Gabrielle

Bree, as she is known, is now in the 1st grade and will be finishing this very soon. She is a LOT like her dad. She will say things or do little behaviors and I will instantly be transported back to our little house on Parker Street, looking at the world through my 6 year-old eyes. She tries hard to please others, to enjoy life and to avoid stress. I am so enthralled watching her grow. She seems to have a creative streak that I hope will blossom as she grows older. It makes me happy that she loves to be with me. Even if I am going to the corner store for milk she is happy to go along for the ride. I love the memories I have of her on the cruise to Mexico. She is a thinker and a worrier too, like her dad. She likes to be safe.

Gabrielle is a wonderful person to be around. She brings such joy to our family.

Philladelphia

In my recent travels for work I went to Philladelphia. While there I was able to see some of the historical sites including Valley Forge, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. At about this same time I began reading the book 1776 by David McCullough. What amazed and humbled me the most was that these great men, this small group of guys who changed the course of the world, were my age. The courage and dedication to challenge the greatest force on earth at the time because they believed they should is of a mettle we rarely see. George Washington had a quote that he liked to repeat that was a line from a play popular at the time. "Tis not in mortals to command success, but we'll do more, Sempronius, we'll deserve it."

The New Year has arrived! After Christmas we had Kai's birthday (the big 10) and then New Years Eve, and then Emma's baptism and Jack's baby blessing. Everything seemed to go off without a hitch. We are now looking forward to beginning our second year together as a family. Gratitude has been the theme of the year. We have found joy in the simple things and support in each other. Each of the children have grown so much and have shown their individual strengths and characteristics. We are so thankful that we have had this time to be together and make our family. Jack was a great way to end 2008 and we are looking forward, with optimism, towards 2009.