Wow! What a year. From November ‘07 to August ‘08, Bec (me) and the
kids were in Arizona with my parents while Dave was on his second tour
in Iraq with the U.S Army. I know that he missed us and especially
those first few months of Ben's life, but he did some amazing things
and got to be a warrior rather than a paper pusher. He can't tell us
what he really did in Iraq until it gets de-classified in 25 years, but
suffice to say; he was awarded a second Bronze Star.

Dave came to us in Arizona in August and was officially out of the
military in October. He has started a web design company
(www.warriorshepherd.com/design), and works as a substitute teacher in
the local schools, until we move in the New Year.

Gabriella, Ben, and Emma (L to R)

Emma and Gabriella are still my girls. We still home school,
although that will be ending soon with our new endeavour. Emma joined
Brownies and has decided to be a famous dancer, singer, actress, and
preacher! She still writes all the time and organizes classes,
carnivals, and parties. She devours books and recently figured out
inter-library loans. She regularly orders 4-5 books a week :0)
Gabriella has taken to reading too in the past few months, she likes to
read Spongebob (go figure) and Bearenstein Bears. Mostly she is into
helping with Ben, and loves cooking. She loves getting on all my
jewellery and big diamante clip-on earrings...she has her own sense of
style and never likes what I pick out for her! Just like me though, the
more colours you can get on the better!

Ben is a joy, but stinkin' hard work. He learned to walk very early but
failed to learn how to fall. He uses his head to break the fall, and
constantly has bruises across his forehead. He loves to dance, as soon
as music comes on, his knees start bending, hands go in the air and
bobs his head. He likes to be outside to watch all the quail families
and point at every airplane that flies over. But he cannot stand trash
trucks, they freak him out!

Me, I did some sign painting this year (www.bobsdoodlesandbugs.com),
and when I wasn't ninja-catching a baby, braiding hair or packing, I
have just been looking forward to our new big move...... January 10, we
leave Arizona for Spain to go and establish and work in the G42
Leadership Academy (www.g42leadershipacademy.org). The first students
should start arriving in March, with new semesters each three months.
So it's going to be thrilling and stressful and everything in between.
The girls will be going to Spanish school (PRAY for them!!), this will
help them integrate, make friends, and learn the language. This will be
a massive deal for them, so I am truly hoping for a miracle. Emma is
looking forward to finally having her own room as Gabriella wants to
room with Ben....Next year's letter will tell of the trouble those two
get into together!!

But we are planning on getting a sofa bed in our apartment, so guests
will always be welcome ( Brits bring PG Tips, and Americans bring
peanut butter!) Mi casa es su casa.

Have a lovely Christmas,

The Hearn Family