Merry Christmas

I usually include the web address to our family blog with our Christmas cards not because I want to increase traffic on the site because, duh, people don’t read blogs anymore, but because I’m insecure about writing a Christmas letter. I read them and enjoy them and want to share our family’s news too, but where do I start? What can I say? Should I make it funny like the time I wrote the Deck the Halls parody? Or should I share sincere gratitude for our blessings? What if the kids don’t like what I say about them in their allotted two sentences? I have the same problem with the pictures attached with the card or letter. I just know that somebody will be embarrassed with the pictures I choose. 

This year, my conundrum is exacerbated by the fact that we have been remodeling and moving and remodeling and not unpacking. We don’t have a recent family picture and time is short. 

But I still value the connection. Christmas cards and letters are the best part of getting the mail between November and January. I love reading my friends’ witty and inspiring notes and seeing how their kids have grown. Maybe our friends and family will want to read about us.

So, at the last minute, I made a card with last year’s family picture and referenced our blog so that you can see a few updated pictures and find out what’s up with the Mergenthalers.

So, what is up with the Mergenthalers?

I don’t want to be dreary or whiney, but it’s not been an easy year. Maybe that will be evidenced by the old picture in the upside down envelope some of you received after Christmas, but, hopefully, before January.

Here are some short individual updates from youngest to oldest:

Gavin: He started out first grade strong after experiencing most of kindergarten online. He wanted to be at “real school” so badly! He loves doing hard math and looks forward to days when he has soccer or volleyball or some sport (any sport) after school.

This is a picture of him trying to catch snow on his tongue during our first “snowstorm” of the season. 

(By the way, looks like we won’t have a white Christmas this year. There’s no significant snowfall in the forecast until mid January. For all my complaining about winter weather, this makes me a little sad because Christmas without snow on the east coast seems weird.)

Brooklyn:

She’s an artist, a writer, a point guard on her basketball team, a super spiker in volleyball, and a funny video maker and joke teller. 

Sean:

Seems to be navigating middle school drama with maturity and lots of stress-relieving skateboarding after school and on the weekends. He’s growing his hair out because he says he likes it long, but I suspect he just doesn’t want any of his peers to comment on his haircut. He’s our best cleaner and organizer when he wants to earn some money. This kid aims for success in everything he’s passionate about and looks up to his older brothers and sisters. He likes to leave selfies on my phone. 

Andrew:

Also loves skateboarding. His contact nickname on my phone is Dr. Drew—has been since he got a phone. It’s pretty accurate. He’s a thinker. There’s a lot going on in his head. He’s a good student and a good friend, but don’t try to tell him what to do—he’s already got it figured out and he will do it his way. I’m proud of him for going to seminary every day when I know he much rather sleep in. He has a good sense of humor. When I'm having a hard day, he can make me laugh with his spot-on sarcastic impersonations. He loves McDonald's. Every time I have him in the car with me, he begs to swing through the drive thru for a few cheeseburgers, fries, and root beer.

Ricky:

Graduating from high school in May. Loves his friends and looking for social opportunities. He prides himself on getting as many people as he can to show up to church dances, events, game nights, whatever he can. The more the merrier. He loves to workout--specifically weightlifting. This winter, he is super excited about the exercise room that's nearly complete in our basement. He works at a local grocery store as a cashier and parking lot attendant. He and his friends have a million stories about parking lot adventures with things people leave behind in carts, races, and cart-pulling competitions.

Makayla:

Works full-time at a local fruit farm. When she isn't at work, she's spending time taking her brothers to the park to skate or to get food somewhere. She is a talented baker and artist. She loves animals as long as they don't smell bad. She loves music and rewatching her favorite movies like Summer Magic and Little Women (with Timothy Chalamet, of course).

Emily:

She's working hard to finish up at BYU with a major in neuroscience. She's busy and happy. She loves her friends and misses her family. She has been dating a guy who is just as kind and fun as she is. They make a cute couple.

Reyes and Courtney:

They're living in Iowa City and preparing to move to Oregon. Their baby girl, Eva, is beautiful. We were happy to visit them for her baby blessing, and like every time we're around Reyes, we felt of his strength and goodness. We love their commitment to build a strong and happy family. They are positive examples to all who know them.

Bonni:

That's me. I started writing this in third person and it sounded weird. Serving as an early seminary teacher has been a positive adjustment for me. I am constantly impressed by these teens who get up early every morning when I know they are staying up late doing homework, participating in school activities, working part-time jobs, and spending time with friends. I hope I am a little better every day at serving and loving, forgiving and teaching. Living in Iowa for nine years burned any love of winter I might have had, so I'm always looking for ways to stay warm. Last year Rick got me a sherpa coat that I pretty much use as a housecoat. It's working pretty well,

Rick:

He likes his new position at Penn State. He has had the blessing of working with wonderful people every place we have lived. His students love him because he cares about them not just as students but as people with challenges and joys outside of their education and work experiences. He inspires them to excel in their education and at being good citizens in their families and communities. He loves coaching Brooklyn's basketball team and working out with Ricky. If our house remodel looks good it's because he has become an expert designer, shopper, and creative problem solver. 

Our Christmas break this year will be pretty quiet. Emily will be visiting. My dreams are that we will have a fun, restful break together—simply enjoying each other’s company and a calmer rhythm so that when school and work starts back up for everybody we are ready to tackle our responsibilities with confidence.