Merry Christmas from The Marks



Abigail, Amelia, Dennis w/ Rebekah, Carolyn w/ Joseph, Nicole, Caleb, Charlyn, Seth



Here is our crew as of December 2010 ~ Twenty-Five years ago Dennis and I were less than a month from getting married. Had you told us that Christmas that someday we would have this beautiful look group of kids, we would have laughed at you and told you that four was the max! God sure takes us on different journeys than we plan or expect. Glad we did not know about this large thing then, but there are for sure no regrets on this side of it. (Good thing, huh?!)

As I write this I believe half the kids have put up something on their own page (just click on the names near the top of the page) Hopefully more will happen before this link goes out.

So much happens in a family this size it is hard to know what to share. Much of it seems routine... The toddler (Joe) is now walking, running of course, oh, and crawling out of his bed! The pre-schooler (Caleb) is asking "why?" about everything (Carolyn forgot how exhausting the why stage could be!) A new one (Abigail) is learning to drive, another (Amelia) is getting ready to graduate, one (Charlyn) has moved out (ok, that is new!) and another (Nicole) can't wait for when the time is right.

As routine as much of it is, it never gets old. Ok, almost never. Carolyn is looking forward to no longer being in the diaper stage, maybe by next Christmas?! Having little ones and big ones at the same time makes us appreciate the stages all the more. We know how fast it goes, even if the 'starting line' is drug out for 22 years.

Anyway... on to updates, as was mentioned, there should be updates on the kids under their names. If not right away, VERY soon. Hmmm, maybe all pages will need to be done before gifts are opened?! Going to have to ponder that idea.

Dennis continues to find his job as police Captain rewarding and stretching. Always something new to learn. He is the chair of the Elder board for our church, Bethel Baptist, here in McMinnville. Always challenges there, as well rewarding times. Not much free time in his life these days. When he gets a chance he still loves to disappear with a book, or sometimes just chopping wood gives a much needed change of pace (as well as exercise!)

Carolyn continues to work at homeschooling the school age kids (this year, Amelia 12th, Abigail 10th,

Seth 7th, Rebekah 4th & Caleb in Pre-K) She has a picture in her head of how the perfect homeschool day should go, and keeps trying to achieve it. In the mean time finds satisfaction when everyone gets their math done all in the same day. Quilting continues to be her favorite outlet even though the time for it is not there as much as she would like. (check out the "Q" link) For the first time she and the school age kids joined a homeschool co-op (ELT, Enjoy Learning Together) here in McMinnville. There are age appropriate classes for all. Even Joe enjoyed his time in the nursery. Everyone is looking forward to going back in January for winter term. Through ELT Carolyn has joined a book club, 'having to read' is a good thing! The fellowship with other ladies is also welcome.

Come 1-11-11 Dennis and Carolyn will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary by spending a week at the beach. Can't wait! We can not ever remember leaving all the kids for that long, and very much look forward to giving a try!

Please do feel free to be in touch with us! Time flies by, but we treasure time spent with friends.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!