2025 - another year almost wrapped up!

Can you believe another year is already drawing to a close? As our family stepped into 2025, we did so with energy, hope, and a sense of excitement for what lay ahead. As the year unfolded - and as God so faithfully reminds us - His plans often look different than our own, and we are invited simply to trust and come along for the ride!

Our little but growing family has been blessed in ways we never expected. Alongside moments of loss and sadness, which inevitably touch every life, we’ve also experienced deep comfort, growth, and grace. Through it all, the good has truly outshone the hard, and there is so much beauty to celebrate.

​Tristan, Rebecca, and the grandbabes are doing well. Tristan’s school continues to grow, and he pours himself into his work as sports director, art teacher, and all-around team player ~ working hard and genuinely loving it. Rebecca continues to amaze me with her steady, patient mothering and her flourishing creative work through her Cricut business, Faithmark. They both are very active in their church with Rebecca teaching, and Tristan in the worship band. Their home has been transformed this year with new flooring (installed one room at a time - by the kids themselves, with the littles underfoot!), a new IKEA kitchen, and the most inspiring creative space I’ve ever seen in a family home. The girls are growing like weeds - full of personality, drama, and creativity, with a love for music, crafting, and drawing that clearly runs in the family. I can’t wait to see what talents the newest Käärid member will bring to the table next year! ;) I am blessed to have our Saturday morning FaceTime breakfasts, which I cherish and always fill my heart, but I miss them dearly.

Simon and Hailey have also had a full and meaningful year. You can just imagine how overjoyed I was when they became engaged this year! I am truly blessed to have such incredible daughters-in-law, both who I love deeply, and who love my boys deeply! What more could a mama ask for? Simon continues to grow his interior painting business, Classic Finish, while also finding time to feed his musical soul through some unexpected and fun Christian metal projects - much to the delight of listeners and paying homage to his teenage heart. Hailey’s year brought big professional changes when her company was acquired, leading her into an expanded role with responsibilities across Ontario and BC. I am so proud of her courage in stepping into that challenge ~ and even more proud of her wisdom in recognizing when she needed to slow down and care for her health. Her solo winter camping trip was unexpected but so very her ~ a small package of grit and inspiration. Together, Simon and Hailey have been busy at home as well, tending the gardens and even building a beautiful woodstove sauna. I can’t wait to throw water on the rocks and enjoy a proper Esto sauna with them. Richard and Pinga, the grand-doggos, are doing well too… still very large, now a bit calmer, and always overflowing with love, knocking me over and dampening my face with their kisses.

Closer to home, my year has been full with work and learning. My practice has organically evolved into a strong focus on lymphatic care, something I’ve hoped and prayed for over many years. It has given me opportunity to write articles for a few magazines, speak at a conference, and lead some interesting in-person talks at schools. I’ve continued expanding my knowledge and have spent much of the year developing and teaching courses to other RMTs. It’s been deeply rewarding to see this work received so positively. Through conversations with colleagues and business coaches, I’ve also named my approach the EluVett Method, meaning “water of life” in Estonian ~ an especially fitting name for work centered on the body’s lymphatic system.

At home, life has been quieter, with much of my free time spent raising my pup, Maisii. She turned one at the end of November, and her “gotcha day” is just around the corner next month. Time has flown by. She’s clever, affectionate, and beloved by clinic patients… who she adores right back! Though very different from Sophii, she has completely won my heart, and I’m so grateful for her companionship.

As I look back, this has truly been another good year ~ full of lessons, blessings, and growth. I step into the year ahead with hope, trusting God for more adventure, meaningful moments, and continued grace. Maisii and I wish you a safe and cozy Christmas season, and blessings of good health, peace, and abundant joy in 2026.

warmly,
Anne + Maisii

Look below for some of the projects this family have been creating!

Dad-Bod & the College Frisbee League

Boys will be boys - and for these boys, their toys have always been musical instruments. Music filled our home for years, and I still smile at the memories of egg-carton-lined basement walls and the sound of creativity rising up through the house as bands practiced below. When the boys eventually flew the coop, the quiet basement marked a bittersweet turning point for this mama.

Thankfully, those days were lovingly revived through a project called Dad Bod and the College Frisbee League. For several years now, the boys have gathered again to record an album in a day - or perhaps a day and a half - inviting a friend or two along the way to join the fun. The result is spontaneous, creative, and joyfully silly, something like a family-friendly mashup of playful humor and punk energy. (Think Lonely Planet meets Blink 182). 

 Here are the last two albums - grab a cuppa and have a listen. It is fun. And silly. And brings great joy to my heart!

Make Music Not Money

​Check it out on Spotify
(and other music streaming stations)

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Mall Grab Mongo Pusher

​​Check it out on Spotify
(and other music streaming stations)

The Ottawa Contingent

TELL US YOUR TALE, PILGRIM
Tell Us Your Tale, Pilgrim is a YouTube series of original folk songs written and performed by Tristan as an offering of praise to God. Rooted in the raw tradition of folk music, each piece is shared simply - just a man, his guitar, and his faith - telling honest stories meant to glorify the Lord.

FAITHMARK DESIGNS
I'm so proud of my daughter-in-law Rebecca. She is a dedicated stay-at-home mom raising my beautiful grandbabies while boldly embracing her love for faith and creativity through Cricut crafting. As a Contributing Artist for Cricut, she creates with purpose and passion, inspiring others on their own creative and faith journeys. Her birthday party crafts are truly spectacular, and her growing success in the Cricut world is something to celebrate ~ follow her at @Faithmark Designs on Instagram and YouTube!

FILTHY RAGS
Filthy Rags exists to glorify God through handmade, sustainable art that serves the Ottawa community. Tristan started this grassroots venture to blend faith and creativity by turning thrifted apparel into one-of-a-kind screen-printed pieces ~ with 100% of profits supporting local organizations that help neighbours in need.

You can support this project online with purchase. 

Riffs, Redemption, and Really Loud Music

As Falsifier has entered a new era of hiatus this year, Simon has been able to flex some of his music muscle to his first metal love of Christian hardcore with a couple of interesting projects, King Ov Waste and xReverendx. If you like music that has "core" in the genre name, I'm sure these bands will satisfy your need for a break down or a spontaneous two-step.

Here are some YouTube videos to quench your thirst. If you like them, check them out on socials and Spotify.

Falsifier
Dog Eat Dog - YouTube

King Ov Waste
Catacombs - YouTube

xReverendx
x-self titled-x EP - YouTube

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 🐾