Merry Christmas!!

Joy to the world,

the Lord is come!

Christmas is a joyous season! Praise the Lord for sending His

son to redeem us so that we may too have eternal life.

We have had quite a year! 2009 was a year a major changes for our family. We moved from Wyoming to Indiana and Rob went from being a pastor to a computer software engineer. We have spent the last six months adjusting to our new life. It has had its ups and downs, but we feel as if we are finally getting back to normal. We miss our dear friends back west most of all. However, God has a plan for us here and we are confident He works everything to the glory of His name.

The kids are growing faster than I would like to believe. Cari turned 8 in May and is growing into a beautiful young lady. She loves American Girl books (or anything related), is completely fascinated with prairie living, and wants to learn everything about homemaking she can possibly absorb. She is still dancing and found a new sport this summer, baseball. Noah will turn 7 in January and loves to build and design. He is great with Lincoln Logs and Legos. He is working on becoming a gentleman. I call him my "gentleman in training". He is happy to hold doors open for others when we are out running errands. Noah used to be our shy one, but not anymore. He now has no problem making new friends and has become quite good at it. Nathaniel just turned 5 in November. He is very active, however is proving to have a very sensitive, thoughtful side that has really come out over the last year. Of all the kids, he had the hardest time leaving Wyoming. He loves hard, which has made moving a challenge. He is quick to give little gifts and at the tender age of 5 seeks approval of his generosity. Nathaniel has a way of making people smile. And Luke, our baby, isn't really a baby anymore. He is just past 2 1/2 and making his way into the mix of our family. He has begun to assert himself to carve out his place. He isn't our laid back baby anymore. He is still my cuddly teddy bear, though. Luke is plastered to me throughout the entire church service on Sunday morning. This is his cuddle time and he soaks it up. At home he is consumed by imaginative play. He loves dressing up as a cowboy or police officer and is attached to a few choice toys. All 4 kids do a great job of playing with one another despite the range in ages. One of my favorite things to do is to listen to them from another room while they are captivated by their imaginations.

Rob has really enjoyed his new job. He explained to the kids that his job is all about solving puzzles, similar to playing a video game. He usually comes home brain fried, but happy. I continue to stay busy with the kids, reminding myself to enjoy these times when they are little. I still can't believe we are almost done with diapers!! Imagine that!

As time passes by, we give thanks to our Lord who continues to care for us, provide for us and most of all forgive us.

We hope that you have a blessed Christmas!

With much love,
The Reinerts