A Record of Rose: Christmas Newsletter

Merry Christmas!

I hope this e-Christmas newsletter finds you in good health and happy spirits. If you are a regular reader on my blog you know exactly what we have been up to but I still think it is good to get it all down in one summary of exactly what our 2013 looked like.... like a little Kundel family time capsule.

2013 started out with a fun road trip to Memphis to cheer on our ISU Cyclones in the Liberty Bowl. We visited the zoo, ate lots of BBQ, experienced the famous Beale Street, visited Graceland, had a great time spending time with friends, and got to see Scott's extended family. Unfortunately, we did not get to experience a Cyclone win but we were troopers during the wet and drizzly game (and also got to see the Temptations perform!). I am glad we took the trip because the 2013 season was a long one for Cyclone fans as we ended up with a 3-7 record. However, we are looking forward to basketball season! Go Cyclones!

In March we took our big Walt Disney World trip with Scott's family. We had a blast and made some great family memories! Highlights included watching Michael meet Buzz and Woody, meeting the princesses, and watching Michael when he was selected to be in the Festival of Lion King Parade. We are very excited as my sister Denise is going to spending the spring semester in Orlando on a Disney Internship so we are already planning our next trip back! This trip will be a short one, probably over a long weekend and we will hopefully get to spend some good quality time with my sister and also check some things off our list that we didn't get to last time. We haven't finalized a date yet but I can't wait!

Spring led to summer and Michael and I had fun checking off things on my big summer fun list. Our favorites included trips to Woodbury County Fair, the State Fair, Adventureland Amusement and Water Park, and camping. We also spent lots of time at the pool with Michael learning how to go down the bigger water slide by himself and learning to cruise around the water in his lifejacket by himself. As usual, Scott did a few days of RAGBRAI as well as the TOMRV ride and we also got in a little bit of boating. I also played in the Boone Municipal band and went up to Boone once a week to teach a full 10 hour day of lessons to some of my students. We also kept busy playing in the sandbox and puttering around the yard- all good summer things!

This fall, big changes happened in our family as I accepted a full time position teaching 5th-8th grade band. Things have been busy as I have ventured into uncharted territory with teaching things like 8th grade marching band and jazz band as well as wrangling beginners just getting started on their musical journey. Despite the hectic schedule, the rewards have been great. I get to go to work every day at a job I love and I am feeling very professionally fulfilled. Michael continues to go to an awesome preschool/daycare and he is learning lots of new things every day. Work continues to go well for Scott and he is writing lots of new business! It is hard to believe that we have both been plugging away in our respective fields for almost a decade-when did we get so old!?!

Since school has started it seems like things have been extra busy but we still try and do fun things like get together with friends, tailgate for ISU football games and spent time with family. We are so thankful for my mom's health after her accident in November and we say lots of prayers of thanks daily for her recovery. She is recovering at home now and has a very busy schedule of therapy and hopes to go back to work sometime in 2014. In other family news, my family is gaining a new member as my brother Sam is getting married in February. We really like his fiancé and are excited to welcome her to the family.

Scott and I are very thankful for our little family of three although we still miss Trace every day. He is constantly in our thoughts and prayers and we wish he had more time with us on here on earth. We try to find the blessings in each day and although we have our trials we still try to make each day a good one. I try to keep my eyes to the future and remember God's promise to us:

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)