Christmas 2007

As we look out the window at all the Christmas lights and snow surrounding our neighborhood, it’s a good time for reflection about all the blessings we have!

We have our health:
Abby has lost 5 teeth this year with a big open space in her smile right now. She is getting a bit distressed on how many people ask if she’ll be getting her 2 front teeth by Christmas! She loves dance and gymnastics as well as her sister, Ava.

We have our home:
We love our home and neighborhood! The neighborhood is so similar to the one we left in Kansas City and we so appreciate and love the developed friendships! Patio parties, Oktoberfest (yes, we’re continuing on the tradition, you KC folks!), cookie exchanges, and impromptu playdates continue our love for getting home after a long day of work or school.

We have our family and fun:
Travels to visit Grandpa Schroeder in Florida, the beaches of Mexico during spring break, boys ski weekend in Tahoe, girls shopping weekend in Chicago, and the majority of summer at the lake with family gave us so many blessings. The girls love to play in the sand, fish, go tubing, and now venture into downhill skiing. With all the snow already in Minnesota, it’s good they don’t mind the cold! 

We have good education:
Abby is in first grade and absolutely loves it! We’re glad because the entire curriculum is conducted in the Spanish language. Ava can’t wait to start Kindergarten at the same school, and she probably is ahead of Abby when she was her age on the learning curve. Abby amazes us how she now comes home and speaks full sentences in Spanish. Mom has started to take Spanish through the community center just to have a little knowledge of what is to come.

We have our work:
Mark is partner at the private equity firm Denali Partners and continues to enjoy working in some way to help and improve the seven companies in their investment portfolio. He also spends time reviewing potential new investments, so there is never a lack of variety at work.

Margie has continued to work part time at the local high school assisting the head coaches in both cross country and track. Margie has also stepped into helping out more with Abby’s school as a classroom parent rep and now assisting with communications at the PTO level.

We have our Faith:
Mark and Margie both have had the opportunity to be studying the book of Matthew at their respective Bible study groups, and the girls have been preparing for and performing the Christmas message through their Sunday school classes to the church community. We give thanks to God to know the Joy that Jesus brings into our lives. We pray that his love also be the center of your lives this Christmas and throughout the year!

Love,

Mark, Margie, Abby, and Ava