Reflecting on the events of the past year, the 4-C’s will remember 2010 as a year of changes and challenges, but also overflowing with God’s blessings!
Cristin is in her senior year at Charleston Southern University. She thoroughly enjoys her studies and her extra-curricular activities such as Lyric Theater for which she was the stage manager. This spring, she won the first undergraduate research award for the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association for her research about the effect of music on children with Autism. In June, she had the unexpected opportunity to go to Italy with her choir. She enjoyed her second summer at Spring Hill Camp as a Wrangler-Counselor-Coach and is planning to return for a third summer. Cristin is also busy investigating internship possibilities starting next fall – a six month internship is a requirement for graduation.
Chad did not come home this summer as he was able to obtain a summer job at the University of Alabama Huntsville; we only saw him twice between January and December. The summer job led to a position as an RA in the freshman residence hall, which he has enjoyed. Chad planned a road trip and weekend away to visit Cristin in Charleston for Thanksgiving. He excels in his academics and is excited about an engineering internship with American Axle & Manufacturing this coming summer.
In March, Craig’s dad lost his battle with kidney cancer. We were thankful that he made it home from Florida in time to spend his last few days with the family. Dad’s passing has left quite a void in our lives. Craig still works as a chemist for GM. This year, his job has taken him to Florida, Mexico, and Delaware. Between taking care of Dad’s Estate, serving our church as an elder, and keeping our vehicles operational, there was no spare time to attend on his favorite hobby, and the boat was left dry docked for the second summer in a row. He did get to do some salmon fishing, thanks to the generosity of good friends.
The most amazing news is that Cheryl was hired by GM as a Fluids & Lubricants Materials Engineer after working 8 months contract in the Chemistry lab under the same manager. While she loved her work in the lab, the engineering job provides many new opportunities, challenges, and benefits. She never dreamed she’d be back to work as an engineer after 20 years of retirement. It has been a challenge to balance home and career – definitely a work in progress.
Craig and Cheryl also celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in September, fishing out of Ludington with our good friends, the Allens and Ludwigs.
Finally, with all of our lives changing and realizing it will not get simpler with careers and independence, Cheryl had to do something drastic to get the family together for our first family vacation since early 2006. She “imprisoned” the 4-C’s on a ship for a 4 night cruise from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together. The main highlight was that Craig “forced” the kids to parasail over Coco Cay. Chad entered the paper airplane and table tennis competition onboard, while Cristin surprised us by her rock wall climbing prowess. Other activities included a Pirates and Fort Tour in Nassau, reading, playing cards, and just hanging out, relaxing together.
We concluded the year hanging out with our family – we had a70th birthday celebration for Gramps; Craig and Chad fished on Barnes Lake; Cristin and Cheryl enjoyed skiing and snowmobiling at Knable’s Kottage with Nonna & Gramps and Julie & her boys.
As we say Bon Voyage to 2010, we anticipate the exciting adventure God has for us in 2011! Happy New Year!
