Dear Friends and Family …   2009 was rough.  Blaine’s cancer came back in February, and my mom and my sister were both diagnosed with breast cancer this summer. Then Blaine lost his job.  Then our renter moved out but left eight million cockroaches behind, for us to clean up. Then, .. Well, no, wait, that‘s not a good letter.  I’m depressing even myself. Let’s try again…

Dear Friends and Family, … despite some rough challenges this year, our family has come through the fire stronger, better, and happier than ever!  We’re so grateful for difficult times that allow us to search the clouds for the sunshine and truly remember the important things in life!  Nothing gives us a happy glow in our eyes, giggles in our chest, and a grateful feeling in our hearts more than ……… oh, gag.  I’m making myself sick with the sweetness.  How about if we just tell it like it is …..

 2009 simply, was.  We’ve had better years, yes, but we’ve certainly had worse, and we don‘t forget that.   For every challenge we faced, we had a happy outcome, and for that we are thankful.  Yes, Blaine’s cancer came back, but his radiation treatment went well and best news of all, his most recent PET scans were clear.  More surgeries and scans ahead (like that’s any big surprise?) but for now we are grateful for good news.  And yes, the Air Force decided to medically retire him at 21 years, seven months, due to cancer, but he got a few months off to rest, then started a great civilian job at Tinker AFB, doing exactly what he was doing before, with a lovely group of new co-workers.  He loves it, except after wearing a uniform for almost 22 years, asks me every single day “if this shirt matches this tie??”  All told, TWO steps forward for every step back, and we thank all of you for keeping him in your thoughts in the meantime as he still faces challenges and continues treatment in the hopes of preventing yet another cancer recurrence.

 Brayden is 12 years old now, and like most normal 7^th grade girls, is obsessed with Twilight and Justin Beiber.  She’s in choir at her middle school and on the yearbook staff, and probably should spend a little more time studying and a little less time socializing — BUT, she goes to school with some great kids, so there are worse problems, right?  Almost always, she brings us joy.  (The rest of the time, she’s a pre-teen.  Need I say more?)   She’s gearing up for the big “One-Three” in a few weeks and I don’t know whether to be proud or shocked that my baby is about to become an official teenager. 

Kellen, at age 11 and in the 6^th grade, is really on the threshold of being a young man, and still being that kid who plays with action figures in his underwear.  (I’m sure he’ll appreciate that I shared that.)  This past year he played soccer, basketball, and his first season of football, which was great fun.  Probably more for us than him, since we weren’t the ones getting squashed every game.  He quit piano, but joined beginners band in middle school and can play an impressively good version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the saxophone.  He’s also obsessed with reading the Gregor the Overlander series, and playing CrunchBall online …..  He’s a happy, laid back kid, who we enjoy greatly.

Kendrie is plugging along as our last child in elementary school, as a 10-yr old 4^th grader.  She announces to me every day that she is NOT a baby, although I insist on reminding her that she is MY baby as often as possible.  Soccer is still her sport of choice, and she continues her piano lessons with great joy (although not so much with the joy at the practicing part ….)  She also started orchestra this year and can pluck out quite a few notes on the violin.  She’s still firmly in the running for Tomboy of the Year, but she has a good heart and makes us smile.

As a family we got to do some fun things this year ….  Weekends at the lake with my sister and her family, Kristie’s 25^th high school reunion, Fall Break at Great Wolf Lodge, and the highlight, a 10-day Caribbean cruise with our friends the Gleasons and Warcholiks, and with my mom (who broke her foot on a shore excursion …. The unfortunate lo-light of the vacation …)  Lots of school activities, sports, church, camps, concerts, and soccer tournaments. Which of course equals lots of evenings away from home and lots of fast food.  Adopted a dog from the local pound, an exciting remodel project at our house, and lots of work getting our rental property ready again.   But I figure that hectic schedule makes our family much like most other families these days, and we all seem to be managing, and sometimes even thriving, despite the chaos.  Or maybe *because* of the chaos …

who really knows?

I hope this holiday season finds you and yours in a good place; physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and any other -ally that you can think of.  Best Holiday wishes for a healthy and happy 2010 to you, as well.

Blaine     Kristie     Brayden     Kellen     Kendrie     Barley      Blackie      Brew