I couldn't get my thoughts unjumbled enough this year to get a letter out with our cards. So maybe I can sum up a bit of our year here instead (if there is anyone left reading!!!)

The year started off with the usual birthdays - Holly turned 2 in January and Ryan 7 in February. Ry had a Movie Theater party - we got the whole theater to ourselves for an hour before we watched Pink Panther :) it was a lot of fun. He requested a Diglett cake - and I was able to deliver on that. Of course come July that meant I needed to deliver on a Piplup cake for Kyle (and I did too!).

We saw some turmoil at work and said goodbye to some colleagues. I'm no longer a manager, which was a change I welcomed. There was too much new going on for me and moving back to an individual contributor role worked well for all involved I think.

Kyle turned 9 in July (9!!! my baby boy is 9!) and he's growing more and more into a middle schooler every day. He had a birthday party at Jump On In and all involved had a blast... Of course there was the Piplup cake too :)

We saw sadness this year... Steve's Grandpa passed away over Thanksgiving weekend. It was sad to say goodbye, but he's with Gram now. And I think that's all he's really wanted these last few years. So he's at peace.

The kids have all done growing and growing. Ry's in 2nd grade and improving his performance in ways that make me proud. We instituted a series of changes for him and they seem to be helping. Ry also had his tonsils and adenoids removed in September. It's the first real hospitalization for any of the 3, but the whole thing went as smooth as something like your child having surgery can go. His recovery was relatively smooth and it seems to have done the trick. He's definitely sleeping better (it was obstructive sleep apnea for those wondering) and combined with the other changes we've made, we're seeing a great improvement in school.

Kyle is growing into a little man. He's caring and just a wonderful boy. He's found a love for reading, and just wants to curl up with a book in his bed after school... I have to get him to get his homework done first, or we won't see him again until dinner! He's also discovered music - and will choose to listen to music over watching TV. He's in 3rd grade and will move to the middle school here next year.

Holly is quite the adorable little girl. Spoiled rotten as any little girl with two older brothers will be - she's got a spine though! She gives back to the boys and is a mixture of girly-girl and tomboy... She's talking a mile a minute - you just can't shut her up!! :) She knows she's cute and she plays the card well. She loves being a 'princess' - which is any time she has a dress on... she loves her friends at the center and looks forward to playing with them every day. In just a few weeks our little girl will be 3!!! And she's very excited to be having a 'Princess Party' :)

All three of the kids are full of love and hugs. No matter what happens out in the world I have a daily dose of love that reminds me life keeps on happening regardless of what has happened elsewhere. Having children has shown me that I can cry over the loss of someone we knew, and yet laugh at something my child has done - all within hours of each other.

For those that have also lost this year, I send hugs, strength, warmth and love.

I also am remembering the soldiers that are deployed this holiday season. Thank you so very much for your willingness to go into the line of fire. You stand up for my family and I love you for that. Stay safe this Christmas. Know you are appreciated and loved.

Merry Christmas.
Happy Holidays.
Seasons Greetings.

With love,
Jen