Posted 11:08 PM by Fagan Family

Happy Holidays everyone! It's hard to think how much our lives have changed since last year at this time. We don't like to think about those dark days in the hospital, but it is wonderful to reflect on the marvelous blessings our family has received.

Karsten continues to improve. He's been fighting the flu bug the last few days, but he'll get better. He has started to put things in his mouth and actually takes us to the pantry where we hide the snack mix. He sucks all the flavor out of them and then gives them back. Aside from being carried, his preferred mode of transportation is walking while we hold his hands. He'll take us all around the house if we let him. Every day he acts more and more his age. He is scheduled for another MRI the first week of January, so keeps those prayers coming!

Jacqualine is in the first grade and loves it. She joined the Brownies troop and is going to play basketball in January(I think dad is more excited than she is) She has been a wonderful daughter and has been so very helpful around the house. Karsten just loves his biggest sister and she loves him.

Kayla will turn five next month and is a schoolgirl herself. She is attending a preschool at one of the local elementary schools. She goes to class with several developmentally challenged kids as a mentor for them. She loves it and it's such a good program. She has actually grown socially. She's become a little tease around our house. Her favorite activity lately has been tickling daddy.

Angie has been the busiest of all of us. Somehow she manages to act as Karsten's mother and nurse, make sure Jacqualine and Kayla get to and from school and always do their homework, paint and repaint the house and office, and hold down her new calling in the primary presidency. An amazing metamorphosis has occurred in the past year. When I married her she was simply wonder woman, now she has become something even more amazing. Sure she's still beautiful, and my best friend, but she has become so focused on what is truly important and is able to lend her complete focus on whatever task is at hand. I can't believe how lucky I am to have her.

I'm just plugging along working away. My father-in-law and partner retired in October and he and his wife are leaving for India on an 18 month humanitarian service mission. So now I'm in practice by myself. Angie remodeled the office and it looks great. It's been quite a transition but things are going well. I'm staying busy and that, of course, keeps me out of trouble.

We've had a wonderful year and look forward to an even better 2004. Our family is so thankful for all that all of you have done for our family. We appreciate your prayers words of support and especially your friendship. Life is so much richer when you have family and friends to share it with. We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and new year. We encourage you all to embrace the spirit of this holiday season and carry it with you for the coming year. May the Lord bless you all and we look forward to sharing more good news with you.

With love,

Will, Angie, Jacqualine(7), Kayla(almost 5) and Karsten(21 months)


P.S. We hope to get some new pictures on the website of the family, Karsten and the Girls real soon, so keep in touch.