2018 Christmas

Hello Friends and Family!

Once again this year, we opted out of Christmas Cards and instead I decided to post here on our very seldom used blog.

What a crazy whirlwind 2018 has been for the Salter Family

Audrey started 3rd grade. This summer she experienced Zoo Camp at Hershey Park's Zoo America. I think that was just one of the highlights of her year. She is a sassy, fiercely loyal, kind, giving, did I mention sassy, 9 year old.  For her birthday, I took her and her friends Abby, Kenzie and Claire to Hershey Park.  What a fun time! She loves to draw, watch American Ninja Warrior, pretend she can speak British, create, practice cartwheels, Watch You Tube, bake and so much more.  She has some serious dance moves, which I will take the blame for. She keeps me laughing and sometimes crying.  She is truly the JOY that we named her.

This spring Jim and I celebrated 10 years of marriage with a vow renewal. We have about 120 friends join us at Maple Shade Barn in Dillsburg. It was intimate and beautiful and the celebration we hoped for.  1 month later, we set sail with a large group of our closest friends for a 9 night cruise.  22 in all in our group; it was a blast. We traveled to the Bahamas and Bermuda.
We swam with Dolphins and Stingrays. We snorkeled and enjoyed Jim in the belly flop competition.
It was a great time!

We also camped this season, spending quite a few weeks as seasonal campers at Mountain Creek Campground.  It was a nice routine while we were there: pool, creek, repeat!

Jim continued work at Equipment Depot.  This is his 15th year ( I think). He worked a bit serving as an EMS for Yellow Breeches. He also worked at BAPS Motor Speedway, wherever he was needed.
2018 will officially be Jim's last year as Upper Allen Fire Department Fire Chief. To say this will be an adjustment is an understatement, BUT we trust that God has some pretty big doors opening as always for my ever-busy, ever-serving, community-loving husband.  His heart for the people in our community is too big to measure. I am so proud of the example he has been to our daughter.

I stepped down as a Pre-school teacher at ECC back in June.  I decided I wanted to focus my attention on our ever-growing Bring Your Own Apron business and to focus on more events through my newly founded company Joyous Commerce. I haven't had a lull in business since I made that decision.  I have been crazy busy with those two businesses and continuing photographing folks at Just So Stacy. I am blessed to be able to get my kid off and on the bus, meet friends for coffee, finally be a part of a bible study at church since I could never make the days AND run all 3 businesses.

2019 will have one addition to my schedule that I am greatly looking forward to: Women's Ministry Leadership at Daybreak.  I felt strongly about seeking out the opportunity to lead the already amazing women leaders at my church. I am trusting God to lead me as I lead them.

We are greatly anticipating God's next steps for our family in 2019, as we trust him to take us where we need to go. We hope to see you all on that journey.

May you always remember the reason for this season, the precious king born humbly in a manger to save the world.

With love, great expectations, and blessings

Stacy, Jim and Audrey

To my daughter on her 9th Birthday

Dear Audrey!

Some days are so much harder than others.  Being the mom to you is a job that is not for the weak at heart. You are fierce, you are fire...and then...you are compassionate, imaginative, strong.
And you are mine.....even when I have a hard time parenting you, even when I want to throw in the towel, when you literally make me cry and bring me to my knees, wondering how you got this bold.....so much of me lives inside you.
I just keep praying God will take all that sass and grow it for his glory, for the good, into something even I can't imagine for you, Audrey.
I just keep praying that God can fix anything I may have failed to hold together.
You love Star Wars, Wonder Woman, drawing pictures, making paper airplanes, playing outside the the Lander Boys and The Steele kids. You have an imagination that is bigger than the sun.  You love Roblox on the computer, you love notebooks and cartoons.
Every night we read Harry Potter before bed. 
You are just 2 weeks away from 3rd grade.
You are celebrating your birthday with Claire and Abby and Kenzie today at Hershey Park.
You are so grown and yet so young.
You and Pop have started "Audrey's Cup of Sunshine Cafe" and you launch in a few weeks.
My hope is that you grow this food truck so big that it carries you through life and that your "start" in business started with this $200 trailer.  I love to watch how much you and pop love to interact together.
And you love to paint with Mom Mom.
You are always excited for the days when your dad is home with us for more than a few minutes
And you still ask for me to snuggle sometimes. So I will take it.
I love you Audrey, even during the days when it doesnt seem like I like you very much.  I love you more than all the breath in my lungs.  I am proud of the person you are.

Happy 9th Birthday!
Its hard to believe that 1/2 of the summers I have you at home are gone.

Mom