Christmas Letter Correction

Last week, we finally mailed out our "Christmas Letter." For those who actually read it, I'm sure you noticed that there was an incomplete sentence at the end of page 3. We did notice the problem before mailing it, but couldn't come up with a way of correcting it that wouldn't delay it even longer. So, here is the full text for those who received the print version and for those who didn't.

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February 2010

Dear friends and family,

Welcome to the World’s Latest Christmas Letter!

We have had much happen since our last letter went out in 2007—most significantly, we are now homeowners and parents! In the last eight months (June 2009-January 2010) we have flown to Kansas three times, to California three times, and driven to Pennsylvania four times.

New House!
In November 2008, we closed on a townhome—we are now homeowners for the first time! It is a 2 story home with four bedrooms. A short move, as it is in the same neighborhood where we were renting for almost three years. Jesse’s family came down over Thanksgiving 2008 to help us move—something I very much appreciated as I was experiencing fatigue as an early symptom of pregnancy, though we hadn’t announced the news yet. We now live at 304 Roanoke Dr SE, Leesburg, VA 20175, but for mail we still use our PO box.

New baby!
At Christmas 2008, we announced that we were expecting our first baby. As the first grandchild for my parents, the news was especially received with excitement and anticipation. On August 6, Tabitha Grace was born healthy following a relatively short (~9 hour) labor. My parents arrived the day we brought her home from the hospital and stayed for 10 days, including for her dedication. Jesse’s parents have visited several times since the birth; the first time was just before Tabitha was two weeks old. Jeremiah is proud of his little sister, though (as is typical) he finds her crying annoying and can be jealous of the attention she receives. I resigned my librarian position at Patrick Henry College following her birth, in order to be a full-time mom. Tabitha is now a healthy six month old—drooling, sitting up, and rolling over. I find it very easy to care for her and a joy to be with her everyday!

Travels!
Kansas Trip #1. My sister Susan moved her wedding date six months earlier--from January 2010 to June 2009. I flew out to be in Kansas (and Missouri, for a library conference) for two weeks around the wedding. Jesse just flew out for the weekend of the wedding.

California Trip #1. Jesse, Jeremiah, and I (at 7 months pregnant) flew to California in June for the Bryant family reunion. We had a great time catching up with aunts, uncles, and cousins in the swimming pools, around games, and over meals! We were very glad to be able to see Grandma Bryant again, especially.

Story from the moment: While at the reunion, several of the kids were curiously touching my belly to feel the baby move, but one of the 4-year-old cousins hung back from the crowd. It was only after several minutes of coaxing that she tentatively reached out her hand. When she felt movement, she looked up at me with huge eyes and asked, “Did you really eat a baby?”

Pennsylvania Trip #1. Immediately after arriving home from the family reunion, we made a last minute decision to immediately drive up to Pennsylvania with Jeremiah for a long weekend. (We pulled up to the house from the airport, proposed the idea of a trip to Pennsylvania, and were back on the road in two hours.) The drive was especially tiring after the early morning flight from California, but the time with family that didn’t make it to the reunion was well worth it.

California Trip #2. In July, Jesse flew to California for 5 days on a business trip to a software user conference. He is still working for Northrop Grumman as a computer programmer and as help desk support.

Pennsylvania Trip #2. In September, Andy (Jesse’s sensei and groomsman at our wedding) was celebrating his birthday and the completion of a master’s degree. We made a very quick trip to Pennsylvania (up and back in the same day—10 hours of driving) to be a part of his surprise party. Tabitha was one of four girls under 2 months at the party—Tabitha had just turned 5 weeks, a pair of twins were just a couple days shy of 6 weeks, and another girl would be two months the next week.

Kansas Trip #2. My sister Dorinda got engaged in the spring and set her wedding for November. Tabitha and I again flew out to Kansas for 10 days around the wedding while Jesse and Jeremiah flew out for the weekend of the wedding. Tabitha did very well on her first flights—for which I was very thankful! Before we left, we made Tabitha the fourth generation to wear her Great-Grandfather Gates’ baptismal dress and took some pictures.

Story from the moment: Arriving back in Virginia, Tabitha was asleep when Jesse arrived to pick us up from the airport. She woke up rather fussy as I moved her to her car seat, but as soon as she saw her dad, she instantly quit fussing and started grinning at him!

Pennsylvania Trip #3. Traveling to Pennsylvania with both Jeremiah and Tabitha for the first time, we visited Jesse’s family for Thanksgiving. It was great time, as all his siblings were able to be home and the four cousins were able to get better acquainted. Dance Dance Revolution was a popular game for the weekend, with Jeremiah and Jesse particularly working to improve their skills.

Kansas Trip #3. Jesse, Tabitha, and I went to Kansas for about 11 days for Christmas with my family. After having all my siblings home for both weddings, not everyone made it to Kansas for Christmas, but we did get to see Dorinda and her husband for the first time since the wedding. It was also great to visit with Tabitha’s Great-Grandmother Gates. She has been declining for the past year and is currently living with my parents. While still completely healthy in her vital functions, she has suffered nerve degeneration in her limbs and muscles that has left her with virtually no mobility.

Pennsylvania Trip #4. The New Year holiday found us once again in Pennsylvania. We had a wonderful time with the family up there. The cousins all played very well together for the weekend. Grandpa McConnell, as is tradition, performed magic tricks during the new year party.

California Trip #3. At the end of January, Jesse and I flew out to California with Tabitha for a weekend to introduce her to her Great-Grandmother Bryant. Grandma Bryant very much enjoyed holding Tabitha and we enjoyed visiting with her and Aunt Pauline and Uncle Norm and even cousin Shar. It was my first visit to their home, so I was introduced to their kennel.

Jeremiah is now seven years old and in the second grade. He is doing well in his studies and is learning to better direct his energy (sometimes termed hyperactive) and his leadership qualities (primarily bossiness) when he is in the classroom. He is active in Boy Scouts and has enjoyed some camping trips, a visit to the U.S. Capitol, and other events with them and Jesse. Having given up firefighting as a potential career, he is fascinated by police and army.

Jesse also continues to nurture a variety of interests outside of work. He is working closely with the church youth group (primarily 7-13 year olds). This involvement includes driving a 15 passenger van each Sunday morning to provide transportation for several of the kids. In his spare time, he is battling with a neighbor friend through Warhammer games or physical contests (karate, boxing, etc) or story telling.

Jesse and I are both still active in our clogging group. I was able to attend practices (with limited dancing) up to the week of delivery and have worked my way back up to fully practicing and performing with the group. Tabitha has been adopted by the clogging group and has been provided with her own playpen at the clogging barn where she can spend practices (when she isn’t being held by someone!).

There is so much more that we have done in the last two years, but it doesn’t all fit into this letter and our lives are not interesting enough for a book! We love to hear from our friends and family.

May you have a blessed year!

JM and C
Jer (7) and TGM (6 months)