Sunday, Dec. 05, 2004

christmasletter

This is the Christmas Letter I am sending with my Christmas Cards.

Wow! It’s already my third Christmas in New Jersey! Much of the year has been sprinkled here and there with trips to see Jeff in Kansas City and my family in Minnesota. My family is doing well. Mom broke her finger in a small farming accident in October- her first broken bone and stitches in her entire life. She wants to wish you all a Merry Christmas, since doing Christmas cards is tough with a big splint on her finger. On June 9th, my second niece, Lily Marie, was born. She makes a total of five nieces and nephews! My relationship with Jeff has been strengthening throughout the year, with visits every other month or so. Three years of long distance is more then enough for me!

I made a list of things I want to accomplish on the East Coast before I move to the Kansas City area. I have been able to cross off many of these things, including the following.

I’ve taken four trips to New York City. It’s not as scary as I thought it would be- I even learned how to use the subway there! It’s amazing what a farm girl like me can do with a little bravery and a lot of prayer! Before Christmas last year I took my first trip to NYC. It was so much fun to see the tree in Rockefeller Center. We also saw Times Square, along with many other New York sites. In April, my friend Liz visited and we took a trip to Atlantic City, NYC, the Statue of Liberty, and Philadelphia. I think I’ve seen the Liberty Bell 7 times!

Also completed on the list; I spent a night at a friend’s shore house and a day on the beach in Wildwood, New Jersey. I went to the Youth Gathering in Orlando in July. How quickly I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be a teenager- all the drama!

I visited my friend Shelly in Boston over Labor Day. We went on a whale watch which I enjoyed it immensely. The 75% of whale-watchers that got seasick weren’t such big fans. Hurricane Francis was affecting the waves all the way up by Boston- it was quite a ride! We also walked the entire Freedom Trail and ate at some excellent eateries. I visited another college friend, Tammy, on Andrews Air Force Base as well as Jeff’s sister and nephew in Laurel, Maryland.

So what’s left on my to-do list? A Broadway show, at least one more Jersey Shore day trip, a trip to visit my friend from college in Connecticut, and another trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania round out the list.

In October I purchased a different car because the good ol’ Corsica died on me. I now drive a white 2001 Dodge Stratus. Not my dream car, but it has all the bells and whistles I’ve always wanted. I’m certainly enjoying my new ride!

I have been blessed with another great third grade class. This school year I only have 13 students, which gives me an opportunity to get much closer to each of them. They are all so unique and creative in their own ways!

It is always my prayer that all my friends and family are doing well. I know I haven’t heard from or seen many of you in a while and I hope that in the near future we will be in touch! For those of you in Minnesota, my Christmas trip is planned for December 23rd-January 2nd.

God’s blessings on your holiday season and upcoming 2005!

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