Merry Christmas a little late!

We had a White Christmas . . . Christmas 2009

And what a joyous Christmas Season it was for us as we made our way back to Western Pennsylvania just in time for Thanksgiving. After almost 8 years away finally we were near family for the holidays. It wasn’t a short road getting here, rather had lots of stops along the way, but we are home and we’re warm even w/ the snow we see daily.

It seemed it was time to come home after 2 good years in Grand Cayman. We made friends from all over the world and got to see God at work. While it’s nice to be back, Scott and I are forever grateful to the Lord for placing us in Grand Cayman for a season.

One by one we departed the Island. Good-bye Island life! First out was Lucy, shipped back in April to Ohio w/ my friend, Lynne, who almost forgot her at the airport. Lucy actually did go to live on a farm in the country! Josh left in June for time in Pennsylvania & Florida followed closely by Jesse, Lilly & I. After an eventful flight, w/ a sick Jesse and a cranky Lilly, or was it a cranky Julie, we made it safe and sound to Pittsburgh where my Mom, Aunt, Uncle and cousins were eagerly awaiting our arrival. Scott and Garbo were last to leave, Garbo tucked under Scott’s seat on the plane – only escaping once when the flight attendant wanted a look-sy and unzipped her carrier. Oops! Finally after stays in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida we all met up together in Florida. Next we planted ourselves temporarily in Ada, Ohio thus reuniting w/ Lucy again. Family complete. We determined to stay in Ohio where we’d wait for what was next. God was so faithful even giving Scott an opportunity to work as a visiting Engineering Professor at my alma mater, Ohio Northern University, of all things. It was a long crazy summer, but we made it! And ah, the journey!

After a long time of living out of suitcases and boxes, God finally placed us right in my family’s backyard of Western Pennsylvania in Greenville where Scott has taken the position of Public Service Director for the Borough. When we left for Grand Cayman, I said to my Mom, who knows, maybe when we return we’ll end up living near you. And so it is. While I miss Florida and Grand Cayman for the great friends and the sunshine we left behind, I cannot tell you how much this feels like home to us all - most importantly because for the first time ever we had all five kids with us under one roof Christmas morning.

David’s busy, working full-time, going to college at the University of Phoenix online, and in the Navy Reserves. He was a welcome addition to the kitchen always being a better and more relaxed cook than I. Megan’s doing well, fourth in standing in her senior class with several applications out for college and a goal to be a teacher. We look forward to seeing what the next year brings for her. Christmas was special as it was the first time sisters, Lilly and Megan met. Truly Lilly stole Megan’s heart and she stole Lilly’s. A great big sister, Megan got her ear talked off by a very happy Jesse, too. It felt so good to see her.

Josh, Jesse & Lilly are my heroes. Both boys have been troopers. Starting school in Ada and then transferring to Greenville would have been a big deal to me as a kid, but they did it effortlessly. Josh is a junior and Jesse is in 3rd grade. Jesse & Lilly are happy to live closer to Gramma Kay, or Gramma Candy as Lilly refers to her, and their cousins whom they love. Josh is blessed by finally living closer to his Mom & siblings. This year Josh started taking flying lessons. He can’t drive yet, but he’s flying. Hmmm. Lilly proved quite resilient simply saying “my new house” each time we moved this summer. She is still quite close to Josh, who I’ve threatened will be taking her to college w/ him if he keeps teaching her silly tricks. Jesse has embraced life as a big brother, mostly enjoying it and her silliness. Jesse’s greatest accomplishment this year was making a snow angel for the first time ever!

Scott is due to finish his Master’s in Divinity very soon, was ordained this year by an evangelical ministerial association, and is hopeful to reach his goal of becoming a Chaplin in the Army in the near future. With a heart that continues to grow in mission work, he heads out w/ his buddy, Jeff, to Peru for another trip soon and is already spotting God shaped holes for us to fill in ministry in our new church, Bethel Life Worship Center. A church loved by us all. They’re doing the stuff and getting outside the doors. Mostly I am mommying, but when I’m not mommying I’m busy working on a book I hope to have published by 2010. Mostly I see it my job to just keep spreading His Word for He’s been quite good to us.

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas season and as always our doors are open waiting for a visit from you & yours. Peace & Blessings this New Year!

Love, the Graubards