A Haertl’y Christmas to You 2006
Greetings and well wishes for a
beautiful Christmas and a New Year of Many Blessings!
As the tides of change grace the world and our lives, the past
year brought us to our 20th Anniversary and Dan to the
symbolic year
of 60. –Although when he started his new job they refused to believe
that was
his age
The year brought many travels for me
including numerous work and conference related trips, the blessing of
experiencing Australia in all of its splendor, and a family trip to the
Dominican Republic. Changes in
Mikaela’s life brought her to the exciting new experience of driving,
and the
awareness of her love for Rugby. Both Dan and I had significant
changes; he, in his daily work, me in
experiencing the
sale of the Northwest Athletic clubs to Lifetime Fitness… sadly the
club I
worked at over 21 years was closed. Though still full time as a
professor, I
have cut my aerobic hours but still teach early morn 6am aerobics for
Lifetime;
it is my love of aerobics and the members that keeps me coming back
after
entering my 24th year of teaching.
Here’s a snapshot of our year—
Kristi's last class at Hwy 100... now teaching at the New Hope and
Moore Lake Life Time Fitness Clubs
Dan-Now that Mikaela is grown and has
demonstrated a frightening and exciting independence and self
sufficiency,
after 16 years of part time work Dan took the plunge and left his job
of 20
years (Hamline tennis coach) to be a full time Christian Youth
Ministries
Director at Crosswinds in Maple Grove. Dan describes his new job as
challenging, fun, and rewarding. He
loves the new job but missed tennis so he is also working a few hours
as a
Tennis Pro at White Bear Racquet and Swim Club. Dan
also celebrated his 60th with our surprise
gathering at Ichiban- a night of fun, friends, and loads of good food!
Highlights of Dan’s year included our trip to the Dominican and leaving
tennis
with a “bang” at Hamline as he received coach of the year and the Men
finished
the highest in 30 years, 3rd in the conference. Stop by at
White
Bear to see Dan, he can give you a lesson!
Dan's last tennis team
at Hamline
Kristi-As life brings transitions,
challenges, and joys, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to
engage in
numerous writing and research projects the past year as I had a
sabbatical from
Jan-August of 2006. There were many exciting travel opportunities in
addition
to the opportunity to present my research at the World Federation of
Occupational Therapy in Sydney—Australia is a beautiful place, I’d
recommend it
to anyone! I continued to engage in
research related to psychiatric interventions, but also embarked on a
collaborative projects and private practice with a variety of
organizations
including University of Texas Medical Branch, Tasks Unlimited,
Meridian/ Orion,
Chrestomathy, and other organizations.
My sabbatical project continues as I have been studying the role
of
personal poetry and journal writing in the development of the self. It
is a
project that brings great excitement, insight, humility, and many
questions. I
have had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.
Highlights
include the many travels including ( the Dominican, Australia, and many
others), embracing old and new friendships, and daily reminders of the
greatness of our dear Lord.
Mikaela- Parents often wonder, “where
does the time go?” … We are no different. This past year reminded me
and
brought me to my knees in understanding of the powerful gift of
children, and a
bond that is possible between child and parent beyond that which I knew
could
exist.. yes, even with a teen! Mikaela has reached the great marker
event of
driving and given her good grades and demonstrated understanding of the
power
of a vehicle and importance of safety, she received my 2001 Dodge
Intrepid to
make way for my new 2007 Camry. She
loves the car but as with any teenager wonders where the CD player is
as it has
a cassette player and so she asks, “what’s that about?”
Mikaela also joined the Minnesota Rugby
Association and plays as a flanker for the Northern Division. No, we never could have envisioned a
daughter playing a sport that resembles tackle football without the
pads, yet she
loves it and their team finished 3rd in the state last year. She reports rugby as one of her highlights
as is driving, and spending time with her best friends, Jodi and Nikki.
Mikaela- Rugby
Family pic with Mikaela's best friend Jodi
Mikaela turns 16-- she can drive!!!
As the space on this page draws smaller,
and life’s challenging, exciting, rewarding opportunities and blessings
continually remind us of its precious nature, we wish you joy, peace,
love, and
blessings throughout the year.
The Haertls
