But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

The Associated Press carried a story about a brouhaha that broke out at the "Cutest Kid in the World" pageant. That's where all our children belong, isn't it? The "Cutest Kid in the World" pageant. It seems that, due to technical difficulties, the pageant ran some four hours behind schedule on its first day. Frustration began to build in the crowded auditorium until suddenly a mother of one of the contestants climbed up on to the stage, snatched the microphone from the emcee and--at the top of her lungs--urged parents to get their money back. This seemed to be an idea whose time had come. The parents responded by storming the stage, making off with contest prizes, a computer, and a cash box with the door receipts. The "Cutest Kid" trophy, more than six feet tall, went down the center aisle with two men fighting over it.

I wonder how the baby Jesus would have done at the "Cutest Kid in the World" pageant? Not very well, I suspect. That is not what Christmas is about. Jesus didn't ride around in a Mercedes. He didn't sleep between satin sheets. His face did not appear on a baby food jar. A humble manger--the smells of cattle and sheep--rough wood and straw--these were the comforts he received. And this is what Christmas is about--the simple and the ordinary. I wish we all could understand this with our hearts as well as with our heads.

We're not sure how you are feeling, for us this year has gone so very quickly, no extra outings, one short vacation, other than that it seems we were just celebrating a new year and we were getting used to writing 2003 on the checks.

Our children, we will say most of them are just the opposite, who's Birthday is this month. Okay, she was 6 now she is 7, when will she be 8? SLOW DOWN, let's just enjoy today, we never know what tomorrow will bring.

We first want to thank all of you, relatives, Pastors/wives, friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters in Christ for your prayers this year both for spoken and unspoken needs. It has been an up and down year, God has been Good and it is only through Him we know we are strengthened.

As of last years Christmas letter, our youngest, Carter Nehemiah, now over 13 months old celebrated his 1st Christmas, 1st New Years, Valentines Day, Easter etc. He began walking or should I say preparing for running at 9 months old, got his first tooth at before 6 months, now has a mouthful, not so much a baby anymore, how they all grow so quickly. He loves to follow his brother Connor Lee around and is outgrowing sleeping through both Sunday school and Church, he wants to roam during Sunday school. His sister Claire Vanessa 3 ½, still has this great need to bother him, they both love to teach each other bad habits such as how to open dishwashing soap, the fridge, climbing on tables, what fine motor coordination they both have.

Claire Vanessa now 3 1/5 soon to be 4 always has a smile, even when she has just mushed cheese into the carpet, isn.t she adorable! She is an on the go little one, she is quick, learning to communicate with both sign and the spoken word, enjoys drawing on the chalkboard, opening things and squirting lotion , looking for things to get others, including each of her sisters and brothers, to chase her. Enjoys hugging time with Mommy, Daddy or one of her older sisters or brothers. Works on puzzles and joins in with sisters and brothers with sing a longs and dancing too!

Connor Lee, hard to believe he is already 5 years old and just started Kindergarten, he attends where Charlotte, Candace, Cora and Camille attend OCS, Osborne Christian School. He rides his 2 wheeled bike, loves the outside, willing to help, play with his dump truck, even some educational fun stuff on the computer.

Camille Julia, just turned 7 years old, and has a mind of her own, the Lord is working through her to begin to tell the truth, even if at first she will not tell the truth. Camille loves to dance, pose, talking more and signing, does the puzzles, at this time Camille, Connor Lee and Claire are beginning practice on a church Christmas play, where they will be angels and shepherds and sing a few songs. Chris may also learn these songs . The older ones such as Charlotte, Charlie and I are part of the Choir so we are learning 4 other songs, along with Charlie being the male narrator.

