Merry Williams Christmas 2018

This year the Williams family has been busy as usual...

The Williams house has two teens and a tween - Kaela will be 17, Graeson is 14, and Maezie is 11.  And we have officially left elementary school behind!  Maezie is in 6th grade and Graeson is in 8th grade, both at the same middle school; and Kaela is a junior in high school.

Kaela spent spring break in Mexico on a church mission trip building houses - she got really good at hammering nails straight!  Throughout the year she serves in children's church by teaching second graders. At her high school she is a member of National Honor Society which recognizes high grades as well as service projects. She is involved in theater, both acting as well as lights/sounds/tech.  She is now driving (gasp!) and recently got her first job at a day care after school.

Graeson is growing a lot and was ecstatic when he passed up mom a few weeks ago!  He is the lead percussionist in jazz band and has learned several different instruments.  He was selected for leadership class at school, and takes part in various service projects - he is also a "big brother" to one of the young sixth graders.  He serves in children's church with dual roles as tech support and small group leader.  He is in his eighth year of taekwondo, and he also plays football and runs in track.

Maezie is doing great in middle school, even when her brother tries to embarrass her!  She plays trumpet in the intermediate band, and she sings in choir.  She is very active in dance - this year she is taking five different dance styles, and she loves all of them!  She too serves in children's church, and she helps with the kindergarten kids.  We even had one event this year where all three kids played in the same band concert!



This year we experienced some unexpected changes as well.  Jill accepted a new job in Portland - still with Providence Hospice but a different team and a bigger role.  Shortly after starting the new job, Graeson broke his arm during a football game which resulted in an ambulance, emergency room, and eventually surgery too.  And in the middle of all of it, Jill's dad was unexpectedly diagnosed with widespread cancer, and two weeks later he died at home on September 24.

But throughout all of our crazy chaos we have spent plenty of time together - some of it is attending kid events, concerts, games, or performances.  Our family vacations were in Victoria in the summer and Seaside in the fall.  We also have Friday family nights doing various fun stuff like baking, playing games, or watching movies.  And sometimes on family nights, we just....rest.