Merry Christmas and Happy New Year friends! This year has absolutely flown by and Travis and I have found ourselves shaking our heads, wondering together where the time as gone.
Reflecting on the past year, there is one event that clearly stands out above the rest…
Adding sweet Esther to our family!
From her speedy arrival during the dark hours of the morning in early May, to watching her experience snow for this first time in late November, viewing life once again through the eyes of a newborn has once again been a gift. Pregnancy and the newborn phase are no small matter, but God has held us through the ups and downs. The experience of watching our three older children welcome a new baby sister into the family has been a joy beyond what either of us could have predicted. Her siblings are obsessed with her and that deep affection and love just continues to grow as she does.
What a gift families are! We are so thankful for ours.
Our fierce yet tender Annie turned three at the end of October and has kept mommy quite literally on the move all year. She has the boundless energy of a toddler combined with the undying independence of a girl desperate to be one of the "big kids". Pair that with the fierce loyalty and caring of a tiny mommy heart in the making and you bottle up just a bit of big personality you find in our little girl. She loves to "write" and sing and play with big brothers. Dogs continue to be her obsession and baby dolls have been a delightful new discovery, with her baby sister being the best "baby doll", friend, and entertainment a little girl could ask for!
Our Peter has grown up so much this past year. He has grown taller and really grown into his own likes and personality this year. He continues to find great joy in making surprising people and making them laugh, but also has developed into a deep love of games: card games, board games, and all kinds of sports included! Backgammon, rummy, and basketball are his particular favorites right now. While he has always loved being read to, his confidence and ability in reading have exploded this year and I am finding myself suddenly scrambling to find books to challenge his newly expanded reading ability. Peter has begun treatments for severe seasonal allergies this year and continues to look like his daddy as he grows. This year has also been the year of loosing teeth for our Peter, and his gap-filled grin is the best! Peter is a sweet and silly big brother to his two little sisters, and continues to be best friends with his big brother.
Our James has come into his oldest child role more than ever this year! He is completely obsessed with Esther and loves to help entertain her and play with her. It is not uncommon for me to turn around to find Esther missing from the spot I put her one minute ago because big brother wanted to play or sing with her! James continues to be our reader and fact-magnet, ploughing through many books each week and constantly showering us with random facts he seems to collect everywhere. He is excelling in fourth grade and absolutely loving the World History curriculum we are doing this year. He turned 9 late this summer and is thriving at being a bigger helper around the house with his sisters and learning to cook, especially his favorite food, Annie's Macaroni and Cheese. To his great dissatisfaction, he has become a glasses wearer this year, and is excited to someday be old enough for contacts. We are so thankful for this tender hearted leader of our little Sinks crew!
As I reflect on this year, two things stand out:
First, overwhelming gratitude and joy in the family God has entrusted Travis and I with. Our children are a gift that we are deeply grateful for, and goodness we like them a whole lot!
Second, more than ever I see my desperate need for God's help in raising these kids and serving our family each day. Very practically I saw this in the physical challenges this final pregnancy posed for me, but even emotionally I see the challenge to humble myself to serve my family and grow in grace and humility as I pray my children do also. It is daily a reminder that parenting is as much about God training me and my reactions as it is me training our children.
I am thankful for a good and gracious God who meets me and strengthens me in my daily moments of need.
Praising Him for this past year and looking to Him for guidance and joy in this coming 2025. And praying the same for all of you!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Alesha, Travis, James, Peter, Annie and Esther
