Author: desk

This year you get to guess if I actually wrote my own Christmas letter or if it was done by AI.

Life is…

• Chocolate fingerprints on the light switches
• Legos on the floor
• Small rocks…everywhere
• Thumping of small feet all through the house
• Tears and tantrums
• Uncontrollable giggles
• Viewed with wonder by small eyes
• Endless crayon and marker drawings
• Trips to the library
• Diapers to change
• Asking any guest to read book after book
• Asking endless questions
• Absorbing information like sponges
• Snacks and snack and snacks
• celebrating finishing touches on the house

January:

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The days are long but the years are short. Another year has passed us by – hindsight makes it look like a flash, but each day is jam-packed. Hundreds of little unseen mundane tasks that fill up the day of a mom of three (!) can be discouraging if we are not focused on the right things. If we are focused on ourselves (as I am often found doing) it seems frustrating. If we are focusing on our current worldly impact, it may even seem worthless. But if I focus on doing my best to be where I am supposed to be and to do it with my best effort and attitude, each day builds upon itself into a beautiful picture. A beautiful moment that turns into a good day that turns into a happy week that turns into another special year. I hope you enjoyed a few snapshots of our year.

May your coming year be blessed!

The Knaebels

January

We find our post-holiday rhythm in the cold temperatures and snowy weather. Most Saturdays Debbie would go cross-country skiing at a local park while the kids napped. As we continued to work on our addition, Michael added new gas lines in the basement and installed a new hot water heater (exciting stuff to homeowners!). On those few days without a stove, Debbie perfected her crockpot cooking – she even made some bread in it! Debbie began training for a half marathon which kept her busy (and warm) through the first few months of the year. We worked hard not to get cabin fever by having fake birthday parties and playing in fake sand, baking, trips to Lowe’s, and short snowy walks.

February

Short February days bring preschool, watching our amaryllis grow, cold days working in the addition, visits from Grammie and Boompa, snowshoeing, picnics in the living room, visits to the library, and celebrating Valentine’s day. On the extra cold days, Michael set up the bike trainer up in the addition so Debbie could train for her half marathon.

March

A faint whiff of the hope of spring. Family snowshoeing, date night snowshoeing, muddy boots. We finally open the old house into the addition. Lots of running for Debbie, made possible by Michael manipulating his work schedule to accommodate daytime running. Margo turns 2! More playing outside and riding strider bikes. Trips to Syracuse for family and sushi. Many trips to Lowe’s. We begin work on the landscaping. Trips to Laing Family Farm begin with touring their sugar house. In the end, Debbie misses her half marathon due to a stomach bug.

April

On Sunday afternoons we would explore to get us out of the house and keep us sane. Debbie begins learning about beekeeping. Bike walks, spring hikes, and Easter egg hunts. Michael gets the new half bath ready for use. Road trips to Westtown: visits with Grandma Ruth, goats and family, as well as more easter egg hunts. We planted new trees to replace some old maples we had taken down. Debbie and Michael took a quick trip to Cornwall for their 5th anniversary.

May

Always more hiking (Coney Mountain) and bike walks. Painting rocks, picking daffies, and more playing outside are all toddler favorites. Weekly visits to Laing Family Farm begin for the summer. Lots of picnics in the sunshine, playing in the sandbox and trips to the beach. More landscaping: laying out the sand for our back yard. Michael began hanging and mudding sheetrock. Then lilacs, longboarding, ice cream, riding on mini trains, and we finished putting out topsoil in the back yard. We took a mini vacation to St. Albans, Vermont: playgrounds, Kil Kare State Park, a quick trip on the Amtrack Vermonter, more playgrounds, kayaking, bike ride on the causeway, and ferry rides.

June

Finally some warm day for making donuts on donut day, visiting a quilt show in Clayton, still running from time to time, Simon’s birthday (hence the dinosaur piñata), a visit to the wild center with extended family, a hike along stone valley, Simon’s birthday party, and cooling off at peepoday on the warmest of days. A quick trip to DC: mini trains, carousels, a visit to the national zoo (where margo smashes her lip) sushi, a trip to a fun pool. Then Father’s day with Grammie and Boompa, we get bees at Laing Family Farm, more birthday parties with family, jet-skiing fun, and more bike walks.

July

July brings more work days on the addition, with breaks for fun jet-skiing in Waddington. Debbie enjoys taking care of her flower garden. She runs an impromptu 5k in Potsdam where Michael and the kids can cheer her on from their front porch. Another trip to Westtown for Debbie’s birthday, where we get to eat cupcakes and help Grandma Ruth in her vegetable garden. Michael installs an air conditioner system for the house.

