Normally, I mail out a family Christmas letter. This year, to save money, I have been e-mailing it to most people. I thought I'd post it here on my blog so that all of you could share in this "tradition" with us this year.
Merry Christmas!
“Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Psalm 16:11As we are wrapped up in this season of “comfort and joy,” I can’t help but reflect on where true joy comes from. The joy that comes from the Savior is a lasting joy, not just a seasonal one! My prayer is that you personally have the peace and joy that comes from knowing the Lord.
As a family, it’s been a good year. Kaitlin had been praying for a “baby boy, with hair, please”, and in May we were blessed with Douglas Jr. Grace (my sister) and our new little niece, Elisa, came to help us out after DJ was born. It was so great to have them here! My mom had intended to come, but due to a severe car accident that my brother, Joel, was in, she was unable to make it (by the grace of God he is doing well now.) In August my parents and brother came to stay with us for about three weeks. It was such a wonderful time, especially getting to see Joel after almost losing him in the accident. How wonderful the Lord is to give us second chances! We continue to be blessed with time with the family here in Florida. Kaitlin especially enjoys spending nights with Grandma Linda!
Doug has spent his year continuing to do management for a neighborhood community. The neighborhood is getting ready to open a second clubhouse, so in the upcoming year his workload will pretty much be doubled! He enjoys it, for the most part, and has made some new friends in the area. This hunting season hasn’t been as eventful as he’d like (can you believe that I made him miss out on a hunting opportunity in order to celebrate our anniversary?!), but hopefully more opportunities will arrive. He continues to golf every chance he gets, and has recently started a weekly basketball game.
I (Christina) continue to “work” from home, watching our nephew, Wyatt. It is the BEST job ever, well, next to being a mother and wife (trust me, it’s work). It is such a blessing to be able to be at home with the kids (even if it is awfully trying on my nerves some days!), and I consider it a special blessing to be able to develop such a close relationship with both my nephew and to see the cousins get to grow up together! Due to the work schedules, I haven’t been able to take classes this year. I miss school, but I haven’t quite yet reached the insanity level high enough to add it to my plate at the moment.
Kaitlin is four and a half and getting so tall! How does that happen so fast? She started pre-K this year and absolutely loves it. Hopefully this trend will continue! She loves being a big sister. A helping pair of little hands should never be underestimated! She also loves having her cousin around, and is displeased that he isn’t there to play with her on the weekends. It has been suggested by her that we “keep him, and Aunt Holly can come visit him sometimes.” She’s such a treasure, and always good for a laugh!
Baby Doug will not be a baby for much longer. He is already almost seven months old and rolling from one end of the living room to the other. He has been our drama baby, first ending up in the NICU with breathing problems after he was born, then coming down with jaundice, and since then he’s had bronchitis, numerous viral infections, an ear infection, hives and the flu. Perhaps he’s getting it all out of his system now? He is a sweet little bundle of chub, though, and I couldn’t imagine our family without him now! He’s got a smile that just warms the heart!
We hope all is well with you and yours this holiday season, and that you are able to see His good purpose throughout the coming year.
All our Love,
Doug, Christina, Kaitlin, and DJ Ruhlig
Oddly enough, this teddy bear was DJ's favorite gift of Christmas Eve. He found it hysterical. There's nothing like a baby's laugh to make it feel like Christmas!
Kaitlin is finally to the age where she is learning to appreciate gifts enough to look at them after she opens them, as opposed to throwing them into the pile of loot and moving on to the next present. You'll notice her new orange digital camera sitting next to her. She has been using this present to take pictures of all her other presents. A child after my own heart!
DJ seemed a little overwhelmed at the large family get togethers. However, at our own little family Christmas (just Dad, Mom and kiddos!) he dove right in to ripping up anything he could get his little hands on!
