December 2010

As we leave 2010 and move into 2011 we anticipate many changes for the Forman family. We put our house on the market in February, but with our original 1936 kitchen and lots of available supply in the area we didn’t have any luck selling. We just refinanced our house and hope to rent it out for a few years as a Plan B.

Why are we selling at all, you ask? For those who haven’t yet heard, we’re trying to move to Costa Rica for a few years before Claire starts school. We have a window of about three years and have always wanted to do an international sabbatical. While it isn’t now or never, it seems like it’s now or retirement, so we’re going to go for it! We want to learn Spanish, become fluent as a family, and soak up another culture… Our current target date is April 15, so wish us luck and keep us in your prayers!

We got to travel a bit this year – thankfully Graham didn’t travel as much for work. In February we all went on a cruise of the Western Caribbean – Claire loved the experience on the boat and talked about the monkeys and parrots she saw for months! Graham and Mindee took a scouting trip to Costa Rica in early June for a week while Claire partied with Grandma Dede and Grandpa Guy and her cousins – a good time was had by all.

We also went to Idaho in early August to celebrate two amazing women. First we went to Coeur d’Alene for a family reunion/Grandma Day/memorial service celebrating Mindee’s Grandma Wiegele, who passed last October. Then we drove down to Boise to celebrate the life of Mam, Mindee’s other beloved Grandmother. She passed in late July and is very missed. We scattered her ashes at a family cabin near Sun Valley. While the nature of the trip was sad, it was such a gift to get to spend time with both sides of Mindee’s family.

Claire at three has a big big personality. She said goodbye to both her pacifier and diapers this year, got a big-girl haircut, and likes to keep her parents in line with her own rules. We’ve been working on Spanish with her (what little we know) and she soaks it up like a sponge. She’ll run circles around us once we get to Costa Rica. She loves to read, sing, and play, and adores her kitty. She has such a sweet heart and surprises us daily with the depths of her caring. Every time she hears a siren she says, “Oh, no! Someone’s in trouble!” Then she prays a prayer she made up herself: “Please give them love. Amen.” Touches us every time…

Our dog Wally now lives with Uncle Bart in anticipation of our international move. We lost Tela in November at the age of 16, but are glad she got to spend the last few months of her life with her dad (Bart). We’re grateful for the time we had with her and that she lived such a full life.

We hope 2011 brings you much love and joy, and that you have a very Merry Christmas!

Much love,

Graham, Mindee, and Claire Forman

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