My Journey Toward A Trusting Heart

The Thomas-Driver 2006 Christmas Letter

December 06

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I’m sure all of you reading this are looking back on your own year, wondering where the time went. But I know if we look around, we’ll see that it was spent: at the desk, in the kitchen, sleeping, watching TV, yard work, homework, vacation…its been a BUSY year, and does not seem to let up. On the bright side, there’s little excuse for boredom!

We’ve certainly not been bored this year. We’ve traveled a bunch and have enjoyed time with family and friends. We took our first-ever two-week vacation this summer…it was on the edge of too-long for the boys. They were ready to be in their own home, in their own beds, playing with ALL their toys. Still, it was a great time in Florida and I expect we’ll do it again!  Mark and I spent a week in Puerta Vallarta! What a beautiful place!!

Here’s a run-down of what’s up with each of us:

Krissi is a sophomore at Evangel University in Springfield MO. She is loving college, in spite of those typical frazzled days of finals and meetings and working. She’s working part-time on campus but hopes to venture further next semester. She’s majoring in Psychology and hopes to get her MA in Counseling. She’ll be great at that. She can empathize with people on so many levels. She is an organized person and definitely a leader.  She is Sophomore Class President and secretary of her Residence Hall. She’s making some great friends and doing well academically. All in all, she’s doing fabulous. She’ll be home with us for Christmas and we can’t wait!

Kate is a sophomore at St. Charles East HS. She is busy with Student Council Executive Board where she serves as the Technical Director – maintaining the Student Council website. She’s really good with that tech stuff. She also serves at Christ Community Church in the children’s ministry (Kids World) as a techie! She runs sound, lights, PowerPoint – and anything else that falls under that category. This year she is also working as an Intern in Kids World, helping with the children’s choir and worship.  She also sings on the youth worship team and gives time on Sunday mornings at the Student Ministries Welcome Center.  Kate is a funny, charming and gregarious girl. She keeps me smiling and I know there are great things ahead for her. (Oh, and she’s got her driver’s permit! YIKES! She’s doing well, and I’ll be glad when she can get herself to all those meetings!)

Colton was six on July 4. He is a rambunctious kindergartener and keeps us on our toes. We are home schooling him this year, and that’s going well. As the months progress, “I” am getting better at keeping on track with what we need to be doing and he’s a pretty patient student. We try to get together with friends on a regular basis so that he has opportunities to play, but there is nothing stunted in this boy’s social skills. He is friendly and engaging and usually the first to say hello to someone he doesn’t know. He makes friends easily and loves to laugh. He’s definitely a bright spot in this family. Hemophilia continues to be a daily challenge, but Colton is a tough kid and has a great attitude about it all.

Connor will be 3 in March. He’s probably the funniest toddler I’ve ever known. He is the family clown, and has an uncanny ability to be deliberately entertaining. Both boys are very tall for their ages, and Connor talks WAY PAST his age. I’ve had people remark about it in stores! They’ll ask, “How old is he?” When I tell them “two-and-a-half”, they seem so surprised that he talks so well. He still has some toddler’ish intonation: his “K” and “C”  is a “T” and the “G” is a “D”. That can be rather humorous: this summer in Florida, he told Mark he wanted to go swim in the “Kiddy Pool.” So, take that ‘k’ and make it a ‘t’, and you’ll know how funny it sounded when he said it! He’s pretty much got a clear grasp on all the other letter sounds, so I don’t think speech therapy is in his future. He’s cute and loveable and is the FINAL crown to this family line!

Mark is still with Bank of The West. He’s had a tough year with loan closings – for various reasons. Lack of hard work is NOT one of them, however. He’s a diligent and professional and loves what he does. He has a wonderful circle of colleagues and networking friends and is very fulfilled in those relationships. He is a great dad and loves having his office at home so he can be part of the boys’ lives every single day. We began attending Harvest Bible Chapel this past year, and Mark has been so challenged and encouraged in His walk with the Lord. It shows in everything he does. He is looking for new areas in which to serve at Harvest, and I know there are some great things ahead for him. I also think next year will be his best yet!

As for me, I am spinning lots of plates and have had a very busy and fulfilling year, doing many things and trying to figure out what I love most. I did some writing and found myself published on an internet Magazine! You can find those articles at http://www.faithwritersmagazine.com/July06/apples.php,  and    http://www.faithwritersmagazine.com/October06/ascribe.php. And a list of my articles can be found here: http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=20487       I LOVE writing, but lately have found little time for it.   I also have a blog, where you can pop in now and then to see what’s new: www.homeschoolblogger.com/kkccmom   I hope to attend a couple writer’s conference next year, and am asking the Lord what He will do with this passion and desire. I’d have to say its probably my first love but I don’t know what, if anything ‘major’ will ever come of it. It may be for a limited audience – and that’s fine. I just don’t want to sell myself short if there’s more!?  I am finally working on “The Book” I have a first draft done, and am in a holding pattern as to what/where to go next.    I am working part-time for my friend Julie, as an assitant to her for “The Old Schoolhouse Magazine” – a wonderful magazine for homeschool families. I’m learning a lot and finding several challenges along the way.  And in September, I started a business with Discovery Toys. It fits my life right now, with the boys – both their ages and our homeschooling, and its been fun! I’m actually building a selling team and am anxious to see where it all leads. Let me know if you need awesome toys & games for the kids in your life!

I am also writing as a fictional character, Janet Detcher, on the “Scenes and Beans” blogsite for the “Kanner Lake” book series by Brandilyn Collins. If you haven’t read any of Brandilyn’s work, YOU GOTTA! Check this out: http://www.kannerlake.blogspot.com Dig through the archives and you’ll find me as JANET DETCHER, wife to Hank, the local pastor. Its been tons of fun!

I don’t have time to do ALL the things I love – stamping, scrapbooking, reading, and it goes without saying that my house sure needs some TLC, but without a doubt, LIFE IS GOOD. God has been so good to us, and in this time of year I love reflecting on the Grace that’s been so abumdant. We are happy, secure, warm and content. There is nothing more…and we wish all that for each of you in 2007.

Please keep in touch: fivebewe@sbcglobal.net -- Merry Christmas, with love