August

August brings snack on the porch, work days, adventures to Burlington with the best, homemade sushi and ice cream from the *new* stewarts, another smashed lip for Margo. Adventures with friends and family to lake clear, bike rides, adding concrete, playing at cousins house were all hi-lights.

September

September was BUSY! Adventures at Brant Lake: bike rides, playing, golf karts, beach time, celebrating Uncle Timmy’s birthday, trains. When we got home we had our first day of preschool, harvested some honey, and attended a local family wedding. Then off to Maine: legos for the first time for Simon, lots of walks on the beach, lobster rolls, trains, donuts, mini trains, parks with a view, a friend’s wedding and sushi. We came home to Michael beginning his new job, apple picking with friends, doing school, making candles with our beeswax, a visit to Syracuse for a housewarming party, and making wreaths with our grapevine.

October

As the days began to cool off, we had more work days on our house, marshmallows by the fire/river, homemade applesauce, apple picking with family, pumpkin painting, date nights bike riding, hikes at the VIC, hikes up Azure Mountain, mountain biking with the kids, and giving out candy on halloween.

November

A large portion of November was spent fighting off RSV. Then the master bedroom was painted and carpeted, and the laundry room got flooring and a countertop. We got our first snow of the season, which the kids enjoyed. As soon as we were better, we went on adventure: to Westtown with one flat tire along the way, off to NYC for one night, up to Syracuse for Thanksgiving with family and then home.

December

December promises still more addition work as we enter into holiday season. The kids are loving the Christmas lights and thoughts of presents, cookies, and time spent with family.

As we reflect on the past year, we are amazed by how truly blessed we are. Our hope is that, by sharing a snapshot of our lives with you, you will be blessed too and understand our thankfulness to a God who loves us and provides richly with love, joy, and peace.

I love going through the pictures from the past year. There are so many memories and emotions in a single picture. I’ll only post the good ones, but seeing the blurry ones or the ones of a snuggly sniffly toddler remind me of the many ups and downs that can happen in a year.

January

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February

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April

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More April Adventures

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May

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June

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Wishing you and yours a very merry holiday season!

DESK

The year began normally. I was 6 months pregnant with our baby girl. Working part time, being a mom full time. The days were scheduled. I would go to work, dropping Simon at Aunt Julia’s house in the morning. I’d pick him up and we’d eat lunch then he’d nap while I rested.

Simon and I had so much fun together during those last days of him being an “only child”. We played outside in the snow, visited cousins regularly, and enjoyed baking together. He enjoys coloring, eating, and being with people. We also discovered the wonderful children’s museum in town.

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In January, we flew down to Florida and had a great time in Saint Petersburgh area. Simon loved the beach, the water, and chasing seagulls. We even got to share a meal with Grandpa Doopa one morning, who happened to be in Tampa at the same time as us!

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Margo Mae was born in March, just as the lockdowns began. We left the hospital on the day they closed doors to visitors and began strict COVID-19 protocols. I’m thankful that my parents were able to meet her in the hospital the morning she was born. They wouldn’t be able to see her again for a few months due to travel restrictions.

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Newborn days were made much more difficult than normal due to the quarantine. No outside help, the unknowns of the disease, and food shortages all made for more anxiety. Our community came through for us, though, with an onslaught of food, gifts, and cards. Though Michael and I will both plead introvert, we realized during this time how much we truly need other people in our lives.

Over the next few months we settled in to a new routine. Michael transformed the only extra space in our small house (a tiny back porch) into his home office. We all learned how to use zoom and wear a mask. We learned how to have outside play dates and have contactless cookie drop-offs.

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We didn’t travel as much this year as we usually do, but the trips we did make were still special and memorable. We stayed closer to home and enjoyed local sights: Brant Lake, Plattsburgh, Saratoga, Watertown, Whiteface, and many parks and hikes.

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Our summer consisted regularly of grilling, beaches, bike rides, garage sales, flower picking, sprinklers and pools, church from the couch, walks, and naps in the sunshine.

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Many upgrades to our little house took place this year. Michael has worked diligently to wire, plumb, and refinish to make Debbie’s dream home ideas come true. Inset and pendant lights in the kitchen, new bathroom flooring and toilet, new-to-us dishwasher and range, tree removal, and much more! All very exciting things, as homeowners know.

