Greetings, dear friends and family!
This has been a year of positive transition for us. We had been house "watching" for 3 years. Not ones to rush into anything, we finally made our selection and were fortunate to have our offer accepted from among three or four made within 48 hours (remember those days?). After having a few walls rearranged and extensive interior painting, we completed our move during the heat of mid-July, and were very thankful to complete the sale of our old home in October.
Ross (3rd grade) and Lydia (1st grade) are enjoying Claxton Elem. while keeping fond memories of their days spent with friends at Colfax Elem. I savor most days at home with Russell (age 2). I continue to counsel clients on Wednesdays while my dear sister keeps our kids. We're so pleased that our move puts us only 2 miles up the road from their family!
I enjoy reading blogs- especially those of people whom I know. Will you please let me know if you have a blog address, or know of one for any mutual friends? If you have any extra time (a rarity!), you can check for updates on my fledgling, semi-private blog: http://thomasgazette.blogspot.
This year, I was diagnosed with a low thyroid (http://www.bellaonline.com/
As you might imagine, J.T. has been extra-busy this Fall in his investment and financial planning work. He and the dedicated team at their firm are pleased with all they have done to protect and communicate with their clients in these challenging times. We're thankful that he has this steady, rewarding job. Before the economic turmoil intensified he completed marathons in our hometown of Greensboro in May, and on Grandfather Mountain NC in July (his tenth and toughest - with a 1,000 foot climb and 4,300 foot finishing elevation it deserves its reputation as one of America's toughest marathons). His parents are doing well. They remain in his hometown, Blacksburg, VA when not traveling the world for fishing, canoeing, garden tours and other adventures.
My parents are transitioning out of work: both of them are retiring this month (Mom from our church and Dad from Dow Chemical Co). Dad has the unusual distinction of never having left the company that hired him directly from his doctoral program in Chemistry 42 years ago. In recent years, he has traveled to Asia to help roll out plants that use his discoveries. My parents also love to travel together, and this summer Mom was able to join Dad as he traveled to Kuwait for two months for a plant opening.
Our travels were more restrained this year, but in addition to annual family traditions, JT and I enjoyed getting away together to his professional conferences in Southern Florida (Sudden Money) and Vancouver, Canada (the Chartered Financial Analyst global conference preceded our 15th anniversary - what a beautiful area!).
As we celebrate Christ's birth, we are so pleased to have baby news in each of our families: both of my sister-in-laws are expecting children! Honor (my brother Bryson's wife) is due with her second child in April and Anne Elise (J.T.'s sister, who married Phil Louer 15 months ago) is expecting her first child in June. We can't wait to hold these babies!
And finally, what would our Christmas letter be without at least one kid story? I made this note about a recent pizza outing:
Russell was in his usual wiggly mood. Late in our meal, he wadded up a napkin and threw it past Jen and onto J.T.'s plate. J.T. remarked with interest that Russell had thrown the ball with his left hand for a change and that it was a pretty good shot (J.T. is a lefty but our other kids are not). I smiled and agreed with J.T. He paused and then realized it: Our poor firstborn would have been scolded for that trick. Our second born might have had her remaining napkin taken away. But our third born only drew praise for his throwing arm!
We wish you a merry and meaningful Christmas!
Love,
Jen, J.T., Ross, Lydia and Russell
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