2013 has been a wonderful year!!

       It truly has been a wonderful year.  We feel blessed beyond measure. We have played hard and worked hard and love every minute of it!  This year our family spent several weekends camping with friends, it is great that the kids are old enough that we can enjoy a hike together, and enjoy God's creation.  We did discover that sleeping in a tent with a puking kid does take some of the fun out of it, but despite that we'll be looking forward to more camping excursions next year. This summer we moved to a different home in the next town over and we love Rock Hill! We are worshiping and serving at The Church of Christ at Gold Hill Road and truly feel that this congregation is a family to us.
       Hayden has thoroughly enjoyed being 4!!  He loves playing super heroes, Power Rangers, cars, football, and playing outside.  We spent several days this summer at Carowinds where he got to ride on his first real roller coaster and LOVED it!   He is starting to learn how to read and loves doing "school" at home with mom to get him ready for kindergarten.  This year he started taking karate lessons and is having a great time with it.  
       Ellie is an amazing 7 year old.  She is an exceptional reader and a great student. She started her spring break by jumping off a swing and breaking her arm, not the most fun spring break ever, but she quickly recovered.  She was named "exceptional kid" at her new school.  She is at a public school that is a "School of World Language".  She is learning both Spanish and Chinese!  She is a basketball cheerleader and rockin' it on the court!
       Justin has had a great year!!  He decided to leave his job that brought us to the Charlotte area and started a position as a Senior Engineer with JCMR.  We were honored that he was asked to serve as a deacon at our congregation. He serves as a deacon of worship and his tech skills have make him a valuable member. He was able to go on the annual men's fishing trip again this year and had a great time.  He's had the chance to drive his '98 Mustang Cobra on the drag strip a time or two and wishes he had more time (and money!) to devote to this hobby.
       Heather (me!) is having a blast selling Tastefully Simple and has her own website: www.partywithH.com.  I am loving staying home and not teaching, I'm even enjoying cleaning and cooking now that I'm not trying to squeeze it in between work and bedtime.  Being home has allowed me the time and opportunity to host/lead a weekly ladies bible study with some women who are now my closest friends.  This year I also got to coordinate a ladies day for our congregation, "This is War" was the theme and it was a great experience.
       We are all doing great and are truly happy.  Of course, we wish we lived closer to family, but we did have the chance to visit with Heather's family this summer and Thanksgiving and we'll be headed to Texas to spend Christmas with Justin's family.  Remember... you are all welcome to come visit the beautiful state of South Carolina anytime you want!!  We'd love the company!!
      Our family just wanted to take the time to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!!!  Praying that God uses you in so many amazing ways this upcoming year.
                                                                                     Love, The Powell's