Our 2019 Christmas Letter
Family, friends, and instagram followers,
Merry (belated) Christmas.
It’s been 4 years since our inaugural Christmas Letter where I reflected on the deep stuff — my Dad bod, Richenda’s nursing boobs, and mooching off mates. Upon reflection, our Christmas letters appear less of an update and more of a public confessional. Given my slight suspicion of Catholicism, it’s no surprise it’s been a few years since I last had a go. This year we’ll stick with the same format.
2019 was an eventful year.
Between another miscarriage, a stress-leave month off work, going sober, and an unexpected move, suffice to say it wasn’t necessarily easy year. But easy doesn’t mean good, and hard doesn’t mean bad. This year we’ve stretched, twisted, changed and grown in leaps and bounds — not in spite of the challenges, but because of them.
RICHENDA
After six years of going flat-out building ntegrity, Richenda decided she’d either need a break, or a breakdown. So in January she the took a well-deserved month off to focus on her mental and physical health.
But, dear reader, “time off” for Richenda means a very busy schedule. High on her list was regular appointments with her therapist, fitness instructors, and (due to years of chronic poor sleep) a sleep specialist. Sleep training, for adults.
Dr. Matthew Walker’s book “Why We Sleep” took almost a sacred status in our home, and Richenda wholeheartedly accepted and committed to the prescribed sleep commandments:
Thou shall go to bed at 10:30 sharp every night.
Thou shall arise by 6am.
Thou shall take no naps.
Limit thy caffeine.
Honour your sleep routine, and place no social event above it.
Not one to keep her revelations to herself, she’s become a sleep evangelist. If you too are interested in exploring a more personal relationship with sleep you can order her holy text here.
In work news, ntegrity had a big year of growth, winning a few prestigious awards and adding a couple key hires to the team. The team has grown to 16, including four of the family (Richenda, Myself, Richenda’s sister Romena and my sister Alissa) because if you thought work isn’t fun enough, then why not combine it with a daily family reunion!?
In all seriousness, we’re really thankful to be surrounded by our siblings who have made their way to Melbourne — Richenda’s brother Mike joined us this year as well.
A “thank you” brunch for Bodhi and Ride (Cycle) instructors, hosted by cult members Richenda, Alissa and Romena
Three generations of the Ghebrial-Ibrahim-Vanderholst women in town for Christmas 2019.
An evening swim at the local beach.
ASHNA
“Ashna, what should I say about you in the Christmas letter?”
“Dad, Christmas is done.”
Fair point.
Ashna is four now. Naturally, she made a Christmas list with a few low-key requests: a cat, a sibling, and a dog (specifically in that order). Like her Mum, Ashna is confident, kind, and not afraid to ask for what she wants. Like me, she likes art, photography, and books. This year she made some great friendships with other 4-year-old girls based on a shared love of “Frozen” the movie.
“I like playing at playgrounds and going to the beach, and ice cream. And you could tell them about the holiday we went on?”
And even at four, she somehow knows the art of the Christmas letter holiday humble-brag.
This year, THE REAL ELSA (!!!) made an appearance at Ashna’s birthday.
Swimming at the picturesque Seitan Limania beach in Greece.
KYLE
Hm… what to share?
After years of ongoing sinus infections, I had surgery to widen my breathing holes (not the official description). A by-product is that I snore 95% less than I used to. In related news, Richenda wants to punch me in the face 95% less than before. Yay marriage!
This year I’ve stepped back into the type of work that brings me the most joy: video. I’ve been able to produce inspiring videos about the not-for-profits across Australia. I’ve also taken on some freelance work, and done a couple collaborations with Ashna.
In October, Richenda and I went sober. I’ll share more about it in a seperate post at some point, but suffice to say that giving up booze for a while has made me a happier, healthier person.
US
We’ve experienced many joyful moments this year.
This year we invested a few holidays together — anniversary glamping in country Victoria, Easter in Queensland, and a European Holiday in October. Ashna got to meet her 92 year old Grandma in Holland… and we only missed one international flight!
Richenda and I are still co-workers. Sometimes people say we’re crazy for working together… sometimes we agree. But mostly, we love it. It means more flexibility with travel, schedules are easier to sync, and packing lunch is a team sport.
We briefly panicked this year when we received notice that’d we’d need to move out of our rented home — but thankfully found an amazing warehouse near the beach in the same school district. While we no longer have a backyard, we’ve a block off the beach now, so don’t cry for us.
This year, we celebrated Christmas in Melbourne with the Aussie family, and friends old and new.
Richenda: “Smile!” Ashna: “Is this how to smile?” Kyle: “Please don’t drop the camera”.
Anniversary glamping at Balgownie Estate Winery (aka trying to convince Richenda that buying a bell tent is a good investment.)
Seven years of life together.
Ashna: I want to sit on Mom’s lap. Kyle: Me too!
Wherever you are, I hope this holiday brings you rest and peace, good health, and is full of love. May you be blessed with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
xoxo,
The Vermeulens
PS. If I sent actual cards, you’d totally be on the list.
