2010 was another good year for the McCarthy's and we have experienced the Lord's blessings throughout the year.
For Liesel, it was a special year. It was the first year since leaving South Africa in 2006, that we got to spend quality time with everyone in her immediate family. In March, we drove down to Charleston, South Carolina for a family vacation. There, we met up with Norman and Gabi who had just wrapped up their trip to their USA-partner churches. Rachel, not wanting to be left out, also flew into Charleston International Airport to join us for a memorable week on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean! Although we did not experience any beach weather (since it was still officially winter in the USA), we had a beautiful, relaxing, and memorable time together. Highlights included many walks on the beach, Norman (Opa) showing Nathan how to fish, and Nathan's favorite excursion, a trip to Patriot's Point to explore the Aircraft Carrier Museum.
In October, Norman and Gabi were heading out to the USA again, and this time they co-ordinated everything with Liesel, in order to give Nathan the biggest surprise for his birthday! During the weeks leading up to Nathan's sixth birthday, we were all sworn to secrecy, as Liesel and Gabi sorted out the logistics. Then, the day before the actual birthday, I took Nathan to one of his soccer matches, and in the meantime, Liesel fetched her folks from the airport. After the game, Nathan and I headed home, and as he walked into the house, he saw his grandparent's sitting there waiting for him! For the first time in my life, I saw Nathan speechless for five to ten minutes, as he tried to wrap his mind around his surprise! Norman and Gabi spent about two weeks with us, during which we took a trip to the glorious Niagara Falls!
Shortly after their visit, Liesel heard from Craig, that he and Marne would love to come and spend Thanksgiving with us!! So Liesel headed back out to the airport about a week before Thanksgiving to pick up her brother and his pregnant wife! We had a fantastic time with them, and Nathan developed a deep bond with them and even his unborn cousins!
Not only was it a year of reuniting with immediate family members, but we also had the privilege of spending time with two sets of Liesel's uncles, aunts and cousins in Wisconsin during the summer. We left Cleveland heading west past Lake Michigan, then turned north to Green Bay on an eleven hour road trip to the Edgar's house. The Staley family also joined us at the Edgar house, and we all had so much fun spending a couple of days together in the one house. Nathan loved every minute hanging out with his older "cousins". It was sad to leave after such a brief stay, but we have fond memories that we will cherish for years to come!
2010 held a significant milestone for Nathan too. It was the year that he started attending Kindergarten! Liesel and I remember that day in late August, when a big yellow school bus came around the corner and stopped at our house, opening its door for Nathan to embark on a brand new adventure! We managed to hold back the tears, and that was mostly attributed to Nathan's overwhelming excitement for a) riding the school bus, and b) starting "big school"! It soothes the parents' heart, knowing that their child loves school, and that all his enthusiasm outweighs any fears he may have! He started playing Little League Baseball in the Summer, and Soccer in the Fall - which he thoroughly enjoys! Being six years old, Nathan has started helping out a little around the house. He also has such a deep love for his brother, and is always looking out for him, entertaining him just being the best brother that Josh could ever ask for!
Joshua turned two in November, and we were so blessed to have Craig and Marne here to share the birthday with us. He is becoming more active and adventurous, and Liesel and I love seeing his personality in everything that he does. One of the things that Liesel and I treasure is when Josh says goodnight to us, he will walk up to us, and give us a hug and a kiss, before heading to his room! I think he shares the same deep-rooted love for family, as Nathan does. He also has a fondness for animals, music and learning and seems to be following closely in Nathan's footsteps..... Before Josh turned two, he could count to ten and recite (and recognize) all the letters of the alphabet! Liesel will definitely have her hands full trying to find creative ways to keep these boys' minds stimulated!
As for my year, 2010 was a good one too! I am still loving my job, working closely with Google! This year I have flown out to San Francisco three times, and to New York City once. Each time, Liesel has been awesome at running the household, and looking after the kids while I was away! During the Spring and Summer seasons, I played beach volleyball one night a week, in a feeble attempt to add exercise to my lifestyle. We have a great four-person team consisting of two guys and two girls, and each season we seem to play better. In fact, we won the Summer Intermediate Co-Ed volleyball league in Cleveland!
Now, as we look forward to what God has in store for us in 2011, we thank Him for answered prayers, wonderful memories, and His hand of protection over us in 2010. We also thank Him for the gift of Jesus, who was born on Earth over 2000 years ago, so that mankind's relationship with God could be restored!
May 2011 be a year filled with God's blessings for you and your family. We thank God for each one of you, and pray that we will be reunited soon rather than later!
With love
Grant, Liesel, Nathan and Joshua
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