December 2013
Dear Family and Friends,
13 has always been a favorite number
of mine but I could have never guess the year 2013 could be filled
with so many amazing blessings.
We started out the year in need of a
little family vacation, so for Gwenevere's 4th birthday we
experienced the Great Wolf Lodge (an indoor water park). Then in
February we celebrated James' 30th birthday. James went
on a mancation to Steamboat Spring Colorado where he snowboarded for
the first time. With a sore rear James flew home just in time for us
to sign papers and close on our first home.
We spent the months of March and April
fixing up our new home. James patched and textured walls, sanded and
refinished the hardwood floors, put new tile in the kitchen and
bathrooms, re-wired most of the electrical and remodeled the entire
kitchen. He worked non-stop so that I could quit my apartment job
and we could move.
May 4th was the day we
packed up everything we had, and thanks to the help of many wonderful
friends, were able to move into our new house. It took us several
weeks to unpack and get settled but we were happy to be in our new
home.
Summer came with lots of visitors,
which we thoroughly enjoyed having. When guests weren't visiting
us we were out enjoying the warm weather, camping, visiting family
and friends or playing at the beach.
Gwenevere performed as a Turkish
delight in her ballet company's production of Narnia.
Since we were expecting our first baby
boy in September, James and I had a chance to leave the girls with my
brother's family and visit Leavenworth WA for an early anniversary
celebration. While we were there we ran into Candy Vickery and
dear family friend from Drain OR who we hadn't seen since probably
our wedding day. It was a fun surprise.
August came and we celebrated Grace's
2nd birthday at a park by our house. Auntie Grace came to
visit, and we got to watch my brother Will compete in another 100
mile run.
September seemed to last for forever,
as we waited each day in anticipation of baby brother's arrival.
Finally on September 23, 12:15am I woke up with my first real
contraction, James set up birth pool, my midwife came and by 1:45 am
baby Everett Bennett Roemhildt was born in the comfort of our new
home while his two big sisters slept upstairs. My mom was able to be
present at the birth and was a big help.
In October we harvested our garden,
blessed Everett, and went trick or treating.
November came and so did the cold
weather. We finally regained a desire to do more house projects.
James refinished our staircase and worked on weather proofing our
home for the winter. We had a fun Thanksgiving celebration with our
Aloha family, (friends from BYU-H) which was long overdue and so
fulfilling.
Now as if in the blink of an eye, it
is December. We put up a Christmas tree, decorated our home with
lights and are preparing for the celebration of our Savior's birth.
At this time of year I am in wondrous awe at all our many blessings
we have been given. Not only have we been blessed with many earthly
gifts: a home, a baby, continued employment and health, we have also
been able to reflect on the gifts from the Savior and our loving
Heavenly Father. I am thankful for the gift of the atonement. I am
ever grateful for the opportunity to repent of my mistakes and try
each day to start anew. With three little children I feel it's hard
to to always be the mother, and wife I desire to be but with the help
of my Savior I am continually finding the strength to keep trying.
We hope you and your family too find
joy in the season. We send our love and prayers to each of you and
thank you again for your wonderful friendships. Merry Christmas and
a happy New Year.
Love,
The Roemhildts: James, Elizabeth,
Gwenevere, Grace and Everett
No comments:
Post a Comment