Christmas Newsletter 2009

Dear family and friends,

We hope this blog finds you all well and thriving, and enjoying the Christmas season!

We have had a wonderful year filled with twists and turns and unexpected new paths.  Here is a recap of the Cole's version of 2009:

JANUARY: The year started out with a one week suprise trip to Disney.  The kids were stunned to wake-up on a Thursday expecting to go to school, only to find out we were packed and ready for a week at Disney!  Meema and Peepa joined us there and a great time was had by all!  TRIP REPORT for those of us who have not read it yet.

FEBRUARY: Michael attended his very first dance...and he loved it!  He didn't dance, but enjoyed being with his peers and, some what surprisingly, the loud music.  After much prayer and consideration we decided as a family to go through with foster care training.  10 weeks of training were to follow.

MARCH: Took the kids to Niagara Falls for the first time and saw the American Falls. Elsa fell ill and the kids were gracious, but they were less than impressed with the view.  Decided to try again next weekend and remembered the birth certificates so we were able to see the Candian Falls...and the kids were thrilled with this!

APRIL:  I celebrated my 34th birthday and had the treat of my parents visiting during the celebrations! Decided to stop updating my website and enter the world of blogging. 

MAY:  Completed foster care training, became certified, and started the wait for a placement.  This month found us preparing our house for whoever God might place with us. We set up a crib, bunkbed, highchair, swing, and various other baby items.  We filled 2 closets with boys and girls clothing from ages NB-5...and lets just say, if you need a car seat I am sure we have one you can borrow.

JUNE:  Michael turned 12 this month and had a nice party with 3 friends.  Go-carts, batting cages, video gaming, and a sleepover...and a Pokemon cake.  I spent nearly 2 weeks down with back issues while the kids finished out their school year.  Many people stepped in and helped out this month and for this I am very thankful!  We were directed to SPOA (Single Point of Access) and COMPEER for Michael and look forward to services and support for making life a bit easier for him.

JULY:  Michael and Elsa went back to Bliss Summit Bible Camp for a week of fun, fun, fun!  I obtained insurance and thankfully an apppointment with my neurosurgeon.  MRI and CT SCAN results were not a big surprise...the concensus was another surgery would be needed at some point.  The hope was years down the road. 

AUGUST:  WOW...this was a BIG month!  We spent a wonderful week at Hilton Head Island enjoying sun, fun, and family culminating in the beautiful wedding of my little sister Sarah to Steve.  The return home brought us only as far as my parents house in Ohio where it was determined I would need emergency surgery on my back.  All went well and the kids really enjoyed staying with my parents for the whole month as I recovered.  Elsa turned 10 and had a lovely party in Ohio.  It turns out cake and gifts are well received in any state!

SEPTEMBER:  Returned home to New York as Michael started 7th grade and Elsa started 5th grade.  I spent this month laying down.  Elsa started the clarinet, we adopted Talulah (our lovely cat), and the kids fell in love with The Muppet Show (courtesy of Netflix).  The community rallied around us and provided 5 meals a week, a weekly grocery shopper, and a weekly house cleaner.  We've been greatly blessed!

OCTOBER: Elsa started Saturday Soccer and Michael had his 1st COMPEER event this month...and again, I spent most of it laying down with friends and family taking care of our needs. I found out this month that the business I worked for would be closing it's doors.  We did the traditional pumpkin carving and enjoyed a surpise visit from Meema for Trick-or-Treating.

NOVEMBER: We welcomed our first foster baby for a 6 day respite placing.  Oh, what a delight!  The kids and I spent the majority of this month taking turns with high fevers, coughs, and headaches. Thankfully that is behind us.  Elsa won a brand new bike and helmet and we spent a week in OH being thankful for Thanksgiving.

DECEMBER:  With the 1st of the month I found myself officially unemployed but certain that God has a bigger plan!  We enjoyed setting up our Christmas tree and are finished with shopping and the wrapping.  We are anticipating our Christmas Eve travels and celebrating the Saviors birth in Ohio.

All in all, it has been a wonderful year - how has yours been?  We hope to hear from you soon.  Or better yet stop on by, as we're always happier for company!

Warm wishes from our house to yours,

Melissa, Michael, and Elsa