Cora Naomi, now 8 years old is growing into a very beautiful young lady. We are working with the Dr. regarding her being non-verbal and we have continued to also use sign language with her, she uses very little, what great excitement when we hear a word we recognize or she signs please etc. on her own. If Cora were not Down Syndrome, guess she would fit in along with many others, let.s just say the ADD/ADHD mode. We also are having a few other medical things checked out, we do know her ear tubes are out, probably along with everyone else.s at this time. The Dr. asked for X-rays of the Adenoids, so Cora and Carol went to Holy Cross where they announced that she will need to stand still in front of this spot and up on a chair very still for 1 minute, not sure many of us could? When the lady came back in, a picture could be seen on the computer screen she said .we got one., however, later somehow it was not what was needed. Next step is the ENT, Ear Nose and Throat Doctor for both checking size of Adenoids and to see if any signs of Sleep Apnea as Cora does not get much sleep at all! When I asked how Holy Cross normally deals with other handicapped children or adults the lady replied "we don't". This saddens me as a parent, between our medical needs, schooling, the world and "Yes, even our churches". As most of you know we have traveled long and far this road and have now met a few others dealing with the same problem, we hurt so much for them. Jesus said "Let the little children come unto me". At this time we are still involved in an ISP program OCS . Osborne Christian School through Osborne Neighborhood Church, we are attending a small Assembly of God church, where we have known Pastor and his wife Naomi, for several years. She has been there many an evening when the Lord knew Carol really needed a hug and prayer. As we continued to go on and off, we began to see more handicaps, each unique, a 10 year old who also had Down Syndrome, an autistic little girl, a few deaf children. The Pastor and many of the congregation, some coming from such a variety backgrounds that I believe the Lord has used for good as they/we are all accepted just as we are. Our next try is to perhaps try bringing Cora or Curtis back, one at a time, and let them first get used to being there. For Curtis it has been many years since being welcomed into a church, Cora has been away just over a year. Please keep this in prayers and by the way, please share your heart with your Pastor ( some of our friends, I would ask that you share with the Rabbi), the need for acceptance, Jesus loves all, We are all created in "His" image, how can we feel we are God and close our church doors, May God continue to soften hearts and let those in Christian Ed and Pastors know that "He" is still on the throne!

Caleb Kenneth, going to be 11, Mr. Blonde smile when he is happy , grump when not. Caleb also continues to deal with being non-verbal and in diapers, not much interest in potty training other than with the diapers and seeing what a good time he can have with the little white pieces spread all over the floor. It is an amazing job he does, then he also will just look and smile! He has succeeded in using one or two PEC cards (Picture Education Cards). One is for eating, one for going outside, he has a wonderful teacher and 3 aides, however this year complete new class and even teacher has said new behaviors, not all good. Thankfully Caleb has not picked these up and this year he has all boys in his class, Caleb is still attending West Valley Special Ed School. Boy when Caleb is the mood for tickling watch out..

Candace Irene, a young lady of 13, recently it has been so easy to be brought back to her 3rd month of life, when she was in isolation at Tarzana Hospital, with oxygen, nebulizer/breathing treatments and one on one nurses, she couldn.t even reach 8 pounds. Several months ago when there was a .germ. going around our home Candace.s nebulizer used all those years ago, needed to be put into use not only for her but for Cora, Camille and Claire Vanessa. All were so very close to pneumonia, even though she is getting close to Mommy.s height and taller than Charlotte, also 13 guess each one always remains a baby in our hearts. Candace still loves to sing and between the two churches this year the girls have performed in 4 musicals, needless to say a lot to learn, they both loved it, several also used some sign language. Candace is getting stronger in her Math skills and writing, she enjoys the computer but is more a "Movie Person" , oldies "Shirley Temple", "Ma and Pa Kettle", loves to act those out to, the little actress.

Charlotte Faith will be 14 the day before Valentines Day. Is also quite the actress has really blossomed in both her singing and no longer having stage fright, actually choosing on her own to do solo.s or sing with Brother Chris for Church, also a real perfectionist with her art work, willing to try a little bit of everything. Charlotte has had a rough year with keeping focused on her school work and some unspoken prayer is needed. We believe God has something very special planned for her. Just the other day when she wasn.t feeling well, her 5 year old brother said . I want to make Charlotte something since she does not feel well., when I was sick she made me a nice card and colored it for me. That was real caring.

Curtis James, 14 almost 15 years old, in his 2nd year at Miller Special Ed where his brother Chris attends also. Sadly, after our I. E. P. ( Individual Education Program) where we meet with Teacher.s , Nurse, P. E. teacher, Deaf and Hard of Hearing and such, we received a note saying they were moving Curtis to another class .tomorrow., we spoke to all and said we would like to visit and meet the new teacher and pray on this, .Why was this so quick?. As we have learned from dear friends teaching at LAUSD, nothing makes sense anymore and not all is for the best of the child. I truly give thanks for these friends that work within the system and their honesty in sharing, makes us all realize that many times we need to pray, many times priorities are also needed as far as what battles to go after and what not to. It is hard for us to use as all call the "Squeaky wheel theory", very time consuming also, Charlie does need to work and make a living.

