The Powell Family-Tacoma: February 2009

Well this is our annual Powell Family New Years Letter! Only about 2 months too late. Sorry. 2008! What can I say? Not much has changed really.
*Jack is working at Free & Clear Inc. in Seattle, WA he is what they call an SDET. He works with computer programs for their website or something. Together he and I went to Cabo san Lucas and in September he went on a week long Carribbean Cruise with some of the College-age guys. He had a blast and it was well deserved and long over-due.
*I am still working at Praise Covenant Church overseeing the Childcare and K & Under classrooms, as well as working under the Childrens Pastor as her assistant which involves the elementary and Jr. High age as well. I LOVE my job and my church family. Jack and I had a wonderful time in Cabo thanks to a dear friend allowing us to use her timeshare. Also, this summer I am leading a team of 10 women to Casa de Fe Orphanage in Shell Ecuador S. America this JUNE 2009. (We are still in need of 30K due in the next 3 months! Please consider how you might contribute and e-mail me!) I am also busy with Women Ministries and of course, 4 kids, husband and home. Also my team is selling CD's of Piano Music for $20 all proceeds helping to send us. Its beautiful music, let me know if you wish to purchase one!
*Maryn -my eldest turned 13 in 2008 and officially became a teenager. She had a little summer babysitting job and made good money and learned a lot. She is currently in 8th grade at Spanaway Jr. High and this past October was chosen to attend a People to People Student ambassadorship in WA D.C. She was there for 1 week chaperoned by my mother... she had an amazing experience and made a lot of new friends and earned 2 H.S. credits to boot! She is in 10th grade math (Geometry) and 9th grade Choir. She is a straight A student who has her sites set on Running Start (Community College) in just 2.5 short years!! I can't believe it. She is also in Piano Lessons and is advancing quite rapidly.
*Kylie- is in 6th grade at Elk Plain School of Choice! Its a "School of the Arts" and she is thriving and getting excellent grades! Her teachers love her and she has quite a few friends. She attended 6th grade Camp last month and stayed a week in a cabin with 7 other classmates. She is still singing somewhat although not much publicly. She has taken up 2 new hobbies --Filmmaking and Guitar lessons. She is great at both! She also has 2 jobs! A babysitting job every week and she cleans house for my best friend Dena 1x a week as well. She makes pretty good money and works very hard. I'm very very proud of her. She is creative, hardworking, and talented.
*Joshua-is in 4th grade at Naches Trail elementary. He's doing very well. His hobbies have recently included Legos. He received a bin-full from one of the college age guys a few months ago and has become addicted! So now we have lego's all over the house. Typical.
*Allyson-is in 1st grade! Hooray I finally have all 4 of my kids in school all-day! Yes! She is also at Elk Plain SOC. She is in Special Ed services and seems to be thriving very well. She is an amazing and gifted artist-drawing. She has a very sweet disposition and is cute as can be. I cant believe my "baby" is 7!

2008 was full of changes and fun! We spent a lot of time at the beach and zoo this summer! I have had a lot of fun on Facebook catching up with friends both old and new. We had a wonderful Christmas -3 weeks of break- thanks to record breaking snow falls! It was a white Christmas and we enjoyed spending time as a family and remembering the Birth of our Savior. We hope you did too.