I hope this letter finds you well and celebrating this joyous time of year. 2009 was a busy year for our family. Never a dull moment, however much I wished there were.
Jon is still working hard at NPC, where he has been for 5 1/2 years now. He is also still taking classes at Pitt State. It goes slowly when he only takes one class a semester. He has had some continued success with his writing. He was again chosen Editor's Choice in Relief literary journal for another short story. That story was also nominated for a Pushcart Prize, which is a literary prize for small presses and literary journals. Jon has also been busy building websites and taking photos.
The kids are growing and keeping very busy, but they have thankfully been healthy and so far this year we've had no ER visits. Jack turned 16 last month--no he doesn't have his license yet. He has to learn some responsibility and we are trying to win a spot on the show "World's Strictest Parents"! He played basketball last year on the 9th grade team but this year he decided not to go out, instead he is focussing on running. He went out this fall for cross country and managed to letter. Even though he complained all season, I think he enjoyed it. He was gone what seemed like most of the summer with church camps, Youthquake trip to Colorado, and cross-country camp in Branson. He continues to grow and I can't keep him in jeans.
Ben is in the 8th grade this year and having a great year. He ran track last spring and the 7th grade boys team won conference. He played football this fall and the 8th grade boys went undefeated and again won the conference title. Now he has made the basketball team and is looking forward to a successful season there. Ben kept busy this summer with sports camps, church camp, summer school, and weights.
Daniel is 11 and just started middle school. He is currently in band where he is learning the trombone. He also made the middle school math team. They'll have their first competition in January. Daniel is currently playing Upward Basketball--where last year he won the most "Christlike boy" Award. He is looking forward to next year when he can play school sports, he wants to run cross-country and play basketball.
Morgan will be turning 10 in a few weeks and is in the 4th grade. She likes being with her friends and playing Upward Basketball. Morgan had a big summer with basketball, volleyball, and church camp. We were very proud of her at church camp when she decided to give her heart to the Lord and Jon was able to baptize her in Lake of the Ozarks on the last day of camp.
Hannah, my baby, just turned 7 and is in the 1st grade. She loves school and learning to read--in fact I sometimes can't get her to put her book down and do her chores. She loves playing with her friends and following Morgan around (much to her sister's irritation). She is playing her first year of basketball and so far she really likes it (although they've only had a couple practices). She wasn't as busy this summer but did go to summer school and played at the pool a lot.
As you can tell, I keep busy just keeping up with everyone else, but I do have my own things going on also. I am currently serving my 2nd term as PTO president and I enjoy it, but I will be ready to pass the torch when my term is done. I also have been kept busy substitute teaching several days a week. I mainly work grades 3-8, but have done some younger and even did 1/2 a day at the high school (didn't like it at all!) This past summer the whole family went to work at Camp Sharon (church camp) on Lake of the Ozarks. Morgan and Daniel were campers, while Jack worked as a Jr. counselor and Ben was a gopher/helper. Jon did the technical work (sound and video) as well as taking photos. I did the crafts class and headed up the end of camp banquet. Hannah had fun just taking some classes and swimming in the lake. In June I was blessed to have my foreign exchange sister Siv and her daughter come back back for our 20th high school reunion (yes, I graduated when I was 12! :) They were able to stay a week and we had a great time just catching up and her daughter Susanne learned what it's like in a big family!
As you can tell, never a dull minute around here and it looks as if 2010 will be just as hectic. We pray that your family will have a joy-filled Christmas and that the coming new year will see you healthy and prospering.
Merry Christmas!
The Brisbins:
Jon, Tisha, Jack, Ben, Daniel, Morgan, and Hannah
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