Christmas Letter 2011

December is here, which means the air is full of the sights and sounds of Christmas. It also means it’s time for our annual reflection of the remarkable ways we continue to grow and change. 2011 has been very good to us, and we end the year genuinely thankful for all we have and the joy we share. 

In January, we went to Wyoming to visit Blake’s family. While we were there, we toured the above-ground coal mine where Blake’s dad works. I got to ride to the top of a silo, and we saw some huge equipment. Blake, his dad, his brother, and his cousins went ice fishing in the mountains. They caught some fish and went sledding, but I think I had a better time staying in town and shopping with Blake’s mom. We enjoyed lots of time with Blake’s folks’ new puppy, Jaxsyn. She’s a super sweet dog, always 100% interested in whatever you’re doing. We toured the new rec center in town and ate lots of great food (including buffalo burgers from a nearby ranch). We even brought some much-welcomed warm weather with us. You’re welcome, Wyoming! 

 

I spent a lot of time this year working on sewing projects. Early in the year, I made six baby quilts in about 3 months. This summer, I made another baby quilt, a baby doll quilt, and two twin size quilts. I enjoy giving quilts as gifts. And I think I even convinced Blake that fabric shopping can be fun. Then I gave my sewing machine a much needed rest. This fall I crocheted a couple of pairs of baby booties for coworkers having babies. 

In March, I surprised the Taylor girls by attending my college friend Stephanie’s engagement party in Chicago. It was great to see those girls again. Seven of us girls from Second South English hall were there together with husbands, a fiancé, and lots of kiddos. I still can’t believe it’s been 10 years since we graduated college. 

 

In May, we went to a wedding in NC and spent a few extra days at the beach. Our friends from church were getting married, and my parents came down as well. It was a beautiful weekend and we enjoyed several walks on the beach in the sunshine. The wedding was held in the courtyard of a historic lighthouse. We also enjoyed touring the Wright Brothers museum in Kittyhawk. 

Late in June, we found out that our prayers were answered: we’re going to have a baby! A baby girl is due March 3, 2012. In the picture here, I’m 23 weeks. Kitty is looking forward to being a big brother. 

In August, I began my 7th season coaching the Freshman cheerleaders at West Springfield HS. This year, our JV competitions were a couple weeks earlier than usual because of scheduling issues in October and that meant we hit the ground sprinting! Competing with the JV team once again, we practiced 6 days a week for 9 weeks straight – not to mention football games! It was exhausting – but very exciting! We had some amazing talent on our teams this year, better than we’ve ever had before. We placed 3rd at our first competition and 2nd at the second. The team did great! The Varsity team won a 6th straight district title, came in 4th in the region (by ½ a point), and advanced to the state competition where they placed 11th in the state. What a great year for the whole WS cheer program! 

Blake continued in his doctoral program at George Mason University full-time in the fall, working for a new professor on campus and at the running store a few times a month. For those who are wondering, he is studying in the College of Education and Human Development. He is focusing on how people (especially young adults) develop through their lives, how they set goals and make decisions, and what role education plays. He has a secondary concentration in counseling. He still has a few more courses to go and will be working on his dissertation after that. We’re very grateful for how much progress he’s been able to make toward this goal in the past year. 

Blake has also tried to keep active and get outside to run. His favorite place is a trail by a lake near our house, and he sometimes sees deer and foxes in the woods. We still go for walks on our 1.5 mile loop through the neighborhood, though with a baby on board, we now bring water and take breaks. Regular walks and talks – the key to a happy marriage. 

In October, Blake went to Maryland on a church men’s retreat. He enjoyed sessions by Gordon MacDonald and Brian Pruitt and music by the Katinas. Also in October, he traveled to Minnesota for a reunion at North Central University. It was his first trip back in almost seven years, and he saw many friends and former professors. He went to a cross country meet, toured a radio station, laughed at an improv comedy show. 

Continuing our tradition of a Thanksgiving weekend getaway, Blake and I found a good deal on a beautiful hotel in Gettysburg, PA and – after eating a Thanksgiving meal with my parents – we were able to spend a few days relaxing, touring, shopping, and enjoying each other’s company.

The rest of the winter will be spent resting, nesting, and preparing for our arrival. We are both very eager to be parents and for the world to meet our little girl! 

We appreciate your love, friendship, and prayers. May God bless you and yours in this Christmas season and in the new year to come. 

Love, Blake, Tiffanie, Kitty, & Baby Buzz 

"Our LORD, you break the bows of warriors, but you give strength to everyone who stumbles. You give the hungry more than enough to eat. A woman did not have a child, and you gave her seven." 2 Samuel 2:4-5