Christmas letter

Dear family and friends,

This year has flown by at times and at other times has been very long. However, it is already December and time again for our yearly comings and goings. We went back to read last years letter, but we found out that we did not get one written. Trying to think of why we did not write a letter, we realized it was around the time when we found out that Eliza’s brother was diagnosed with cancer. But we are back again this year!

As most of you know, we found out that we are expecting our third child sometime the end of March. We will be having another girl, and Kambria is VERY excited to have a sister!

Weston turned two this year and is very fond on trains and Woody and Buzz. He is not potty trained more due to his mother’s lack of interest than his own. We are hopeful we can begin this chapter soon. He has gone from not talking much, which was a worry, to talking in full sentences. We love being able to communicate with him more and seeing what he picks up on. When not being provoked by his older sister, he is a true angel. He always loves to give hugs and kisses and to say, “I love you, too Daddy/Mommy!” He still wakes up around 6 am and comes to snuggle in bed. We are so blessed to have him in our family.

Kambria LOVES to learn! She is four years old now and enjoys going to preschool. She has started to write her name and to make all sorts of new friends. She is excited to have a sister and can’t wait to help name her. (She has taken it upon herself this task…of course we will be directing her!) She continues to talk about how much she misses Colorado and her friends there, but is slowly liking living in Nashville, TN. More to come on this. She has convinced her father to give her piano lessons. If you ask her she will tell you she plays very well…her father says she is learning. Kambria still loves to dress up as a princess and loves to boss her little brother…even to playing “mother, son” with him.

Bryan has had a roller coaster year with his employment. It started out by being let go due to cut backs. He was in the middle of his prosthetic residency and only had 3 months left. Luckily he could convince his former employer to finish out his residency pro bono! At least he was able to finish!! Shortly before completion, he found a job in Nashville, TN. So a month later we moved! We were so grateful for this opportunity to present itself and do recognize how much of a blessing and answer to prayers this truly is. So we now live in Nashville and are enjoying this time together. We do miss not being as close to our families as before, but we are learning how to make do. We like the wonderful hospitality the South has to offer and experiencing a new part of the country; we miss the mountains but are loving the green hills! Bryan is learning a lot and has already passed 2 of the 3 exams he has to take to officially become a Prosthetist. The next and final exam is the first week in January. After this, he looks forward to opening a new clinic for his company. We do not know where this will be, but we have hopes of Colorado. He loves the people he works with and has even had a few patients cry as they expressed to him what a great job he is doing and how wonderful their prosthetic fits. He enjoys it immensely!

My year has been full of tears, both of joy and disappointment. I never would have thought I would be living in the South, but am very grateful to be here. I, like Kambria, miss Colorado, but I am grateful to see my husband so happy in his career and to see my children experiencing new places. It has been fun to explore as we go on new camping and hiking adventures and discover what a new city has to offer. However, one day I hope to have a permanent home in which I can decorate and sew to my hearts desire. My hopes are for Colorado. In anticipation of our third child I have been watching a little boy named Zach to earn some extra money. He is 5 months younger than Weston and it has been fun to watch them interact with each other. It is evident to me what a gospel centered home teaches children. I am so appreciative for the gospel and the impact it has on my family. Even the simple things of seeing my children learn how to pray and sit still (or attempt to) allows me to realize how much the gospel truly teaches us all. As was mentioned before, my brother was diagnosed with cancer a year ago. We are appreciative of the many prayers offered on his behalf. He has a long road ahead of him, but we are hopeful for a good outcome.

That is what we have experienced in 2010. We have enjoyed the many joys and trials this year. We are truly blessed by having you as friends and family. Thank you for being a part of our lives.

Love,
Bryan, Eliza, Kambria & Weston