What a Year

It's been a long time since I got back to this. This year was crazy busy. Here is the update:

Ryan (33)-I just broke my neck on move day and it has been great. If there is one thing to be sure of in this world, it is that people have a hard time believing in God. For a few main reasons, but one of the most popular is that they can't touch and feel it. They can't see it. Since I broke my neck I have seen God maybe more than I ever have. If you are reading this and you want to see God-go on a mission trip. I don't want to argue with you about God, until you try a mission trip. The "great" part about breaking my neck, has been the unbelievable presence of Christ in the hearts and minds of our friends and family. We have been held so lovingly by meals, prayers, and helping hands that I do not have words to properly express our gratitude and the beauty of it all. The house looks beautiful and I am just so happy to be here with you guys. I could have had so many worse things happen at that moment the cabinet fell on me. It always turns out the way it is supposed to, good and bad, so just ride the wave and enjoy every moment you can. We are so happy to be so close to so much family. Holly, Dakota, Aubrey, Gerry and Ro, Heather, Daltry, Ella, Bart, Mom Mom, Pop Pop, Jimmy, Jill, Julia, and all of Mommies friends from high school. Now we just need to sell grandpa and grandma's house.
I have also started my motorcycle project. I am filming it so that I can try to sell it. It is a little dream of mine, and it is slowly coming true so that is a blast.

Kate (33)-We have moved to Mommy's house in NJ. This is a whole new exciting chapter in our lives. We have new 10 year plan to make our home a place where all kids want to spend their time (friends and family). Maybe a pool will be part of that. Mom is doing great at work and maybe she will be able to get a job in NJ now, as they open the new hospital here. Dad and Mom went on a cruise on Norwegian cruise lines with Elaine and Tom Walsh. We had a great time despite losing an engine and missing a port. Tom and I had adventures in argumentation when the jellyfish attacks cut our scuba diving at the fat lady rocks short. Elaine and Tom Walsh just decided to get us a cruise for February that they paid for with racked up points, so that is a huge blessing.

Kaylee (7)- You have lost 9 teeth and you are great at pulling them out! You had great year at school with Mrs. Woodrow as your teacher in 1st grade. It was hard for you to leave everyday and you struggled with being away from home. I guess that is b/c we have such good time when we are home together. Your reading and writing are excellent and we are so proud when you come up with a story line or idea that you start writing about. We got a piano from Mom's MOPS group church for free and Mark Falcone helped me move it into the newly finished basement in Trappe, Pa. We tried to do piano lessons with John, but you guys would only pay attention for about 15 min., so he recommended we wait longer. I am planning on trying lessons myself with you. Maybe Fri. nights? You managed to leave Claire in Pa (I thought I would find her in your suitcase here for sure)

Aidan-(5)You managed to leave David behind in Pa (again I had to check the suitcase). But he gave you a framed picture to remember him. You have become such a good singer! You love to dance and I hope you will like playing instruments. Your mind is so creative with stories in far off places, but with so much great detail about everything. We are trying to work on violent games being less a part of playtime, but this world makes it very difficult.

Colin (3)-You crack us up! You have so many funny things to say, faces to make, dances to dance, power ranger moves to fashion. You love your brother and sister and are willing to do mostly anything with them. you definitely know how to challenge your parents unlike any other child in the house, but we think that means you have alot of good energy to out towards the right things. We just need to show you good avenues to use that kind of strong will, bravery, and energy. It's very rare that you sleep through the night. You have night terrors that seem to keep you up. Finally, the cliche is here-you love to make mud pies. You will dig for hours and throw in some water and you are good for days. You love to cover your body in mud head to toe. I could have the best toys in the backyard and you are not interested, just point to the old and muddy buckets and shovels because you are good.

We are going to Julia's 3rd birthday party today at Jimmy's in Moorestown, which is beautiful. Renovation to begin soon and make it bigger and more functional. This is the family's 40th year at Ocean City and we will miss it with my rehab and neck brace.