{"id":560,"date":"2012-12-17T01:00:17","date_gmt":"2012-12-17T01:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kandynolesstevens.com\/?p=560"},"modified":"2012-12-17T01:00:17","modified_gmt":"2012-12-17T01:00:17","slug":"merry-christmas-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/?p=560","title":{"rendered":"Merry Christmas 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

M<\/strong>om & Dad:\u00a0 I, Kandy, keep busy with the kids\u2019 schedules, teaching at the college, coaching Math League, volunteering, and sneaking in some crafting, writing, and speaking at various churches. I have recuperated from some health issues, and I am feeling the best I have in many years. Daniel enjoys hunting and fishing any chance he gets.\u00a0 He had success again in Montana, and has enjoyed his trips to SD to hunt with Sawyer. He continues to work at Schwan\u2019s and volunteers with Hunter Safety.<\/p>\n

\"Erin<\/a>E<\/strong>rin is now 13 years old and in the 8th<\/sup> grade.\u00a0 She is active in 4H, Jazz band, Knowledge Bowl, Math Counts, NJHS, Student Council, FCA, FFA, youth group and of course, basketball.\u00a0 She continues to play at school, any 3-on-3 tournament she can find, and on her AAU team.\u00a0 About half of our year, Erin is playing on one team or another. All of her extra effort has paid off as she earned a spot on the C\/B squads this year. She has grown to 5\u20199\u201d and she wears size 11\/12 shoes.\u00a0 She volunteers as a leader in the AWANA club and she regularly babysits. Her future dream jobs are WNBA player, physical therapist, or teacher.<\/p>\n

R<\/strong>eed\u2019s Run: 2012 was our 4th<\/sup> and final run.\u00a0 We \"reed's<\/a>had gorgeous weather, an incredible turnout, and precious memories. \u00a0We came away exceeding our fundraising goal for the 4 years.\u00a0 There were so many special memories from that day: my best friend from high school, Matthew, and his wife, Kimberly, \u00a0flying up to run and share in remembering their son, Alex (Big A); that same friend organizing Reed earning his Eagle Scout status; the incredible live performance by Jesus Painter Ministries; having Sawyer\u2019s god-brother attend his football game the night before as Sawyer\u2019s biggest fan; family that flew and drove to be there; and most importantly, the amazing outpouring of love that we received from family, friends, and community.\u00a0 www.reedsrun.com<\/a><\/p>\n

R<\/strong>eally great garden: \u00a0planted, tended, harvested and shared between our family and our dear friends the Bell\u2019s.\u00a0 Despite drought conditions, we had an overabundance of garden produce.\u00a0 We also had our fair share of weeds.\u00a0 The garden has produced much frozen, canned, and stored produce for our family for the winter, but it also provided a place for laughter, therapy, and a daily reminder of God\u2019s abundant blessings.<\/p>\n

Y<\/strong>early traditions continue to be the things that keep our family ties strong.\u00a0 A few years back we conducted a family survey on what traditions meant the most to us at Christmas.\u00a0 The strong favorites were the annual sleepover under the Christmas tree, the candlelight service on Christmas Eve, and the pageant held at church.\u00a0 Once again this year, our children are participating.\u00a0 Sawyer has a Bible passage to read. Erin Elisabeth is playing Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist.\u00a0 Cloie is signing to Away in the Manger.\u00a0 It is always one of my favorite days in December.<\/p>\n

\"Studio<\/a>

Studio B photography<\/p><\/div>\n

C<\/strong>loie is soon to be 8 years old and is in the 2nd<\/sup> grade.\u00a0 She continues to be a true delight in our family, as she is all energy and spunk.\u00a0 She loves school, especially reading and math.\u00a0 Cloie began piano and voice lessons this year \u2013 where she sparkles.\u00a0 Our little \u201cSally Gal\u201d wowed us all at Reed\u2019s Run where she sang the national anthem flawlessly, bringing tears to the eyes of many. Her dream is to be able to sing at a Twins game. Clo continues in swimming, AWANA, and is itching for basketball to start.\u00a0 Still a Cloverbud in 4H, she talked us into letting her show goats and pigeons at the next fair. \u00a0Her dream jobs are to be a professional singer or teacher.<\/p>\n

