Christmas Letter and Photo 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

Here we are once again. We are blessed in more ways than we can count. 2011 was a year of milestones for us. Let’s begin . . .

Jan. – An ice storm hits Atlanta! We were iced in for a week. We couldn’t get up the hill in our subdivision for several days. We didn’t lose electricity so we were very happy. Truthfully, the couch potato in me was thrilled. Alan liked the first 30 minutes. Then cabin fever set in for him.

Feb. – Milestone alert - Al celebrated the big 50^th birthday, but he hasn’t aged much in the last 30 years so I’m not sure that it counts. Young Austin reminds us of what it’s like to be 20 . . . He and his roommates decided to build a fire in the fireplace at their apartment. They will burn anything, including their trash. One of the boys gathered the trash from the bathroom and threw it in. A few minutes later, there was an explosion in the hearth, embers flew out on the carpet, and black smoke filled the apartment. There is a reason the labels on aerosol cans caution against putting the containers near open flames. Apparently a can was in the trash and they didn’t know (because they didn’t look). They didn’t want to pay for new carpet so they used a hair trimmer to cut the singed parts out. Now the carpet appears to have crop circles in it!

Mar. – Another milestone - Austin turned 21. Technically, he’s now an adult. (Though his actions sometimes make you wonder.) Alan and I bought a cake at Publix for him. We then walked from the bakery in Publix to the break room. We left the cake there because Austin and Amanda, both Publix employees, were working on his birthday.

Apr. – We went to Panama City Beach for Spring Break. We left the dog at home with Austin. The dog was not happy with this arrangement. Austin was not thrilled either.

May – Amanda finished her junior year of high school on May 25^th. On May 26^th, she had an appointment for her senior pictures to be taken. Again, technically, she was a senior, but I thought that was a little close . . . Meanwhile, Austin went to Las Vegas for his college break. His father and I gave him the “don’t be stupid in Vegas” speech. His sister gave him the “don’t get arrested in Vegas” speech. He wisely followed all advice given to him.

June – We went to the beach. A waterspout took out power lines, and we were without electricity for almost 2 days. It was HOT! Days spent at the beach were not so bad, but sleeping without A/C was terrible. I love modern conveniences!

July – Milestone #3 - Alan and I celebrated our 25^th wedding anniversary. In honor of this occasion, I got my wedding dress out and found that I could still zip it up . . . as long as it was on the hanger! The veil, shoes, and jewelry still fit! On a brighter note, Alan wrote 25 reasons that he loved me and had it framed. It’s the best present he has ever given me.

Aug – The school year has started again. During a faculty meeting, our principal advised us not to share the students’ snacks. Experienced teachers know this, but the newbies need to be told. Our principal shared this story from one of her former teachers . . . A student brought potato chips in for his snack. He offered some to the teacher. She thanked him and accepted. She ate the chips (rookie mistake). Later, the little boy asked if she had liked the snack. She said yes. He replied, “Good because I licked all of the salt off for you.”

Sept. – Another milestone for the King family - Amanda turned 18. She dashed off and secretly had the cartilage in the top of her ear pierced. Of course, this secret only lasted about 48 hours. We wouldn’t let her have it done until she turned 18 and she had wasted no time! At this same time, Alan was learning ‘how to flip a kayak’. This was serious business for some of the gentlemen in our neighborhood! They watched a video on how to complete this task and then practiced in the pool. They wanted to know how to flip in case they turned over while kayaking in rapids. I can guarantee you that this is not a life skill that I will ever need.

Oct – Austin and other young college adults went to an outdoor Luke Bryan concert near Athens. When they entered, it wasn’t cold, but as the sun went down, the temperature plummeted. They wanted their jackets, which they had left in the truck. The ticket takers wouldn’t let them out of the concert venue to go get their coats. SO naturally they found a place to jump the fence. Getting out was not a problem, but getting back in was another story. They climbed back over the fence, were spotted by security, and fled like the juvenile delinquents that they are. They didn’t get caught, but they weren’t able to be smug for too long. When the concert was over and they went back to the truck, it wouldn’t start! They had to beg for a ride back to where they were staying and then figure out the truck problem.

Nov – Austin’s college adventures continue. He is now a collegiate athlete. He has embraced his inner redneck and has joined the fishing team. He is a “co-angler”. He seems to really enjoy it and the southern girl in me is actually very pleased.

Dec – The reason for the season . . . Luke 2: 8 – 14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

May the joy of Christmas stay with you throughout the year!

We love you!

Alan, Deana, Austin, and Amanda King
(and Rylie the dog)