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Debbie tried her hand at vegetable gardening this year. Only a few handfuls of beans, tomatoes, and one pepper, but overall a very successful learning experience. We joined a CSA (Community supported agriculture), where we got most of our produce from a local farm. Debbie is also enjoying working in her flower gardens and learning more about horticulture.

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Debbie began working again in July. Part time, in the afternoons after Michael is done for the day at Clarkson, they switch off watching the kiddos. It’s something she enjoys and a great way to keep the engineering side of her mind active.

Debbie’s grandmother passed away in September. Grandma had been diagnosed with cancer in January. It slowly took her home over the next months as Debbie’s mom and aunts cared diligently for her. She leaves a legacy of hard work, a good attitude, a quiet love for Jesus, and a big love for her family. We are grateful that she got to meet Margo this summer and that she is now with Jesus.

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Shortly after, Michael lost his stepmom suddenly. We were thankful to be able to go to Maryland to be with his dad for the services. Laura was a wonderful mom and grandma, always full of laughter.

This fall, Debbie’s Mom and Dad bought a house in Norwood, just ten minutes from Potsdam. We’ve already been able to spend much special time with them and we are looking forward to seeing them more frequently as they divide their time between homes.

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Margo is a sweet baby girl. She loves to watch her big brother, crawl everywhere while laughing, give soft “head bonks” as a sign of affection, eat as much as possible, and sleep all night. We are thankful she is healthy and happy.

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Simon is seeming so big these days, as I’m sure I will always think he is, no matter his age. He loves talking, making mouth noises, playing with cars, having books read to him, going to visit people, and helping Dada with projects. He is thoughtful, inquisitive, and likes to figure out how things work.

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Michael continues to work in IT for Clarkson University. He excels at making the internet work everywhere he goes. He is a natural father, and his children adore him. In his spare time he works on house projects, takes care of the cars, or learns about new things.

As 2020 comes to a close, we reflect on all that has happened. Not ideal, and certainly different, this year still held many things to be thankful for. I’m especially thankful for the chance to celebrate the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace. More than ever do we need peace this year. Peace in our hearts, our homes, in our nation, and in the world. May you know His peace in this season and the seasons to come.

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For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

¹ Answer me when I call to you,
    my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
    have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

² How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods
³ Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

⁴ Tremble and do not sin;
    when you are on your beds,
    search your hearts and be silent.
⁵ Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.

⁶ Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.
⁷ Fill my heart with joy
    when their grain and new wine abound.

⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.

As I go through Proverbs 29 today, I’m struck by this amazing concept again: the Bible is still relevant today! It’s one of those things I’ve always known, but it is refreshed in me again right now.

I was looking at the news after the kids went down for their nap. Quiet time for mama – I can finally relax! Not so much when you read the news, though. Shootings, defunding the police, increases in COVID-19 cases; my blood pressure began to rise. I began to be afraid, sad, and worried. Will we be safe? What will happen to this country?

But as I began to read God’s word in light of the present situations, I began to have peace again.

By justice a king gives a country stability,
    but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

Proverbs 29:4

Justice brings stability to countries.

Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.

Proverbs 29:8

Though cities may be unsettled, if we have wise leaders they can bring calm.

When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
    but the righteous will see their downfall.

Proverbs 29:16

Though there is crime and sin, there will be an end to it at some point.

Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Many seek an audience with a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.

Proverbs 25, 26

We do not need to be afraid of men, whatever they may do, because God will keep us safe. If justice does not come through the governmental leaders, it will eventually come from the Lord.

I’m also reminded that Jesus said:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Conflict has always been a part of humanity since sin entered the world.

The righteous detest the dishonest;
    the wicked detest the upright.

Proverbs 29:27

I’m so glad that Jesus knew and told us that we would have trouble. Even the writer of this proverb knew that there was constantly conflict between the “good” people and the “bad” people. There are certainly constantly things in the news that are troubling. It can make us afraid or worried. But we can quiet our hearts in trusting in Him as our savior and as the one who will ultimately judge the world and bring peace forever!

I awoke at midnight. I’d been dreaming I was having contractions, but that was normal this late in pregnancy. Five minutes later another one came, slow but sure. I got up to try and walk them off. But they came stronger and surer.

I called Keila, and she came. She watched me through a couple contractions and we decided to go to the hospital as soon as Kristin arrived to be with Simon.

