Merry Christmas!

 It’s hard to believe another year has gone by. It seems like just yesterday we were rushing to get the card done and get an update on the blog. Yet, here we are, doing those very things once again. Only this time, a slew of things have happened since the last time we did this.

 I (Analaya) made a big change this year by moving to Saint Paul, MN. I was up for some new adventures and where better to do that than in a big city full of opportunities!

Gretchen, of course, got married this year to the love of her life, Ryan. She and Ryan are thoroughly enjoying married life and keeping quite busy. Gretchen is in her last year of nursing school and doing extremely well.

Britton is coaching basketball as if he were getting paid. The time and attention he puts into it is quite impressive. This summer he took a road trip with a map, a van, a brother, a couple friends, and plenty of electronics! 

                         (Apparently they even had a printer they hooked up and used!)

Leif started a new job working at a lumber company. He has quickly become popular amongst his coworkers. Maybe that’s because he bakes goodies to share in the break room? He enjoyed his first mission trip this summer to Brazil and Paraguay with Britton and Dad. He loved it so much he hopes to go back one day for even longer. 

Sigre passed the ol’ permit test (prompting Mom to order “Student Driver” stickers to plaster all over our van). She also got her very own cell phone this year. Nothing says you’re in the throes of your teenage years like a cell phone and a permit!

Emma started Faith On Fire (our church drama team) this year. She also jumped at the chance to go to Six Flags Great America theme park in IL this summer with a few siblings and friends. 

                         (The FOF kids on their way into a mall in costume on tour!)

Zofeyah. Our 2012 bread winner. Zof shot her first deer, her first day out in the woods ever. After she pulled the trigger Dad said, “Do you think you got it?” Zofie responded with, “Oh, I know I got it.” And she did! A double lung, heart shot! Thanks to Zofeyah we’ve been enjoying some mighty fine venison.

 Berit had a blast with the family at Faith Haven Bible Camp this year. She enjoyed kayaking with her siblings so much that it prompted Dad to buy several kayaks for our pond! 

                    (Obviously Leif didn't get the memo that the kayaks are for the pond, not our pool!)

Anders is following in his buddy Britton’s shoes with his love of basketball and sports. This year he struck gold.  He went to his first Timberwolves, Vikings, and Twins games. What more could an 8 year old boy ask for?! 

Finn would write a novel at age 5 if he could. That boy wants to write so badly. And to be honest, we want him to as well. We’re all getting sick of him constantly asking us to write different things down for him. He, too, is following in his buddy Leif’s footsteps by most likely starting school a year early. He’s faithfully done school daily, but we’ll see if it lasts the whole school year. I guess we’ll let you know in our next Christmas update whether or not Kindergarten was completed for Finn this year! 

And last, but in no way least, Bronwyn. “Baby B” who now prefers to be called “Big Girl B.” There’s nothing baby about her. She just turned 4 in December, but I’m convinced she thinks she’s 14. She loves hanging out with her siblings, especially her teenage (and above) siblings, and holds her own just fine no matter how silly or sarcastic we are with her. We added a kitty to the family this year that Bronwyn is in love with. She watches out for the cat and carries it around often. 

Then there’s Mom and Dad, who are the same awesome loving couple as always. Dad is still taking missions trips with us kids and loves pastoring our church. Dad had the opportunity to go to Eugene, OR to officiate a wedding and had a blast; he even got to see whales! He also started what we call “Family Discussion” (because that’s exactly what it is) in the evenings at supper time. The questions range from “What is your favorite cartoon?” to “If you could be a professional at anything in the world what would it be?” to “If you could be one relative for the day who would it be and why?” The questions and answers tend to be quite entertaining and sometimes insightful. Mom is still rocking the whole motherhood thing, which is good since it will be another 14 years until Bronwyn is 18. Mom apparently isn’t sick of homeschooling either because she agreed to teach a writing class this year for our church’s homeschool co-op. And I must also add that my mother has become quite efficient at texting these days since she has five kids and a husband who frequently enjoy texting her. All I can say is, thank goodness for unlimited texting and for healthy relationships because of great (and constant) communication in this family! 

