As I sit here reflecting on the past year, my thoughts are dominated by the passing of mother-in-law, Joy. It seems somehow fitting that she passed away at the start of the season of joy. Every time I see the word “joy”, I think of her. But it’s sad too. We have a Christmas gift sitting under our tree, that was there before she passed. I can’t bring myself to remove it.
There will be a memorial service for her at the Frederick Seventh-day Adventist Church in the chapel, on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 4:30 pm.
For those of you who didn't know Dwight's mom, she was a sweet and gentle person. She was a devoted mother. She was also an amazing mother-in-law. Dwight was always her perfect little boy but she welcomed me into his life and very quickly made me feel like one of her own. When we started having our own children, she was supportive and encouraging. She never had anything but kind words for me. She never suggested that I do things a different way. In fact she would quietly tell me that I was doing a great job. I feel so grateful to have had her approval and most importantly, her love. But with that very recent loss, it’s hard to write my usual lighthearted letter - as she herself would have said, “Uffda!”
Sadly, we had several losses this year. Dwight’s grandmother, “NeeNee”, passed away at the start of the year. We gathered with the Wold family for a graveside service, in January. In August I flew to Florida for a memorial service for my Aunt Charmaine (my mom’s sister) with my Van Belle family.
Fortunately there were many happy times as well. We went on several trips – I love trying new things and going new places so I’m hoping to foster that same passion in my family – particularly my husband.
There will be a memorial service for her at the Frederick Seventh-day Adventist Church in the chapel, on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 4:30 pm.
For those of you who didn't know Dwight's mom, she was a sweet and gentle person. She was a devoted mother. She was also an amazing mother-in-law. Dwight was always her perfect little boy but she welcomed me into his life and very quickly made me feel like one of her own. When we started having our own children, she was supportive and encouraging. She never had anything but kind words for me. She never suggested that I do things a different way. In fact she would quietly tell me that I was doing a great job. I feel so grateful to have had her approval and most importantly, her love. But with that very recent loss, it’s hard to write my usual lighthearted letter - as she herself would have said, “Uffda!”
Sadly, we had several losses this year. Dwight’s grandmother, “NeeNee”, passed away at the start of the year. We gathered with the Wold family for a graveside service, in January. In August I flew to Florida for a memorial service for my Aunt Charmaine (my mom’s sister) with my Van Belle family.
Fortunately there were many happy times as well. We went on several trips – I love trying new things and going new places so I’m hoping to foster that same passion in my family – particularly my husband.
- At the end of February we took our kids out west for a ski trip. We joined up with my father-in-law’s family for the week and my brother Jonny and his girlfriend, Julia, spent the weekend with us as well. Taking the kids to Colorado was very special for us. Ever since our family started to grow, Dwight and I dreamed of being able to ski with our kids. It’s not something we’ll be doing every year (Yike$!) but it did live up to our expectations. The kids loved it and their skills improved rapidly. Oskar even managed to go down a black diamond before we left.
- At the start of the summer, my Grandma Prouty flew down and spent a little time with us – which was a wonderful treat. The Prouty family is huge (there are twenty-seven of us in my generation and all I can tell you about her great grandchildren is that she passed the twenty–seven mark a while ago). As I was saying, the Prouty family is huge so I’m incredibly honored that we managed to get some of her time.
- Dwight and I spent the first weekend in June, exploring Raleigh, NC.
- A few weeks later, the kids and I drove to Tennessee where we spent time with the Prouty family and then we had a quick visit with Bruce and Rita, in North Carolina.
- We celebrated Dwight’s 40th birthday with a big surprise party. It required way too much subterfuge so I’m officially retiring from throwing surprise parties. But it was a ton of fun and he loved it so I’m glad I did it this once.
- The following month, we also had a fun couple of days at Ocean City with just our little…ahem…large family of six (and a day trip to meet up with Dad’s family in Delaware, which was awesome).
- After nearly fifteen years at his previous position, Dwight started a new job, with Oracle. (On a side note, he started his new position one week before the kids started school. This is the first year the kids are all in school during the morning, five days a week. So naturally that’s when Dwight starts working from home. He is getting entirely the wrong impression of how my life has been, these past nine years! Not to mention, I’m not sure why the Universe apparently has a problem with me having time home alone. *hehe* But it’s actually been wonderful having him home. And I think he would agree.)
- We celebrated ten years of marriage with an overnight getaway to Alexandria. I'd never really been before, which is crazy since we live so close. Dwight and I had fun wandering around and going for a nice, long jog together.
- We enjoyed an extended Labor Day weekend with the extended Engen family, at the Outer Banks (in the 4wd only section, which was an interesting experience).
- In October, the Wolcott family gathered here in DC where we participated in the ALS Walk, in support of Dwight’s aunt, Carolyn.
And through all this flutter activity, the kids continue to grow up at a startling rate. This morning I realized that Kardynn is now older than Oskar was, when she was born.
