The Heymann Family Journal

Juergen and I are hosting Philips birthday party tonight. I will not have much time, so I'll wish you all a very happy and safe New Years. I pray you are healthy, and loved. I also pray you can know how much you are loved by God who can hold you up what ever comes. Be blessed!

Next week, Thomas and Philip are going to the Life in Rhythm workshop. I hope Philip does not rebreak his hand trying to show off! We signed him up for dance, not extreme sports. Sarah will be playing soccer. Nicole and I are going to a 3 day prayer and worship conference in Augsburg. Jürgen will be home with Jessica. I'm hoping it will be quite so he can think and dream of all he wants to do in 2014.

Jessica needs her routine. So today Juergen and I took her shopping. She got to eat in the restaurant. And she got a book and a video. I guess it made up for all those parties. We all need our routine. I’m watching a DVD series called the hungry Frenchman. Nicole is also working on a painting for a book. This is the first photo.

I didn't pull the camera out until half the guests had gone home. I was just too busy. And last night was stressful. Jessica was not happy we were having a 2nd party. She wanted the living room to herself. She put on a pretty big fuss. But these are all students in International health. They are compassionate and loving folks. And it really was ok. I think God even uses Jessica. Juergen sat at the table in the hall playing rummy with the students. And I was in the kitchen with the other guests. Jess got the living room. And it turned out to be a pretty good time. But I'm glad to just rest now. I have no plans...just sleep.

The kids are making our traditional Christmas breakfast. Eggs Benedict and fresh squeezed OJ. It's nice when they are the ones cooking, and you get to sleep in! Thomas calls the hollandaise sauce “holiday sauce”. What traditions do you have? And Nicole and I are making Mexican food for tonight. We have guests.

Merry Christmas to all of you. My god child Anna was sitting behind me during the church service today. She is 3 years old. She was there to see the baby Jesus and was very sad to see a doll instead. I hope you take the time to seek Christ this Christmas. Sarah my 10 year old asked me why I was crying during the service? Was I sad? I said no, I just felt the love of God and it made me cry happy tears.

Yesterday my son Thomas was training with his soccer team. A talent scout from Hoffenheim (a professional soccer team) spoke to him about maybe joining the Jr team. They will be watching him. You can imagine what a dream that would be for him. He hasn’t played soccer very long. And I don’t know if anything will really come of it, but what a giant compliment. He is already coaching. He is a great coach. Everyone is good at something. I’m happy my son is finally finding his gifts (and he has many).

Sarah and I tried to build a ginger bread house, but it kept breaking. So we made chocolate covered ginger bread instead. Sarah went from total sadness to the proudest girl on the planet. Chocolate is a wonder!

Sarah and I decorated the tree together. Christmas trees are special. At least for me they hold so many memories. The sheep my niece Carmen made me when she was about 3, the cat I bought Jessica a few years ago, an angle I bought for Sarah when we adopted her in Nanjing, China. Only 4 more days of school and then we have a 2 week vacation. Jürgen is taking the whole vacation too. I’m looking forward to the visits with friends, and the food, and sleeping in. Jürgen and Jessica helped Sarah shop for the tree at IKEA on Friday. I got some good pictures of Jessica. The photo's of Jessica are on the Christmas letter found HERE . Just scroll down to Jessica. 22 years ago today my 3 month old baby Jessica had open heart surgery. Her name means God's gift, new life, and she was given life 22 years ago. I think our house in Leimen is officially paid for today. That's pretty cool too! 16 has always been my favorite number.

Our Christmas up date ....a review of 2013 can be found here. http://christmasletter2013.blogspot.de/

This is the kid I want to adopt. Isn't she wonderful! I just need a yes from Juergen. I do pray Faith will get a family soon. She is just one of nearly 1/2 a million children waiting for a forever family in the US Foster care system.

Nicole is in her 5th semester of Art school and this was the first time they would consider her work for the winter exhibit. She submitted 3 works, but none of them were accepted for this art show. I'm a little disappointed but that is just how it goes. The judges were looking for more minimalistic work this year. I think minimalism is just less! I like Nicole’s new style. They rejected Monet and all the other Impressionist in their day too. Allot of Nicole’s art will be hanging on my walls this winter if you want a private showing! I’m not a great photographer. I could not do her work justice.

Philip and Sarah dancing to Wii. Philip has a broken hand but you cannot stop him.

A day or so ago, I wrote on Facebook that I was not the artist my sisters and brother are. I don't sew, or do needle work or painting. I didn't say I was not creative, just not as creative as they are (it is a matter of degree). And believe that statement is true. But I'm home with this bad cold. And I had these dried flowers I've been meaning to do something with. So with the help of a hot glue gun I made this wreath. I grew the flowers and dried them myself. I love how it turned out. And it smells like lavender. And the good thing is it can stay up all year long, not just for Christmas.

On Thanksgiving I took a walk with my Dad, Philip, my brother Rickey and nephew Preston. We feed the Swamp rats (coypu, also known as the river rat, and nutria). Aren't they amazing creatures! They are allot like beavers with the tails of a rat. They will eat out of your hand. And we also spent time in Lilly Park. Rick and I spent hours there as kids. My Uncle Benny died that same night. Our time in Oregon was emotional. But this walk was one of my favorite memories.