And there you have it. Life for the Unverzagts’ in 2012 from my perspective! In case you’re interested in further tidbits, I’ve include below some “Favorites” about the Unverzagts!

                          

                                         MERRY CHRISTMAS
         "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 

                                                       Luke 2:14

Favorite Bible Character:

Analaya: Ruth--because she was faithful, loyal, had a good reputation, and loved God.

Gretchen: Daniel--because of his strong faith at so young and trusting in God completely.

    (Ryan: Boaz--he’s a redeemer-type character; an example of a good man.)

Britton: David--because he was a warrior for God even when it wasn’t easy.

Leif: Joseph--because of all he went through and still was faithful.

Sigre: “Jesus. But beside Him I’d say Esther because she stood up for what’s right.”

Emma: Solomon--because he was so wise.

Zof: “Besides Jesus...Abraham and the Proverbs 31 woman, because they’re awesome.”

Berit: Moses--because so many exciting things happened to him.

Anders: Sampson--because it’s a fun story.

Finn: “Jesus. And Noah because he built an ark and had lots of animals.”

Bronwyn: Jesus, Jonah, and the big fish.

Dad: Apostle Paul-- because he really likes his heart

Mom: Abigail--she was wise, quick-thinking, beautiful, and a loyal wife.

Favorite Family Christmas Tradition:

Analaya: Making rice pudding and lefse with the family while listening to Christmas music.

Gretch: Cutting down a tree and decorating while listening to Michael W. Smith Christmas!

    (Ryan: I have yet to experience an Unverzagt Christmas. I’ll keep you posted!)

Britton: Our yearly family Christmas trip instead of gifts.

Leif: Drinking eggnog by the light of our tree the first night after decorating. 

Sig: Reading the Christmas story book that opens into a star and gets hung above the tree!

Em: That we open presents earlier than everyone else (on little Christmas Eve, the 23^rd )!

Zof: When we sing Christmas songs and do tons of goodie baking. And the Christmas Star.

Berit: Our family Christmas trip.

Anders: Our seafood Christmas dinner!

Finn: Cutting down our own Christmas tree and the sleigh/hay ride.

Bronwyn: Drinking eggnog by the tree lights.

Dad: Our seafood meal (a tradition that originated during internship in WA)

Mom: Bringing goodies and Christmas cards to all our neighbors.

Favorite Unverzagt Meal:

Analaya: creamy onion soup or homemade burritos

Gretchen: tenderloin (venison or pork)

   (Ryan: pepperoni bow tie pasta)

Britton: orange chicken. (a widely popular birthday meal choice)

Leif: spinach alfredo lasagna

Sigre: Tater Tot hotdish

Emma: manicotti

Zofie: penne chicken pasta (also loves sushi and shrimp)

Berit: potato soup (also loves strawberries)

Anders: homemade pizza (also loves shrimp)

Finn: homemade pizza

Bronwyn: Rice-A-Roni

Dad: ribeye steak! But since we never make that, crockpot corn chowder

Mom: Italian chicken corn chowder

(You can find these recipes and others on our Recipes link.)

The Wedding

They were right.  The day goes by like a blur.  There were people at my house I never even saw.  People I barely got to talk to.  It was a whirlwind of white lights, iced coffee, pearl necklaces, and very special people.  Now it's over.  The dust has settled.  July 21st seems like a dream, a wonderful dream.  No more painting, cleaning, planning.  "Do we say we have 12 people in our family now or 14?"  asks one of the children.  We have fourteen.  We have gained a son.  And we are VERY blessed.

                                                  
  

So what’s new at the Unverzagts’? Here is our 2011 update.

Bronwyn (age 3) was the cause for a family celebration in February as 21 years of diapering in the Unverzagt household drew to a close!  Bronwyn is an energetic little girl with a big vocabulary who likes to sing, climb, and do everything herself (which causes lots of messes).  To quote Grandma U: “If this is your last one, you’re sure going out with a bang!”

