Merry Christmas from the Greenlee Family!
As this Christmas season comes around the bend, we have much to be thankful for. This year has been full of much transition and we’re eager to see what 2010 brings.
As many of you know, we moved to Kansas City at the beginning of the year as Nick began a new job as an assistant office manager/sales & billing coordinator/general do-it-all guy for a Michelin service center. Nick’s parents graciously let us stay with them the first few months as we began researching the purchase of our first home. With all the talk there has been about it being a buyer’s market, we were surprised at the length of time it took to get a home. We went through four bids (two of which were outbid and one of which was a short sale that took a month to get a response on). Four proved to be our lucky number, as our bid was accepted on a cute little ranch in Olathe, KS. We jumped in headfirst into renovation projects, as the house was in need of major repair. It’s almost comical that Nick & I would get ourselves into such a situation since neither of us are hardly Mr. or Mrs. Fix-It-types, but we have learned much through trial and error and the help of friends and family who have come alongside us and taught us.
One of the biggest blessings to living in Kansas City is that we not only live close to our extended families, but we have developed a whole new sense of family within the church we have become a part of. We started attending Providence Community Church back in February and knew immediately that it was where God wanted us planted. We have been continually encouraged by the fellowship, mentorship, and discipleship we have received within our church, and especially our small group. Luke is one of five toddlers in the congregation all born within a five-month span so he has several little friends that he looks forward to playing with at church and at small group gatherings. It’s just precious seeing how he interacts with them! Ironically, there has been something in the water as now four of these little kiddos are expecting siblings, all between February-April!
We are among those four families expecting, eagerly looking forward to the arrival of another wonderful little boy, Samuel, sometime around Valentines Day. Truthfully, I would be thrilled if Sam decided to make an early debut, as we’re already on track for another big baby (need I remind you Luke was 9lbs. 5oz?!). Plus, we’re just so anxious to meet the little guy!!! Thankfully, this pregnancy has been a smooth one- other than getting to be a little uncomfortable at this point, as to be expected- and we have been thrilled with the care we’ve received through an amazing midwifery service in the area. If all goes as planned we look forward to welcoming little Samuel at home with a water birth.
I don’t think Luke is aware of the life change that we’ll be in for soon, but he will be soon enough. He has been told numerous times that he’s soon to be a big brother and he repeats after our prompting that his brother’s name is Sam. It’s so sweet to hear his tiny little voice call his brother by name. Luke has a wonderfully tender heart and he likes to give my belly kisses and hugs. Of course, he’s also all boy so he has his moments where he forgets that it’s a baby under Momma’s shirt and then his goal is to hit the “ball” that Mommy is hiding from him! While I know there will be definite challenges initially as a parent of two little ones under 20 months, I know that God will provide sufficient grace and energy and I cannot wait to see the bond that the two of our boys form from being so close in age.
Nick has had a lot on his plate this year, but he proves to thrive under pressure. On top of his job and fixing our house, he decided to go back to school full-time to pursue education in computer information systems. Due to his schedule, he enrolled in distance course learning, which proved to be both a blessing and a curse, as he had flexibility to work around his primary responsibilities but also lacked feedback and support from the teaching staff. After two semesters going this route, he has found that this is probably not the best way to learn IT, as he’s basically been self-teaching himself. Thankfully, all his hard work this year has paid off and he has all A’s to show for it. Upon doing research and consulting some people within the IT field, he’s reevaluating his course of action, looking at getting IT certifications instead of pursuing a second bachelors degree. In the long term he’s still very interested in completing a masters degree in either business or IT as well. We would not be able to foresee how timely his going back to school would be, as in early October, he was let go from his job due to the economy. We were definitely thrown for a loop initially, but God has been so faithful in providing for our needs and we know that He will continue to do so until Nick is employed (which we hope will be very soon!). I am ever so thankful for Nick’s diligence and hard work and thankfully, with his completion of this semester, he now has additional skills that he can add to his resume. We’re hoping that this transition will be a blessing in the long run, getting him into the IT field in some way or form. As one can imagine, schooling and job hunting have been somewhat of his new full-time job, though he still makes time to participate in an early morning men’s Bible study, small group, and plenty of family time with Luke & I. He’s a fabulous hubby & daddy!
Luke has gone from baby to little boy over night or so it seems. I can remember last Christmastime vividly… he was only six months old; just sitting up, starting on solid food, and teething. Long gone is that little baby! We now have a highly verbal, animated, and rough and tumble boy on our hands! Seeing his personality develop this year has been one of my biggest highlights… and let me assure you, he’s not lacking in the personality department!!! Our latest well-check visit confirmed what we already knew… that he is a tall but well-proportioned guy (93% in height and 94% in weight). Luke loves planes, trains, and automobiles and Thomas the Train and Elmo are permanent residents in our home. He loves to be read to and he thinks flashcards are as fun as any toy. He learned all the alphabet in a month and we’re now mastering numbers and colors. I wish I could take credit in his aptitude, though I know he gets his smarts from his Daddy!
It has been precious seeing Christmas through the eyes of our little boy this year and we‘ve enjoyed establishing our own traditions around the holidays. Luke loves when we drive through nearby neighborhoods to view all the Christmas lights. We’ve also had fun crafting and using an advent book and Fisher-Price nativity set to help establish why we celebrate Christmas… because of this, Luke is eager to inform you, in case you do not know, that Mary is, in fact, Jesus’ momma and he slept on hay!
We wish you all the best this Christmas and in the year 2010, as well.
