Christmas greetings from the Trumbo family!
For the first time since 2009 I am not going to be getting Christmas cards out this year! It pains me to no end, but I promise its just a one-year hiatus and next year our smiling faces will once again grace your mailbox. Between a new puppy, a new HVAC system and 4 kids worth of activities, it seemed like a good year to save money and time and go digital! Also, without the constraints of pretty Christmas paper and print margins, I am able to ramble on and on …. You’ve been warned.
2019 has been a good year for our family. As always, we have been challenged to grow through numerous trials (burst pipes, mold, sickness, job changes, broken appliances) but as ever, the Lord shows us again and again that we have nothing to fear with Him by our side.
Jane Dare turned 10 in September and is enjoying 4thgrade. For the first time in many years she is the only Trumbo at Pinehurst Elementary School. Between her social life and her gymnastics schedule she stays very busy – but Driz likes busy! She was moved up to Gold team at her gym which means she now practices 3 days a week for 3 hours at a time. Her competitive season will begin in January – which will make for some long weekends. This year we will head to Virginia Beach, Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston Salem and Athens, GA…. And that’s just the regular season! She continues to delight us with her social insight and amaze us with her self-confidence.
Reid is 11 (12 next month) and after a couple small bumps he is now happily chipping away at 6thgrade. His sense of humor often finds him making Ainsley and her friend’s laugh during their shared study hall. After a couple of frustrating soccer seasons, Reid decided to go out for wrestling and we are incredibly proud of how hard he is working. After a long day at school he has 2.5 hours of practice each day. This sport is a perfect match for Reido-torpedo and although the meets are LOOOONNNNGGGG, it’s worth it when he takes the mat. Reid is a compassionate and thoughtful kid and we never get tired of watching him care for those around him.
Ainsley will be 14 at the end of this month and it’s been a joy to watch her come into her own in 8thgrade. She has matured so much this year – she is working hard on her grades with big goals. Of course, if you follow me on social media at all you know that Ains’s passion is music and we never tire of hearing her beautiful voice coming from her room. Ainsley is caring, thoughtful, helpful, and AMAZING (Jane Dare took over my computer to write this and far be it from me to delete!!!). Showing us her perseverance, Ainsley was selected for the NC Middle School Honors Choir. She has discovered a new love for reading and has a wonderful team of teachers at school. She is growing in her faith and we love to hear the stories of her sharing her love for Jesus with those around her. Ainsley also joined the cross country team this year and it was no small thrill to her mama to watch her – she is a natural!
Jake is 15 and a freshman at Pinecrest High School. This school year has been a wonderful time of growth for him and has been an answer to so many prayers. We are continually reminded that God created Jake and has a plan for him that we can’t even imagine. The block schedule at school – which means just 4 classes per semester – has really allowed Jake to focus in and do well in all of his classes. Even math honors!!! But Jake has really shined in his speech class. Having a near photographic memory and zero fear of performing means Jake is killing it in speech.
Lacey continues to struggle to fill her days with more than bon bons and long baths. Which is why we decided to get a puppy! And Lacey got a job! Ok, enough 3rdperson. Last January I started working for a local endodontist doing marketing, among other tasks. It’s very flexible and part time and makes me wonder how on earth moms who are employed full-time manage it all. While being a mom to 4 little kids was physically exhausting, parenting 4 teens and tweens is exhausting on a level I couldn’t have prepared for. Between tutoring and lessons and practices and orthodontist appointments and after school clubs and youth group and Young Life and trying to have family dinners and a clean house I don’t get a lot of down time. For this reason I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to spend a week in Montana as part of a Spouse Performance Program with a non-profit for military families like ours. The friendships I gained, tools I learned and insights I took away from this week were, in short, life changing. I am so very blessed. I’m still running and biking and just incredibly grateful for the adventures this body puts up with (and for science and injections that let my poor knees keep moving!).
After 8 years at the same unit it was time for Ryan to move on. He was given a beautiful farewell ceremony last May that my parents and his brother were able to attend. It was very special for our kids and family members to hear the impact Ryan has had during his time at an elite organization. Change has not been easy. A famous song says “you don’t know what you’ve got til its gone”. On the contrary, we were well aware of what we had, and appreciated it fully, and being on the other side has really sucked at times. But I am incredibly proud of my husband and the fact that he always gives 100% and no matter what organization he is with, his reputation garners respect. Its hard to believe that in only 4 ½ years he will be retirement eligible. There was a time we couldn’t imagine retirement. But after 16 years it becomes more and more appealing. Rather than separations becoming easier, we dislike them more and more as time passes. As Ryan says “it seems we’ve become dependent on one another”. We were proud to watch Ryan run his first marathon this year! He swears he is one and done, but we will see.
As we look to 2020 we prepare for some time apart in January and February. Just as gymnastics competition season kicks off, musical theater practices begin, and wrestling is still in full swing. On the horizon I’ve got 2 kids starting Drivers Ed this summer and so maybe, just maybe, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But in the meantime I’ll enjoy my endless miles and hours in the car for the precious time it gives me to listen and laugh along with my crew.
We wish you a blessed and happy new year!
