Happy New Year!

Hello everyone!  Happy New Year!  We've had a rather interesting December which included our computer inexplicibly dying.  Which means we've been scrambling to retrieve everything on it.  Needless to say, our Christmas letter is a bit late and not very well distributed.  I'm posting it on here as a way to redeem myself.

By the way, thank you so much to all of you beautiful people who sent us Christmas cards and letters this year.  They've meant the world to us.  We've enjoyed hearing about all of your adventures and didn't feel so far away and lonely.

So here's the lowdown.

Dearest Family and Friends!!

Happy New Year! We hope you’ve had the Merriest Christmas and holiday season. We are happy to report we’re alive and mostly well (our immune systems are going through “Welcome to Florida’s Germs’ Boot Camp…thankfully, we’re winning). After welcoming a baby, relocating and a major career development, we are settling in and almost feeling ‘normal’-whatever that is.

2009 began quite unassumingly but truly became a banner year. We’ve been blessed beyond that which we could’ve possibly deserved! Here’s the Low-Down:

January: He-Man continued to build up his practice and worked 30 hours a week at Xactware. Trishelle continued domesticating herself and running but suffered a minor running injury while attempting to watch a particularly compelling old episode of ‘Matlock’ and jogging on a treadmill at the same time. Sunshine continued second grade.  Bunny  also continued to refine her talents of making friends easily and quickly and learning her ABC’s.  Lulu’s individuality really began to flourish. She has a penchant for makeup, anything her poor, hapless parents leave under the sink and everything slimy/sticky such as maple syrup.

February:  He-Man worked 80+ hours a week. Trishelle prepared the for The ‘Most Excellent Family Reunion’(1st time our whole family was together in 8 years) and made the splendid discovery that her nausea and exhaustion weren’t caused by too many surprise ‘Matlock’ endings.  Sunshine was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints…outside…in February…luckily, in a Jacuzzi.  Bunny spent most of her time with her very favorite cousins on both sides.  Lulu discovered that when a box of dental floss is unwound, it will encircle the house 235 times.

March:  He-Man worked 80+ hours a week. Trishelle continued in the blessed opportunity of babysitting her sweet nephews while their mommy, went to work part time. Sunshine read everything she could get her hands on. Bunny was a flower girl for her cousin wedding. The pictures turned out to be our favorite pictures of Bunny. EVER. Lulu discovered the law of gravity…that what goes up will certainly come down. This even applies to blender pitchers filled with everyone’s breakfast smoothie.

April:  He-Man worked 80+ hours…except when we all went on a much needed work-vacation to Southern Utah and Mesquite, Nevada for a continuing-ed course. We discovered that we’re able to travel about the distance between Orem and St. George, Utah before car sicknesses can no longer be ignored…and to always keep paper towels and disinfectant in the car.

May:  He-Man worked 80+ hours a week and filled out a ‘practice’ application for a chiropractic position with the Navy in Florida. Trishelle could no longer fit into her clothes and two beautiful angels bestowed upon her a most wonderful gift: new maternity clothes from THIS century!  Sunshine finished 2nd grade! Bunny mastered the ABC’s.  Lulu discovered when one consumes an entire jar of garlic stuffed olives, vampires will most assuredly be repelled.

June:  He-Man worked 80+ hours a week but found great joy in his portion of the community garden (thank you Bishop Stay!) Trishelle turned 32, made her first cherry pie and canned various cherry preserves.  Sunshine started with Harry Potter 6 and finished Harry Potter 7.  Bunny busted out of size 4T clothes.  Lulu discovered the many benefits of drawing with permanent marker. We ate something from the garden everyday.

July:  He-Man worked 80+ hours a week. Trishelle felt enormous. Sunshine read voraciously and looked forward to every possible trip to the library.  Bunny tuned 5 and celebrated with her favorite neighborhood friends in a backyard party.  Lulu turned 2 and celebrated with a tea party and massive amounts of Cheeto cheese and chocolate cupcakes.

August:  He-Man worked 80+ hours a week. He turned 32 and was surprised by his family and siblings with an early morning breakfast and a lawn and garden sprucing up day. Trishelle craved chocolate.  Sunshine and Bunny learned to swim.  Lulu realized that painting with Nutella is delicious. Our anxiously awaited tomatoes began to produce massive amounts of gloriousness.

September:  He-Man worked 80+ hours a week and decided that if he heard nothing more regarding potential chiropractic positions with the military by September 30, he would stop working towards this ambition and pursue other opportunities in Utah. Trishelle felt ginormous and secretly wished everything were dipped in chocolate.  Sunshine began 3rd grade with a beloved teacher. Holly started kindergarten and instantly adored her teacher, Mrs. B.  Lulu learned how to blow bubbles with her own saliva and left puddles where ever she practiced. We said goodbye to our wonderful roommate when Uncle Aaron moved out and married our fabulous new sister Melissa. Remember that ‘practice’ application He-Man filled for a military chiropractic job? On September 24, he received an email from the Navy requesting him to fill the vacated position Florida. After fervent prayer and consideration, he said yes! Three days later, at 4:30 in the morning, RP let everyone know she was on her way when her mommy’s water broke. She made her grand entrance that morning after about 2 ½ hours of labor.

October:  He-Man met with Governor Herbert as part of his ongoing effort to improve the image of chiropractics in the state of Utah. It was the pinnacle of his work in the state and served as a great way to finish his work there. We drove through Utah, Nevada, stopped and visited Mom and Dad in Arizona then drove on through New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and onto Jacksonville, Florida. Except for the times she was screaming at the top of her lungs, RP slept through the whole thing.

November:  He-Man worked 40 hours a week, ate his lunches on the beach and held classes for sailors. Trishelle worked feverishly at organizing the house.  Sunshine met her 3rd grade class.  Bunny started all day kindergarten.  Lulu found mom’s makeup again.  Rp started to smile. And we all traveled to Atlanta for Thanksgiving.

December:  He-Man’s clientele grew. Trishelle got gussied up for the first time since delivering RP.  Sunshine, Bunny and Lulu made their wish lists and RPexperienced her first Christmas. Our computer crashed, phone died and Trishelle was involved in a minor fender bender. But we refuse to let that break our stride! Our Christmas in Florida has been beautiful and we’ve found ourselves feeling incredibly grateful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and for all He is to us.

As we’ve reflected upon the past year, our hearts have been full from the realization that so much of what we’ve prayed for, for so long, has come to pass. Thank you for sharing this process with us, for your love, support and your sweet friendship. May 2010 be a miraculous year for you. May you be surrounded with love and friendship all along your way. God bless you!

Sincerely,
Us