Christmas Letter 2006
2006 is all but gone and with the warm of the season surrounding us we remember all the people who have made this year such a year of wonder, growth and joy. Our little family has had our share of challenges and blessings (sometimes they go hand in hand). Right now our family is touched deeply by the passing of our Dad, Father-in-law & grandfather – Clint’s dad, Ralph Knowles Lord. He fought a valiant fight with cancer and was able to celebrate his and his loving wife’s 50th wedding anniversary in August before our prayers were answered and the pain of this life ended and he went to join his friends and family in the next life. He was an inspiration to us all and will be always held as a constant example of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and loving his friends and family.
Clint changed jobs in January to work as the Director of Software Development, Senior Software Architect and all around general programmer for nCoat, Inc. The company has grown this past year opening a new facility up on the East Coast. He has received many blessings this past year as Elder’s Quorum President and is grateful the Lord has seen fit to give him this challenge. He is the most devoted husband and father and would rather spend time with his family than anything else. His father gave him his coin collection when he passed away and Clint has renewed his love of finding and archiving old and rare coins.
Tewie finds joy in teaching her children new things. She spends most of her time planning or teaching music, Spanish, composers and piano. Aside from serving as ward organist and RS pianist, she received a new calling as Ward Activities Director. She has been very busy planning a game night (in March), a talent show (in May), a carnival (in June), Trunk-or-Treat (in October) and just finishing the Ward Christmas Party (in December). Her biggest news is that she was spoiled by her parents with a trip to London this year, which was her first time ever to Europe. She loved every moment. Thanks, Mom and Dad. Other than that she finds rest with her family and she has picked up a new hobby of playing the guitar.
Faith is 9 and continues to love reading and letting her imagination run wild. She really loves her class and teacher. In her words, “They are just kind and friendly.” She made a school change to the local school and now can walk with her brother and sister everyday. She is totally immersed in collecting Littlest Pet Shops and it seems as if most of her social activities revolve around them. Her most recent accomplishment is that her room is clean. With all the years of collecting toys and a small room to gather them in, they were starting to take over, so, she reclaimed her room and has found that she enjoys it much more.
Joy is 6 and in 1st grade with Mrs. Ward. Her best friends Rachel, Kelsea & Carrie are in her class and she got the honor of Principal Pride for patience last month. Joy is a joy. She shines bright and even when things were sad (when she lost her grandpa) she went to comfort her grandma by giving her a hug and crying with her. When her grandma tried to comfort her by telling her,”Grandpa is happy. He has both his legs and is running around.” Joy asked, “I thought grandpa was dead?” She always makes us laugh.
Jacob is 6 and in 1st grade with Mrs. Carlos. He is such a busy, happy, friendly boy. He is full of life and everything else. This year he is trying to make new friends at school, but after he bit a kid on the ear we knew we needed to discuss some social rules of gaining friends. He has found a love in soccer and says, “I am not a quitter!” as he huffs and puffs down the gym floor. His big highlight and accomplishment (along with the girls) was loosing his training wheels and riding a “two-wheeler”. Now we take bike ride with the whole family.
Luke is 2 and cute, cute, cute. He loves kisses and to see the temple. He is enthralled with puzzles, books, numbers and letters. He is the best shopping buddy and goes for a walk with his mom every morning at the mall. He’s even made some friends of all the Spanish workers there and constantly is shouting, “Hola!” to them as we pass. His vocab is taking off and he calls himself, “Duke”. What a cutie!
Well, we love you all and can’t wait to hear from you. If you’re ever in the area please drop by and see us, or at least call.