Season’s Greetings From the Michaelis Family!
Dotting our living room, we have 9 varied nativities from all over South America (courtesy of Brian’s travels). My favorite is one made by teenagers from the jungles in Peru. Each figure is crafted from many small pieces of wood meticulously cut, sanded, painted, and fit back together to create a figure that is uniquely beautiful.
Recently I’ve felt like my life resembles this nativity. The cutting and sanding process is where everything is thrown out or sanded off that isn’t a priority. At that time, most of the pieces remaining lay across the work-surface untreated and unpainted, but they will get attention when the time is right. A few pieces are colorfully painted and carefully glued together, the exact conclusion impossible for us to perfectly predict. I’m not sure what the end result will be, but I continue to have faith in the process and hope that the result is better than my imagination.
In the Fall, part of my heart was pulled all the way to Cedar City. Brittany has been attending Southern Utah University. I didn’t know it was possible to live away from home and spend less than $15 on food in 4 months, but she managed it. Her social life has improved exponentially as she has attended any activity with the promise of free food: dances, an International Food Fair, tail gate parties, sporting events, Institute and Family Home Evening gatherings, Politics forums, and Adulting 101 sessions. It also helps that one of her roommates loves to cook, but doesn’t love to clean up afterwards, so Brittany occasionally cleans dishes for her dinner. She loves her English Major and loves learning how to express herself in new and interesting ways.
Gavin is a SENIOR. Any parent who’s had a senior aged teen understands why that word has to be emphasized. In addition to applying for schools and taking college and AP classes he is also trying to get the Seal of Biliteracy (Spanish) to add to his high school accomplishments. He worked all summer to save up enough to go on a school trip to Peru after graduation (I’m so jealous and happy for him) and is then planning to go on a mission. It was so hard to send Brittany off to college, but I have seen her every month. I’m not sure how I’m going to breathe with Gavin gone for 2 years!
Ben and Sam are both in middle school and are giving us a real run for our money. Ben is a deep thinker and expresses himself in ways that I’ve just never experienced before. Every simple question has a not-so-simple answer. He is really enjoying his math and robotics classes. Sam has really grown in height, which makes it easier for him to give hugs. He has the energy and excitement level of a kindergartner in a 5’3” body. He has overcome some fears this year and has started to try new things, like playing the Euphonium and taking a social dance class.
Elyssa is learning how to cook and be more independent. She started playing the xylophone in her school band. She is also attending her 3rd school in as many years, so she has really had to learn to be ok with change. She is definitely still the artist of the family. Her creations spill out of her room and down the hallway on a regular basis. She has always loved her art and gymnastics lessons.
Brian spends his time being the provider of our family, emotional anchor, pizza baker, world traveler, and jokester to name a few. He is currently serving the youth of our Stake as the Stake Young Men’s President.
This year I survived numerous trips to Lagoon. I don’t like spending money, being in crowded places, or rides that make me motion sick. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, and we made some lasting family memories.
From our family to you and yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
