Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Dear Family and Friends,

As we sit down to reflect on this past year, our hearts are full. 2025 has been a season of change, growth, and grace for our family—one that reminded us just how precious time, connection, and love truly are. Through every joy and every challenge, we found ourselves leaning on the people who matter most. That includes each of you, and we are endlessly grateful for your presence in our lives.

This year brought some beautiful milestones. Sev is preparing to leave for Air Force boot camp on February 10th, and while our hearts are bursting with pride, they are also holding tightly to these last moments before he steps into the world in a new way. Watching him become the young man he is today has been one of our greatest blessings.

Sienna is in her sophomore year—growing, changing, and becoming more herself each day. She obtained her school permit, which allows her to drive to and from school, as well as soccer and wrestling practices. She has brought so much light, laughter, and strength into our home, constantly reminding us of how quickly time passes. 

And Sayli stepped into a major chapter of her own—working full-time and getting her very first place. Seeing her build her own life has filled us with pride and hope, knowing she is finding her footing and her future.

Carl has also had a meaningful year, working from home for Edward Jones. This new rhythm has given him more time at home and allowed him to be even more present in the day-to-day moments that make our family feel close and grounded.

For Sanita, work brought an unexpected and deeply appreciated blessing. She stepped into a new role as Facilities Director of Hamilton’s Funeral Home’s main location—a position she is thriving in and truly loving. It has been a year of growth and purpose, and we are so proud of the heart she pours into everything she does.

We also welcomed a new little heartbeat into the family—Sedrick, our tiny Pomeranian, whom we adopted in January 2024. Somehow, this small ball of fluff managed to fill a very big space in our home and our hearts.

Perhaps one of the most emotional parts of our year has been our surrogacy journey. Sanita began her medications to carry her sister’s baby—a gift rooted in love, sacrifice, and the kind of family bond that can’t fully be put into words. We walk this journey with gratitude for every prayer, every kind word, and every bit of support we’ve been shown.

This year reminded us of how fragile and beautiful life can be. We learned to hold each moment a little closer, to speak love a little more often, and to cherish the people who walk beside us.

As Christmas approaches, our wish for you is simple but sincere: may your heart be comforted, your home filled with peace, and your life touched by moments that make you feel deeply loved. May the coming year bring healing where it’s needed, joy where it’s been missing, and hope that carries you through everything ahead.

With all our love,
​The Soto Family