Happy New Year!!

2014 already? Say it isn't so!! This has been quite the whirlwind of a year which seems to have finished with a blast! Michigan was hit with a bad ice storm on December 21. We lost power that evening and went without electricity for one week!! Everything was coated with at least a half an inch of ice which looked so beautiful, but the tree limbs came crashing to the ground and caused so much damage. Our county actually called a state of emergency as so many power lines were down and tree limbs were blocking roads.

My birthday on the 23rd ended up being an interesting time as we had to leave our home for the night since we couldn't keep the house warm enough for us to stay :( We were so thankful for friends who let us invade their home so we could shower and clean up (that hot shower felt like such a luxury!!). The boarding school that is affiliated with our church allowed us to stay in their girls dorm as the students are on winter break...such a blessing!! Later that day we decided that the best thing for our family was to make the major investment of a generator, our budget didn't like it- but it had to be done. So the next day Lyle and a friend from church got it up and going and we were able to come home that night! The generator was able to run our furnace and water pump and other little things...what a blessing to be home again!!!! I'm very ready for a little calmness now after that adventure!

December is always a big month for our family since it is when we get to celebrate 3 birthdays. Shayna turned 9 and Liberty turned 13. (Yes I've now entered the parent of a teenager club...any helpful advice?) It is so fun to spoil the girls on their special days. They are some pretty special little ladies!

Liberty has successfully completed her first semester of 7th grade at Spring Vale Academy, which is the school associated with our local church. She had so many things to adjust to as she had only been home schooled her whole life. She has sure blossomed while attending there. She has enjoyed playing volleyball, cheer leading, and her art class. All her hard work on her grades paid off as she was on the honor role the whole semester! If you would be interested in being a sponsor to help financially with Liberty's tuition, please feel free to contact me for more information :)

I pray you have a blessed 2014 and that God's hand would be evident in your lives,

Hope, Lyle, Liberty, Levi, Shayna and Isabella

...and Harley :)