Dear Family & Friends, 

Our year has been made up of many moments and memories. Library book sales, thrift shopping, and farmers market. Precious moments with siblings, cousins, and friends. Spring break with my (Gretchen’s) lifelong friends Sabine and Janelle. Snuggling little nephews and a niece. Walks in the sunshine, rain, and snow. Huckleberry picking for the first time ever. The county fair. Multiple 5k races, including the Turkey Trot. A drive past the house Merritt grew up in. Visiting graves and remembering grandparents we’ve said goodbye to for now.   

We finished out 2024 with a visit to Merritt’s Grandma Billie and her husband Jerry in Idaho. We were so thankful we made that trip before Christmas, because Grandpa Jerry died in February at age 94. 

In April, we all drove to California. We were able to have dinner with some of Merritt’s extended family, including Great Aunt Tallie. Then we spent Easter at my grandparents’ ranch, visiting Grandma Jessica and my cousins. The second cousins had so much fun playing together, even putting on a play, just like my siblings and I used to do with their parents.  

Our children spent many happy hours working in the garden on the family farm this summer. But it was extra fun to have more cousins join them when Merritt’s sister brought her family to visit. The sun-soaked, berry-stained summer days are long but fulfilling, and when you can cool off in the river, it’s even better. 

In late August, the children and I traveled to Oregon. We spent a few precious days at my parents’ house where all four of us siblings were together with our families (minus Merritt!) in the house we grew up in. The cousins put on a murder mystery theater, as they love to do each year, dubbing themselves the “Chicken Coop Troupe.” We ate lots of fresh blueberries and homemade ice cream. We also said goodbye to the home our paternal grandparents built in 1969 (having said goodbye to Grandpa in 2014 and Grandma in 2024). We wandered the house, yard, and outbuildings where we spent many happy hours as children, reliving the memories one more time. 

In December, my maternal grandma, Jessica, went to be with Jesus two days before her 92^nd birthday. I was able to join my parents, brother, and other family as we buried Grandma’s body in a casket my cousin made—beside our Papa, her husband of 69 years. Grandma’s legacy of a love for books and the written word, the gift of encouragement, and a reverence for the Word of God lives on in her 8 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. 

Between continued freelancing and increased job responsibilities, I worked more hours than ever this year. But I enjoy my work and we’re grateful for the provision. A first for me was being interviewed on a podcast (The Shannon Acheson Show—no relation!), about embracing the seasons in life and in business. In April, I traveled to Texas with the Read-Aloud Revival team for the release of Painting Wonder from sister company Waxwing Books. The highlight of the trip was seeing my friend Natalie again, after sixteen years—I’m so thankful we were able to reconnect. Though time to read has been scarce, I’ve read over 60 books this year, including: Through Water and Stone (Barnett), Sense and Suitability (Basham), The Heart of Bennet Hollow (Bischof), The Blossoming Summer (Johnson), Beyond the Far Horizon (Leiloglou), and The English Masterpiece (Reay). 

Merritt got a new square baler and bundler this year, which meant extra-long hours for him, as well. Between bundling and wrapping, he got four cuttings of hay. He likes to say that after 25 years, our cows are finally getting a “square” meal. In addition to all the farm maintenance, farmers markets, and serving in several board positions, Merritt has continued to create trim and other pieces for a local boat company. In his spare time, he’s building a beautiful library in the heart of our home. As one friend commented recently, “Your bookshelf is coming to life!” Favorite audiobooks of the 80+ he’s listened to this year include Conquistador (Levy) and Churchill: Walking with Destiny (Roberts). 

Ruth (age 18): 2025 flew by faster than I was expecting. It was also a milestone year for me. I signed my first ever book contract, attended Patrick Henry College’s Literature and History Camp, visited Washington, D.C. for the first time, and met some friends from my online writing group in person. I also continued with Stoa speech and debate, competed in the American Legion Oratorical contest, and started my last year of high school. And, as usual, I did a lot of reading and writing (almost 200,000 words in 2025!). Two of my favorite books this year were Dracula (Stoker) and Clarion Hope (Luehmann), a collection of poetry. 

Mary (age 16): I especially enjoyed growing my carrots and radishes at the farm. I harvested over 260 pounds of root vegetables. I loved having my own flower garden as well. Along with gardening, I spent my year reading, writing, photographing, and sewing. This spring I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. I loved it so much that I listened to audiobooks of all the rest of Austen’s novels. I was also introduced to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. I completed many short stories, poems, and almost completed the first draft of a novel. As for school, I liked studying American history and working on Stoa speeches. 

Daniel (age 14): This year I have enjoyed running, hunting, and working on our farm. I attended a Stoa speech and debate tournament in the spring where I had fun doing a duo with a friend. My favorite books I read this year were the Little Britches series by Ralph Moody. I also enjoyed reading a few Agatha Christie books. 

Sara (age 10): I enjoy organizing, making crafts, writing letters, and thrifting. I like playing the card games Antiquity Quest and Skull King, as well as the NYT word and number games. During the summertime, I like to work in the garden and go running. In the winter, I like making snow forts and snowmen. It’s hard to choose favorite audiobooks, but here are a few: Winnie-the-Pooh (Milne), Little House on the Prairie series (Wilder), Little Britches series (Moody), Little Princess (Burnett), Penrod (Tarkington), Letters to Father Christmas (Tolkien), Mary Poppins series (Travers), and books by Louisa May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery, and S.D. Smith. 

As we savor the memories we were given this year, and grieve the losses, we’re once again turning to the words of Scripture as reflected in Handel’s Messiah. “Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him all ye that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him; for He is meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)  

Because He Lives,
Merritt & Gretchen; Ruth, Mary, Daniel, and Sara

Photography Courtesy of Hannah Acheson