2010 Christmas newsletter

Christmas greetings! Thanks for visiting our online letter. We enjoy reading updates from friends and family each December and, in the same spirit, I've shared a few of our family's 2010 highlights below.

This advent season, the pastors at our church have been teaching from the Old Testament. Even though I can't claim to understand nearly all of it, I'm amazed anew at Scripture passages that appear to foretell the coming of Christ, such as Isaiah 53:5-6: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." As we reflect upon the birth of our Prince of Peace, we also hope that you will find peace and joy in this season.

We will primarily remember 2010 as the year our third son, Micah Brett, was born (July 22). Micah is quite a social baby. He smiles, eyes beaming, when he makes eye contact with one of us, and he often gets fussy if no one is paying attention to him. Compared to when our other boys were infants, Micah is our best eater and our worst sleeper. We love him and give thanks that he is exactly the baby our God created him to be.

Caleb will turn three years old in February. He loves being Noah's sidekick and wants to learn about everything his big brother does. Noah taught Caleb how to read numbers (including 2 and 3 digits) and identify states on the US map (Caleb can name somewhere between 10 and 20 states - he's in the other room right now talking about 'Kenducky'). Somehow I don't recall my brother teaching me any of this stuff when I was Caleb's age. Caleb is also in the middle of his 'terrible twos' and we are working to help him learn to obey every time. We are thankful for Caleb's curiosity and joyful spirit.

Noah turned five in September. He is in preschool with the same teacher as last year (and loves it). When I tell Noah that I like Saturdays and Sundays because I can spend time at home, he replies that he likes Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays better because he gets to go to preschool. Noah also enjoyed playing on a soccer team this fall; he's told us that next he wants to try football, baseball, basketball, tennis, and hockey (in that order, of course). We are grateful for Noah's steady progress at preschool and for the love he shows to both of his brothers.

Katy has invested a lot of energy this year preparing for and caring for baby Micah. She still stays home full time; actually, with our three boys, it is far more than a full time job. Every time Katy has an evening commitment and I stay home with the boys, my exhaustion reminds me of just how challenging her days can be. Katy stays connected to the rest of the world through a MOPS group at our church, a monthly book club, and frequent kid playdates with some close friends.

I started a new job in September. I now work as an actuary with Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (a pension fund for 900,000 current and former public employees). It has been a great fit for me so far. I am the first actuary they've ever hired internally, so in many ways I am in uncharted waters. I think that's the way I like it. (Katy likes that I come home earlier every day than I used to!) I also serve with the choir at church. The choir sang for services five times this year; I directed three times (including today) and sang in the bass section for the other two. I enjoy the opportunity to use my musical interests to the glory of God.

Again, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

With love,

Brett, Katy, Noah, Caleb, and Micah