At the hospital, declining the wheelchair, the contractions were too strong and close to sit. I managed to walk to the room and as soon as I got to the bed, Margo was born at 2:57. There was no doctor and the nurses were caught off guard. I remember two things: being immensely relieved and hearing Michael’s joyous words of praise.

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God came through for me in a very tangible way in the next few days at the hospital. The medication they had given me gave me episodes of anxiety, shaking, nausea, and dizziness (while laying down) as I went through withdrawal from it. At first I didn’t know what was causing it and I thought I was going crazy. The doctor told me it was “baby blues” and would turn into depression if I didn’t “get over it” soon. She then prescribed more medications to cover the symptoms. I wouldn’t be able to go home until I was well enough to take care of my baby, and it didn’t look like that was going to happen soon.

Before I realized the cause of the episodes, Michael and I prayed about it that evening and God spoke to my soul saying “I’m stronger than any drug or any sickness”. I held on to this so firmly and spoke it whenever I felt the symptoms coming on. That night I was able to sleep peacefully, resting completely in His care. As I purposed to trust Him, he continued to heal me.

The next morning, I was full of joy, completely rested, able to get up and move without feeling sick. There was no more dizziness or anxiety. The doctor seemed surprised to find me this way, as I had refused all the medications she’d prescribed. She told me if I could walk around the wing without getting dizzy, I could go home. I did and Margo and I were home by lunch time.

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More than ever we are aware of how we do not know what the short term future holds. I’m not sure what it’s like to have two kids. I’m not sure what it’ll be like to have a little girl. I’m not sure what “normal” is going to look like after the threat of this virus passes. But really we never know; God is always holding it all, whether we are able to plan for the short-term or not.

His response to my trust in His care is a constant reminder as we go through these coming times that I need to continue to have faith that He is stronger. He is stronger than any disease, any problem, anyTHING. When the anxiety of the world weighs on me, I can remember that He is stronger.

Maybe these end-of-the-year summaries aren’t for you. Maybe I write them for me so I can go through a year of pictures and smile at how cute Simon was and reminisce…

The year began with an energetic 8 month old. Sitting, crawling, barely walking, Simon began to get into everything in the house. We dedicated Simon at the end of May.

In the beginning of March, we flew to Florida to find some warmth. A direct flight, we were soon in balmy Orlando. From 10 degrees to 80 in three hours: not bad! We simply enjoyed playing on the beach, exploring, walking, and being a family together.

For Easter, we headed down to Westtown for the weekend, stopping at Brant Lake along the way. Simon enjoyed all the “new” toys at Grammie and Boompa’s house as well as visiting with all the extended family.

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In June we again took a short flight to Washington DC to visit M’s dad. A direct 1.5 hour flight verses a 10+ hour drive with an infant? That’s a no-brainer. We enjoyed going to the national zoo, seeing the monuments, biking, riding a miniature train, making friends with Lucy the dog, eating sushi, and walking while we visited. Simon took some of his first steps and began talking around his first birthday in DC.

This summer we enjoyed building a play set in the back yard. Simon enjoyed the sandbox. We enjoyed going for many evening walks around town for ice cream or to the park to play. Simon also enjoyed bike rides in his little buggy behind Dada’s bike. Saturday morning were family garage sale-ing days, where we would see what good buys we could find around towns. Debbie is learning to garden and Michael is becoming a pro on the grill.

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Over July 4th weekend, we visited family in South Hero, VT before driving south to Lake Luzerne to visit friends. Though a quick (hot!) trip, Simon enjoyed the Lake Luzerne’s beach and biking in VT. On our way home he got to see his first fireworks in Lake Placid.

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For a week in the summer we rented a house with my family on the shores of Lake Champlain. Swanton, VT itself didn’t have too much but we enjoyed day trips to Burlington to Shelburne museum. Jet-skiing, biking, going to the beach, exploring, and relaxing with family were all enjoyed throughout the week.

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In August we again went to Westtown to celebrate Debbie’s Grandmother’s birthday. Simon enjoyed the live music and meeting all the people.

Memorial Day weekend we headed down to Brant Lake with family. We enjoyed jet-skiing, grilling, and playing on the beach. We are blessed by Julia’s family hosting ours.

This fall we picked (huge!) apples off our apple tree. Cousins Hogan, Rebekah, and Alison came to visit with Hannah and Emily for a fun afternoon of cider making! We also picked out pumpkins at the local patch and set them out for decoration.

In October we again headed to Westtown, stopping on the way at a friend’s wedding. We stayed a week this time, while Michael did some work for Clarkson in Beacon. Simon enjoyed the pet store, walks and parks with Grammie, drumming with Boompa, and chocolate cream pie.

