Christmas Greetings to all of our family and friends, coming to you from the far, far north of Ferndale, Washington. We are happy and healthy, busy and blessed.
We hope the close of this year finds you likewise.
2008 in the Pringle household started off with an exciting event. After a 6-year baby hiatus we welcomed Collin Wiley Pringle into our family on February 5th. He weighed 6 lbs., 14oz. Collin’s a very easy-going baby, for which we are grateful. He’s zooming around the house on all fours these days and getting into everything. The kids love him. Katie is his second mommy and Ryan & Nathan love to wrestle with him and make him giggle.
Last spring was a bit crazy. In addition to all the kids taking piano lessons, Katie and Sarah were Munchkins in the school’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Rachel taught ballet while the girls continued with dance. Nathan played soccer and Ryan played baseball. With a new baby plus church activities, we barely made it out alive.
At the beginning of June, Rachel’s mom closed her dance studio and retired from full-time teaching. We were excited when she decided to move up to Whatcom County, where she is directing a children’s performing group. We all enjoy having her closer to our family.
At the end of June we began a new and somewhat challenging adventure. After watching Katie steadily lose weight and begin to exhibit other symptoms, we found out that she has Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes. She was admitted to the hospital for three days so her stratospheric blood sugar could be brought down and we could be educated about the proper care and feeding of Katie. She stabilized quickly and now takes insulin shots four times a day. She has been amazingly upbeat about becoming a human pin cushion. In the hospital a nurse asked her if she was upset about her diagnosis. Her response was, “What’s the point? It doesn’t change anything!” As parents, we’ve struggled a bit, but we keep plugging away. We have a great deal of confidence in medical advancements that will make her condition even more livable. Ryan has decided he wants to be a doctor so he can help find a cure.
Fall brought a return to school and regular activities, though we scaled way back this year. The extra family time and less running around have been a great blessing.
Ryan(12) played tackle football again and still loves it. He occasionally exhibits signs of impending teenager-hood, but he is still a good kid (we’ll let you know how “13” goes). He enjoys Boy Scouts and continues to play the piano, like it or not. He’s taller than Rachel now, though we won’t admit it to him. Katie(10) loves playing the piano (finally!) and participating in Nana’s performing troupe, which includes singing, dancing, and acting. She’s always had a flair for the dramatic and is putting it to good use! She is looking forward to the school play again this spring and might even try her hand at softball. Nathan(8) played “Grumpy” in the 3rd grade production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in November and was hilarious! He’s always been a clown, but we didn’t realize he was such a ham on stage. He continues to take piano and will play soccer again in the spring. He loves being a Cub Scout, especially doing crafts and earning awards. Sarah(6) loves to sing and dance. She spontaneously breaks into song and lights up the room with her smiles and twinkly eyes. She looks forward to starting ballet again in January after a 6 month break. She is also in Nana’s troupe and is turning out to be quite the little performer.
This brings us to this wonderful Christmas season, a time for reflection and service. We are grateful for so many things, but especially stable employment, loving family and friends, and our Savior Jesus Christ.
Last spring was a bit crazy. In addition to all the kids taking piano lessons, Katie and Sarah were Munchkins in the school’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Rachel taught ballet while the girls continued with dance. Nathan played soccer and Ryan played baseball. With a new baby plus church activities, we barely made it out alive.
At the beginning of June, Rachel’s mom closed her dance studio and retired from full-time teaching. We were excited when she decided to move up to Whatcom County, where she is directing a children’s performing group. We all enjoy having her closer to our family.
At the end of June we began a new and somewhat challenging adventure. After watching Katie steadily lose weight and begin to exhibit other symptoms, we found out that she has Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes. She was admitted to the hospital for three days so her stratospheric blood sugar could be brought down and we could be educated about the proper care and feeding of Katie. She stabilized quickly and now takes insulin shots four times a day. She has been amazingly upbeat about becoming a human pin cushion. In the hospital a nurse asked her if she was upset about her diagnosis. Her response was, “What’s the point? It doesn’t change anything!” As parents, we’ve struggled a bit, but we keep plugging away. We have a great deal of confidence in medical advancements that will make her condition even more livable. Ryan has decided he wants to be a doctor so he can help find a cure.
Fall brought a return to school and regular activities, though we scaled way back this year. The extra family time and less running around have been a great blessing.
Ryan(12) played tackle football again and still loves it. He occasionally exhibits signs of impending teenager-hood, but he is still a good kid (we’ll let you know how “13” goes). He enjoys Boy Scouts and continues to play the piano, like it or not. He’s taller than Rachel now, though we won’t admit it to him. Katie(10) loves playing the piano (finally!) and participating in Nana’s performing troupe, which includes singing, dancing, and acting. She’s always had a flair for the dramatic and is putting it to good use! She is looking forward to the school play again this spring and might even try her hand at softball. Nathan(8) played “Grumpy” in the 3rd grade production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in November and was hilarious! He’s always been a clown, but we didn’t realize he was such a ham on stage. He continues to take piano and will play soccer again in the spring. He loves being a Cub Scout, especially doing crafts and earning awards. Sarah(6) loves to sing and dance. She spontaneously breaks into song and lights up the room with her smiles and twinkly eyes. She looks forward to starting ballet again in January after a 6 month break. She is also in Nana’s troupe and is turning out to be quite the little performer.
This brings us to this wonderful Christmas season, a time for reflection and service. We are grateful for so many things, but especially stable employment, loving family and friends, and our Savior Jesus Christ.
With love from the Pringles,
Don, Rachel, Ryan, Katie, Nathan, Sarah and Collin
Don, Rachel, Ryan, Katie, Nathan, Sarah and Collin
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