Christmas Letter 2021

Merry Christmas, friends and family!

Before I sat down to write this year's letter, I took a few minutes to go back and read the letter from 2020. It is strange to me how my perception of time has been altered by the pandemic experience. As I read, I was reminded that on Christmas morning last year, we woke up in a hotel room and spent the holidays with my family masked because we weren't all vaccinated yet. I couldn't believe that it was only a year ago! I actually had to go back into my photo library and check to prove it to myself! It made me pause to take in how much change and "strangeness" we've all endured over the past two years. This year, in many ways, our family's life has returned to our busy pace and full schedule. However, I think we all still feel as though the ground beneath our feet isn't quite solid...As if everything could shift at any moment. This acceptance of uncertainty is a blessing as much as it is a burden. We live differently now, in our hearts and minds. We don't pretend to be in control of anything and we lean heavily on our faith in God and our belief in Jesus, our Savior. 

We spent a lot of time enjoying nature this year. Jamie and I have completely fallen in love with the Adirondacks area and our once a year trip turned into what will be five hiking trips in the high peaks area in 2021. We will be ending our year with that fifth venture, just Jamie and I. We are looking forward to hiking our first high peak in the snow, just after Christmas. The fresh mountain air, serene forests, babbling streams, rushing waterfalls, and spectacular summit views create a thrilling adventure and a unique bonding experience for us. We love to hike together! Eli enjoys hiking, as well, but isn't quite as enthusiastic as we are, yet! He joined us in February last year for some smaller snow-shoeing outings and hiking in the WNY area, and he hiked his first two ADK high peaks in one day, this past August. We all had a blast together!

Our day to day is full of good things. Eli continues to study piano and drum set and is now a part of Flash Soccer, a year long program and league which practices twice a week in addition to games. He still loves to read and enjoys playing with his Pokemon cards, Beyblades, and Akedo warrior toys.  This summer, we joined Hickory Hill, our local swim and tennis club, and he was swimming everyday. He loves being in the water and has also enjoyed learning how to play tennis with his new friends. Eli is in 3rd grade now and excelling, academically. He is a sensitive, witty, outgoing, and loving eight year old. He makes us smile and thank God, daily, for his beautiful presence in our world. 

day to day is full of good things. Eli continues to study piano and drum set and is now a part of Flash Soccer, a year long program and league which practices twice a week in addition to games. He still loves to read and enjoys playing with his Pokemon cards, Beyblades, and Akedo warrior toys.  This summer, we joined Hickory Hill, our local swim and tennis club, and he was swimming everyday. He loves being in the water and has also enjoyed learning how to play tennis with his new friends. Eli is in 3rd grade now and excelling, academically. He is a sensitive, witty, outgoing, and loving eight year old. He makes us smile and thank God, daily, for his beautiful presence in our world. 

 

Jamie continues to play keyboard on the worship team at church and I occasionally join in as a singer. I started teaching voice lessons again and have a small studio of really wonderful students. Jamie accompanies the lessons and we truly enjoy our time working with these high-schoolers. We also were able to participate, as a family, in a musical review this fall. Eli took the stage as one of the leads in a scene from the musical, "Oliver." The experience gave him so much confidence and he's already been asking when he can be a part of another show. Music continues to be a central part of our family life; there's always singing, rapping, dancing and instruments playing in this house! 

Jamie, Eli and Jamie's student, Mason, in the "Oliver" number

Backstage with my baby! :)

Obi, our dog, has grown from an adorable puppy to a big bear! He's close to 60lbs now and still acts like a puppy. He's always causing trouble, but we just can't stay mad at him...We adore our crazy pup!

He recently got a haircut and is looking particularly dapper! 

Before the groomer...

After!

Last December, we had a bit of a surprise when my (Heather's) doctor discovered that she had a bi-cuspid aortic valve and sent her to a cardiologist to have it checked out. Long story short, the valve will need to be replaced eventually, but for now, my cardiologist is keeping an eye on it and I'm in the process of getting a second opinion from Cleveland Clinic. Although I am not in any immediate danger, the prospect of facing open heart surgery in the next few years definitely gave us pause. We've found ourselves more aware of the moment and the gift of being able-bodied and healthy in the now. I find myself balancing a daily dichotomy of desires to simultaneously slow down and enjoy everything with presence and peace while also seizing every opportunity for adventure and new experiences...Jamie and I have so much life to live and we both want to do it with intention and purpose. As 2022 approaches, we are reassessing our priorities and trying to make more room for what matters most. I wake up  wondering if I can find a way to be still with my Lord while still running the race He set before me!

Now here we are at the end of another year feeling incredibly thankful for the family and friends who fill our lives with love and laughter, for work that we are passionate about, a church and faith community who pray with and for us as we "do life" together, for a warm, cozy home that's ours, food on the table, and all of our needs met. Truly, we could not ask for more. 

We pray that this message finds your family in good health and spirits. May 2022 bring you abundant blessings and lives full of love and laughter. May God's peace be with you.

Heather, Jamie and Eli