The Branagan’s First Christmas Letter
As I was unpacking the Christmas decorations from last year, I came across all the Christmas cards we received. (Yes, I hold on to those.) It was fun to read the Christmas letters and look at the pictures. I thought, "Well, I should do that!" We're so busy all year long. I really don't get to take the time to send emails & letters or make phone calls to everyone on my Christmas card list. I know I really need to do better at keeping in touch. Maybe that would be a good New Year's resolution. So, where to begin?
Things have been busy as usual here at Casa de Branagan. Casper graduated from UCF with his bachelor's in English last December. He got his teaching license and applied for a few jobs in the Orange County School system. He got in at the end of the hiring season, so it looks like he'll have better luck applying and doing the resume thing again in a few months. In the mean time, he is still working for Massey Services. He was honored as pest technician of the year in February. He also studied and took the Florida State Department of Agriculture exam and is now one of the very few technicians in his entire company who is a Certified Operator licensed by the state. He did very well on the test and is actually more accredited than many of his superiors!
We have become very active in our church this year, which is quite exciting. Casper has been working toward creating a grand youth ministry for East Orlando and then some. We have been teaching Sunday School for middle and high school as well as heading up the youth group on Wednesday nights. We're really excited about all the great things God is doing through us for the youth of our church.
I graduated in August, which is nothing short of a miracle (considering Timber was born right in the middle of finals for a double course load in my last semester). Graduating while raising kids and working as a nanny wasn't easy, but I'm glad I stuck it out. I took all of the courses and pre-reqs for nursing school, so I will eventually got on to nursing school. Right now, I'm loving spending time with my children. I am also caring for other children as a childcare provider, which is such a joy for me and for Kale and Timber. They love always having other children around.
I can't believe the kids are another year older. They turned five and one on December 3. Kale started Pre-K this August. He goes to school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It's an awesome school that he loves. He's doing very well. Of course, he's a little advanced since we worked on our own home school curriculum for years before he started school. We're still toying with the idea of home schooling. He's such a smart little boy. He's learning to read and write. He loves to write stories on his own and spells everything phonetically, which I think is so neat. He's also an amazing artist.
Timber is growing up just a little more each day. She is so much fun. She loves life, loves to smile, loves to eat, and is always laughing. Everyone we meet tells me what a happy baby she is. She adores her big brother and follows him around playing with him and watching his every move. He loves to play with her. She has just started to walk around furniture by holding onto the table or couch. She crawls at record speeds. Right now, her favorite thing to do is pull the bows of presents!
We have been so blessed with our jobs, involvement in the church, and beautiful children. We truly hope and pray that your year has been filled with love, joy, and God's blessings. For this Christmas, we pray that God's peace, which surpasses all understanding, will be with you for the Holiday season and through your new year.
Love Always,
Casper, Andrea, Kale, and Timber
by Ellen Bailey
Jesus was born at Christmas time
He brought a gift of love to all mankind
His love is there for all to share
It lifts the spirits of people everywhere
No greater man could ever we find
Than this man who was born at Christmas time
He brought great tiding of peace and joy
To every man, woman, little girl and boy
His love lingers in our hearts and in our minds
And surrounds us all at Christmas time
With joyous gratitude, let us together say,
"Merry Christmas, Jesus, Happy Birthday."
