Dear Family and Friends,
We hope this note finds your heart and your spirits well, as we prepare to
celebrate a season of light,
peace and
hope!
As I reflect upon this year, I find that the years truly seem to be flying by more quickly in this "middle" season of life. Bronius and I will sometimes look at each other and laugh about how tired we thought we were, when we were younger. Little did we know!
Even still, we count ourselves so very blessed!
Bronius is still programming with Ocelot, and enjoys solving problems as much as ever. When he's not working, he can be found listening to podcasts while jogging, helping with math homework or fixing our fridge that keeps breaking. He has also enjoyed continuing to play the violin for our local Civic Orchestra, and Theatre Company, and for the first time - dancing in the opening scene of our local production of The Nutcracker! He also volunteers with the youth at our parish, and serves as a council member in several organizations. When he's not giving of himself to others, Bronius can be found listening to me talk about a million ideas without falling asleep at the end of the day. ;).
His new year's goal is to take a sculpting class again!
Julia is coping with our first born child being a SENIOR in high school the way most mothers would be..... alternating between crying, eating chocolate and looking at old baby photos. She genuinely and painfully misses the pandemic slow days of togetherness, and is trying to accept that life has to go on! This year Julia studied and sat for her board certification as a Health and Wellness Coach, and just received an early Christmas gift, as she found out that she PASSED! She is delighting in coaching and teaching small groups and individuals, and volunteering at church and the boys schools. When she is not working, she can be found watching plot-less Hallmark movies...yes...even when it's not December. Her new year's goals are to join a book club and get back to tap dancing classes!
Dominic is preparing to launch! First stop college, and then hopefully to NASA and beyond! But Mom is still making a pitch for him to consider living at home for one more year, and that has nothing to do with the fact that he is an EXCELLENT baker and home chef. He continues to show his independence, maturity and leadership with his extracurriculars with film projects, orchestra performances, competitions, church youth group and charting new biking routes when he can. When he's not studying Calculus, Physics or writing essays for college applications, Dominic can be happily found baking from scratch and making speciality coffees. His new year's goal is to get more sleep, and also, his driver's license.... if he has the time!
Milo is a high school freshman this year! And he is enjoying the journey tremendously. He earned a seat in Varsity orchestra, and is taking French for his foreign language - he is breaking new ground in our family. He still has a passion for architecture, so we're thinking the art lessons long ago may have been a good idea. ;) He enjoys playing tennis, mastering new rubix cube challenges, helping with lighting for live theatre shows, attending youth group and spending time with friends. When Milo isn't focusing on his projects, he can be found customizing cars with software. He is counting down the days until he can drive! His new year's goal is to get his permit and drive a corvette.
Jonas is in the 6th grade, and we are astounded by how much he has grown. He has such a zest for life, and he doesn't want to miss a THING. He continues to make us all laugh, and to make friends out of complete strangers. He is participating in Tae Kwondo this year and taking piano lessons. He is still in the Dual Language Spanish program in school, and we're so proud of how far he has come! He also continues to enjoy acting in local productions and singing in his school's choir, and our church youth choir as well. A very special highlight this year has been dancing for the first time in The Nutcracker, with Bronius, for the opening scene of the production. When he's not in between all of these highly extroverted activities, Jonas can be found having some solo time in his room, singing. His new year's goal is to get out the door on time in the mornings!
We are all looking forward to big adventures in the New Year....birthday celebrations, a family trip to NYC for our high school orchestra to play at Carnegie Hall (thank you to our donors!!!), Dominic's graduation, family weddings and a 20th anniversary!
We look back on this year with immense gratitude for how God has provided for
us and our loved ones, especially with good health, in order to live this full life.
Even in times of challenge, we hope to always realize what a gift it is to be alive!
We look forward to this New Year of 2023 with renewed hope, and we pray for
abundant graces to be with you, dear family and friends,
as you approach another year of life!
A Blessed Christmas, Happy Hannukah and a very Happy New Year from the Motekaitis family!
Photo Credit: Adrian Trejo-Perez
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