Happy New Year!

Welcome to the Minton Family Blog. Our Holiday is officially over as Chris has gone back to work and Lucas and Mama started school today. It was bittersweet as we sure enjoyed our family time without the stresses of work and school, but it is somewhat comforting to welcome back our routine and continuity. Lucas and I are starting our tenth month at Sinclair Christian Preschool. The classes have grown and we are now up to an enrollment of 50 students (ages 2-4)! It is exciting and a little overwhelming. I am a co-teacher in the K-4 class and Lucas goes to Mrs. Christine's class with his Aunt Jo-Jo as the teacher's assistant . He has some new boys in his class to play with and he seemed to enjoy going back today (even though he told me the other day, "Mama, I don't wanna go back to school.").

Christmas time was busy, but enjoyable. Watching Lucas open his presents was a thrill (assembling the presents and removing them from the packaging did not hold the same sentiment). Among the cars, trucks, blocks, balls, lightsabers, etc, was a new toddler bed for Lucas. We have finally retired the crib and he sleeps in a blue race car with Lightning McQueen bedsheets. He has taken to it well.

During our time off we were able to visit with all of the following family: Mo & Granddad, Aunt Faith, Aunt Jo-Jo & Aunt Lu-Lu [Chris' parents and sisters]; Nana, Paw-Paw, Aunt Su-Su (and fiance' Tommy), Uncle Jeff, Aunt Jennifer, Emily, Ethan, Uncle Darrell, Aunt Cheryl, Garrett, Cameron, Anna, Aidan, Grandma Fessler and Aunt Mary Lynn (Mom's sister) [Karen's family]; plus a trip to Alabama Dec. 27th to see Chris' extended family: Grandmother Louise, Aunt Diana & Great Granddad (Papa Earl) & Ruby Minton. What a blessing!

We have been in our new home for 10 months and are settling in slowly but surely. Only a couple of boxes remain unpacked, leaving a great deal of organizing, decorating, and gardening yet to be done. "Lord Willing" we will tackle some new house projects this year.

In July of 2006, my 21 year old sister, Susan, said yes the the proposal from Thomas Wood, whom she met at college. "Tommy" is like part of the family now and we are thrilled for Susan. The wedding is scheduled for May 19, 2007. Lucas will be her ring bearer (cute!), Mama a bridesmaid, and Chris and I will also be assisting other family with the music. It is going to be quite an event and we are all very excited! Please keep them in your prayers.

I will wrap this up for now and will keep you posted throughout the year. Happy 2007!

The Lord Bless You and Keep You,
Chris, Karen, and Lucas