Happy New Year 2013

It's come time again for the annual verse

To tell the year's tale and adventures rehearse.

We sold our first house; it was hard to let go,

But it sold rather fast at a price not too low

And we bid adieu to life in the Midwest.

We loved every minute and feel very blessed

To have many friends whose love is so strong;

We feel like they're family we've known all along.

Now in California, we love being here,

Near family and friends as we start a career.

Mike earned a JD and an MBA too,

Then twelve-hour days of Bar study review.

The test was quite grueling and not very fun

And now that it's over we're so glad it's done.

We found out he passed (you'd expect he'd do great)

So now he is ready to plan your estate,

Or set up your business or real estate deal--

After years of preparing it's finally for real!

He's looking for clients, but if you don't need him yet,

You'll be able to find him at BPRLaw.net

While Mike has been absent for study or work,

Steph's kept the children from going berserk.

She feeds them and clothes them and teaches them too,

Keeps them out of trouble, gives hugs when they're blue.

Besides doing mom things, she's making some dough

As her Etsy business continues to grow.

When things are calm or the kids are in bed

She likes doing projects with needles and thread.

Eliza is four, I mean four and a half!

She climbs trees with Caleb.  She makes Joshy laugh.

Eliza likes helping both outside and in:

The kitchen, the garden, you just tell her when.

She's growing up fast now—for school she does yearn.

She's a bright little girl who just loves to learn.

She's fun, she is friendly and rarely she's calm.

I often remind her that I am the mom.

Caleb's dramatic and likes to pretend;

He likes to dress up and with bad guys contend.

He's also quite silly; he likes to make jokes—

Sometimes he's funny, sometimes he provokes.

Caleb loves tools, like father, like son—

He's fixing and building until the day's done.

Most days he's outside, to run, bike, and climb,

This three-year-old boy sure loves dirt and grime.

Since mid-October, Josh has been one.

He doesn't walk yet, but he's sure lots of fun.

He crawls like the wind, and he climbs really high.

He says several words and waves hi and bye.

He's happy and cheerful and not very shy.

At thirty-plus pounds, he's one solid guy.

He's loved by his siblings, so you know he's tough

Those kids like to wrestle and they can be rough.

Our first, Liliana, who helped us to learn

The plan of our Father: that we may return

To live with our families when this life is through

If we do all that He's asked us to do.

Our Lily reminds us that life can be short,

Live each day full and priorities sort.

We speak of her often, look forward to when

We'll be as a family together again.

We love this season of thanks and of cheer,

Of love and of service, devotion sincere,

A time to remember our Savior divine,

Whose light to the world will ever bright shine.

We celebrate Christ every day all year long.

He lifts us and loves us and makes weak things strong.

We're wishing your family all of the best

May Christmas be sweet and your New Year be blessed!

See annual poems from previous years