On the last warm day of the year, M and I played hooky from work and snuck up to Ottawa for the day. They enjoyed street food and viewing parliament

Over Thanksgiving week we did a little road trip adventure to Debbie’s parent’s house. From there we went on to Cape May, NJ to find some beach and sun. Most of the seasonal places were closed, but Simon enjoyed running on the empty beaches and finding shells (and other things!) in the sand.

From Cape May we headed to M’s dad’s house again and enjoyed a restful Thanksgiving with them. On the way back home, we again stopped in Westtown to visit with Debbie’s family.

It was a special Christmas season as we got to spend it with much of our family and extended family.

Though the highlights of our year may be in our travels, the day-to-day life of Potsdam has been wonderful as well.

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Two mornings a week Simon goes to visit Aunt Julia and Evelyn so that Debbie can work at LC Drives. Every Thursday evening, Evelyn would come visit us so so that mommy and daddy could have date night. Though there is an age gap and gender difference, the two cousins get along well and we’ve enjoyed this weekly schedule. Things will change soon, though, as Julia is due in February and Debbie in March. It will be exciting to see what 2020 brings!

Michael has been working hard to make our house as close to perfect as possible. Completely redoing the plumbing and electrical filled up his evenings recently. He continues to flourish at Clarkson University as a Systems Manager.

We’ve enjoyed hosting friends and family in our home, being a part of the church community, working, being with family, and being a family. We are incredibly grateful and thankful for the blessings of God in our lives: travel, family, church, work, new life. But the greatest is the blessing of salvation from our savior, Jesus. And to this, everything else pales in comparison.

I know what you’re thinking:

Oh great, another rant about Valentine’s Day. You’ve probably had enough of the hype. Of the bins of plushy red caterpillars in Walmart since January 1st. Of the ads on Facebook for chocolate. Or of your friends posting pictures of their significant other and writing mushy things that nobody wants to read. Or, the people ranting about how lovely and freeing and “ok” it is to be single.

I’ve been thinking this week about being in love. I remember the butterflies when Michael asked me out. The surprised feeling as my head spun with a thousand thoughts, trying desperately to pull one together into a response. The warm feeling that came over my body as I blushed and my heart pounded. I miss those feelings. Maybe because of the newness and the excitement of them.

After two years of marriage we have something much closer, and arguably better. But somehow sometimes I still wish for the “old days”. The thrill of a hand hold. Learning new things about him every day. Being surprised. I know that the stability and friendship we now have is greater, but sometimes I’m still convincing myself of it.

Do I miss the freedom of single years?

Definitely. Do I miss the adventure of the dating months? Absolutely. But no life season is perfect in its entirety.

If I could, would I trade butterflies and freedom for the friendship that I have now with Michael? The closeness of being known fully and being loved fully? Would I trade the giggles of my son for the full nights of sleep? Would I tell everyone who is in a single season to ‘enjoy it because life just gets harder’? Never.

I don’t miss the lonely nights I struggled to feel loved. I don’t miss the communication difficulties and unknowns of the dating times. I don’t miss having to do my own taxes (ha).

I wish that before I’d gotten married that I understood what it meant to be fully loved by God. The fact that He knows every part of my mind, body, and soul, yet still loves me is something that changes the perspective on any season of life. No matter my relationship status, I AM loved. Being married has given me a glimpse of what that means.

Elisabeth Elliot said one thing that sticks with me (well, actually many, but one relevant) and that is ‘A choice is a limitation’. When I choose to marry one man, I’m choosing not to marry any other man out there. I’m choosing to continue on with my life, whatever it may have, with this man and no other. Maybe the ‘in love’ feeling fades. But maybe that means the relationship grows closer. I’ve limited myself to this one man and look what happened: he knows me better than anyone else, he encourages me daily, and I can depend on him to do my taxes (can I get an ‘amen’?!).

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
…a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
…a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
‭‭(Ecclesiastes ‭3:1, 5, 8 ‭NIV‬‬)

Valentine’s Day is the day of celebrating love.

It’s really not about whether you’re single or married, “official” or just crushing. If we’re going to celebrate love, it’s got to start at where love began. Not with one human to another. Or with you loving your dog (I know that’s hard to believe). The Bible tells us outright: “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) You know what’s worth celebrating? The fact that God loves us. He loved us first. He loves us best. He loves us always. No matter what season of life we’re in.