Finn (age 4) is a sweet little boy who is a sidekick to his brother Anders.  Finn likes being read to, playing with toy army men and Lincoln Logs, and listening to “Life at the Pond” story CD’s.  This summer he got to travel to Canada with four older siblings so he could play with cousins.  It was better than a trip to Disneyland!

Anders (age 7) loves to sleep in his tent, even if it’s just set up in the living room.  He enjoys riding bike, swimming, listening to “Patch the Pirate” CD’s, and playing soccer or basketball with his older brothers.  He was very excited to get to play on a little kids’ basketball team this fall.  Anders is in first grade and is having fun taking piano lessons.

Berit (age 8) was the first child in the family to get a repeat case of Lymes Disease, bringing the family total up to five cases now.  (We live around lots of deer ticks!) Berit enjoyed entering items in the county fair for the first time this summer.  Also, she and two sisters had the honor of being part of a drama that did so well at two levels that it was eligible for performance at the Wisconsin State Fair!  Berit is in third grade and loves to swim, skate, read, play with friends, and talk on the phone.

Zofeyah (age 10) is a vivacious child who always has a project in the works.  She has a special place in her heart for all our chickens and ducks, so she spends lots of time in the coop.  She really enjoys the geography and science classes she takes at the homeschool co-op that she and several siblings are a part of.  Some of her favorite activities are playing outside, cheering for the Vikings, swimming, and working in her science lab.  She is in fourth grade and can’t wait until she can go hunting with her dad.

Emma (12) was finally old enough this summer to join youth group.  She was thrilled!  She also got to attend her first FLY (Free Lutheran Youth) Convention in Estes Park, CO.  Emma enjoys playing her tin whistle, jumping on her pogo stick (500 consecutive bounces on  record so far!), reading, helping with a class of 4 and 5-year-olds during women’s Bible study each week, swimming, sleeping in, drinking coffee, listening to music and “Adventures in Odyssey” online, and playing on the Monroe County Warriors girls’ basketball team.  She is in seventh grade and is an expert on sea creatures, her favorite reading topic.

Sigre (14) got contacts and got her ears pierced this year, which made it a very momentous year!  She teaches a class of 2 and 3-year-olds every Wednesday morning during women’s Bible study.  She enjoys choir, playing basketball, reading, swimming, hanging out with friends, performing with Faith on Fire drama ministry, decorating cakes, taking pictures, and attending youth group.  Sigre had a fun time when she went to Canada to help babysit cousins this summer and when she got to travel with family friends as a nanny.  She is in ninth grade and attempting to learn Hungarian, because she would love to go back to Hungary on another missions trip sometime.

Leif (17) is a senior this year.  He works quite a few hours a week at Quiznos but still finds time to play soccer and basketball.  Last spring he and some of the other players on the Monroe County Warriors basketball team got the opportunity to play in the National Christian Homeschool Championships  in Springfield, MO, where they were Div. III 2A champs.  Leif enjoys reading, hunting, reading WHILE hunting, performing with Faith on Fire drama ministry, and playing any sort of sport.  He recently started changing oil on our vehicles for us, which we all really appreciate, and he started playing the cajon (box drum) with the youth group praise team. 

Britton (19) became the third alumnus of the Millpond Academy Homeschool when he graduated this past May.  He enjoys his job of being a personal care worker in a group home helping disabled adults and loves his job of coaching the Monroe County JV basketball team.  Last June, Grandma Unverzagt surprised him with a train trip to Springfield, MA, to visit the Basketball Hall of Fame.  They arrived shortly after a tornado tore through the town!  Thankfully their trip wasn’t hindered, and they had a wonderful experience. Britton continues to serve our church by running the sound booth on Sunday mornings and for the women’s weekly Bible study.  His final Faith on Fire performance will be in mid-December.  They will be losing a fine actor. 

