Ball Family New Year's Letter

If I were to choose a single word for our family in 2016, it would have to be adventure.  It was a year filled with adventure, and with adventure often comes change. Some changes are good and fun, some changes are still good, but very hard.  We’ve experienced some of both. 

Sarah was able to finish high-school a year early, and graduated in June.  She now lives in Ohio with her grandparents.  Ty and Rachel moved across the country from North Carolina to Oregon shortly after, and arrived safely June 18^th. 

We were planning a July 2^nd wedding, but due to circumstances beyond our control it had to be postponed.  At the same time, we found out that our plans for housing, and a job for Ty, had fallen through.  It was a difficult time of learning to trust the Lord even though we couldn’t see His plan, and growing together as a couple and as a family.  

Ty began looking for a job, and was hired at our local Fred Meyers in July.  He now works full time in the seafood department and is enjoying what he does. August was spent preparing for the wedding, which we were able to reschedule for September 17^th.  Ty’s Mom was able to come from North Carolina, as well as Ty’s Uncle John and Aunt Bonnie from Ohio, for the wedding and we all enjoyed having her here for a few days.  Ty and I had a wonderful honeymoon in Sunriver, OR, while Rachel enjoyed getting to spend time with my parents here in Astoria.  We also began the long trail of paperwork toward getting financing for our own home.                                                                                                                 

Rachel, who celebrated her 13^th birthday in October, loves playing with my nephew, Jaxon.  We began a new adventure in homeschooling, which has required some adjustments on both our parts, but we are getting into the new routine and things are going well.  We were able to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday here with my parents and almost all of my siblings.

December was the usual getting ready for Christmas rush, but overall it was a good month as well.  December also began another new adventure for us, as we found out our little family is growing, and we look forward to welcoming a baby boy to the Ball family in August! I have been experiencing all day morning sickness, but overall have been enjoying being pregnant, and we are all very excited and have been enjoying the anticipation of a new baby.  

 

We are still working through all the requirements for our financing for a house, but hope to be able to begin searching for our home by April.  Please pray that God will guide and direct us as we find the home He has for our family. Pray also that we will be able to be moved in before the baby arrives, as we are still living in very close quarters at my parents.

                                                                                                        Blessings to you all,                                                                                                                      Kristi, Ty, Rachel and Baby Ball