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.
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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 23rd )!
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.)
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