Oskar is in 3rdgrade. He’s become obsessed with math – particularly pi. I’m so fascinated by this little boy whose brain operates NOTHING like mine. Right now is favorite book is one about math, called Go Figure!, that he checked out from the school library. He pores over it for hours at a time. And then he’ll come quiz me on the formula for the area of various shapes. It’s a little odd…and very amusing at the same time. I just hope he somehow retains some of this enthusiasm until when he starts actually learning about this stuff in school. He’s also become interested in programming. Clearly he has 100% Dwight Engen DNA.
Oskar is in 3rdgrade. He’s become obsessed with math – particularly pi. I’m so fascinated by this little boy whose brain operates NOTHING like mine. Right now is favorite book is one about math, called Go Figure!, that he checked out from the school library. He pores over it for hours at a time. And then he’ll come quiz me on the formula for the area of various shapes. It’s a little odd…and very amusing at the same time. I just hope he somehow retains some of this enthusiasm until when he starts actually learning about this stuff in school. He’s also become interested in programming. Clearly he has 100% Dwight Engen DNA.
And then we have Annika, whose brain operates EXACTLY like mine (which has been very humbling – apparently I must have a rather challenging personality). She’s completely my little clone. But on the up side, she is a very happy child. She does everything with exuberance and enthusiasm. She has energy in spades. She loves to run. She’s a complete tomboy and even cut off her hair into an adorable little pixie cut this summer. She’s a wonderful organizer and list maker. She’s also going to be a fantastic babysitter. She's in second grade.
Kiersten is a sweetheart. She has my mother-in-law’s personality. This year she went into first grade. I was worried about how she’d transition to being there for a full-day but she’s thriving. Having said that, this Fall has been a struggle for her because she somehow ended up with a nasty autoimmune disorder called Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). We’ve now been dealing with this for almost five weeks. I hate to see my little girl in pain and it’s frustrating because there’s not a whole lot we can do for her. But we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the worst of it is behind us.
Kardynn is keeping things balanced and takes after her oldest sister. Those two are either thick as thieves or fighting – there’s no in between with them. Kardynn is enjoying one last year of preschool and loves being at the same school as her little cousin, Autumn. Every day she gives me an update on her cousin. She always tells me what Autumn was wearing and how her hair looks. (Based on those daily updates, I can tell you that my niece is one stylin’ little girl!) Kardynn is growing up especially fast. I think she loves her afternoons with me and Dwight, while the other guys are still in school. She’s a perpetual source of amusement and says the absolute cutest things (I’m not the least bit biased). She makes us laugh all the time and I’m a little sad that my baby is no longer a baby.
Kardynn is keeping things balanced and takes after her oldest sister. Those two are either thick as thieves or fighting – there’s no in between with them. Kardynn is enjoying one last year of preschool and loves being at the same school as her little cousin, Autumn. Every day she gives me an update on her cousin. She always tells me what Autumn was wearing and how her hair looks. (Based on those daily updates, I can tell you that my niece is one stylin’ little girl!) Kardynn is growing up especially fast. I think she loves her afternoons with me and Dwight, while the other guys are still in school. She’s a perpetual source of amusement and says the absolute cutest things (I’m not the least bit biased). She makes us laugh all the time and I’m a little sad that my baby is no longer a baby.
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This letter took me a long time to write. The slideshow has been ready to go for days but I just couldn’t get the words together. It probably doesn’t help that we’ve had a lot going on, this last little bit. Five out of the last six schooldays, I was at the elementary school or preschool for various events. We’ve also been spending extra time with family and friends these last couple of days. Our lives are very full, which is a wonderful thing but time-consuming, all the same. Next year brings lots to look forward to. Ted's first baby - a little boy - is due to arrive in May. We're already making plans for trips we might like to take (including a trip out to Arizona for this auntie, to meet said little boy). We hope the coming year brings more of the good stuff and less of the bad. We wish the same for you!
If you’d like to refresh yourself on how we all look, check out our virtual holiday greeting (a mere 2 and a half minute commitment).
Happy Holidays 2012! from Heather Engen on Vimeo.
(If you have any problems with the video, trying going to Vimeo and viewing it full screen).
Much love,
P.S. I’ve been a little nervous about writing this letter ever since my friend Sharon posted a link on Facebook to the Humble Brag letter 2012, a few weeks ago. I assume people would prefer to read about the good stuff in our lives but I definitely don’t want anyone punching me in the throat! *wink*)
If you’d like to refresh yourself on how we all look, check out our virtual holiday greeting (a mere 2 and a half minute commitment).
Happy Holidays 2012! from Heather Engen on Vimeo.
(If you have any problems with the video, trying going to Vimeo and viewing it full screen).
Much love,
 |
| Heather, Oskar, Kiersten, Kardynn, Annika, Dwight |
P.S. I’ve been a little nervous about writing this letter ever since my friend Sharon posted a link on Facebook to the Humble Brag letter 2012, a few weeks ago. I assume people would prefer to read about the good stuff in our lives but I definitely don’t want anyone punching me in the throat! *wink*)
