Happy New Year! (a little late - but still heartfelt!)

January 2010

Dear Family & Friends,

It seems I may have slipped a bit at the end of 2008 and didn’t get the traditional Christmas letter written. Oops. I’m also willing to bet that it didn’t upset the balance in any of your lives. The annual letter is probably more for me, than it is for you. This is my chance to recap the year and remind myself that for any struggles or frustrations that we might be experiencing; our blessings far out number the troubles. Our greatest blessing is taking a cat-nap as I steal some quiet time to write to you.

So, about this blessing…where to begin? The new “management” took over on September 30, 2009 at 9:18 PM (weighing in at 6lbs. 10oz. and 19 ¾” long). A few hours in our household and you’ll know why I refer to our beautiful son as the “management.” Anyway, Jonathon Abram Weitgenant came into our lives to set-us right on life’s essentials and has quickly taught us that we can no longer run this household according to our terms. We run lean, meaning meals are optional and will become available when he says, as well as showers, household duties and sleep (well – up until a month ago). In fact, it’s time for a break, because this ends my 10 minute “break.” I’m telling you – this new boss, he’s tough! (Just like his Daddy). :o)

Alright, I got an extension on my break – you think I’m exaggerating? I wish! Did I mention that Accounts Payable (that’s Travis or “Daddy” as he is now known) has taken off for the first snowmobile trip of the year? He will be gone until Sunday (it’s Thursday). Ill probably be knocked out of the running for Employee of the Month (thank goodness that babies have short memories) by Friday night and may be demoted from my position of (Household) Operations Manager to something more manageable like Dietary or Housekeeping. It’s a tough world out there – as most of us are made aware whenever we turn on the news or pick up a paper. Anyway, back to the management change. First order of business was to “update” the equipment around the house. That started this summer when the forty year-old windows were replaced on the front of the house. We still need to replace one of the windows, but we’ll have to put that on the back burner. Then we needed to clean out one of the upstairs bedrooms, which was painted and fitted with new closet shelving for the new “boss.” He hasn’t said whether or not he likes it, but Jonathon (the “boss”) does spend about 10 hours sleeping in there every night, so it can’t be too bad (another blessing – getting a good nights sleep again). Jonathon has also taken over the family room. We are constantly tripping over bouncy seats, rattles, swings and clothes baskets (Travis complains that his laundry isn’t getting done anymore because I only have time for Jonathon’s. HELLO! He is the “BOSS!”).

So, now that our vacation time has been cut and our operating budget slashed, what are we up to??? LOVING OUR SON! We are so enthralled with him. There are no words to express the joy we get from watching him and seeing those unbelievable smiles. The new “boss” is the best thing that has ever happened to us and we know that our lives have forever been changed by Jonathon.

I guess whatever I would have written about 2008 would have paled in comparison to our 2009. Our 2008 was still good because we had our health, family and friends along with our faith to get us over the bumps. We even had a fantastic trip to the Black Hills to celebrate our 5th anniversary (definite highlight – would require its own letter). However, our 2009 was a year that changed our lives and with our family having grown by one beautiful and healthy boy, we look forward to a year that will continue to broaden our horizons and open our eyes to more of what life has to offer. We are amazed at how quickly Jonathon is changing and growing and the things he learns everyday, but our favorite thing in the world is to walk into a room and see his face light up. Those smiles are the best payment as parents and I hope you forgive this rambling, because as a “new” Mom, my heart is full and maybe even a little bit more whole these days. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of Olivia and Julia and thank them for watching over their baby brother to make sure that we finally would know what it’s like to bring home a baby to hold and enjoy. We are also thankful to the fabulous staff at Minnesota Perinatolgy and Dr. Gaziano who took such unbelievable care of us.

Our love to you and yours during this New Year. May your lives be full in ways that you never knew possible and any struggles be eased with the love of family and friends to see you through. Our prayer is for a year full of blessings and memories that you will enjoy reflecting on years from now.

From our home to yours…Happy New Year!