THE GERBER GAZETTE
2017 has been quite an adventurous year for the Gerber clan. In January, Amielia and her baby daughter, Zanaya, moved in with us. Zanaya is our first great grandchild! Abi and Sky are still with us. So the house is now bursting at the seams and there are no empty beds. The two younger girls are still in school, grades 11 and 8. When not in school, we are usually found on the roads driving here and there for events, appointments, or off to the store to replenish the refrigerator.
Winter in southern Maryland this past year was fairly mild. We really didn't have much snow, so the kids didn't lose any days of school. Of course, that meant that there were no days added to the end of the year and they were able to start summer vacation on time. Because we didn't have to fight the weather, Ron and I were able to spend a weekend in Tamaqua, welcoming back Ron's great nephew and family back from a tour in Japan and meeting their young son. It was wonderful getting to see much of Ron's family and to spend some extra time with sister Suzie.
Spring passed quickly and quietly. Our big news was the marriage of our first grandson to his long time girl friend Jasmin. And now, in February, 2018, our first great grand son will arrive! Sky finally got to remove the braces from her lovely, straight teeth, Zanaya grew like a weed, popping out 8 teeth before her 1st birthday! Jessie, our adopted American Mastiff, adjusted nicely to our now crowded family. And school came to an end mid-June.
Summer was busy for Sky, who spent 3 weeks camping. She again spent a week with her church youth group doing outreach, this time in Virginia. That was followed by 2 weeks at her sleep away camp. Abi didn't work this summer, but spent her time drawing and taking commissions on her artwork. Amielia also sells her artwork. The girls have even supported each other by purchasing clothes and stickers of the work done by their siblings! Zanaya, well Zanaya just continues to grow and grow. She is walking, making herself understood with many of the funniest facial expressions and jestures. She is such a joy to have around, even though she is the typical toddler, into everything.
August brought Bible School jobs for Sky and me. I then was able to spend almost a week visiting with my brother and sister in law in Buffalo. Because of a new law passed this year in Maryland, the girls didn't go back to school until after Labor Day! Abi is now a junior in high school. Sky is in 8th grade, finishing up her time in middle school. Amielia is working on a degree online and has been keeping up with her work as well as spending almost all her time with Zanaya. I do get to babysit when Amielia has homework to do!
Through all of this, Ron continues to hold up his job as the only male in a household full of crazy females. He shakes his head as the girls change their hair color from month to month, tries to keep up with their games and graphic novel characters, and deals with noses glued to cell phones!
It has been a good year. We hope your year has been good too. Sending warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