Blessings,
Nick, Lauren, Luke (& Samuel!) Greenlee
As this Christmas season comes around the bend, we have much to be thankful for. This year has been full of much transition and we’re eager to see what 2010 brings.
As many of you know, we moved to Kansas City at the beginning of the year as Nick began a new job as an assistant office manager/sales & billing coordinator/general do-it-all guy for a Michelin service center. Nick’s parents graciously let us stay with them the first few months as we began researching the purchase of our first home. With all the talk there has been about it being a buyer’s market, we were surprised at the length of time it took to get a home. We went through four bids (two of which were outbid and one of which was a short sale that took a month to get a response on). Four proved to be our lucky number, as our bid was accepted on a cute little ranch in Olathe, KS. We jumped in headfirst into renovation projects, as the house was in need of major repair. It’s almost comical that Nick & I would get ourselves into such a situation since neither of us are hardly Mr. or Mrs. Fix-It-types, but we have learned much through trial and error and the help of friends and family who have come alongside us and taught us.
One of the biggest blessings to living in Kansas City is that we not only live close to our extended families, but we have developed a whole new sense of family within the church we have become a part of. We started attending Providence Community Church back in February and knew immediately that it was where God wanted us planted. We have been continually encouraged by the fellowship, mentorship, and discipleship we have received within our church, and especially our small group. Luke is one of five toddlers in the congregation all born within a five-month span so he has several little friends that he looks forward to playing with at church and at small group gatherings. It’s just precious seeing how he interacts with them! Ironically, there has been something in the water as now four of these little kiddos are expecting siblings, all between February-April!
We are among those four families expecting, eagerly looking forward to the arrival of another wonderful little boy, Samuel, sometime around Valentines Day. Truthfully, I would be thrilled if Sam decided to make an early debut, as we’re already on track for another big baby (need I remind you Luke was 9lbs. 5oz?!). Plus, we’re just so anxious to meet the little guy!!! Thankfully, this pregnancy has been a smooth one- other than getting to be a little uncomfortable at this point, as to be expected- and we have been thrilled with the care we’ve received through an amazing midwifery service in the area. If all goes as planned we look forward to welcoming little Samuel at home with a water birth.
I don’t think Luke is aware of the life change that we’ll be in for soon, but he will be soon enough. He has been told numerous times that he’s soon to be a big brother and he repeats after our prompting that his brother’s name is Sam. It’s so sweet to hear his tiny little voice call his brother by name. Luke has a wonderfully tender heart and he likes to give my belly kisses and hugs. Of course, he’s also all boy so he has his moments where he forgets that it’s a baby under Momma’s shirt and then his goal is to hit the “ball” that Mommy is hiding from him! While I know there will be definite challenges initially as a parent of two little ones under 20 months, I know that God will provide sufficient grace and energy and I cannot wait to see the bond that the two of our boys form from being so close in age.
Nick has had a lot on his plate this year, but he proves to thrive under pressure. On top of his job and fixing our house, he decided to go back to school full-time to pursue education in computer information systems. Due to his schedule, he enrolled in distance course learning, which proved to be both a blessing and a curse, as he had flexibility to work around his primary responsibilities but also lacked feedback and support from the teaching staff. After two semesters going this route, he has found that this is probably not the best way to learn IT, as he’s basically been self-teaching himself. Thankfully, all his hard work this year has paid off and he has all A’s to show for it. Upon doing research and consulting some people within the IT field, he’s reevaluating his course of action, looking at getting IT certifications instead of pursuing a second bachelors degree. In the long term he’s still very interested in completing a masters degree in either business or IT as well. We would not be able to foresee how timely his going back to school would be, as in early October, he was let go from his job due to the economy. We were definitely thrown for a loop initially, but God has been so faithful in providing for our needs and we know that He will continue to do so until Nick is employed (which we hope will be very soon!). I am ever so thankful for Nick’s diligence and hard work and thankfully, with his completion of this semester, he now has additional skills that he can add to his resume. We’re hoping that this transition will be a blessing in the long run, getting him into the IT field in some way or form. As one can imagine, schooling and job hunting have been somewhat of his new full-time job, though he still makes time to participate in an early morning men’s Bible study, small group, and plenty of family time with Luke & I. He’s a fabulous hubby & daddy!
Luke has gone from baby to little boy over night or so it seems. I can remember last Christmastime vividly… he was only six months old; just sitting up, starting on solid food, and teething. Long gone is that little baby! We now have a highly verbal, animated, and rough and tumble boy on our hands! Seeing his personality develop this year has been one of my biggest highlights… and let me assure you, he’s not lacking in the personality department!!! Our latest well-check visit confirmed what we already knew… that he is a tall but well-proportioned guy (93% in height and 94% in weight). Luke loves planes, trains, and automobiles and Thomas the Train and Elmo are permanent residents in our home. He loves to be read to and he thinks flashcards are as fun as any toy. He learned all the alphabet in a month and we’re now mastering numbers and colors. I wish I could take credit in his aptitude, though I know he gets his smarts from his Daddy!
It has been precious seeing Christmas through the eyes of our little boy this year and we‘ve enjoyed establishing our own traditions around the holidays. Luke loves when we drive through nearby neighborhoods to view all the Christmas lights. We’ve also had fun crafting and using an advent book and Fisher-Price nativity set to help establish why we celebrate Christmas… because of this, Luke is eager to inform you, in case you do not know, that Mary is, in fact, Jesus’ momma and he slept on hay!
We wish you all the best this Christmas and in the year 2010, as well.
Blessings,
Nick, Lauren, Luke (& Samuel!) Greenlee
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