Happy New Year!

¡Hola amigos!

Wow! Christmas break is almost over. I go back to school next Monday already! I begin my first student teaching assignment on Wednesday of next week at Meridian High. Please keep praying for me. My second assignment begins March 5th at Northwest Jr. High. The scariest thing is the content area of the Praxis exam ... I take that on January 10. I am terrified of that! I wish I had more Spanish speaking friends who lived closer so I could be practicing.

I don't have any big plans for New Years. I will be picking Mackenzie up from her Nana and Papa's tomorrow... Joshua has a party with the youth group. Philip is still in Boston and I hear it's pretty cold. It's shameful that we are still wearing shorts in the daytime here and he's expecting 5 more inches of snow tonight!

I bought myself and iPod and am having fun learning how to use it. We got Philip one for Christmas too, but he didn't have time to play with it before he left.

I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year!!!

Well, Christmas is over and the bets are starting about when I'll take my Christmas tree down. Who knows? I sure don't.
Took Philip to the airport this morning and he flew out to Boston for 2 weeks, maybe 3. He will be working storm claims there from all the bad weather. Unfortunately, he was beginning to get sick so, pray that he will get well quickly. It's going to be very cold up there.
Mackenzie went home with Nana and Papa on Friday and I'll pick her up tomorrow. It has been very quiet without her here. She is so full of energy. Actually, it was nice to have a little break, but I miss her.
Joshua has a few friends spending the night and they are outside shooting baskets right now. Yes, it's after midnight. He will be very tired tomorrow, I'm sure. Zachary is right out there with them. Alyssa was really tired and went on to bed.
There really isn't much going on here. I just wanted to say hello! I miss my sweet hubby already.

Merry Christmas friends!!!!
Wow! Is 2008 already gone? It has been a very busy blur.
As you can see, the “Trest Troop” is growing; not in number but in size. Joshua is already taller than his dad and Zachary will soon be catching up to me.
Let’s start with Alyssa… she turned 2 on September 8th. She is such a joy to be around. She’s full of energy, compassion, and sweetness. She can always cheer you up when you’re having a bad day. We have learned recently though that she is afraid of storms. She has slept with us through the last two.
Mackenzie… Still a pistol! Talk about a child who never stops! It’s incredible how little sleep this child actually needs. She started soccer this year, but was
more interested in showing off her cartwheel ability on the field than trying to score a goal. (A feat she often tries to show off at church too when going back to her seat!) She had a hard time going in when the coach asked her to because she was always “too hungry” or “too tired.” She is still dancing with Suzie McCraw and loving that! She also started the pre-k program at Barbara Henson’s and boasts that she can now write her long name, among other things.
Joshua started high school this year! We had a huge surprise birthday party for him to celebrate the “Big 15!” His favorite band, The Junction Band (his youth minister and friends) played his favorite music and they had a food fight with the thick icing from the cake. He placed 2nd in District in Cross Country this year. He is also starting for the West Lauderdale Knights soccer this year. He recently tried out for the tennis team and guess what? He made that too!
Zachary is now at the Middle School! That’s a big adjustment… for us. He is in the gifted program and the Beta Club and is doing well in all his subjects. He likes to be involved and is looking forward to the possibility of attending the National Jr. Leaders Conference next year. He is still playing the violin and soccer. Loves to spend time with his friends and be at church.
Philip still works for Travelers and has his office at home. He also enjoys working with the Men’s Ministry at church. He loves his quiet time in the mornings with the Lord before all the children get up. That’s getting harder to do as Alyssa has turned out to be quite the morning person as well!
My year has also been quite eventful! I finished all my classes at MSU and will be student teaching in the spring! I finished the second book in the Zack and Tripp series; however, it will not be published until early next year. I totaled my van on October 31 this year, but no one was hurt. God is good! I made a lot of new friends this year that I feel so blessed! And I still love serving in the Women’s Ministry!
I don’t think there’s really anything else to tell. Most of you know all of this already so… sorry if I’ve bored you.
My real intent is to wish you the Merriest of Christmases and many blessings in the coming year! We serve such a wonderful God who loves each and every one of you, and if you don’t know that, give me a call…I’d love to tell you all about it!
Love Always,
Candace, Philip, Joshua, Zachary, Mackenzie, and Alyssa