Hinze Happenings 2013 - Christmas Letter

Hinze Happenings 2013

As I sit down to write this year’s letter I’m sitting here wondering where the year went! I think 2013 was one of the fastest years on record for our family.

We’ve had a lot of changes in our lives this year! In March we moved to a new house - our “forever” home. Our previous home was for sale for close to a year before we got an offer. I think I must have looked at close to 60 houses in person (I previewed a lot before Mike took off work to see them) and I know I looked at probably 200 easily online! In the end it really was God’s timing in all this as our dream home came on the market just before our contract went into effect on the house we were selling. We left 1500 square feet and 3 bedrooms for a spacious, two-story home with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, an office and an amazing back porch and back yard. Michael and I had this impossible list of things we wanted in a house and all in all we matched most of those items. The best thing about it is we are on a cul-de-sac and there are about 8 other kids on our street - most of them the same ages as our older two kids. Our home is the epicenter of life on the street and most afternoons and evenings you can find all the neighborhood kids in our front or back yard.

Mike’s business, Integrity Yacht Management, is still flourishing. They are well respected and keep quite busy. He didn’t seem to fish as much this summer, but it was mostly due to the crazy rain we kept having! Last hunting season brought 4 deer to our freezer and two bucks mounted on our living room wall. This hunting season is looking promising with two does ready to go in the freezer and another hunting trip possibly in January. He is an awesome provider for our family! Mike found a great deal on a boat this past spring and after some finishing touches - our Boston Whaler center console was ready for the water. We enjoyed several boat rides and family outings before the weather turned colder this Fall. A devout Florida State fan, Mike hasn’t cut his hair since football season started and announced that he wouldn’t cut it until FSU loses... I am kind of fond of his long locks and the matching full beard (it’s coming in solid white on the sides). I hope FSU continues their undefeated season so I can keep my rugged-looking husband!

I (Anne) spent most of my year packing, unpacking and organizing it seems. They are not my favorite things to do! After a painful bout of shingles in March, I was determined to find answers about what was going on with my health. After a lot of blood work it was determined that I have celiac disease and some nutritional deficiencies (caused by the celiac). The gluten left our house soon after that and what a difference it has made since going gluten free! When I was having all my testing done, we also did allergy testing for the kids and found out that Maddie and Wyatt are both allergic to wheat. We were already gluten free at this point, but it helped validate that we needed to stay that way for everyone.  I continue to see moms and babies as a private practice IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) and have found my niche in my field - becoming well versed on structural issues that affect oral motor skills in infants. I also knit - many projects at once usually, as it helps with my “knitter’s ADD” affliction. Between driving kids to and from school, to activities and volunteering as the Oval Art Teacher in both Maddie and Wyatt’s classes this year - I stay incredibly busy.

We decided to keep Maddie and Wyatt at Plew Elementary instead of switching schools when we moved. We love Plew and feel well plugged in there!

Maddie is in the 3rd grade this year. She was identified as “gifted” and is in an all gifted and talented class this year. Her teacher is very keen on technology and she has learned a lot so far this year. She continues to make the A-Honor Roll each grade period She reads like crazy! It’s not unusual for her to read 4-8 chapter books a week sometimes! Her favorites are Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton - I imagine she’s read almost all of them by now. She is taking private voice lessons and her instructor has been very good for her. Our girl remains a perfectionist and we really have to encourage her to try new things - she’s one who doesn’t want to try something unless she feels like she can do it already. She enjoys Lego Friends, her rainbow loom bracelet maker, playing with her girlfriends and reading a lot! She got glasses recently (for reading) and she looks so grown up!

Wyatt is in 1st grade this year and is doing really well. His teachers are both great - he is lucky to be in a team teaching project. He is also reading a lot - he reads at a second grade level (after starting at a much lower level at the beginning of the year). Seeing my kids’ get the reading bug is such a thrill to me! Wyatt will turn 7 in just a few weeks (Jan. 2) and I can’t believe he was so little last year. After more than a year of growing out his hair to below his shoulders, he decided to cut it short a few weeks ago. I have to say I’m partial to the short cut myself - he’s so handsome! Wyatt enjoys playing outside with the neighborhood kids. There are endless “Man Hunts,” nerf wars and bike rides. He is starting to enjoy Legos a little more and we just recently introduced limited video games in our house. We bought an original xbox - no bells and whistles!

