Carter's Place: A Christmas Card to You!

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas! Are you and your elves busy getting ready for the holidays? My family sure is! This is Cai, by the way…I have been learning so much this year! Even though I was born on Leap Day; I don’t know how to leap yet. I’ve learned how to crawl. Now, I am standing, while I hold onto furniture. My mommy says I look like a “monkey” walking around. I try to walk to Mommy and Daddy, but get a little scared and my knees buckle.

I love living in Franklin, Virginia. I especially love sitting on my Daddy’s lap while he drives his lawnmower. I’ve learned to eat big people food. My Mommy and Daddy love playing games with me. They turn off all the lights, except for the Christmas Tree-- while my Daddy holds a small flashlight up to his hand, I chase my shadow around and around in circles trying to catch it! It’s really funny and makes us all laugh. Well, I’m going to take a nap, but I love you!

Merry Christmas! Jarad and Jewels are writing to say THANK YOU. We were reading about the Ten Lepers with Jesus Christ; there was one who went back to thank Him for all He had done. We’re here to thank you for all you have done and do. WE are so thankful for great family and friends-- For the way you have live your lives so we know Christ by knowing you. We are thankful for this special season, Cai’s first Christmas and ours, as parents. It’s worth every minute of it!

Jarad is working on his Thesis right now. He’s getting his Masters in Aviation Science from Everglades University.

Jewels is working on her Thesis. She’s getting her Masters in Motherhood : ) . Jarad is the 12-18 yr olds Sunday school teacher. Jewels is the 2nd Counselor in Primary at Church.

We love living in Franklin, Virginia, having our own four walls and some dirt for the first time in our lives. We have been very blessed. We’re working on “reclaiming” our land - we have about 2 acres that we are cleaning up, pruning, and burning the dead wood and weeds. There’s lots of it. We dug 600 sq ft for a planting garden this spring and just put the fence around it. We’re just happy as wannabe farm folk can be. It’s a beautiful time of year to clean out the old and begin a new year.

We recognize the Lord and His love in all things. We are grateful for our blessings and weaknesses that bring us closer to Him, relying and trusting Him more and more. Give Him your heart, might, mind and strength. “Christmas means giving. The Father gave His Son, and the Son gave His life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, without sacrifice there is no true worship…Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift 2 Corinthians 9:15.” - Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand a Little Taller