2012 Christmas Card

With every year comes change and growth.  This year would probably bring the Hollister family the biggest change and opportunity for growth ever;  A move across the country (2,391 miles to be exact) resulting in leaving behind four generations of family on Danieal’s side of the family, as well as mine. 

This was the result of a job promotion within my company to oversee the Southeastern US for Zee Medical.  The only job requirement was, live in one of the nine states I was now responsible for.  It is a wonderful opportunity to sit on the company’s Senior Management Team and direct the affairs of an industry leading organization.  Where we landed is a story in itself, but the short version is that we believe that this is the right time and right place for our family to live – in Spring Hill, Tennessee.   This is a smaller country town that has seen growth from three thousand people just twelve years ago to twenty seven thousand and growing today.  The family enjoys country music, so enjoy living just thirty minutes south of Nashville. We are loving the warmer weather and the Southeast country living.  I still travel about 65% of the time, just a different look when I’m on the ground.   

After the acceptance of the new position I hit the road 100% of the time, commuting weekly across the country to visit managers and their sales teams.  Meanwhile the company moved us.  The reality though is that Danieal just about single handedly did it all.  She sold the house in Vancouver, cleaned out years of treasures that didn’t need to make the move with us, managed the packing, and oversaw the loading and unloading of the semi truck.  She’s a trooper, but it doesn’t stop there.  Since we decided to build a house, we initially moved into an apartment for six months.  Living in a much smaller residence upon our Tennessee arrival, we kept the essentials in the apartment and placed the other half of our belongings into storage.  Once the house was ready for occupancy at the end of August – then we (Danieal) moved AGAIN!       

After eighteen years Danieal has recently returned to full time employment, using her more recent skills as an RN working at a pediatric clinic.  She loves it!  It just so happens to be located a half mile from where I decided to rent an office in Franklin, TN.  So when I’m in town, we often get together for lunch.  Danieal will tell you that she is learning how to juggle a new full time job, still play full time mom, while her husband is around on a part time basis.  In addition to this, she actively serves in her church calling as the Cub Scout – wolf den leader.  You can see she truly is one special person and I just think she’s AWESOME!

This autumn we were blessed to have Danieal’s mother and Aunt Arlene come to visit.  We showed them the sights, including just a couple of the tremendous historical sites in the area.  In fact, there have even been civil war artifacts found in our neighborhood.  We also spent a wonderful evening at the Grand Ole Opry.  It happened to be a tribute night to the late Mini Pearl.  We were entertained by Vince Gil, Amy Grant, Mel and Pam Tillis as well as many other entertainers.  This was a very memorable night for all of us.

 

Magen has successfully transitioned into her junior year as an Independence High School Eagle.  She quickly made friends with girls in the bands color-guard.  So even before school started she was marching and practicing all day in the SE summer heat.  Though she came in a couple of years behind the others, she has already been tagged by the director as, “good – real good.”  She was selected to move to the guard line that throws “triples” with their rifles during their competition shows, which is a huge accomplishment.  After three months of intense practice, football game halftime performances and shows around the state, the season is over.  Magen now is awaiting the winter-guard competition season which runs from December through March.  I would say that Magen, with her magnetic personality, has transitioned well to life in Tennessee.  For her birthday, she decided to continue last year’s tradition of attending a NCAA football game.  A school teacher gave her tickets to the University of Tennessee game played on her birthday weekend.  She invited Dad again to accompany her for what she has declared a birthday tradition (Dad’s not complaining).

Mackenzie has made many new friends at school and church.  She has really helped her mom in the family transition more than she probably will ever know.  She always lends an unsolicited helping hand.  This fall Mackenzie has been watching football anytime she can.  The Oregon Ducks are still at the top of her list even in the land where The Crimson Tide dominates. Recently, Mackenzie has received the gift she has been wanting for some time – braces!  She is learning how much pain one must go through at times to achieve success, this time literally.  However, the pain is starting to subside and she is looking forward to positive results in the next couple of years.    

The move across the country may have been hardest on our “Little Ry-Guy.”  He really misses his extended family and friends.  He has also found school to be less than satisfactory; ironically he still has straight A’s.  He was recently called as the Deacons Quorum President at church.  He is a natural leader that genuinely cares for everyone; he will do well in this role.  His love for Boy Scouting continues to grow.  He has a wonderful Scoutmaster who is dedicated to the Troop of boys.  It is great to see Ryan work hard to achieve the goals on his journey though scouting and life.

 Trevor and Cameron continue to navigate young adulthood.  They both still reside in the Portland/Vancouver area.  Trevor was accepted to the Pipe Fitters apprenticeship program last spring.  He is being sponsored by Patriot Fire Protection where he often works with his Journeyman/Uncle Nicolai.  We are proud that he is dedicated to investing into a great career like this.  Cameron has recently been working in the construction industry as well, involved in doing residential remodels.  He finds himself spending lots of his off hours repairing and tinkering on cars.   We believe this is a great hobby as it is a talent he can enhance and benefit from long into the future.

 As we consider the memories and traditions of the years gone by this holiday season, we also realize more than ever the blessings of family, and true friendships.  The spirit of love abounds.  We testify that the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies of old.  Christ was born and walked upon the face of the earth.  That he atoned for our sins and died for each one of us.  We know that he was resurrected on the third day and ‘LIVES’ today.  May we each feel his spirit every day of our lives as we strive to be more like Him.  From our home to yours – Merry Christmas !!!                            
Love, The Hollister’s