Christmas 2010 Family Letter

Evolution of the Christmas letter: Once upon a time, there was a single girl who had a lot of friends she wanted to keep in touch with over the Christmas holidays. She scolded her friends (frankly, a bit smugly) that sent pre-printed and signed Christmas cards at how cold and impersonal they were, preferring instead to hand-sign with personalized notes each and every one of the over 60 Christmas cards she mailed out every year. Long before carpel-tunnel syndrome set in, this same single girl decided that, as she said almost the same thing every year to every person, a short Christmas paragraph would do instead of the hand-written notes; she still hand-signed every card, and hand-addressed every envelope.



This single girl married and soon found herself with over 100 cards to send out every year. Many of the receivers were friends of his family, some of her family, but most of them were friends AND family that didn’t keep in touch other times of the year because life just gets in the way of phone calls and letter writing. Cards were addressed and signed by hand, and a single page (one-sided) newsletter was sent to SOME of the people.


One year, due to life being busy and all, the girl did not get the letter written and mailed until after the New Year; thinking that one fewer card would surely not be missed, she mailed only cards and sent out very few letters. Such a fuss arose from her friends and family. Concerned that she had died or possibly been abducted by aliens; the widespread rumors and the furor over the “Missing Christmas Writer” was intense. Spurred on by the guilt and shame of her failure to provide kindling for her friends Yule fires, the girl determined to write a newsletter every year that would completely overwhelm any doubt that her friends and family might have that she was not dutifully carrying out her prescribed task.


And so, my friends and family, once again it is time for the Christmas Newsletter….

Hayden – Hayden celebrates his first year on December 24th. It will be a huge occasion, hosted at the church he and his family attend. Hayden’s first year has been such a tremendous testimony to the power of God and the love that he daily gives us. In October, Hayden had a heart transplant to correct his heterotaxy. He is a smiling and happy boy, crawling and keeping up with big sister.

Jaine is a 1st grader this year – time flies all too fast! Jaine is ever-patient with all the doctor visits and hospital stays of the last year for Hayden. She is a very accomplished artist and reads well above her class level. Jaine also enjoys playing outside with her uncles and going to various motocross and monster truck demonstrations.

Todd & Brie – have been blessed this year with fantastic employers, awesome insurance and the mercy and peace of God as they have travelled a very difficult rollercoaster with Hayden’s health issues. They have experienced the love and support of many friends and churches’ praying for them and for Hayden and it has been a very uplifting experience for them and their family.

Randy & Jessica – Randy continues to work for Emerald Heights and continues to receive opportunities for advancement. Jessica took advantage of a lay-off in the spring by going back to school for nursing; she has completed her certification in phlebotomy and is currently working as a lab assistant at Group Health in the region. They have hosted several family events at their lovely home and Jessica is enjoying her kitchen by showing off her cooking skills.

Blake – Blake is 12 this year and a 6th grader. His 5th grade experience was less than pleasant for our family and so we all decided (Blake included) to travel the home school path this year. He is enjoying his DVD lessons from Abeka Academy; however he’s not so sure his mother isn’t every bit as tough as his “real” school teachers. For his birthday this year we added a new family member to our menagerie – a purebred Boxer named “Norman’s Redmond Mustang” (‘Stang for short). He is 5 months old, whip smart and gives his boy a run for the money. It’s been a blessing to have Blake home during the days for housebreaking, walks and exercise.

James – A senior at Redmond High School this year, James is 17 years old. He is a Life Scout with only a few merit badges and a project standing between him and Eagle. In addition to Boy Scouts, he is active in our church AWANA and VBS programs. He has many decisions to make regarding his after high school life.

Russ & Paige – Russ observes his 10th year with Snohomish County PUD in their IT Department. He continues to commute to Everett each day (about 50 minutes one way) and is happy to have employment in our shaky economy. I continue to nanny several children: Hayden & Jaine, Chloe & Emma, Channing & Brayden and Anakin (not all of them every day, but usually 3-5 each day). Dropping off and picking up at three schools, as well as half-days, snow days, free-dress days and other activities keeps me busy and the Suburban practically always in “drive”.

The Zoo – As I mentioned before, we added ‘Stang to our already furry and scaly household that includes two cats and one Bearded Dragon. The cats are not overly fond of the new addition; however they are beginning to form a truce and possibly a visitation schedule for various rooms in the house that seems to be working well. The dragon (Jette) doesn’t seem to care who comes or goes as long as she gets her crickets and vegetables on a regular basis.


I hope that you are blessed with your family and friends around you this year, as well as the peace and love of our Lord, daily in your life. Remember that the season of Christmas isn’t just about presents and trees, lights and tinsel; it’s about the birth of a babe in a stable who died so that we may all live.