2011 Christmas Card

2011 has brought many new beginnings and adventures for the Rappleye family. The biggest were our move to North Carolina and the birth of our second girl, Vienna. A couple others have been experiencing our first tornado storm and being brushed by our first hurricane. As the family has experienced new things, so have the individuals in it.

Devin's New Beginnings: At the beginning of the year, I started my graduate studies in Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University. In the summer, I began my research project on recycling used nuclear fuel. With two semester under my belt, I am one year away from getting my masters and don't even want to think how far away I am from getting my doctorate. Also new this year for me - running more than a mile. All my life, I have been a sprinter. I ran the longest race of my life on Thanksgiving - an 8k. 

Joslyn's New Beginnings:  This year I made lots of things from scratch: my NC circle of friends, many new meals, craft items, and bread to name a few.  January I found out I was pregnant, and I discovered that I love humidity- even while carrying extra weight. I'm much better at juggling now that I carry 2 babies, a diaper bag and groceries up 3 flights of stairs. This year I learned to run with a double stroller, how to  challenge my mind when most of my interaction is with people under 2, and I've learned again and again that I can't do anything without God.

Cambry's New Beginnings: She turned one in May and took her first steps shortly after and has been running ever since.  She discovered outdoor swings in February and still hasn't found anything better at the playgrounds. This year she rode on a plane for the first time, she got her first hair cut and her first black eye. She  went to the beach and the zoo for the first time and loved both. She is much more reverent in church now that she attends nursery. She's learned to say a many words such as cracker, dada, mama, bee-bee-bee (vienna), dog, shoe, let's go and duck.

Vienna's New Beginnings: She took her first breath on September 14th.  She quickly learned to blink, eat, sleep, poop. She has also added to her skills smiling and cooing, snuggling, patiently waiting her turn, melting hearts, and somehow allowing people to forget how hard life is when they hold her.  We are all just beginning to see what a special little girl she is.

Christ's New Beginnings: Our Savior, Jesus Christ, offers to each one of us new beginnings through His atonement. This time of year, we join with you in celebrating His humble beginnings in a stable in Bethlehem. Even in His mortal ending, He brings to us all a new beginning through His Resurrection. All of our wonderful new beginnings this year, we owe to our Savior. May we all continue to seek new beginnings through Christ's atonement this year and next.