Merry Christmas 2016

Christmas 2016 for the Luippold Family will long be remembered in the history books as the “Year Mom Caved and Bought Us The Elf on The Shelf.” And that about sums it up-it’s all about the children! Bard and I both had a pretty exciting year too, full of blessings and surprises, but we’ll talk about the fun stuff first; what are those three little naughties up to now?!

Evelyn decided to finish the year out with a bang-literally-banging her arm and yes, it’s broken! But Santa must love her because the cast comes off December 23^rd! Even a broken arm couldn’t slow this kid down-she marched in Tacoma’s Santa Parade, is playing (one handed) in her piano recital, dancing the role of a Party Girl in a local production of The Nutcracker, AND singing with the youth choir for our church’s Christmas Services! Evelyn continues to amaze us by reading countless books, flashing countless smiles, and diving into countless activities. She will tell you a highlight for this year was getting braces on her top front teeth, of which she is very proud, and loves to plan out what color bands she is going to switch to with each orthodontist visit. Classic Evie! Also, don’t call her Evelyn, she is now known as Evie!

On to our middle child.  Cici (who is now only to be known as Cecilia) had a big year-starting kindergarten! Cici, ahem, Cecilia, was so excited to start her first real year of school and according to her teacher is a delight to have in class. She mastered riding a two-wheel bicycle and is very anxious to lose her first tooth. Cecilia also enjoys piano listens and impresses all of us by quickly sounding out her favorite songs! She will be appearing in The Nutcracker with her sister, as the most adorable Gingerbread Girl ever. If Cici were to give you a highlight for this year, it would be the cat. She carries that poor cat around all over the house, can’t go past it without kisses and hugs. But so far the cat doesn’t seem to mind and Cici is still in one piece!

Mr Max. Max would have a hard time topping last year’s open heart surgery, but he really is doing very well. He has preschool therapy classes three times a week and his instructors have raved-no really-raved-about his progress. He talks non-stop (why couldn’t I have just one quiet child?!) and has progressed so much in gross motor skills as well. We continue to enjoy a relationship with Max’s biological grandmother in Ukraine, Skyping with her almost weekly. And if Max could give you a highlight for this year, it would most certainly be bulldozers. Anything. Bulldozers.

That leaves just us! This year was a special milestone for Bard and I, we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. And true to form we did it in style J Leaving the kids with my parents, we flew to New York City for a long weekend full of family time, the ballet, amazing food, and yes, seeing Hamilton on Broadway! We also enjoyed a family vacation to California to spend time with both Bard’s and my family (and, Mickey Mouse got a visit too!) We filled the rest of the year with camping trips, swim lessons, visits to Seattle, hiking Mt Rainier, and my personal favorite-driving back and forth to school a million times each week! Bard’s job at Amazon is intense but going well, and he was able to find a bit of time this summer to row crew on Lake Union before going into work for the day. Work was a big change for me this year, not only did I step down from my position at Serve the Children, to have more margin in caring for Max, but after 20 years of teaching dance at the YMCA, I resigned and

recently started teaching at a new studio, Sound Movement Arts Center. Such a drastic change was a huge step for me but I am so grateful for this whole experience! It’s led me to branch out in new ways, ones that I know I would not have done without such a big push. I am taking dance classes for myself-for the first time in two decades-AND, it’s not just the girls performing in The Nutcracker, it’s me too! I’ll be onstage for two dances and am thrilled yet terrified! Isn’t it funny how one decision can have far reaching consequences that leave you whirling with doubt, but then bring understanding and peace?

Last year I shared that I felt called to reach out to marginalized people in our society. God has expanded that dream and I’ve been learning a lot about institutionalized racism and what I can do to make a difference in our community. Bard and I have both taken up this passion and now more than ever feel that we need to add our voice to those in need of support, compassion, and justice. Part of me is apprehensive about what 2017 might bring, but I know that if we spend ourselves on behalf of the hungry, and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then our light will rise in the darkness, and the Lord will guide us always~Isaiah~Merry Christmas and may the year 2017 be a year in which we all strive to fill our world with Light and Hope.