2006 has been an absolutely AMAZING YEAR – mostly because of you! I cannot begin to tell you how much I LOVE being your Mom!! In one year, you grew hair and many teeth and went from one word, “Duck,” to so many wonderful words (tomato, bath, opposites, alrighty, adios, more lights, where are you?)! You have so much personality, so much spirit, so much tenderness and so much warmth. You are so talented and smart. Your Daddy and I say everyday how wonderfully special and beautiful you are! We love you!!
In 2006, Daddy graduated from nursing school and worked half of the year at the ICU. He is SUCH a great nurse, and he loves it. His patients are SO BLESSED to have him as their nurse. We could not be prouder of him or happier for him. He’s been working many night shifts lately (7pm – 7am) – a shift he likes because he can give his patients extra TLC and attention.
This past year, I’ve continued my work toward tenure as a university professor. I was given a semester off to work on my research, and I’ve made good progress. I thoroughly love my job – almost all aspects of it -teaching my courses for pre-service science teachers, my research with science teachers, and running clubs and camps for middle school kids. This year we had about 110 people at our Science STARS conference – 20 middle school girls from a city school shared their science investigations from the semester. I am so blessed to work with amazing colleagues and a Dean who I respect and trust completely.
We live in a WONDERFUL neighborhood filled with so many wonderful friends! Susie goes for walks with you and me all the time. Roz, Katie and Collin went apple picking with us, and we hang out with them on a regular basis. Hannah and her family have been so welcoming and loving since we moved in, as have Sam, Lydia and their parents! Laura and Alan continue to be dear friends. Joe and Martha stop and chat with us at the end of many work days… the list goes on and on… we are blessed indeed…
And this year we have been so thankful for the time we’ve been able to spend with friends who are also dear framily to us: Jim and Judi. 2006 was a year where they were able to be there for us, and we were able to be there for them. As just ONE of MANY examples, when Grandma Elloise died, they were here puddle-jumping and book-reading with us! They have also had life-changing challenges as Judi faced and BEAT cancer – and we are able to love them through many of these times. They are and will always be so dear to us.
And, finally we are so grateful for our family – our foundation and ongoing support who will always be so important to our lives! Grandma and Grandpa Luehmann came all the way from Minnesota to take care of you when I had to be away at a business conference; Grandma & Grandpa Tatro made the trip to celebrate Daddy’s graduation, Auntie Amy, Uncle Hakon and Cousin Elisabeth were again hosts for our annual Seattle adventure, and Uncle Mark & Aunt Bi (and Buster) were wonderful hosts for all of us at the Luehmann family Christmas. We didn’t get to see Uncle Matt this year, but we think of him often and pray for him along with all of our family members every night. We love you all dearly!!
What a wonderful year!
God is good. God is certainly good.
Last night, we had a Christmas dinner with Auntie Judi and Uncle Jim – always such a special time.
Today Jimmiqua helped us decorate cookies…
And then tonight, we headed over to Hannah’s for a neighborhood New Year’s Eve party. We were only there for about an hour (it was past your bedtime), but we had a BLAST!
