MERRY CHRISTMAS 2019!!!

We hope this finds you well, happy, and prepared to enjoy celebrating the Reason for the Season.  This year so many friends have lost loved ones, and it makes me smile to think of many of them celebrating in heaven with the only One in history whose birthday is so meaningful.  That is, after all, what Christmas is about – the birth of Him who alone can save us and give us eternal life.

This has been a rather quiet year here in Lake Dallas.  Tony and I did some condo improvements, but mostly we just enjoyed friends and family, church, and Bible study.  We spent a week in June at Blue Mountain Beach, FL, with Erika, Josh, Leo, and Etta, and we were able to briefly meet our new great-nephew, Connor Boyd Taylor, who is now 7 months old and a perfect doll.  It’s hard watching him grow and develop from such a distance.  Now I understand why my sister Lisa (Connor’s beloved Mimi) has always wanted to come out here so much as our grandkids grow and change.  We hope to get to see Connor again soon.  He’s at such a darling age! 

Speaking of the delights of our lives, the grands are thriving and are such a delight.   Zoey will become a teenager (!!!) Dec. 28 and is the loveliest and most loving young lady.  She never fails to tell us how much she loves us, and we absolutely adore spending time with her.  Zoey is now in 7^th grade, at the upper campus of Corinth Classical Academy which houses middle (7^th-9^th) and high (10^th-12^th) school.  The other 5 are at the lower campus: Leo and Ruby in 5^th, Etta and Maggie in 3^rd, and Sam in 1^st.  They are all doing so well in school and in all their extracurricular endeavors.  Leo is so sweet and kind; his memory is a steel trap, so if you ever need anything remembered, Leo is your go-to guy.  He plays flag football and basketball, and he is a math Olympian.  All the grands get along really well and love spending time together.  Leo and Ruby have always been besties—maybe because they both have Papa’s servant’s hearts.  Ruby quietly and devotedly serves in the school’s Philanthropy Club and participates in many benevolent projects throughout the year.  She has a very dry sense of humor and gives Papa a run for his money.  Etta is our sparkly cuddle bug.  She loves anything glittery, and she’s very affectionate.  She and Maggie are good friends, which is special since they’re only 10 days apart in age.  Maggie is our veterinarian-in-training.  She is passionate about every animal and insect, and her bed is so covered with stuffed animals we sometimes can’t find her among them.  This year all 4 girls are playing volleyball and basketball.  And then there’s Sam.  He is such a typical (yet at times enchantingly atypical) little boy, and we adore him.  Sam approaches every situation with enthusiasm, and he’s interested in everything, especially how things work.  He’s definitely his father’s child.  He’s excited to start his first year of Upward basketball.  All the kids also enjoy participating in church activities and marathon family bike rides.

Jenni, Dave, Erika, and Josh are great, too.  Jenni’s doTERRA essential oils business is flourishing and she works very hard at it.  I’m proud of her and all the effort she puts into educating herself and others about the benefits of oils.  I was a little hesitant to try them at first, but I’ve become a believer because they really do work, and it’s so much better to use products from nature instead of chemicals in the medicine cabinet, around the house, and on the body.  Dave is still enjoying his teaching career at Parish Episcopal School in Dallas.  His robotics and Rover teams do better every year and have achieved high praise.  The Cribbies continue to spend 3 months every summer at Kanakuk K-7 Christian Kamp near Branson, MO, pouring into today’s youth who will become tomorrow’s leaders.  Erika teaches preschool 3 days a week at a church in Denton and enjoys loving on her little ones and teaching them Biblical truths.  She is so devoted to her job; they are very fortunate to have her.  Josh is still loving his job as creative art director at Irving Bible Church.  He is so talented, and his freelance skills are also in high demand.  We are extremely proud of all 4 of our kids, and we are so blessed to all live within 10 minutes of each other.

Right now as I’m typing this I’m looking out our back windows at the bare trees and squirrels jumping from branch to branch.  I love this season because when the leaves fall, we are able to see much more of the lake and enjoy its beauty.  We haven’t had snow for several years now and are hoping for some this year.  However, today is in the 70s and all windows and doors are open to let in fresh air, so we may end up with another mild Texas winter.  Whatever God provides we will enjoy with glad hearts. 

Tony and I wish you the best of the season.  May your Christmas be full of joy and your 2020 be abundantly blessed.  We send you our love and prayers.   MAGA!!!

  

Cover photo, left to right: Dave Cribbs, Sam Cribbs (7), Jenni Cribbs, Maggie Cribbs (8 11/12), Ruby Cribbs (10¾), Zoey Cribbs (a few days shy of 13), Leo Wiese (11 1/3), Erika Wiese, Etta Wiese (8 11/12), and Josh Wiese, with Papa Tony and Grammy/Bammy in front