So I decided to join the rest of world and have my own review.

The first ever! Yes, that's right - you're reading my first ever Christmas letter.

Our 2006 dawned bright and clear! Our Most Important news has been that we welcomed our fourth baby into the world. Well, okay, we forced her into the world by surgically evicting her from her home of 9 months. Mini-E was born on Valentine’s and she has been such a joy. She is truly a good baby. I have heard it said that there is no other kind of baby – but my reply is – "yes there are and I’ve met them".

She is the smallest of the four. So maybe I won’t be the only short one in the family, after all. She is truly adored by her big brothers. We went to visit my cousin where she works one day and my cousin wanted to hold the baby (of course). E wanted down so she was put down – and J nearly had a meltdown on the spot. It took me a moment to realize that he was concerned we were going to forget her. Mini-me loves having a sister, but she’s not quite ready for another sibling to "annoy".

I mentioned to Mini-Me that E was getting ready to make that official plunge into toddler-hood. E is pulling up on everything and scoots along. Every so often she stops and lets go and just stands there. Teasingly, I asked Mini-Me "Do you know what that means?"
"Yeah," was the reply,  "She’s going to get annoying."

Too bad I can not transmit my gales of laughter. Not only are my children here to perfect MY character, they are here to perfect the characters of each other. It’s quite the thrill to watch.

The second biggest news in 2006 was that I permed my hair.

No – not really.

I had some one else do it.

Again – I’m not serious. Though – I did tell myself a joke.

Yes, I permed my hair but we’re not so boring as to put that in our Year in Review. E had to have tubes put in her ears last month. She makes the 4^th kid to undergo anesthetic. And out of the 4, she’s the most fun to watch go under the "goofy juice" and the nicest to wake up. When she woke up – she was just awake. No fuss no muss.

The other 2^nd biggest news has been that The Professor was promoted at his work. He now has the title of "Associate" at his work place. He was already the senior-most engineer in his "pod" (yes, he works with pod-people) – and now he has the title to go with it. It’s truly amazing to see the Favor of God at work on My Hubby's life and career. His boss has asked him to do more training with the young engineers that come to work at the company. The Professor actually enjoys teaching and is a bit excited about it.

The addendum, that goes with his work, is that TheProfessor has been accepted as a "Structural Specialist" with the Oklahoma Task Force Urban Search & Rescue Team. He has gone to several of the trainings, with more in the future. He has met many fire-fighters and it’s so fun to hear the tales that go on at these trainings. I especially like it when the instructor tries to talk about structural issues and doesn’t exactly have his facts straight. You should always have your facts straight if you’re going to discuss structural stuff with an engineer present.

They will not be silent!

It’s also fun to hear how the firefighters talk to my hubby. They’re always impressed at having him present – again – it’s God’s favor! He was adopted by several firemen over this last weekend. Gosh - can you tell I'm proud?

Truly, My hubby is so excited about all of this. He feels it as part of God’s call on his life for this season. I have great peace with it – and I just marvel at God’s timing.

We are homeschooling again this year. Mini-Me is in 2^nd Grade. She has been asking me to finish 2^nd Grade so she can do 3^rd grade before she grows up. She is a big help with day to day things, she helps get drinks for the kids and fetches many things for me. She also, obviously, keeps me on my toes. She can out think me if I let her. Her logic will be dangerous one day – May God use it for His glory!

Mini-Me - 8 years old

G is in Kindergarten. He is picking up the essentials of reading, and is thrilled to learn he can read words now! He is truly a big help when it comes to playing with J and E. He just plunges right in – oftentimes with out me asking him to. He blesses my heart when he does that. He is all boy – but with a very tender heart.

J is a jolly fellow. He has the funniest sense of humor and such an infectious laugh. He’s still not speaking words clearly – but he gets his point across. His favorite things in all the world right now are playing superheroes with G. His Bible-spider-bat cape (I say it like that because Bible Man, Spider Man & Bat man all sound alike) and his Bat man action figure. And his Woody, Buzz & Bullseye dolls. And if we have Woody – we must have his hat. Oh – I have to share. J doesn’t say "monkey" "cat" "dog" "cow" – he identifies the critters by their sounds. So a cat is "meow" – Dog is "Woof-woof" – a cow is "moo". Oh – a horse is "giddyup". My favorite is Monkey. He may not be able to say Monkey – but he can say "Ooo – ooo – aah – aah". And you should hear him get onto his siblings. We might not understand what he’s saying, but we know the tone of voice used.

 G & J

Sometimes all you need is a box and a brother. G - 6.5yrs; J - 2.5yrs

I’ve already covered E. She’s jabbering and laughing and crawling. She won "Cutest baby ever" title at the hospital where she had her tubes.

E in her early Christmas presents - the outfit & carseat. 9months old

Gosh – I guess the last thing to talk about would be me.

I’d really rather talk about you. Or the kids. Or The professor. Or the cat.

The year has been fun. I can not believe it’s almost over! It seems like yesterday we were starting 2006 and I was hugely pregnant and bellying up to everything.

It was also a year of challenges. When our children’s pastor retired and I ended up doing part of the job she left behind until another could be hired. So the summer flew by in a flurry of activity and hustle and bustle.

I’ve really been asking and praying for a heart to truly love my kids. Sure as a mom, I love them. But I want to truly love them and see them for who God created them to be. Not what I think they need to be. By doing that, I see that I am truly blessed. I make so many mistakes and I loose my temper so often, that I sometimes I feel as if I deserve to be so blessed.

But I am.

By golly, I’m the daughter of The King!

I’m rather sad to see 2006 draw to a close. I really don’t want to miss anything! Can I go back and do some stuff over again?

As melancholy as I might be over the close of 2006, I’m terribly excited to see what 2007 holds for us. What adventure lies around the corner?

What new thing might God want to do in us and through us?

It’s exciting to think about. The new year really does bring New possibilities. It gives me a broader understanding of "His mercies are new every morning…" Because if His mercies are new everymorning - what must be in store for us for an entirely NEW year??

So how long is it before a "review" turns into a book?

 And that’s all the news that’s fit to print.