I, Sharla, first started to think about writing this blog back in November. At first glance, life at the Kartak house seems a bit mundane and uneventful. As a result, I didn't think there was much reason for a Christmas letter. However, as I sat and rummaged through our 2010 photos on Christmas day, I realized that there really is a lot to share with you. So here it is, the end of January 2011 and well...It's about time!
Life for me, Sharla. has been pretty basic. Perhaps this is the reason that it took me so long to get this update out. I am blessed to be able to stay at home to raise the girls. I appreciate this more each and every year as the girls are growing up faster and faster it seems. My world revolves around the girls activities, appointments and household responsibilities. For the past few years, I have been able to be a part of a community bible study through New Hope Church. In April, we completed a Beth Moore study and this fall we enjoyed a Patricia Shirer study - both of which I highly recommend. I have also been delving into our family's genealogy. It has been a slow but intriguing process.
Jason celebrated his fifth year at Audio Logic Systems. We are so blessed to be a part of such a great company. As the senior designer he has been extremely busy. This past year has brought a lot of traveling for Jason. Among some of his trips have been Florida, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In July he spent three weeks in Connecticut at which time he also ventured out to New York. In addition to his full-time job at ALS, Jason continues to work at Eagle Brook Church one or two weekends a month. When he is not working, he enjoys ice skating and tball with the girls. In August, he again joined his dad for their annual trip to the NHRA drag races in Brainerd.
Last year was probably the most exciting for Rebecca. For Christmas 2009, she recieved her first pair of ice skates and in January 2010 she began skating lessons. Ice skating quickly became a favorite activity of hers. In the spring, Rebecca learned to ride a two wheel bike. In May she completed her first year of AWANA Sparks and in June she "graduated" from kindergarten. This summer was filled with tball and swimming lessons, vacation bible school and lots of play. In July, Rebecca got her ears pierced which seemed to be a real right of passage into becoming a young lady. It was a special time as grandma Liz was able to be there and share in the experience. This last fall, Rebecca started first grade and learned how to read. Thankfully she love to read. Between September and October Revecca lost four more teeth which robbed the tooth fairy blind ;-) Rebecca also started her second year of AWANA Sparks and joined Pioneer Girls. November brought Rebecca's 7th birthday. We celebrated with a friend's swimming party and a nice family party at our house.
Jescelyn's year was a little less eventful but still exciting. The beginning of the year brought us to physical therapy for her low muscle tone and hyper-flexibility. These issues are ongoing and will be something that will require regular attention. Spring brought gymnastics classes which continued throughout the summer. Jescelyn loves them and will be participating again this year. In April, she turned 3! Due to illness, we needed to postpone her friends party to June but had fun nonetheless. In the fall, Jescelyn started AWANA Cubbies and loves it! Her big sister is her inspiration. Jescelyn wants to do all that Rebecca does. As a result, we have gotten her our on ice skates. On Christmas eve, while mom was helping prepare for Christmas, Jescelyn skated without help for the first time. (I'm a little sad I missed it.) We are excited to see what 2011 holds for her.
On June 3, Jason and I reached our 10 year anniversary. Although we weren't able to do anything specific to celebrate our anniversary, we are thankful for the last ten years together. In August, all four of us traveled down to Okoboji, Iowa where we were able to enjoy the Okoboji Lakes Bible Conference together. My mom was able join us for a good portion of the time there. Having grown up attending the conferences, it was so fun to watch the girls experience what I was able to experience as a little girl. We are already looking forward to the conference this year.
Another joy for our family was to have my brother Darren and his family in the Twin Cities for the summer months. It was a great time to reconnect before their move to Beresford, SD at the end of November. We spent the holiday with the various family members and then traveled to Darren's in Beresford for a few days before the new year.
Thank you to all of you for you friendship. Life is full of ups and downs. It is so good to know that there are friends out there to laugh with you in the good times and help support you in the tough times. No matter how often we talk, I feel so blessed to have such precious people in my life. Blessings in this new year.
