December 18, 2008
I guess 39 years in warm climates have kept me in denial about December weather in the real world. Snow, according to my favorite Christmas movie "White Christmas," falls only on Christmas Eve, and only on those who are "ready" for Christmas. (That is, prepared with all the presents, cards, festive parties, school programs, etc. Not the real "ready" of being open to the gift of Jesus Christ, God's son, who was not just a baby in a manger, but the Savior of the world.)
Even in Maple Valley, I've been spoiled - as the really harsh winter weather usually holds off until January. So I put off compiling my Christmas cards, but was stranded most of this week by icy roads, so the cards are delayed. And this year, we have the best family photo. Why didn't anyone tell me how happy you could be on your child's wedding day?
So, imagine you are opening the envelope I addressed to you, and seeing the beautiful photo of us on August 16, the day Kaitlin joined our family. Inside would be Christmas wishes and a note from one of us, and just a paragraph on our year - along with a link to this URL, where you could read more about the eight members of the Watkins clan.
I guess we're just skipping those first few steps, though I am going to try to get the cards out when the weather (and schedule) allows.
In the meantime, here is what we're all doing:
- Nate spent several months in Morocco where he worked on photo books, and the rest of the year as a photographer in Portland. Nathan continues to make steps toward working full-time as a photographer in North Africa. He hopes to move in the next year or so, but there are a lot of variables at play. To receive periodic updates on his journey, contact him through his website. Next month, he'll spend a couple weeks in Southern California, including the long weekend I'll be there to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday.
- Ian finished his second quarter at SPU before the wedding, and now is taking online classes toward earning his B.A. in history, while continuing his full-time work at DRC. He was promoted to Corporal. Several members of his USMC Reserve unit volunteered for deployment, but he had an important date this summer, for which is mother is very grateful. He also ran the Portland Marathon, improving his time to 4:24. Kaitlin graduated from the Aveda Cosmetology School and now works at an Aveda salon. She's really taken to married life, making a home with Ian in Federal Way. She's obviously a good cook, as Ian has overcome his skinniness (just like his dad did shortly after we were married). They have started their own blog.
- Caroline earned her nursing assistant certification at Renton Tech, began working at a residential facility for people with dementia, taking classes at Green River Community College and, this summer was in the chorus of a local production of "Oklahoma!" She is moving to Portland the first of the year, living with friend(s). Oregon has two levels of health-care workers; she'll find a job as a CNA 1, but attend Portland Community College (the "other" PCC for my California friends) to get a CNA 2 certification so she can apply for better-paying jobs. She plans to return to Multnomah in the fall.
- Lap traveled to New Zealand with the Crusaders Rugby team over spring break, graduated Kentlake High School, got a job as a line cook at the nearby Red Robin, and started Green River. He's doing well at Green River, and making mature decisions as he ponders the future.
- Lanh joined the Kentlake tennis team, continued in student government, orchestra and American Sign Language, and will probably run the world someday. She is a lovely teenager. My friend (who also has five children, the youngest of whom is Lanh's best friend) has a theory that youngest children are easy because they've watched their older siblings grow up. Of course, the reason could be that they're taking mercy on their parents becasue they're old! Anyway, Lanh is a joy, and we'll miss her in three years when she leaves home to run the world - or at least conquer college.
- Randolph and I celebrated our 30th anniversary on our third Alaskan cruise. Randolph continues working in finished carpentry. Highlights of the year included installing the doors and hardware for Puyallup City Hall, and working 60 hours a week - all at night - to remodel the mall at Bellevue Square. Convention and trade show work carpentry continues to be a favorite of his, and with the great people he works with, he wishes had had more time to work there. All of that good work kept him from getting out for hunting season. Next year. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out when I became one of the "old timers" at World Vision; my new mission is to introduce the organization's rich history to the next generation, who will be building its future. I also am VP Membership of the Toastmasters group which meets at World Vision, and earned my Advanced Communicator Bronze this year. I took my first graduate class early in the year, and look forward to taking more - when my life calms down a bit. I enjoy my occasional "photography assignments" for different ministries at Faith Baptist, and my favorite hobby is digital scrapbooking (as you can tell if you clicked on a couple of the links above).
Merry Christmas,
Randolph, Sheryl, Nathan, Ian, Kaitlin, Caroline, Lap and Lanh
