To all our family and friends,
I wish that I were a skilled writer such that I could bring a smile to your face, make you laugh, or make you cry (in the best ways, of course). I wish that I were more organized and able to send out a yearly letter, instead of once every seven years. I wish that I could spend time catching up with each of you in person. These wishes are unlikely to come true this year, but if I could have one wish come true it would be this: that this letter finds you happy and healthy.
And, since it has been seven years since I did send out a letter, here's a family update.
I wish that I were a skilled writer such that I could bring a smile to your face, make you laugh, or make you cry (in the best ways, of course). I wish that I were more organized and able to send out a yearly letter, instead of once every seven years. I wish that I could spend time catching up with each of you in person. These wishes are unlikely to come true this year, but if I could have one wish come true it would be this: that this letter finds you happy and healthy.
And, since it has been seven years since I did send out a letter, here's a family update.
Brett and I celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary
this month. We are still happily settled in Niceville near Brett's parents,
Brett's brother, and Becca's sister. It has been great having grandparents and
other family in town. Becca's parents now live in New
England , and we are able to see them a couple of times a year.
Most summers we have been able to travel across the country to spend time with some
of our faraway Mitchell cousins. We have wonderful memories of our time with
family in Utah , California ,
and Maine
Naturally, the boys have grown much in these last seven years. Todd and Ryan are close in age--they are now 11 and 10 years old. It makes me happy that they also remain close as brothers and friends. Todd just started middle school this year and is doing well. He likes all of his classes and enjoys getting involved with as much as I will let him, including band (trombone) and cross country. Both boys continue to play baseball each spring, and Todd is always ready for a pick-up game of any sport.
Ryan is in fourth grade and is convinced that school and government officials are conspiring against children everywhere, preventing them from spending enough time with their families. He plans to write a letter to the mayor requesting that a change be made to limit school to only four days a week. Despite his dislike of school, Ryan is an easy-going kid who is generally happy and who makes us laugh.
I enjoy volunteering in the school library once a week. I keep up with my music by singing with a small local choir and teaching a few piano lessons. These days I am down to only four students now that my afternoons have become busier with homework and after-school activities. After three and a half years of working with the children at church, this month I start working with the 12 and 13-year-old young women. They seem like a great group of girls and I am looking forward to this new opportunity.
Brett continues to amaze me with his talents and determination. When he sets his mind to do something, he accomplishes it spectacularly. What started out as an interest in woodworking has turned into a profitable hobby, resulting in quite a bit of quality furniture for our home as well as a beautiful new kitchen. Brett has always enjoyed boating and salt-water fishing. Last year he got his Captain's license, and from time to time responds to calls through TowBoat US to assist boats that are stuck or stranded for one reason or another. In 2012, Brett took some time off from work to fulfill a life dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail--all 2,180 miles fromGeorgia to Maine
Copper, our golden retriever, is now over ten years old. He is a sweet and beautiful dog who still loves going bird hunting with Brett, roller-blading with Becca (only Becca wear the skates), and walking with the boys to the bus stop each morning.
I love Louie Armstrong's song "What a Wonderful World,” especially the following part:
Naturally, the boys have grown much in these last seven years. Todd and Ryan are close in age--they are now 11 and 10 years old. It makes me happy that they also remain close as brothers and friends. Todd just started middle school this year and is doing well. He likes all of his classes and enjoys getting involved with as much as I will let him, including band (trombone) and cross country. Both boys continue to play baseball each spring, and Todd is always ready for a pick-up game of any sport.
Ryan is in fourth grade and is convinced that school and government officials are conspiring against children everywhere, preventing them from spending enough time with their families. He plans to write a letter to the mayor requesting that a change be made to limit school to only four days a week. Despite his dislike of school, Ryan is an easy-going kid who is generally happy and who makes us laugh.
I enjoy volunteering in the school library once a week. I keep up with my music by singing with a small local choir and teaching a few piano lessons. These days I am down to only four students now that my afternoons have become busier with homework and after-school activities. After three and a half years of working with the children at church, this month I start working with the 12 and 13-year-old young women. They seem like a great group of girls and I am looking forward to this new opportunity.
Brett continues to amaze me with his talents and determination. When he sets his mind to do something, he accomplishes it spectacularly. What started out as an interest in woodworking has turned into a profitable hobby, resulting in quite a bit of quality furniture for our home as well as a beautiful new kitchen. Brett has always enjoyed boating and salt-water fishing. Last year he got his Captain's license, and from time to time responds to calls through TowBoat US to assist boats that are stuck or stranded for one reason or another. In 2012, Brett took some time off from work to fulfill a life dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail--all 2,180 miles from
Copper, our golden retriever, is now over ten years old. He is a sweet and beautiful dog who still loves going bird hunting with Brett, roller-blading with Becca (only Becca wear the skates), and walking with the boys to the bus stop each morning.
I love Louie Armstrong's song "What a Wonderful World,” especially the following part:
I see friends shaking
hands,
Saying “How do you do?”
They're really saying
“I love you.”
How nice it would be to see each of you face to
face, to be able to shake your hand and let you feel how much I love and
appreciate you.
Wishing you the very best this Christmas season,
Becca
and her boys (Brett, Todd, and Ryan)
Wishing you the very best this Christmas season,
