Most people following this little blog received a copy of this in the mail, but thought I would share online as well. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
As thoughts fill your mind of the excitement in the last few
years of Christmas “novels” created by the Bozard family, just wait until you
get through this one! Of course, everything must go in order and you will just
have to wait for the good stuff (see paragraph 7 for those of you that are
already scanning the letter). We rang in
the New Year with some friends in Asheville while planning our winter vacation
trip back to Stehekin to spend time with old friends. It was great to visit and have a relaxing
week there in February will a little bit of snow. Yes, we did get the news that several feet of
snow fell to the ground a few weeks after we left.
The year was off to a relaxing start as we enjoyed the
remodel of our house on Harrison Road and continued to walk past the few
projects still on the “to do” list; those projects still remain on that
list. It is important to keep a few
things undone at all times to keep the list going. No one wants a life without a “to do” list. Our backyard still remained empty after the
passing of Lady when we lived in Stehekin, so we decided to go dog-shopping
since we didn’t have any travel plans for a few months. We settled on a four
month old Boykin Spaniel and her name was set at Bailey. There were quite a few discussions about
names, but this one fits her for sure. She has proved to be a great dog and
sits at my feet now as I type. Her
preference is to lounge around the house and chew up all toys presented, even
though Steven has her in training as a duck dog. Thoughts of her in that cold
pond this winter on duck hunting ventures make me laugh; she will get used to
it one way or another. Every time the
front door opens and our keys rattle, she runs to the door ready for a road
trip.
The spring was relaxing and we spent a few weekends in North
Carolina with family including a weekend to celebrate my grandfather’s 85th
birthday. It was a great celebration and
he managed a few smiles to let us know he appreciated the presence of all his
children and grandchildren. Even though
the disease of Alzheimer’s set in long ago, his heart still shined bright as we
gathered around. The next time we all
gathered around him was the weekend before Thanksgiving as people shared
thoughts and childhood memories. He has
spent the past 8 months at my mother’s house with amazing caregivers and a few
lucid moments here and there. On
November 21st, the following Monday, he left this world to join
Jesus, but not before he opened his eyes, looked up, and smiled. It was a year of goodbyes on both sides of
the family. Steven’s nana fell in
February resulting in several hospital stays to follow. She slowly slipped away a few months after
her fall with family surrounding her one night in the hospital. They had made plans to take her back home so
she could be in familiar surroundings and the thought was enough for her to let
go of life here on earth.
Speaking of family, mine is doing well as mom and Steve still
live in North Carolina splitting time between the farm and the beach house.
Heather and Kip are raising two beautiful children willing to share hugs with
anyone and their opinions as well!
Steven’s mom continues to teach at the kindergarten in Orangeburg while
Sharon and Michael’s kids get bigger by the minute. All three kids are back in
public school and enjoying the plethora of options for afterschool
activities.
Our summer was filled with Sundays on the lake and a few
cookouts here and there. Another trip to
Washington was put on the books as our friends had set a wedding date for July.
Of course we had to head up to Stehekin for a few days to say hello to friends
while on the west coast.
Jobs remain the same for us this year with Steven working at
the cotton gin. His days are long right now with many hours a week put in on
the job. This spring a schedule change was nice as he was able to work more
hours each day and take Fridays off. I
continue to work at the hospital three days a week while learning how to run a
business. With three employees under the
company I call Kid Connections, I enjoy the responsibilities as an employer and
the weekly paperwork process that comes along with the title. My list of learned skills from the year is
long and every minute of it has been enjoyable.
I continue to pick up my camera on weekends for photo sessions here and
there. The holiday sessions this year
numbered about 20 and the kids were great! I love seeing them grow from year to
year and capturing those moments of interaction between siblings and
parents.
As the summer came to an end and the fall began, we started
planning for another change in our lives. The expectancy of a baby! Yes, we are
pregnant and due on March 15, 2012.
Right now I am 6 months pregnant and my belly grows more each day. The
baby is very active and likes to kick, flip, jump, hiccup, and move in any
other way possible while in the womb. I
love every one of these little movements and it warms my heart to think of this
upcoming change for our family. We shared the news with our family in August as
they came to visit for a weekend and found a crib in the extra bedroom. All the
nursery decorations are done now with black and white fabric creating the
curtains, pillows, and a crib skirt. My
sewing machine and I got to know each other very well as I set out to complete
those projects a few months ago. Mom
surprised me with an early Christmas present; a serger to make diapers. The plan is for this little baby’s bottom to
be covered in cloth, so I will let you know how it goes. It is crazy to plunder through websites and
see the wide variety of types, styles, and designs. It has been fun to plan for this little one
that will enter the world in March. Steven and I are thankful for this baby
that has already been such a blessing to us in so many ways. No, we are not going to find out the gender
even though we have enjoyed several ultrasounds to see the movements of this
little one.
We are moving. Yes, you read that correctly: I am 6 months
pregnant and packing the house to move.
I must admit that a move was not in our plans for 2011 and only discussion
had occurred about possibly changing locations in 2012, but maybe not until
2013. Anyway, we came across an awesome
house in the country and the process was off to a rapid start. Our closing date is set for December 8th
with plans to move on December 10th, Steven’s birthday. I say it is
a pretty good birthday present, don’t you think? The house is situated on a bluff with 10
acres about 30 minutes outside of Columbia.
It is a log cabin with a full basement with plenty of space for
guests. Steven and I discuss upcoming
plans to have parties and family gatherings there in the years to come. We are excited to say the least! So, I will hit the print button on the
computer after completing this letter the night before closing. I figure I better wait until the last minute,
just to make sure everything will be finalized.
You can get a sneak peak of the house on our Christmas photo and will
just have to plan a visit to get a complete tour of the inside. The yard will include a garden, chickens, and
a few dogs to start. The house will be
empty at first as the square footage is greater than our current house, but
soon furniture and fun will fill each room.
Good thing the sewing for the nursery is complete; all ready to be
packed up and relocated to the new house.
The plans for the week: complete all Christmas shopping,
relax, reflect on our happenings from 2011, and daydream about the upcoming
changes in 2012. We send prayers for a safe holiday season and hope for many
moments shared with family and friends for each one of you. Keep Christ on your mind this Christmas and
at the center of your life for each New Year to come. God bless you as He continues to bless us
each day!
Steven, Heidi, and Baby Bozard
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