Merry Christmas

Happy holidays!  I hope that this letter finds you and your families in good health and full of happiness.  As the holiday season began, which was actually before Halloween this year I think, I realized this year would be different for our family - mostly because I now actually think of us as a family.  It was a fabulous realization!

Our year started with a CRAZY beginning.  After going to school on December 17^th, the last day before winter break in 2010, I was sent home by my co-workers telling me I was nuts for even trying to be at school while having contractions.  We headed to the hospital for what people tell me was an easy and painless labor/delivery.  I disagree; it was far from easy or painless, even with an epidural, but, we made it through, and we welcomed Lillian Paige into our hearts and our lives at 5:01p.m. 

Three days later we all spent the first night in our new house in Washburn, IL.  Many thanks to our family and friends who helped prepare the house, without them it would have been even more chaotic than it already was…

To tell you the truth, the next months are a blur.  There was very little sleep as we learned what it meant to be parents.  I realized that when I felt busy before, I was actually mistaken; now I truly understand what it means to have no time.  But, for every time I thought “there is just no way I can do this,” Lily would surprise us with another little miracle proving that it would be alright and that having her in our lives was the best blessing we could ever imagine. 

We have been lucky enough to travel throughout the year, visiting Jeff’s parents in Florida for spring break, spending a few days in Texas with my sister and brother-in-law and their two children in the summer, traveling to Oregon and Washington for a wonderful wedding with our camping family, and rounding it out with a few trips to both our parents’ homes.  Its amazing, during the first year of her life Lily has been on more plane flights and visited more states (I think it's 9) than we ever thought possible. 

Now a year later, things aren’t as new, but life is still just as busy.  Jeff is enjoying his second year as the elementary school principal at Lowpoint Washburn Elementary School.  I am still teaching second grade at Germantown Hills Elementary (just 20 minutes away from our home in Washburn) which I love.  Lily adores her new friends at daycare and has been taken in by the family as if she were their own.  While Washburn is slightly removed from the city, it has begun to feel more like home.  Our “project house” is less of a project, (new floors throughout, every surface painted, new windows, new insulation, an entire new bathroom, a new furnace and A/C unit, soon to be new water heater…you get the picture I’m sure) and more like home.

As we continue our journey here in central Illinois, we hope that your houses feel like homes and your hearts are full of love.  And, while Washburn is not a destination most people think to visit often, please know that you are welcome in our home at anytime. 

Merry Christmas!  Love, Sara  (and Jeff and Lily)