Dear Friends and Family,First of all, I am sorry that I was unable to send everyone I know a Christmas card. I hope that this is an acceptable substitute!
Okay, well, since Christmas letters are to recap the year, here goes:
1. I don't remember much of the 1st quarter of 2009. Why? Because my life was consumed with finishing graduate school. The final paper needed to be turned in the last week of March, which coincided with Mike leaving to work on his grandparents' condo in FL. It was great to be alone that first week - I was able to work without disruption. But, by week 4, I was more than ready to have my husband home!
2. I had to present my paper/research at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA, on April 13. Mike and his grandparents' timed it that they headed North so that he could be dropped off in VA to be reunited with me! This was trip #1 to VA this year!
3. I had to do a few revisions
(My prof was initially ok with my paper, but the other reader is a PhD advisor, and flat-out said that he read my MSEd-level paper with the eyes of someone critiquing a dissertation. Thanks. I didn't need that.), but then it was time for graduation! I decided that since it had taken me 6 years to complete, I was going to walk in the ceremony. So, for trip #2, my parents and in-laws met us in Winchester for a Mother's Day graduation ceremony. Highlight? Meeting some of my classmates for the first time, as we our work was completed on-line.
Oh, and I have to share the picture of me and my very large diploma. It cracks me up!
(And this is the same size the undergraduates received, too! Can you imagine?)
4. Trip to VA #3 took us first to Harrisonburg, VA, for a friend's wedding. We decided to make a mini-vacation out of it and spent some time in Winchester on the way home. If you've never been to Winchester, it really is a nice little city. I have a feeling we'll spend more mini-vacations there. For more on this trip and other activities this past summer, take a look at old postings - they are full of pictures!
5. Professionally: Last spring we received word that we would lose 2 of our 4 kindergarten assistants
(my asst. being one of them). I could not even imagine teaching K5 in our building without a full-time asst. so I began to think more seriously about changing grade levels. By this point, I had determined that it was not time for me to leave my building
(trust me, this took a WHOLE lotta soul-searching and tears - thanks, friends and colleagues who put up with me during that time!), but I knew I needed to make a change. It then worked out that because a friend/colleague was not returning this year, we could do a little shuffling around in-house and I made the decision to make the leap to...First Grade!
Of course, the moment I got everything in my room dispersed
(I had about a week because of construction that was going to begin in our building), we got word that the assts. were staying! Great for Kindergarten, but it was hard for me to leave the fabulous relationship I had with my assistant
(Yes, we still see each other every day, but it isn't the same...).
So, this fall, my 8th year of teaching, I greeted students who knew what to do in school! It was a wonderful experience! I didn't mention that I kept all but 2 of my kindergarten students so that has made the transition SO much easier. It is still like a "first-year" at times, and there are a few growing pains, but I have no desire at this point to go back to kindergarten.
6. Mike: He continues to work on building up his contracting business. Two highlights of the year: he was able to get his website up and running. Please check it out!
www.kmgcontracting.comAlso, he was able to pass his test to get his Journeyman's license
(only 5/20 who took the test the same time he did passed), which takes him one step closer to being a Master Plumber!
(incidentally, only Lancaster & Harrisburg cities require Master Plumbers; he can work outside of these municipalities without any issue). I saw the code books that he had to study and the types of questions he had to answer: I am
super-proud of my husband!
So, if you have any work that you need done in plumbing, heating, electrical, kitchen, bath, or solar - please give him a call! 717.519.9899. And yes, he is a PA Licensed Contractor.
7. My niece, Greta Joy Mock, was born September 14! Again, you can see pictures/details of her in previous posts, but her birth was definitely a highlight for this year! She is an absolutely adorable little girl, and I wish that I lived closer to spend more time with her.
8. Last, but most definitely not least, the most life-altering highlight of 2009:
we're going to have a baby! At this point, I am 26 weeks - almost into my 3rd trimester! I cannot believe how quickly time is going by. To be honest, pregnancy has not been my most favorite time in life
(again, thank you, friends, family, colleagues, and students, for being supportive!!), but I know that we are blessed and that "It will all be worth it" in April!
(or whenever Baby decides to make an appearance) Contrary to some beliefs, we do NOT know what we are having, even though Mike thinks Baby is a girl. Oh, and don't ask me about names we've picked out because I won't tell you - you will just have to wait like the rest of us! :)
So, we've been working slowly at making our apartment ready for the new addition. Space will be tight
(or tighter than we would like), but we can make it work. No, we never expected to be in this apartment for 6 (!!!!) years, but until God opens other doors, this is where we are. We have had good tenants for the last 2 years, we finished the last of the renovations
(new kitchen for us, brick-sealant on the exterior), and nothing has been stolen this year, so we really can't complain! :)
All in all, 2009 will definitely be a year to remember in the Gibson household. We hope that it was good year for your family as well - and that 2010 is even better!
Thanks for reading.
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year!
Love,
Karla, Mike, and the Little One kicking away!
