December 16, 2012

Christmas Letter 2012


December 16, 2012 Gaudette Sunday - Rejoice

Dear Friends and Family,


Mama and Daddy with Peter Francis
Merry Christmas once again! This week we will enjoy putting up our Christmas tree, Adriana singing in a Christmas concert and a La Posada. We hope your advent is bringing you closer to Christ. This advent is the best and hardest advent for our family. We have grown so much in the past weeks. Our family letters are usually full of joy and this letter will also be full of joy, but we have to share some sad news. On November 26th, 2012 we lost our unborn baby, Peter Francis at almost 38 weeks pregnant. God blessed us with being able to spend 24 hours with Peter Francis. We are sad, but we also know God has His hand in all things. Our children are learning how to except God's will and deal with death, but we appreciate your prayers for their continued healing. Please also pass on your prayer requests because we have much to offer for our suffering. Contact us either on Facebook or by e-mail: ajniall@hotmail.com. By the grace of God each of us has grown so much this year.

Our family highlights for this year include mom and the children taking a month long trip to Missouri and back visiting many famous sites and also many friends we have not seen in a long time. We visited Amanda and the boys in January, went on many family hikes, joined a homeschooling co-op (families teaching together), and went on lots of field trips. We hope to find you and your family well this Christmas and New Year.


Michael has been working really hard to grow our family business, My Mobile Mechanic Inc. He hired a new mechanic this summer. He still loves his running even if he isn't able to run as much. This year was better for health, thanks be to God. Please pray for the healing of Michael's back. A mechanic can't work with a bad back! Thank you in advance.

Adrianne is continuing to do all her motherly duties. She is working to be a more peaceful person and more loving mother. She really enjoyed driving this summer and visiting so many of her friends. She really enjoys teaching history, especially American history. Some of her favorite sites on her trip were Gettysburg, Williamsburg, historical Philadelphia, many of the state capitals, and so much more. She continues to be blessed by God and feels amazingly blessed and supported by the community we live in.


Adriana (8) took her first horseback riding lessons this summer. She was a natural and hopes to go again soon. She really enjoyed our trip to Missouri. She loved learning and seeing the Abe Lincoln sites. Her favorite site on the trip was Jefferson Expansion Gateway Arch Tower in St. Louis, MO. She loved going to the top of the arch. She, like her mother, really enjoys planning. She planned her birthday party months in advance. The best part was, after all her planning, she enjoyed every minute of her birthday. She loves the summer and enjoyed swimming and drama camp most. She was really looking forward to having a new sibling. She prayed for a girl but lovingly held Peter has much as she could in the 24 hours he was with us. She asks a lot of question about Peter's death. She is sad at times but she understands God's will and is glad to know a saint in heaven.


 

James (4) is lovingly known as our little nerd. He is in preschool and his teacher would be happy to just let him play with his little brother, but he insists on learning. He is learning his letters, sounds, shapes, numbers, and colors. He loves to make pictures. He is our little artist. For his birthday he received a Mass set and he loves to say Mass for the family. James' most memorable quote (after seeing Fr. Peter and Fr. Anthony co-celebrating Mass), "Mama can Fr. Peter and Fr. Anthony come over to say mass with me?" He really loves playing with Lego's and other toys in the playroom. Like his sister has favorite place on our trip was the Jefferson Expansion Gateway Arch. We look forward to seeing how James blossoms this year!


Thomas (2) has grown so much over this past year. He is very mischievous and we lovingly call him either "Thomas Naughty Niall" or "Thomas the Terror." He still loves to sing and dance. He is always singing the Alleluia during Mass (even when it is not that part of the Mass). He has recently started talking in full sentences. Even when he is mischievous his cuteness keeps him from getting in too much trouble. He has started to say "hello" to Our Lord as we drive past churches. He has also started being a loving cuddly little boy. Thomas' quote of the year after watching Fr. Peter dump a huge basket of candy on the table - "Fr. Peter dump it!"

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!!

Love,

Michael, Adrianne, Adriana, James and Thomas Niall