Kathryn & Joshua’s Christmas Card
It’s been a while since I’ve written. The kiddos who were staying with us were reunited with their parents, and we decided to take a break (our foster agency calls this closing our beds) until after the new year. With family gatherings and plans to travel out of state, it seemed like the best choice for this holiday.
I also ended up taking a break from writing. I have several posts started and planned, but as you know the end of the semester is a busy time for a teacher, so I am just now getting around to writing something.
Many people share end-of-year newsletters and Christmas cards at this time of year. So I decided to write a little digital newsletter.
Dear Family and Friends,
Here are some of the highlights of 2023.
January
Joshua had the opportunity to go to Northwest Nazarene University to build a set for their new musical theatre program.
February and March
Joshua worked on sets for Fences, Sarah Plain and Tall, Rivals, and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
Over spring break, I worked on my new gardening hobby. Then we went to a gaming weekend with friends at their lake house.
April
Gabbi came to visit while she was in town for a work trip. Then we made a trip to Ohio for my niece and nephew’s birthday party.
May
Joshua went to New York with Trevecca’s theatre department. I took a Friday off and joined him there for the weekend. We saw the Museum of Broadway, The Play that Goes Wrong, Some Like it Hot, and Shucked.
Joshua finished his final show of the season, Violet.
I finished my second year teaching at my current school, and my first year as the grade-level chair for the sixth grade.
Then we went to visit Joshua’s sister, brother-in-law, and nephew.
June
I spent my summer gardening and working on my teachers pay teachers store.
Joshua and I began the process of becoming foster parents. You can read more about our process of becoming foster parents here.
Joshua’s sister, brother-in-law, and nephew came and stayed with us for a few days.
Also, Joshua and I were in a play. This is the first show I’ve acted in since college, so this filled my heart with joy.
July
Multiple China friends came and visited us. Some of whom I hadn’t seen since January 2020. Again, my heart was so happy.
I began teacher in-service mid-July. Joshua and I had multiple foster care trainings.
We had to say good-bye to Joshua’s car, but thankfully, we were able to replace it quickly.
August
We started back to school. This year is my thirteenth year teaching and my third year at my current school.
My sunflowers bloomed. Next year, I hope to have even more sunflowers that go all the way down the fence.
September
We rearranged our house to prepare for foster kids.
Joshua had his first show of the season open, 9 to 5.
I planned our 6th grade field trip to see the play Strong Inside. Then we went to the park for a picnic lunch and games.
We had our first foster placement, which was a respite placement, at the end of the month.
October
We had our first full placement. This kiddo was with us for three weeks. During that time, Joshua finished the set for A Year with Frog and Toad.
November
We had our second full placement. We also hosted Thanksgiving. This was our first time hosting Thanksgiving, and Joshua made a delicious turkey.
December
Joshua finished the set for A Christmas Carol, and we took the family to see the show as a Christmas present.
We met up with my sister and her husband at Mammoth Cave National Park for a weekend.
We will spend the holidays with each of our families, which we are looking forward to.
This year has been one of growth and change for us, and we anticipate what 2024 will bring.
Kathryn & Joshua