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Merry Christmas Friends and Loved Ones,
We decided to forgo the cost of physical Christmas cards this year, especially since we can connect so many of you digitally ;). We hope this finds you well and resting in the peace of Christ.
The wacky picture? I often wonder why I even expect the family photo to be ideal. LOL. Three - or should I say four - excitable, eccentric boys are tough to corral. It's been a crazy year - as most are in the Taylor household.
Draes turned 2 in June. He is growing SO quickly in wisdom and understanding. He's into everything, loves his family, his brothers, and spider man, and is advancing in vocabulary faster than I can keep up. His favorite phrase as of late is "Gy yus oo" (I love you) - or "Gy yus oo too muts" (so much). It's heart melting and more than compensates for the two-year-old fiascos we've been through. Draes has a generous heart, like his daddy. He never gets anything for himself without asking for one for Dax too, and will VEHEMENTLY INSIST that you take a bite of whatever it is he's enjoying. He is a joy... op, he just came in and said, "Momma, go clen upa mess!" Maybe I was too complimentary. Ha!
Dezdin weathered about a month of illness in September and October. He graduated from an ear infection, to the flu, to pneumonia. Sweet boy. We were beyond grateful for his recovery and healing. He's growing up quickly too. Since having turned 1 in November, he is singing and "conversing" much more, using some sign language (somehow I'm starting everything later with him, poor kid), and terrorizing his brothers. He has even taken a few, timid steps, though I'm in no hurry for him to walk. He's my cuddle bug, and I'm cherishing every moment.
Daxton started Kindergarten this year - which he loves, despite chagrin over missing out on the few hours of family time. He turned 6 last month and is reading and exploring math and science concepts all on his own - along with being a bit of a philosopher. This week, on the way home from school the topic of discussion was what happens to our bodies when we go to heaven, if we have a body in heaven and the eternal existence of God. My brain about combusts trying to understand all that myself, let alone trying to find words to satisfy a six-year-old. He loves the family, and has asked that we "do a family Christmas thing" every night after dinner. It makes Dusty and me happy to know his family is so important to him. He's a great help too - working with his brothers, doing chores and helping out with Connections tasks as often as possible.
Dusty's invincible, as usual. Very little slows him down or catches him off guard. He's our own personal super hero - coaching the Connections team, taking care of all of us, and still finding time to be a family. I seriously don't know how he does it. This year, he and the team wrote, directed, filmed and produced our very own little mini-movie. You can watch it at www.imconnected.org. They had a lot of fun! He's always dreaming up some new, creative way to love on people and share the message of Christ. I suppose my favorite, though, is watching him instill values and Christ-like character into the boys. I'm so thankful for his example to them.
And me? Well, I just try to keep up :) No, seriously! I help where I can, just trying to maintain balance, and relying on God to show us which step to take today. It is never dull, always just a little crazy... a lot like the picture. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Love you each and all. We hope your Christmas is full of the crazy joys of life and that Christ outshines everything else. PLEASE get in touch with us if you are ever near Boise. We would love to see you.
Christ in you, the hope of glory,
Tammi
