Christmas Greetings 2010

I always enjoy Christmas card season. 

First, it disciplines me to reflect on the blessings of the year.  Life can be so hectic that we don't allow ourselves the time to consider the joys and trials of the year and how we are impacted.  I am sure no one really cares how many softball or soccer games we sat through or the details of every developmental stage of a toddler... but as a mom is fun to think back over the year.

Second, I love receiving all your cards!  Call me old-fashioned but there is just something about pulling that envelope out of the mailbox.  My grandmother passed away rather suddenly this Fall.  My mom found boxes of letters that she had saved.  What a treasure to be able to read them decades later.  And, after the holidays we like to pull a Christmas card from the basket each night at dinner and pray for that family.  So if you don't send us a card, we won't pray for you - haha.

Scott has been busy building Kregel & Company CPA for the past 18 months.  It's been exciting to watch the business grow.  This Fall he hired another employee and expanded his office space.  He continues to run and set a personal record in the Steamtown Marathon this Fall - 3 hrs. 2 mins.  He and a neighbor had fun this summer coaching Ella's soccer team.

Makenna turned 10 this summer and she's in the 5th grade.  Most of the time you will find her reading 700 page books!  However, she also enjoys playing the piano & flute, singing at church, playing softball, and emailing her friends.  Learning sign language is her goal for this year.  This is the first time in many years that she did NOT have to have ear tubes!  Now that she has the industrial stength tubes, they will actually have to be surgically removed someday.

Ella turned 8 this Fall and she is in 2nd grade.  She has blossomed into our little artist and she did well in soccer.  She is also playing piano.  Ella is very sensitive and helpful to others.   She loves reading, playing outdoors with friends, and American Girl.

Owen celebrated his birthday on Monday.  Not sure where the last three years went... the crib is gone and so are the diapers.  Bittersweet.  He makes us laugh everyday (and gives a few headaches too!).  The child talks incessantly with a vocabulary that continues to amaze me.  Although he has been highly influenced by his two older sisters (and knows the names of all the American Girls), he is also 300% boy.  He has no fear.  At the end of this week, he will be having double surgery to repair a hernia and put in the second set of ear tubes. (Guess he is making up for Makenna's "year-off"!)

I have increased my hours working for the business this year...and am actually enjoying it.  On the homefront the "daily operations" keep me hopping, as well as RPM class, Bible Study, & the occasional book.  I enjoy planning our traveling adventures too.  In May, we had a memorable trip to Disney with Scott's parents,  We made our 54 hour round trip trek to Minnesota again this summer (with stops to see family/friends in Indy, St. Louis, & Chicago).  We spent an amazing Fall weekend in New England with dear friends.  Thanksgiving found us in snow covered Minnesota with David & family. 

Wishing your family a blessed Christmas season.  We truly have much to be thankful for.
Merry Christmas!
Scott, Amy, Makenna, Ella & Owen

Christmas Letter 2008

In an effort to GO GREEN, we will be reducing paper this year and posting our Christmas letter on our blog. If this is your first visit to our (Amy's actually, Scott is "boring" and about taxes according to Makenna) blog - Welcome to the documentation of life in the Kregel home:)

It has been a crazy year filled with a new child, new challenges, and many blessings. Though the content may be ho-hum to others, I find value in the writing of the annual Christmas letter because it necessitates reflection - something we don't often make time for.

Our kids continue to provide us with entertainment and late night discussion topics of how to navigate parenthood. On Saturday, Owen will turned ONE which just doesn't seem possible. We have decided that he won't ever speak, but instead he will be a master of sound effects. He can be most accurately defined as funny and round! He loves food, sucking his thumb, dogs and daddy (probably in that order!).

Ella turned SIX last month and has fully embraced kindergarten. She is our little author. Most afternoons she can be found writing notes and drawing pictures. Her life accomplishment was giving up sucking her fingers in exchange for pierced ears. We didn't think we would ever find something motivating enough for her to give up her beloved habit.

Makenna is our very responsible EIGHT year old. We are spoiled by her innate desire to plan and organize. She is an avid reader who loves third grade. She continues to do well with piano. What would a year be without surgery... she had her 6th set of ear tubes in October. This time she refused the pre-op sedation meds - she walked herself back to the OR, shook the surgeon's hand and hopped up on the table! Recently, she donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love so she is sporting a cute short hair cut.

Scott was able to achieve his goal of running in the Boston Marathon this year. With his personal record time of 3hr. 6 min., he is qualified to run again in 2009. After five years at Calvary Church, he will be leaving his position in June to pursue other opportunites. We are grateful for the time we have been able to serve in full-time ministry. We are trusting God as we enter this new season. And let me take the opportunity to make a shameless plug for my husband... he is an outstanding CPA if you find yourself in the market!

I have enjoyed the past year at home with the kids. Although I do miss seeing my work friends, I love being able to be involved in the girl's school. This tax season I will be doing some work for Scott's business. Otherwise, I can be found scrapbooking or reading the occasional novel.

Our family travels included a road trip to Illinois for my niece's wedding. She was our flower girl... and our girls were hers! We enjoyed our annual trip to the cabin in Minnesota to spend time with my brother's family. While there, my brother dedicated Owen at the church where he serves as lead pastor. Although Uncle & Nephew had just met 12 hours early, they bonded instantly over prayer and a microphone. In October, we headed back to Taylor this year for our 15 year reunion. We took the girls with us (never too early to start the college visits!) and had a great time with dear friends.

At the end of this month Scott and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage. With 3 kids on earth, 3 babies in heaven, a loyal dog, and multiple job changes it seems like a whirlwind to think back on all that we have witnessed. I amazed at God's faithfulness and mercy. And, I am thankful to serve a King who knows far greater than my mind can comprehend.

May your family know the peace that passes understanding this Christmas season and find contentment in the Nativity.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE KREGELS!