Welcoming the New Year

To say that 2008 has been a tumultuous year is perhaps putting it mildly. So many things have happened both wonderful and not. Instead of doing a Christmas letter we decided to write a New Year's letter, one that would look back over the past year as we prepare to welcome in the new one.

Jeff began the year with one company, then in February switched jobs and returned to the first company he had worked for. It was close to home, included a pay raise and company truck, and appeared to offer the security of a life-long position. Then in October, he found himself jobless as the company's clients began to disappear along with all the loans that they depended on to stay in business. After a couple of very stressful weeks he was relieved to be headed to work in the morning. His new job offers many opportunities to grow and learn, and the company has a positive direction for the coming year. The job circus required a lot of attention and energy, but changes of a greater substance also occurred. Now he is not only father to a beautiful little girl, but to an adorable baby boy as well. Jeff's relationship with both babies has benefited from Heather's return to retail. Now he is on his own several times during the week with them, and is finding within himself greater depths of patience, humor and love.

Heather went from having a busy schedule to an even busier one upon returning to work in retail. She has a love-hate relationship with it as she is very skilled at this line of work (that's not bragging), but is not so certain about the future of it. So far she is enjoying the people she is working for and with, and hopes that it continues into the future. While it does take her away from her family, it also means that she is now also a recipient of excited hugs and kisses when she returns home! Of course the biggest change is going from a mother of one to a mother of two. Justin's birth was much easier than Norah's, so Heather found herself greeting the doctors in the early morning hours already showered, with hair and makeup done. On the way home from the hospital she was planning what meals she was going to cook, and what errands needed to be run. While she may have felt ready to face the challenges of being a mother of two, she is thankful for the wonderful help and support she received upon returning home. Both babies present their own challenges, but both bring an incredible amount of joy, and she wouldn't have it any other way. She is enjoying being able to be home with them during the day, and wouldn't trade it for the world. She has also reconnected with old friends, and while she hasn't been able to get to her moms group as often as she would like, is hoping to see more of everyone after the holidays.

Norah began the year learning how to push up into a sitting position, to crawling, to walking, talking, running, dancing, and in general amazing us. She continues to delight and surprise us with everything she can do. It feels like only yesterday we brought her home from the hospital but it is very obvious that while we may refer to her as a baby, she is now (at a year and a half) a little girl. The best and most beautiful part about this change is the hugs, kisses and affection she showers us with on her own.

Justin was welcomed into our family in the middle of June, the day after Father's Day. He captured all our hearts from that very first moment and it was amazing to finally get to hold him. He loves to watch his big sister run about the house, and loves his baths. His favorite thing above all else is being snuggled with. His personality has started to emerge over the last few months and it is truly an exciting thing to witness.

As a family we are trying to stay as active as possible at church by attending service, taking a Bible study course, and going to Sunday school. We didn't participate in as many volunteer projects as we wanted to, but hope to change that in 2009. Along with making new friends this year, we were fortunate to reconnect with old friends, as well as to help celebrate weddings, births, and adoptions.

The last year has indeed been one of change, and while some of those changes have not seemed like positive ones, they did come with silver linings. It is truly as they say, God never closes one door without opening another. Today we close the door on what many people perceive to be a horrible year. They are right in one respect. Horrible things did happen in 2008, but they are forgetting that great things happened in it too. Perhaps these great things didn't make the nightly news, but they did happen and they shouldn't be forgotten. As we prepare to step through the doorway of a new year, let us remember that even when we are faced with seemingly impossible challenges, there is always a place for hope, kindness, and love.

Happy New Year!
Love,
Jeff, Heather, Norah and Justin