Merry Christmas! & Happy New Year!
2013 has been a year of great joy and great sadness, but blessings abounding. Our God is so faithful and it amazes me daily how much He cares about our little lives. Where would we be without His love and provision?
A little update on our family:
Lily is almost 4 and is in Preschool. She loves her school, teachers, and friends. She is a little bit shy but learning so much everyday. She can count almost to 100 - with a little help and write her name. She loves books! She especially loves to listen to a princess story and will then tell you her own. She is always coming out of her room in different clothes and making her own jewelry by adding bows to a necklace or pipe-cleaner... she loves to create! She is a thinker and much more responsive to instruction if she has a choice or if we take the time to explain why. Lily is enjoying a ballet/tap/tumbling combo class and we are anxiously looking forward to her Christmas performance. Last year she refused to dance on stage - we will see how she likes it this year. She is usually one of the taller girls in her various groups & is wearing a 5T. I think because she speaks and looks older, sometimes we all treat her as if she is older than she is and expect a lot from her. She loves to help, but I am often reminding myself - she is only "3." She loves having a little sister! They play together so well. Lily is often my extra set of eyes "Mom, Ellie has a crayon" "Mom Ellie's headed to the toilet" ... 2 little girls are busy and fun!
I have a new job. God opened a door for me to move in to the administrative office for our school district as the Secondary ESL Specialist. I support ESL (English Second Language) students and teachers at all of our 23 Middle and High Schools. I am missing my campus family and working directly with students, but I am very much enjoying my new co-workers, the flexibility allowed in my schedule and not grading papers ;) I am very honored and thankful!
Small Staggs Family Update: Both my brothers are married! I am thrilled to have 2 new sister-n-laws and a very cool little nephew, Blake. Micah & Brittany married in June of 2012 & Nathan married Melissa in September.
I also just got the news that Micah is home from deployment! YAY! I can't wait to see everyone soon!
Joe has had a great year in his work at Fannie Mae. He is able to go in early, avoiding most of the traffic and get home, most days, in time to pick up the girls. He has been promoted with
in his team and it is also very clear that God is blessing him in his work.
Last year Joe's dad was diagnosed with ALS and in May he went to his eternal home with Jesus. We miss him terribly. John, Joe's brother, spoke at the funeral and shared the message that God gave him for this time in his blog: http://johnsonguedry.com/2013/05/29/perspective-on-the-death-of-my-father/
Trust me, it is worth the read!
We are thankful for the many happy memories that we shared with George this past year. He was able to come meet Eliana just days after she was born. He was able to attend Laurin's wedding (Joe's oldest niece). He was able to watch Alicen's (2nd oldest niece) graduation via live streaming video. We celebrated George and Bobbie's wedding anniversary at the beach - one of his favorite places to go. ...
Though we would have loved to have many more years here on earth together, God was gracious and merciful through this loss. George did not have to suffer long. We were all together for his passing. He was able to convey to each of us that he loved us and that he was ready to go.
We are so blessed. We are praying for you and thank you for your prayers for us as well. God bless you and your family this season and throughout the new year!
