Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

For a snapshot of our lives in 2005, please enjoy our online slideshow. If you prefer viewing pictures to reading seemingly endless amounts of information, just skip the next part and go straight to the pictures—we’ll understand.

It seems obvious to share that we’ve experienced many changes this year, because change always seems to be an operative word for describing the passage of 365 days. Thankfully, this year we have been grateful for the changes, and recognize that such joy is not always immediately the case.

In January, Kathleen started a new job with a very different focus in the world of speech-language pathology: from adults in hospitals to kids at a private practice! This has turned out to be a great move due to fabulous coworkers, endearing clients, and extra perks like a 4-day workweek. Working weekends and holidays is a thing of the past!

Harry’s career changes are currently classified as TOP SECRET, so you will have to kidnap and drug him to find out, unless you just ask him yourself. Nonetheless, exciting things are on the horizon and we look forward to seeing where his creative ideas lead. In the meantime, he remains faithfully at UW.

Other highlights included: Kathleen learned how to really swim, we both learned how to ride road bikes (in sometimes treacherous conditions) without losing any limbs, Harry took his first flight lesson (more to be completed later), we finished many house projects with little prior do-it-yourself knowledge, enjoyed visits with family & friends, and gained a new dining table & chairs built by dad.

Our church body, with whom we spend many hours, has also been transformed, and continues to be so, by increased focus on prayer. We have seen and experienced incredible answers to many different cries from our hearts. We have also watched close friends and family go through many difficult times, but provisions have consistently been available. Seeing God respond and provide so tangibly has truly been the best part of our year.

Here are some of our favorites from 2005:

Board game

• Kathleen: Ticket to Ride
• Harry: Ticket to Ride

Books

• Kathleen: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
• Harry: Blue Like Jazz

Movies in the Theatre

• Kathleen: “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”
• Harry: “Good Night, and Good Luck”

Favorite song

• Kathleen: “Don’t Panic” by Coldplay
• Harry: Toss up between “DJ Song” by DJ Spinna and “Sometimes” by My Bloody Valentine

Favorite album

• Kathleen: The Garden State Soundtrack
• Harry: Simply Red’s “Picture Book”

Sporting event

• Kathleen: Danskin triathlons are all-around amazing—even to watch!
• Harry: seeing Kathleen do the Danskin was pretty cool

Northwest outdoor summer activity

• Kathleen: bike riding and kayaking
• Harry: bike riding, frisbee, sitting in the backyard with music and a beer

Northwest outdoor winter activity

• Kathleen: hmmm…indoor swimming!
• Harry: walking to the coffee shop :)