H<\/strong>eavenly home \u2013 we mourn the loss of loved ones very dear to us this year.\u00a0 In January, our beloved kitty, Ocho lost his short battle with leukemia.\u00a0 We lost Daniel\u2019s Aunt Imelda in April. We always enjoyed her Christmas cards. In June, we were devastated to lose the son of very dear friends.\u00a0 Through AJ\u2019s death, we have learned that God has a purpose in all our experiences as we have been able to walk alongside our friends. A few months after our visit this summer, my aunt Margaret went home to Jesus.\u00a0 My aunt has always held a special place in my heart as she often said that I was the daughter she never had.\u00a0 I was moved to tears when she and my uncle made a surprise day trip to come and visit me this June.\u00a0 The one person I always believed was larger than life went to her heavenly home in November.\u00a0 My Nannie, Katie Campbell, was my world as a little girl and will always hold a special place in my heart and memories.\u00a0 Now more than ever I am THANKFUL for our long trip to Florida this summer. My children celebrated their remembrance of the most magical time spent with Nannie at the Fiesta Five Flags parade by throwing Mardi Gras beads at our outdoor remembering tree.\u00a0 This morning Uncle Ted Schuler went home to Jesus.\u00a0 Our hearts are filled with sadness for a great uncle who loved everyone.<\/p>\n

R<\/strong>emodeling was the theme of the year in our house as we spent a large majority of the year redoing the basement.\u00a0 At first, it was meant for aesthetics and organization, but it turned out to be a needed project as we discovered support beams a fraction of inch away from crumbling.\u00a0 We love our \u201cnew\u201d space and we enjoy that it truly feels like our designs.<\/p>\n

I<\/strong>n need of a Savior \u2013 we are so thankful that God in his wisdom knew exactly the best present that we would need for Christmas.\u00a0 The first Bible verse Reed learned was an abbreviated version of Luke 2:11. \u201cFor unto us is born this day a Savior who is Christ the Lord.\u201d Listening to the tape over and over to help him prepare for his first pageant, I am reminded of it each and every year. \u00a0As our children get older and their wish items become smaller and more expensive, we have had some great conversations about what really matters at this time of year.<\/p>\n

\"sawyer<\/a>S<\/strong>awyer will turn 16 in February and is in the 10th<\/sup> grade.\u00a0 At 6\u20191\u201d and size 12 shoes, my gentle giant towers over me. This year marked milestones for him as he had his first football coaching jobs: Chad Greenway Day-to-Reach camp, Lakeview mini-camp, and Special Olympics Junior team. He loved every minute of it \u2013 coaching his SO team to 2nd<\/sup> place.\u00a0 Sawyer is involved in Student Council, Math League, golf team, Knowledge Bowl, pep band, FFA, youth group and football.\u00a0 He volunteers as a leader for AWANA, is VP for the 4H club, and is one of the huddle leaders for FCA.\u00a0 This year, Sawyer has his first job, working as after-school care for two little girls, and he is working toward his lifeguard certification.\u00a0 We are already starting to receive notices from colleges \u2013 YIKES.\u00a0 His current career plan is to become a pastor.<\/p>\n

T<\/strong>rips \u2013 we have had some incredible trips this past year.\u00a0 We spent 3 weeks visiting my family down South.\u00a0 Daniel drove down with us, then flew home and the kids and I drove cross-country to get home.\u00a0 We loved every minute we spent seeing everyone and enjoying some of the finest beaches in the world.\u00a0 We savored every bite of Southern food.\u00a0 In August, we had a great daytrip to the Minnesota zoo to see the Dinosaurs exhibit and back-to-school shop.\u00a0 The guys enjoyed their hunting trips. \u00a0Our visits to ND for our nephew\u2019s wedding and for Thanksgiving were just what we needed.\u00a0 The last family trip was into Canada to see \u201cHow to Train Your Dragon \u2013 the LIVE spectacular\u201d.\u00a0 Our whole family enjoyed Winnipeg, good food, and an AMAZING show.<\/p>\n

M<\/strong>any special moments \u2013 this year we have started to shake the fog of deep grief.\u00a0 While we will always miss Reed, our eyes have been awakened to the many, many, MANY blessings God has bestowed upon us.\u00a0 I feel that we have been given spiritual vision to see our blessings daily.\u00a0 We have been able to reconnect with old friends, share an unexpected laugh with many, savor good food and even better conversations, and simply live and love.\u00a0 While this is in no means an exhaustive list, these are a few of my favorites.<\/p>\n