To you and yours...

Christmas is just days away and the Gibbs are scrambling to get things done. The shopping is done but now the wrapping, baking, cooking and cleaning need to get done before Santa shows up! Before I get lost in the many loads of laundry that need to be washed and get tangled up in the ribbons and wrapping paper, I wanted to take a few minutes to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and hope you find many blessings in the new year. As we get ready to say goodbye to 2009 I think back on a very full year and praise God for his faithfulness to us.




Courtney is our busy bee. She was the captain of her high school JV cheer squad and made it as an alternate on the varsity cheer squad. She truly enjoys cheer and proudly shows off any battle wounds she may acquire during practice or games. Stunting is hard work! She's had the black eyes to prove it. She is also on the newspaper staff and in the National Honor Society. All these things keep her very busy. So busy that she hasn't had time to take Drivers Ed. (we want the insurance discount) and get her license. She still drives with her permit and is hoping to get her license this spring. Courtney volunteers in our church nursery and does a little babysitting on the side. She started her Junior year of High School this year and turned 17 in September. She is still trying to decide on a college. Arizona, California and Colorado have colleges that she is interested in. She is still undecided on a major.





Cassie is still as expressive as ever. She loves to debate on just about anything. She keeps busy with school, friends and church. Cassie enjoyed being in teen court at her school and is actually pretty knowledgeable on different laws. She says when she grows up she'd like to be a special agent. She's pretty big into crime investigation shows. Last year she was able to be part of a CSI show at the Arizona State Fair. She loved it! When Cassie isn't watching NCIS or CSI, she is either reading or listening to music. Cassie sings in Chorus at her school. They just put on their holiday performance last week. She likes to sing (especially with the radio). Cassie turned the big 13 this year and is, in every sense, a true teenager! She is in 8th grade and looks forward to 8th grade graduation in the spring. She is playing volleyball this winter and can't wait to get back on the courts! Cassie had a lead role in our church Christmas musical this year. She did so good and would like to do some more acting. God has some big plans for this girl!



Connor is still as active as ever. He is 9 and in 3rd grade. He lives to play ball. He played a couple seasons of baseball this year and is wanting to play football. He was one of the pitchers on his baseball team last spring and this fall. He has a pretty good arm. Connor would live outside if we let him. He likes to play ball (all ball), ride his bike, skate board and Rip Stick. He's hoping to try out one of the many skate parks here in Phoenix very soon. He, like his sisters, does very well in school. Connor had a few speaking parts in his school thanksgiving play and also in our church Christmas musical. Connor started wearing glasses this year. He looks so smart in them. He had been hoping he would need glasses and when the school nurse sent home a note after he failed an eye exam he was oh so happy! "Yes, I need glasses!" he shouted. He still likes his glasses. We thought the newness of them would wear off and he'd start to not like them but he's still proud to wear them.



Patrick and Jen stay busy with work and the kids. We led a parenting group this past fall and are looking forward to leading a different group this spring. We occasionally get a weekend away. Last February we went to Vegas and this February we will have a get away to Sedona as we take part in a marriage retreat that our church is hosting. This is the first year in a few years that Patrick and I haven't been on the planning committee for the retreat.
Patrick was an assistant coach for Connor's baseball team this past fall. He is also one of the Pastors and elders at our church. Along with being the lawn and pool boy at home, he helps with chauffeuring the kids around to their many activities.
I am still working at our church as the Early Childhood Specialist. I oversee the nursery- kindergarten classes. I also am in the process of starting a community playgroup at the church. Thank goodness I had a couple of friends to help me plan this playgroup. I'm very excited to have an opportunity for our church to host an activity for the community. Church and home keep me pretty occupied. I do however find time (usually late at night) to keep up with family and friends via Facebook and blogs. I enjoy posting on our blog and hope you all enjoy reading a little about us. Check back here often to see what the Gibbs are up to!

Have a beautiful Christmas and New Year and remember why we celebrate this season!
(go to the bottom of our blog to turn off the music before playing the video)



MUCH LOVE,
THE GIBBS