Christmas Letter from the Bennetts, 2016!

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2016 was yet another significant year for our family.

While we didn’t add any new people to it this year (no babies born or pregnancies announced for the first time in seven years), we did completely uproot and move our family. In a spirit of adventure, Mitch did resign from a good job to do that. I did sign a book deal, and we did start homeschooling.

So we managed to find some excitement this year anyway.

The Move

In late July, an opportunity presented itself for us to move back to my hometown.

Though we had not foreseen moving away from our beloved friends, our wonderful church, and Mitch’s unique job as a church Video Broadcast Lead, as the idea sunk in, we realized it made a lot of sense.

As we thought about it, we realized that maybe we were more ready for a change than we had known. It would allow Mitch to pursue a work-from-home opportunity doing web development from Candy’s web development company and free him up to support our homeschooling efforts and my writing and blogging endeavors. It would also put us closer to family.

So, we spent a hectic month completing all the unfinished projects around our home, replacing doorknobs and carpet, and repainting every surface. We saw God’s hand at work when our home sold for more than we had hoped after only one day on the market!

Our New House

We moved on October 29th, but not into our new house. No, it is currently being totally reworked and updated by Mitch (with my dad’s help).

For now, we are living with my parents! That has been so wonderful, and we are very grateful to them for taking us in. It has been a lot of fun for the kids, and a nice break for me to have much more company and help throughout the day.

The Book

As of April 2018, I will be a published author! I am writing an eternal-perspective-themed devotion for moms with Abingdon Press. This is very much a passion of mine, and I can see the many divine and specific workings of God which brought this opportunity about. I am rolling with it, and I am excited to see what He has in store.

Life with God is SUCH an adventure!

Homeschool

Clara’s first year of full-out homeschool (Kindergarten) has been anything but consistent in light of these life-changes. Nonetheless, she is an eager learner who is progressing by leaps and bounds, and I am so pleased to have this opportunity to teach her!

And, despite the fact that our spunky one-year-old, Emily, is highly involved in our school time (persistently fussing for attention, eating crayons, plunking herself in my lap, climbing onto the table, and scribbling on the school books), I see so much possibility for our homeschool, and I’m more excited than ever to be doing it!

The Kids

Clara, age 5

Our social-yet-shy firstborn is such a delight to us. She has learned to read this year, and is blooming into a young lady in many ways as she is increasingly helpful and compassionate. She is also a careful thinker and a great conversationalist.

Matthew, age 3

Matthew is hitting his stride as a little boy in many ways. He has become more cooperative and communicative this year. He has also developed a love for pretend play, super heroes and weapons! Oh, and he has his momma completely charmed.

Emily, age 1

Our baby girl is too cute for words. She has started saying many words, all of which have on thing in common: they are totally adorable. She loves to look at books, color, rock, climb (but not rock climb), abscond phones and remote controls, and generally be a part of the action. Don’t even think about her going to play by herself for a while! It’s not going to happen.

Her “nigh-nigh” hugs are my favorite, where she throws her arms open wide and then toddles 20 little steps in that pose to give out hugs to all.

I could not be more grateful for the way God is working in our lives. This year has had some real ups and downs, but at the end, as I reflect, all that’s left is JOY.

So, from our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and many blessings in the New Year.

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