I have used to record our lives (and
occasionally vent!) for the past 4 years {www.theholtzmans.blogspot.com if you
want to visit}. As unlikely as their union via blogland might be, it truly
seems meant to be! I couldn’t be
happier to see my brother so happy and his happiness has benefited me too… I
have the sister I’ve always wanted and my kids inherited an aunt who dotes on
them & spoils them silly! As
Father Dan said during their wedding; “it’s a ‘win-win’ for everyone!” And the bonus for me… Toi LOVES to cook
(read: I’m off the hook for having to learn to make family holiday meals!).
As I write about the joyful highlights of
our year, I can’t help but think of the many people whose year was marked by
loss and tragedy. While our family
had many blessings this year, we, too, experienced some loss. We said goodbye to my grandpa (Dad’s
dad) and to a very close and longtime family friend. While my grandpa had a long and happy life; Matt left this
earth suddenly and in the prime of his life. Both losses are reminders that this life is temporary; no
matter how long or how short it may be.
My heart is heavy for family members, friends, and strangers whose
Christmas celebrations will bear the heavy weight of loss this year. But as much as I ache for those who
mourn, I am also reminded that it is this very celebration of Christmas that
brings them HOPE. It is because of
the baby born on Christmas that each of us can HOPE for an eternal life
reunited with those who went before us.
And that, my friends, is the greatest of all of “The Wonders of His
Love”!
We wish each of you a very Merry Christmas a
New Year filled with the many wonders of His love!
Danielle & Vance
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