Twas
the middle of January and all through Norwalk,
Every
creature was dancing, up and down every block.
Show
choir season was here and oh how fitting,
Those
talented high schoolers,
They
just kept on winning!
When
all of a sudden there arose a great clatter,
Carrie
sprang from her desk to see what was the matter.
A
clarinet or trombone, these squaks were not token,
In
the band room and it didn’t always mean the horn was broken.
Large
group and solo contest, scores, and medals,
Dozens
of great successes sprang up like spring’s flower petals.
Flowers
like daffodils, tulips and lilies,
Greeted
us with the youth group in Ohio,
To
be exact: Cincinnati.
To
help a dear friend and her church family,
With
56 people serving whole-heartedly!
That
brings us to April, June and May,
When
Carrie’s photo sessions were well underway.
Families
and seniors and a wedding or two.
Call
her if you’d like, she’d be happy to “shoot” you!
One
special subject, a student always,
Strutted
his stuff across Morningside’s stage.
Gerard
finished his masters and thinking, “What next?!”
Always
working to improve, lead better, serve best.
He’s
taken on some Honor choirs, chair positions, and committees,
To
help serve his colleagues and earn extra money.
Along
came summertime
With
activities of what kind?
Of course, it must be,
Nothing
other than Frisbee!
With
a wink and a nod,
A
sweaty kiss, and “Go honey!”
It
seems in a split moment it was our 5
th
Anniversary.
Gerard’s
team placed 3rd, Des Moines League and Iowa Games,
It’s
ok, they had fun! Nothing to blame.
When
what to our wondering eyes we did view?
But
our extended family, let’s see how it grew:
A
cousin on each of our sides,
Decided
to take the leap and became each a bride.
Not
only was it time for gaining in-laws, to name a few,
But,
it was time for Round Two of nieces and nephews!
Come
February of 2013,
We’ll
have the first boy born to the Webeler family!
Carrie’s
sister Katie, may feel like the Black Sheep,
But
we’re not complaining! Not even one peep!
Step-sister
Paige is due in March,
&
sister-in-law Jordan completes the arch.
I
think that makes three,
And
we wished them Godspeed.
Then
after a while,
Hoping,
waiting, no smiles,
God’s
timing is perfect, the Plan pristine.
Carrie
has a new reason to eat lots of protein!!
No,
not just for building her biceps and muscles,
(Though
that’s been a project for miles on miles.)
He
has blessed us with a babe to have all our own.
Come
early June, we’ll bring him or her to our home.
A
home, I might add that’s had quite the lift!
Gerard’s handy-ness enlarged two of our closets!
Just
in time to make room for girl or boy Baby,
Carrie
was excited to organize things, to reduce them from many.
While
we are elated for this Baby addition,
We
can’t end this letter without one contrition.
The
loss of Aunt Lois, mentor Gary, family friend dear Al,
Left
us saddened, and mournful, weeping, though not a wail.
For
there is comfort here,
For these friends we hold dear,
Made
a mark on our lives and are now up above,
Experiencing
first hand, our Savior’s deep love.
We
are thankful for much, to count blessings are many,
Our
jobs, church, friends, and above all-family.
We
pray this card finds you well,
Decking
halls, but not running pell-mell.
That
you can enjoy this season
And
it’s much greater reason.
And
dare we exclaim
As
this card leaves your sight,
“Merry
Christmas to all
And
to all a good night!”