We truly are blessed and Curtis does have another I. E. P. coming up near the first of the year, so we are praying the Lord will show us what class is best for Curtis. growth. Some areas, after moved went through a real regression, some are now merging forward and we give .Praise.. Curtis is continuing to use his sign language, has a typical teenage appetite and more open to eating new things, even a "Praise" in the fact that without blending he ate several bowls of Mac and Cheese. Curtis is our problem eater, needing the yogurt or milk mixed in blender and for awhile only able to have yogurt, pudding and graham cracker crumbs. Believe it or not, yogurt with broccoli, chicken and chow mein is loved by Curtis. All the vegetables we were worried he would never get. God has really worked through this area , may .He. continue. Curtis has the routine of the bus now, and one regression of toileting, is getting a bit better little by little, at one time almost 100%, then when changes went to about 40%, we are moving up. Curtis has a real gift of music and learns best by this, whether singing in his own tune, dancing, spinning, imitating, using the computer, what a joy to see him enjoy his favorites.

Charles N., now the part of the over 18 bunch is now 19 and even has his Drivers License. Charles has been working part time since 12th grade, and full time over a year at the same place Dad does. Charlie is a Computer Programmer and Charles in the System Administration Group. He does wiring, helping with computer backup.s and all those funny computereeze words, thoughts of schooling or Technical College come and go. Charles still puts the Lord first and it is a blessing to have Charles still come to Mom or Dad to share and know he can, also when he realizes he may have said something unkind to ask forgiveness whether to a brother, sister or Charlie or Carol. Charles loves to learn more and more and dabbles in computers for hours at a time if he isn.t asked to help with diapering or chores. He is also still much involved in the Linux Users Group (LUG) which meets every other Saturday. At the end of November he went down to the Convention Center for a Linux Computer Expo.

Christopher or Chris Scott, at 19 and as he says .I am a YA., at Miller High School once you complete 12th grade you become a YA that means Young Adult. In special Ed schools, most can attend until age 22, however during that last year they are trying to work at taking your skills and working out in the world. The school has a program where a few students get to go to a local workshop. This year Chris was blessed at being able to go. The spots were all filled and then one of them dropped out. Chris.s teacher rushed to get Chris in there and now he has been riding the bus to New Horizons, also known as San Fernando Valley Association for the Retarded, in North Hills. He is working on the line, they each try different things for a bit and then move on to another, this is how they find the gift of combining what they work best at, also enjoy and then feel good about what they are doing. Chris is thrilled and so are we. He goes over at 9 a.m. has a short nutrition at New Horizons then returns to school just after noon for lunch, so only has perhaps homeroom in the morning and a couple other classes at Miller at this time. Christopher enjoys strumming his guitar, singing Christian CD.s, picking on brothers and sisters. At other times he switches to working on the computer, basketball and riding bikes, he has a variety.

Then I guess next is Charlie and Carol, Our one and only strength and we know this is .The Lord., we are also so thankful for each and every prayer. Charlie is still working at Newroads in Pacoima and has been there over 2 years now, many times we wish he could have remained at Nortel and had the longer vacation time, benefits, and earnings, but Nortel no longer exists where he worked. God has been faithful.

This year has involved having every car in for repair, actually we should say 2 cars , our 84 Tercel which I just can.t part with, inside it has basically been totally rebuilt, the Van and a situation that was not only humbling but real confusing when Mom and Dad, wanted to buy a Saturn through Dad.s General Motors Discount Plan, they kept saying they wanted to give us their 4 seater Metro, this is not something you just give, well, we still call it Grpa.s car, it was a wonderful gift from Mom and Dad and we thank you. So the 2 cars and Van, have been worked on and continue to have little reasons to be re-checked , am sure you all can relate to that.

Charlie and I have been married for 23 years, this year in April .Lord willing. will be 24 years ago, we Give God the Praise as being with your Best friend and being able to share is worth so very much.

Charlie and I make it a point to enjoy every other Saturday out. We normally take Carter Nehemiah with us but sometimes Mom and Dad will sit him and it gives us some time alone and to just kind of enjoy and get things done. Berta is still one of our special sitters and as of August of this year the Lord brought Tanya into our life, we keep both in prayer and having the same sitters has been our one desire.

Many of you know my Uncle Buba had another stroke and was placed on life support. Sadly, he is still on support. They also found a brain tumor and some type of virus in the brain. He got transferred to a Convalescent Home for a few days and all vital signs fell down, so he was rushed back to the hospital. Mom and Dad have had an everyday job for the last several months just cleaning the house they were renting to him and bringing it up to living standards. My mothers. other brother, Uncle Joey, suffered a severe kidney infection and almost didn.t make it, being that he is in Manitoba Canada, this is hard especially on Mom.

We thank each of you for your caring, friendship, love, prayers and support during times of ups and downs, prayers are one thing we can all use. May each of you be blessed during this time we set aside to give honor to Jesus on the celebration of .His Birthday..

God bless, Love, Charlie, Carol, Chris, Charles, Curtis, Charlotte, Candace, Caleb, Cora, Camille, Connor Lee, Claire Vanessa and Carter Nehemiah.