Here we are, just a few days before Christmas, and I finally have time to sit down and jot some thoughts about the year. I know these days few people have little time to sit and read Christmas newsletters, and even fewer have time to write them, but I am one of those who actually enjoys doing both. Last year I decided to post my newsletter on my blog for those who care to read it and leave it out of my Christmas card for those who don't, which worked out well and saved me both paper and ink. So, here I go again ... 2013 in review, from my family to yours!
Toward the end of 2012, David started a new job at Honda Aircraft as a test flight coordinator for the up-and-coming HondaJet. The job is very complicated and detailed, often requiring 60-80 hours of work per week and travel. We don't like having him gone so much more than when he was working as an independent aircraft mechanic, but the job has been a blessing to our family in many ways. He is a hard worker and valuable asset to the company, and we try to look on the bright side and enjoy any time off that he is able to have.
At the time when Dave took his new job, I was feeling extremely overwhelmed and burned out from working hard on my Arbonne business for six years, homeschooling, and all that raising three children requires. I just didn't think I could keep doing it all, and I wasn't willing to give up my calling to homeschooling (or the children, of course!) With Dave's increased workload, I knew I would also no longer have much help with housework. Stepping back from my business was the most logical conclusion, especially since the new job situation resulted in our no longer needing the Arbonne income we had relied upon heavily for a few years. So we entered 2012 as two self-employed, independent workers and entered 2013 as one corporate-employed contractor and one homeschooling housewife. I was very content with this situation ... for about six months.
During this time period, I also discovered the therapeutic properties of essential oils and became very interested in researching and learning as much as I could. Throughout the year we've been able to support our immune systems so our bodies do their jobs of healing themselves with support from oils and essential oil-based supplements. In addition, I started using essential oils to make my own skin and body personal care products and household cleaning products, and I have been quite pleased with the results.
I thought I had pretty much written off network marketing and sales, but the purest and safest essential oils on the market happen to be distributed through independent consultants, so I became one. The company happens to be in the MLM industry, and I happen to have eight years of pretty extensive training in said industry. And I happened to be pretty passionate about my newly found obsession of essential oils. That, my friends, is how my second business was born, but I was fairly skeptical of the whole thing -- unlike my many friends who had never had a business before and decided to jump right in with or without me. I held back and prayed about whether another business could be the right direction for me and my family and didn't feel peace about it until late summer. My business has grown by leaps and bounds since I officially resigned from Arbonne and jumped in. Let me just say it has been a wild ride, and I have never regretted it. I have required some extra babysitters and someone to clean my house a couple of times a month so that I can keep up with everything, but I have paced myself and had a lot of fun with the new venture. I receive testimonial messages of how essential oils are helping people almost daily, and I have a large, active team of amazing ladies who are making a big difference in their families and communities, both with the essential oils and with the extra income they are earning from their businesses. I love how network marketing restores hope to people in a down economy and how essential oils restore hope to people seeking natural, alternative ways to boost their health. I am looking forward to all that 2014 holds if the past few months are any indication of the rewarding year I have ahead of me!
The boys continue to grow and thrive -- growing a little too quickly for their sentimental mama. As a family we enjoy reading, camping, board games, and spending time with extended family (when possible) as well as with our local friends and church family at Cre8 home church. Like all kids, ours don't love school ALL the time, but they recognize and appreciate the advantages of homeschooling and do always love our co-op enrichment courses and field trips.
Liam is 7 going on 8 and loves drawing, science experiments, LEGO blocks, swimming, martial arts, super heros, playing outside, and cuddling. Currently he wants to be an underwater archeologist or marine biologist when he grows up. He is doing 3rd grade work this year, and although I don't push him to stay a year ahead he continues to prove that he can handle it and wants to keep learning. He can be a bossy big brother, but his soft side also makes him very affectionate, and he is becoming more of a peacemaker between his younger brothers who tend to squabble with each other one moment and be best little buddies the next.
Aedan is 5 1/2 and is doing great in kindergarten this school year. He has done so well in Little Ninjas the past year and a half that in January he will be moving up to Liam's martial arts class. He has also been taking swimming lessons but isn't as thrilled with learning to swim as his big brother has been. He also loves LEGO blocks, super heroes, and playing outside. He says he wants to make LEGOs and be a policeman when he grows up. Aedan is the essence of a middle child in that he marches to the beat of a different drum and even looks different from his brothers, but it has made him fairly adaptable. He has a great smile and loves to show those dimples.
Cuinn is 3 and says he would like to become a doctor, fireman, and policeman when he grows up, which is about right for this ambitious little guy. He decided if Aedan would be doing school this year, so would he, and he is gradually catching up to Aedan in reading and math. He has had no interest in joining his brothers in swimming lessons so far but is very eager to become a Little Ninja after he turns 4 in March. Like his big brothers, he loves LEGOs and super heroes, but he also enjoys being "the baby" of the family and is adept at using his cuteness to his advantage. He knows what he wants, knows how to get it, and doesn't budge easily.
We lost our beloved family pet this fall. It was a sad and difficult day at our house, but we also were able to give thanks for 13 years with our gentle, loyal Ike and how quickly and peacefully he passed right at home with his family.
Our major events of the year included our second annual camping trip (which we hope to make a more frequent occurrence as Dave's schedule allows), spring and fall visits from Dave's mom, a spring visit from Crystal's birth mom, and a memorable trip to Montana (sadly, without Dave). We're closing out the year with a visit to see Dave's family, and the kids are so excited that they got to go to Montana AND Texas in the same year! We're only a couple of days into the trip, but it has already been the much-needed getaway, family time, and time off that Dave (and all of us) really needed.
We are very thankful as we reflect on God's provision for our family and many blessings we've received this year. I hope this little update finds you counting your blessings, too. In life's seasons, in the ups and downs, we have unshakable faith in our loving, just, righteous, and faithful God who so longed for us to return to Him that He came down, gave His all, beat death, and promised never to leave or forsake us. He is the Light and Hope of the world, the the reason we celebrate at Christmas, and the One who gives peace in the midst of all our storms.
We pray you find time for Jesus in this busy, wonderful time of year and hold Him close to your heart all year long. I'm going to get back to holding my little ones close for now. Thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas!