2009 Christmas Update

In April, we moved out to the country. We now live in Prunedale in the house that Josh spent most of his childhood in. We are about 15 minutes north of Salinas, where Josh’s parents live, and are situated on six beautiful acres surrounded by trees and hills to protect us from the cold Pacific air. Josh has done a fantastic job updating the house with fresh wall texture, paint, and bamboo flooring. We removed the carpet to discover beautiful hardwood floors that a friend of ours refinished to their original glory. In order to fit in, we lease out the pastures the neighbor’s horses and got baby chicks. Our chicks are now almost five months old and we had our first egg the other day. Josh plans to eat these eggs since we know they were humanely produced. They roam the backyard and sneak out to the driveway sometimes and they make the most ridiculous sounds. I love them!

Lincoln is a very silly guy! He has changed so much in the last year. He went from big baby to big boy. He still loves to change his clothes and wear his “Batman” costume. During the day he hangs out with lots of kids at Missy’s house, his new childcare. She is fantastic and is teaching him so much. He knows his letters, numbers, and sounds, among many other things. He learns so quickly! His language exploded this year. Last year, we noted that he was saying just “peesh” and a few other words but now it’s sentences like “[Uncle] Zach annoying me, Mom” and “Stop singing, Dad.” His communication skills are very good. He’s a social guy, too; Josh and I have met many new people because Lincoln pulls us up to them to introduce ourselves. We have so much fun with him and find ourselves falling more and more in love with him each day!

Josh and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary this year in July. We are so blessed to have each other and to continue to grow in love. Sometimes it feels like four years is a long-time and sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. And by the way, 2009 flew by with the blink of an eye, geez!

I have been incredibly busy for the last four months. I started going to California State University in Monterey Bay to complete my teaching credential in special education in the spring. I have one last semester with 11 credits to tackle. In addition, I’m working as a full-time special education teacher at a small high school in Marina. I teach in a special day class, which is a class for students whose skills are too low to be in regular classes. I love my job and my students but I don’t like homework! – Alison

I’m substitute teaching at local middle and high schools. I have learned a lot, and have received a lot of good responses from teachers, administrators, and students. I am planning to start my credential in the summer so I can teach high school English. I have also been working on my ordination and I’m trying to publish a manuscript I wrote on the Trinity. – Josh

If you want to keep up with us more throughout the year your best possible chances are by friending us on Facebook or texting us. We get horrible cell reception out here in the sticks!

We wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

With lots of love,

Josh, Alison, & Lincoln Gubser