New jobs, new family members made 2018 extra special!

What a special year this was! As 2018 comes to a close, we look back on some big events and big transitions. We were able to spend time with family – and even gained new family members! 

We were proud to formally welcome Aubrey Williams to the family in October! Andrew and Aubrey were married in a beautiful ceremony at the John Ball Zoo Treehouse with fall colors and the Grand Rapids skyline as a backdrop. It was so nice to have the family together to celebrate this wonderful new chapter in our lives.

Andrew and Aubrey live about two hours north in Traverse City, where he works as a social worker for Northwest Healthcare Management, helping people working though challenging situations in their lives.

Aubrey is a speech therapist with the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School district, helping children in several schools.

They enjoy Traverse City, a resort town in Northern Michigan with beaches and a lighthouse. It’s close enough for frequent visits back to Grand Rapids to hang with friends.

We love Aubrey and are so proud of both of them as they start this exciting new chapter.

Uncle Jeff invited Dave to see the Bears play the Jets at Solider Field. It was a good day for the Bears and for learning all of Jeff's cool pregame rituals and places to visit. Not a great day for the Jets. 

Caroline also is looking at big changes. She’s in her senior year at Central Michigan University, and keeps pretty busy. She’s a resident assistant at Larzelere Hall, Student Government Senate leader and works as the Student Organization specialist program coordinator, helping student groups organized and become successful and sustainable. This semester she'll be a teaching assistant in a business communication class.

That follows a busy summer away from home. Caroline worked as residence hall leader in a Duke University program for gifted middle school students. The program was at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. near Orlando. She learned many things, including that middle school students can be very challenging.

Caroline used her experience as a CMU student leader and resident assistant in her summer role as a resident leader in a Duke University program in Florida.

As Senate leader, Caroline created the Stamp Out Aggression program to educate students on campus resources that support those affected by sexual aggression and display proper bystander intervention methods.

The Duke experience followed a road trip adventure with CMU friends to Florida with a stop in Disney World and visit with Gram and Poppy.

Pack Your Back, the non-profit Caroline co-founded, is growing dramatically. The group in August distributed 15,000 backpacks stuffed with school supplies to Flint students, and this month organized a “Stuff YourStocking” event with partners that provided more than 1,000 Flint children with toys, school supplies, coats, food baskets and a wonderful Christmas experience.

Looking ahead to 2019, Caroline is applying to graduate programs, looking to major in higher education administration. So far, she’s been accepted to one program, and has an invitation to visit another in February. She will be hearing back from other universities in January.

She also has a growing succulent plant collection!

The Toronto visit included a stop at the Hockey Hall of Fame to see the Stanley Cup before watching the Blue Jays!

Our Traverse City adventure including climbing to the top of the Mission Point Lighthouse.

Julie and Dave enjoyed  a holiday getaway in Chicago to see the Art Institute, exploring Michigan Avenue shops and the open air Christmas market. 

Julie is busy keeping the family on track and working on knitting and scrapbook projects. This month she hosted a table at church’s Advent by Candlelight event, creating elaborate decorations and treats. Julie enjoys having Mom Nelson nearby and spending quality time with her.

Julie also has taken on new responsibilities at work and contends with being the center of the universe for Tug, who monitors her every move, demands afternoon lap time, models newly knitted caps for his following on the Ravelry website and maintains a growing collection of cardboard boxes.

Dave had a big change in March, leaving state government after nearly five years for a new job as communications director for Grand Rapids Community College. It was an honor to be a part of Gov. Snyder’s administration, and the job provided incredible experiences. But Dave also is thrilled to be telling the story of the college and its people!

And the college had some exciting stories to tell, getting national attention for a laptop vending machine program that ensures all students have access to technology, and the legendary metal band Metallica donating $100,000 for the college's welding program to expand to nontraditional students.

Gov. Snyder presented Dave with a special tribute for his service as a member of the administration. He served nearly five years as deputy press secretary, press secretary and deputy director in the Department of Talent and Economic Development.

Old jobs and new jobs coming together! Dave was asked to attend the bill signing for several laws that are part of the Marshall Plan for Talent -- Dave's last project with the state. He posed with GRCC President Pink and other educators and stakeholders after Gov. Snyder signed the bills into law.

He also enjoyed spending Thanksgiving in Florida for the first time, visiting with Mom and Dad and joining Dad, Jenny and John for a stop on Elton John’s farewell tour!

Another year come to a close we know we have so many blessings. We’re so proud of the kids, the things they do and the young adults they have become.

We hope that this holiday season finds you happy and healthy. We would love to hear from you! Everyone is on Facebook, and you can drop us a line at dmurray08@comcast.net.

Love, Dave and Julie