Maris turned 2 at the end of October and she is an incredible blessing in our lives. It seems hard to imagine life without her. It amazes me still - but Maddie and Wyatt have never shown any jealousy (other than jealousy about her not spending time with one vs. the other!). There has never been any resentment for this interloper who joined our family unexpectedly. She talks - oh does she talk! Sometimes I have to remind her to take a breath - her sentences are SO long! She has been much healthier since moving to a newer house with less dust - last year was hard for all of us healthwise! Maris did break her tibia in her left leg in October - it seemed simple compared to Maddie’s broken arm several years ago that required two visits to the OR. She sat on a friend’s lap going down a twirly slide and her bare foot stuck on the side wall. She had a purple cast up to her hip - but amazingly learned how to walk with it. She has made a full recovery (thanks a lot to our chiropractor who got her pelvis realigned after walking weirdly for several weeks).

In all, 2013 was a good year. A new house, a few trips to South Florida, new friends, old friends and fun with family. Our animals are happy and healthy and we are incredibly thankful for our friends. We have settled into a new church - Destiny Worship Center - and are thankful for our spiritual family. We love seeing our children grow in their faith and understanding of God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

We have many things to look forward to in 2014. We are incredibly excited that my parents are (finally) moving back to the Panhandle sometime late winter/early spring. They have sold their house in South Florida and are waiting to decide if my Dad will retire or search for a job up here. My sister has moved to New Orleans where she is an RN at a large hospital and my brother has taken to life working on private boats - but is presently here at the moment.

We hope that 2013 has been a good year for you and your family and that 2014 will bring you much joy and many blessings. We pray that this Christmas you are able to find the wonder of the season. We celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We pray that you will have enough in your life always and that life will leave you feeling grateful.

Much love,

Mike, Anne, Maddie, Wyatt and Maris Hinze
Hinzefamily5@icloud.com
www.thehinzefamily.blogspot.com

Dear Wyatt, on your 6th birthday

Dear Wyatt,

Today you reached the awesome age of six years old. It seems like you have been part of our family forever and that there is not a time I can't remember you being with us. From a wee babe of just over 6 lbs to a young man of 6 - you have grown so much!
This past year has been full of changes for you and for our family. No longer the baby, you are now the middle child. I struggled with this title for a while - you just don't seem like middle child material. But Maris placed you in the middle and it seems to suit you well.

You are still petite at 6 - just now fitting into size 5 clothes and too short for the 20" bike your dad was convinced you'd be able to ride. We went with a 16" bike instead (just like mommy told daddy you needed). You are so close to doing a headstand and are eager to take gymnastics classes starting in January.

Kindergarten is ok. Most days you walk out and are rather grumpy. I think it's mostly because you are hungry and tired, but we're trying to get past that part. It's still winter break right now and you are eager to return to school. You are starting to read and that makes your mom and dad really proud of you!

I look at the young man you are becoming and other than the whining (which I am praying you'll grow out of this year...) you are an amazing little man! You love your baby sister so much and are such a great help with her. While you and your older sister, Maddie, don't always get along - you are incredibly close and play so well together. You have a lot of empathy for people and animals and I am very proud of this quality. It makes me feel like just maybe I've gotten something right with you.

When I found out that you were a boy years ago - I was so scared to parent a little boy. Most of the boys I knew weren't incredibly sweet and loving and I just knew that if you were mean and naughty I'd consider myself a failure as a mom.

However, all those days and hours and years of instilling empathy and love on you have paid off and you are a pretty cool little guy. This past year hasn't been easy - you've learned how to whine like a master... but you're working through it and your dad and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I can't wait to see the young man you're growing into - you make your daddy and I so very proud of you!

We love you so much!

Love, Mom and Dad