Christmas letter, 2008

The holiday season is well underway as evidenced by my unending to-do list and my unkempt house. That means it's time for another Christmas card and letter (even if it's the only thing I check off my to-do list today!). But this year, we're trying to simplify... hoping to save time, money, and energy we sent out our first annual Christmas postcard. And now that I'm blogging, we'll post the Christmas letter here, in my own little virtual space. Fun, eh?

I'm suspecting that there might be some readers of this Christmas letter who have never ventured into the blogosphere until now. Let me say, Welcome! Thanks for trying something new in order to read about us. I hope you'll leave a comment to tell me of your adventure. I'm glad you're here!

Now, for the meat of the letter. Eric and I had a short brainstorming session in hopes of coming up with something really creative and fun for this year. But alas, we're quite unoriginal, so you'll have to put up with the same old layout as before.

This year has been unusually quiet for us. We have not had many changes, no new babies, no employment changes, no big surprises. We continue to live in Richfield in our little house that is now completely finished. All remodeling endeavors are done, and we somehow managed to free up enough space in the garage to park a car. We have thoroughly enjoyed the second bathroom during all of our many opportunities for hospitality, including Eric's custom built and tiled shower (he's put a lot of sweat into this humble abode!).

We continue to love our church family; it seems like each year we see God's grace poured out more and more. Eric really enjoys mixing the sound for Sunday mornings and may start playing piano on the worship team again soon. I have pulled back some in my serving so that I can serve our family better, but I continue to help with Children's Ministry. We spend quite a bit of time with our small group helping each other along in this crazy life!

Our daily work continues to go well for each of us. Eric is in his second year at General Mills, Inc. and seems to really thrive on the competitive corporate environment. His job requires lots of problem solving and thinking on his feet, and he really enjoys the variety of things he does as well as the people on his team. I continue to stay at home, doing lots of problem solving and thinking on my feet too! In August, I started watching another baby four days a week. Ella is 7 months old now, and the daughter of one of Eric's Marcoux Corner partners. It has been an adjustment to learn how to manage three children, three years and under, but I think I've finally got the hang of it (famous last words, right?). Ella is a very content baby and has found a place in all of our hearts- especially Hope's, believe it or not!

The girls are growing fast and full of mischief, as proven by our many attempts at a Christmas picture. Eva is 3.5 years old now and learning constantly. She is a wonderful helper to me (most of the time :), and really loves to teach Hope and Ella practically anything. Her passions include reading books, trying superhero stunts off her bed or the couches, watching Little House on the Prairie with Eric, playing any kind of pretend, dancing, and planning the rest of her life. She is eager to grow up and spends lots of time asking questions to get the many details of life figured out. Eva is enamored with anything "pretty," whatever the flavor of the day might be. I very much enjoy having her as my little sidekick.

Hope is a bundle of energy! She is almost 15 months, and is really starting to be her own little person. It is so fun to see her practicing walking and talking- it seems like she has a new word every day. She is fascinated by anything she can open and close, climb on, or taste. Dogs and her Daddy make her shriek with glee, and it is very fun to watch her and Eva enjoy playing together already. Food allergies reared their ugly head during the summer and fall, but we're thankful that she seems to have outgrown most of them. "Hopers" is silly, giggly, cuddly, and a little impatient. Just today she started giving everyone kisses, with lots of noise and a big open mouth!

With Eric on the road very little these days, it seems that our life has a steady rhythm to it. Regularity has had a noticeable effect on our marriage and time with the girls, and we are so thankful to God for health and time to enjoy it. We road tripped to Montana with friends last spring, and enjoyed camping together with my family and several fun weekend trips this fall. Even as I write this, I am overwhelmed by God's goodness to our us.

We're off to Crookston this year to celebrate Christmas with the Patenaudes, which is sure to be a big, lively adventure! We sincerely hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and experience God's peace in the coming year.

With love,

Becca (for us all)

PS) If you came to this site just to read the Christmas letter, please leave a comment and let me know how it worked for you. Thanks!