Gretchen (20) is in the thick of nursing school at Western Technical College (WTC) in La Crosse, WI.  She has discovered that the warning she was given before starting—you will have no life; all you will do is nursing—was accurate!  She and Analaya made a huge change in their lives (and ours) this summer by moving out of our house and into an apartment near school.  (Once we got over the emptiness here, we started enjoying the extra bedroom space!)  So she comes home occasionally to visit and to practice abdominal assessments and blood pressures on us!  After Gretchen finished her time of Bible school in Albania last winter, she and Analaya had a great adventure backpacking their way around Europe.  Gretchen loves her job working with mentally and physically disabled children and getting to nanny one day a week.

Analaya (22) finds great satisfaction in assisting with the youth group at church and the opportunities that provides for her to mentor teen girls.  She remains quite active in many ministries of our church including music, VBS (she, Gretchen, and a friend wrote and directed “The Chronicles of Israel” this summer), and coordinating the annual Christmas cookie fundraiser for the youth, to name a few.  She also had the opportunity to teach an elective session at the FLY convention in July as well as work on staff.  Analaya is taking a few general classes at WTC this year.  She is a CNA and loves her job working with handicapped children, and her love of photography has landed her a few jobs on the side.

Hope still enjoys homeschooling, sixteen years into the project!  She scores essays online for Pearson Education during the spring scoring season and generally gets an opportunity to write a series of articles each winter for a website.  She enjoys reading Christian fiction, watching the children’s sporting events, organizing, going to garage sales, spending time with family, doing a Bible study via email with special friends and family, and drinking Caribou Mint Condition coffee (when the opportunity arises)!  Hope finds most of her time spent in planning, scheduling, encouraging, teaching, training, and cleaning up afterwards…but she wouldn’t have it any other way!

Jonathan built three disc golf “holes” in our yard this summer, so the men of the family don’t have to go far to play one of their favorite games.  He had the opportunity to attend the Answers in Genesis Mega Conference in Petersburg, KY, in July and to speak at a church in El Campo, TX, this fall where he got to go salt water fishing for the first time and hold a baby alligator, also for the first time.  In his free time Jonathan coaches varsity basketball.  He continues to serve Christ Is Lord Lutheran Church as a senior pastor and is continually grateful for such a wonderful congregation! 

And the big news...

on November 23rd, Ryan proposed to Gretchen, and she said YES!  We are thrilled!  Ryan and Gretchen met two years ago after being introduced by Auntie Ingrid Dyrud Watts, who attends the same church as Ryan and his family in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Ryan graduated from Colombia Bible College in  Abbottsford, BC, in the spring of 2011, with a degree in Worship Arts.  He is currently employed by Rosser Holsteins in Winnipeg.  After the complexities of maintaining an international courtship, Ryan and Gretchen look forward to settling down in La Crosse, WI, while Gretchen finishes her last year of nursing school after their July 21, 2012, wedding.  We thank the Lord for bringing such a wonderful, Christian young man into our family 

We are the Unverzagts....

....from Cataract, WI.  We live in a big, old house on a pond with plenty of room outside to run and play, which is good because there are 13 of us in all—seven girls, four boys, and two parents.  Dad is a pastor, and Mom is a stay-at-home mom.  Our desire is to serve the Lord in everything we do and say.

So why on earth do we need a blog?!  Mainly, it is because we no longer want to subject the folks on our Christmas card list to yearly family updates.  Now only the people who are truly interested in knowing what we are doing can find us on the web.  (Thank you for being one of those people!)  Besides, it’s cheaper to print a one-sided card!

Also, when I get asked for a recipe, I can just post it here in case others would like it as well.  (I’m choosing to think of that as efficiency, not laziness.)

And as a homeschool teacher, I’m seeing all kinds of potential with a blog.  Not only is it a learning experience for the kids who are setting it up and maintaining it, but what a wonderful venue for displaying student writing for the grandmas to read!  (Please don’t mention this possibility to my children; it is something I would have to break to them gently.) 

So who knows what all might end up on this blog!  We just hope it will be a blessing and encouragement to everyone who visits it.  Thank you for stopping by!