Three In One!

Three teeth out in one day!

Tooth 1: As Avery and I were driving in the car this afternoon, she popped a piece of gum in her mouth. The "hard" gum caused her tooth to get very wiggly, and she proceeded to pull it out before we reached our destination!

Teeth 2 & 3: Ella's nickname for several weeks has been "snaggle-tooth" because of the two, very loose, teeth sticking straight out from her mouth. She insisted that she would get them out when it was time and didn't want help. Apparently the motivation was knowing that her sister was going to get a visit from the tooth fairy! Both "snaggle-teeth" were pulled by Ella, without assistance!

NOTE: It was Ella's intent to only pull one tooth, but when I told her that the tooth fairy sometimes brings special treats to kids who turn in multiple teeth, she quickly got to work on #2!

Second NOTE: Both Avery and Ella have always known the truth about the tooth fairy. That hasn't stopped them from naming them (Vanessa [Avery] and Juliet Elise [Ella]) and referring to them as though they are real. Ella asked that I recommend something good for the tooth fairy to bring "like Littlest Pet Shop" :)

With a Friend

Practicing is always more fun...

...with a friend!

Special Date

Dinner at IHOP

+ Grandparent's Night at school

+ Sleepover at Grandma's house

One Special Date!

2009: A Year in Review

Things we learned/are learning:

• To ride a bike (Avery and Ella)
• To sail a Thistle sailboat (Eric)
• To play the piano (Ella)
• To play the violin (Avery)


• The meaning and life application of Sabbath rest (Maria). I highly recommend the books "Breathe" by Keri Wyatt Kent and "Shopping for Time" by Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore and Janelle Bradshaw

God is working around us:

• General Motors declared bankruptcy and Energy Secretary Chu eliminated federal funding for automotive fuel cell research. These happenings have caused much instability in Eric's workplace. These events led to the need for an updated resume, although no formal job search, as of yet. God has used this career unrest to cause Eric to depend more daily on Him and to be prepared & willing for whatever may come.
• Ella completed her last year at North Baptist Christian School and began attending 2nd grade in public school this fall. She has adjusted amazingly well and loves her new teacher, friends, and school. She is learning to distinguish between God's ways and the world's ways and has been bold in telling her new friends that Jesus is the reason for the hope that she has.


• Maria had the privilege to baptize her friend, Meg, in September. My passions continue to include counseling and mentoring women, studying God's Word and sharing it with others, serving at school and church and (most of all) being a wife to Eric and mom to Avery & Ella.


• Avery entered 4th grade this year and is now in middle school! She has experienced sweet new friendships, a kind teacher, and many fun opportunities for clubs and activities. Avery is learning that it is hard to be different -- to be a Christ-follower that lives in the world. She has also experienced the joy that comes from depending on God to be her strength.


• Our church is building a new worship center that will be done within the next couple of months! Our family financially contributed to the capital campaign, and Eric has spent many hours of physical work on the new building this fall/winter. We are so very excited to see how God will use this building, and the small part that we had in it, to accomplish His great purposes in our community!

Life goes on:

• Eric & Maria celebrated 11 years of marriage
  
• Maria turned 40!
• We didn't renew our membership to the Children's Museum :(
• Ella's room got a big-girl re-do!


• Avery got her ears pierced (3 times -- it's a long story)
• Eric has recovered wonderfully from his 2008 back surgery and feels like a new man! We praise God for his awesome healing and ability to do most things without pain

Special events & trips:

• A "surprise trip" to Great Wolf Lodge in February
• Seabreeze membership -- a special gift from our friends


• Boston & New Hampshire in July
• Avery's performances in Aristocats, 101 Dalmatians & Madeline's Christmas
• Camping in the backyard and 1000 Islands
• Family Camp at Circle C Ranch
• State Fair with Aunt Lori, Greg & Amanda
• Many visits with cousins, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, moms and dads. We are so grateful for a loving family!

God is working in us:

• Avery and Ella continue grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They are a joy to our family and others that they know
• Eric's focus in reading this year have included books on godly manhood, being an effective (Christlike) father to his precious daughters, and growing in Christlike speech and conversation. He is committed to following Jesus and he leads our family well. We are so thankful for him!
• I (Maria) am convicted daily of my need for Jesus -- His forgiveness, grace, power, and leadership in my life. I am currently studying the fruit of the Spirit "with" one of my favorite teachers, Beth Moore. I want to pour out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in all that I do and to all with whom I come in contact. I am overwhelmed by God's goodness and faithfulness.

Some of our favorite verses:

ERIC: "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" Isaiah 40:12

MARIA: "And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

AVERY: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

ELLA: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Happy New Year, from our family to yours!