Merry Christmas

I've had several people ask me why they didn't receive the Ray Family Christmas card this year. The answer is simple. I didn't do Christmas cards this year. I love, love, love sending and receiving Christmas cards. PK has suggested for the last couple of years that we just send out e-cards. I always tell him I think that it is nice to receive a card in the mail. This year just seemed a bit hectic and I decided to meet PK half way. My blog isn't email, right? I'm planning to get "real" cards out next year, so just sit back and wait.

The first bit of craziness involved in making a Christmas card is finding a time for everyone to sit down and take the photo. PK's work schedule does not allow a day off when the kids are off from school. So we finally found a day over Christmas break where everyone was home. I use to do a collage card of favorite pictures and events from throughout the year, but I post those on the blog now. It kind of seemed redundant. Last year we just did a couple pictures of the kids and one with PK and the kids.

Back to getting everyone ready for the photo op. Before we even sit down, we have to find coordinating clothes. When the kids were all really little, I just bought them matching outfits. This year I knew I wanted to wear a reddish turtleneck sweater that fits nicely, so it was a matter of finding everyone else something to match me. We finally got the outfits together, but when we decided on the family pose we wanted, Hannah was sitting on PK's lap. He was wearing a black sweater and she was wearing a black dress. A quick wardrobe correction to a red dress and we were good to go.

Eighty (yes, that is 8..0) shots later we finally got one where everyone kept their eyes open, hands down and looking at the camera. We actually came up with three.

The fam.

The kids (pre-wardrobe change).

The parents.

There you have it. The pictures that would have made it on the Christmas card had we sent one out.

Now a quick recap of the year and my "would have been" Christmas card is almost complete. Please feel free to link back to previous blog posts for a more detailed recap.

Rachel hit double digits this year and is in the fifth grade. She is in chorus at school and finished the Recorder Karate program. She is looking forward to playing an instrument in the middle school band next year. She is in her sixth year of Girl Scouts and loves it.

Aaron is 8 and in the third grade. He loves Legos, weapons , toy cars and planes, and anything gadgety. His "boyness" has really come out this year. He got a pet snake for his birthday and we all actually enjoy playing with the snake. He is in his third year of Boy Scouts. He and PK enjoy doing Scouts together.

Hannah started kindergarten this year. It is full day in Georgia. She loves school as much as Rachel. She started Girl Scouts this year and is a Daisy Scout. She loves animals and more than anything wants a puppy of her own.

PK is still a chaplain with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The work is hard, his schedule is crazy (he worked Christmas Eve and has to go in this morning…Christmas Day) and he would like to do more ministry, but God has used him there. He has faced challenges in being able to minister to the inmates, but always stands up for what he believes is the right thing to do. He spent the summer at Naval Station Great Lakes and will be activated there again from April to August.

I (Jody) am a room parent for both Aaron's and Hannah's classes. I seem to be at the school almost as much as the kids, but I love it. It is fun having all three of the kids at the same school this year. It is the only year that will happen. My biggest news is I am now a runner. I NEVER thought I would type that. My most recent long run was seven miles.

My Christmas card would not be complete without Christ. The kids and I were able to attend a church service at my home church in Evansville this past weekend. It was nice to be "home" for Christmas Sunday. The pastor I grew up listening to and learning from is still there and he brought a great Christmas message. He used that saying we have all probably heard, "Wise Men still seek Him" to encourage us to continue to seek Christ no matter our circumstances. As you venture into the new year, the Ray Family's prayer for you is that you will focus on Him and continue to seek after the One we celebrate today!!

Merry Christmas and Happy 2010!