Our Christmas Letter.

Looking back on 2007

Seasons They come and go, and sometimes it seems like it’s easier to remember things by just that. Ecclesiastes seems so cliché sometimes, but it really does seem fitting. There is a time for everything, and every season is interdependent on the next to form the life as we know it. It seems so perfect to end the year reflecting on the reason behind all seasons. Jesus Christ, Our Savior. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1: 1 – 5 It is a true peace and comfort that behind all circumstances, God is still constant. We hope that His presence is a constant for you and your loved ones as you travel down life’s path.

Winter We had just arrived to Columbus, MS, after living in San Antonio for a quick 4 months. We managed to spend our Thanksgiving with my parents and paternal grandfather in CA and Christmas with the Brooks family in SC. My grandfather has been diagnosed with colon cancer, but remains to be such a strong and healthy man, which we are so very thankful for. I guess winter and spring tend to melt together because it was a time of getting settled and readjusting our bearings.
Spring Ben has changed so incredibly that sometimes it makes us feel more time as passed. We are thankful that it hasn’t, because time already flies! As soon as we moved, he started changing so much on me that I didn’t know what to do. The “turning point” was the climbing out of the crib. So began “nighttime” struggles that were probably the worst issue we had to deal with. He wouldn’t sleep in his bed, he would scream and refuse bedtime at all costs. Every night we had a struggle, and once he fell asleep one of us would have to push the door open (because he was sleeping against it), peel him off the floor and put him in bed. I guess “they” call that stage the terrible two’s?! Yes, that’s it. It was a bit difficult on us, but now that he has adjusted to the age, he’ll be turning three! And so begins a new stage! I have learned that children are God’s little reminder to not get too comfortable and complacent in your life and where you are. Rob joined the 50th Flying Training Squadron, and has adjusted to living in the “backseat”. While it can be a bit stressful at times as the students progress, it gets more comfortable for him. God’s reminder of complacency to Rob is similar to parenting. Once his students get better, learn to fly, and graduate – it’s back to square one with a couple new classes. And so begins a new stage, right?! He has joked that he feels like a “cat being shoved into a bathtub”!

Summer So it’s pretty hot down here. I think that was the one thing that Rob remembered and I learned for the first time. The primary lesson was going to Disney World in July. Rob had asked me, “Are you serious? Disney World in July?!” I said, “Rob, how much more humid can it get?! We already live in Mississippi.” You see, folks, in the last few years….we have steadily moved from West to East. And as we moved it was a somewhat slow and steady change in terms of adding more and more humidity to the southern air. So my comment was based on that thinking, “How much worse can it possibly get?! We can’t go much farther east.” Rob just shakes his head at me. (Note: He also laughed at me when I mentioned that we needed to get sprinklers for our acre property. Apparently I didn’t realize that out here moisture is not a problem!) Well, I did find out that it can get a lot more humid and hot. And it is in Florida that this happens! However hot it was, we had a wonderful trip to Florida meeting up with my college roommate, Emily, and her husband, Herb. Herb was putting on a football camp for middle and high schoolers in Sarasota. After that July trip, the rest of the summer was spent in ‘Sippi. We enjoyed the pool with friends on base, and the pool on base. And the pool on base. See the trend here? Rob was also promoted to Flight Commander of his flight. Now he is somewhat of a “head honcho” which has seemingly translated into a lot of paperwork! We are very proud of him and the hard work he continues to do for the Air Force and our family.
Fall The end of September marked our first trip in two years back to Phoenix to visit Jenny’s parents. Ben was enjoyed very much so by his Lolo and Lola (tagalog for Grandparents in the Philippines). We were able to spend time with some of the friends made in Phoenix – where Rob and I first met! (Aw…) Rob and I also were able take advantage of some time alone and hop a flight up to Las Vegas. It was my first time, and Rob’s nth time. We took in a couple of shows and did the sightseeing thing. We enjoyed Halloween and Thanksgiving here at home. And work for Rob continued to become more and more saturated. They are experiencing a shortage of instructors, which causes many, many work hours. The reasons for this are that the Air Force is planning on decreasing the student load, which requires less instructors. The bad news is that those student numbers haven’t dropped yet, so it’s “deal with it” until the classes begin to decrease, which we expect it to be in another 6 months or so. Thanksgiving was quiet and peaceful. I made a turkey that I would actually claim this year, so that is an improvement for me in terms of domestic welfare! Ben got himself potty trained on Veteran’s day, and he is all sorts of big boy now! Between you and me and all the people I send this to, I thought it would be another merit badge on my “I’m a cool mommy” sleeve, but it seems that kids really do do it all on their own. You just assist and encourage, and let them figure it out. I also ran another half marathon, and my mom was able to fly in for the weekend. A good time was had by all, and I managed to shave a minute/mile off my previous time. I was super happy about it!

We love you all and look forward to hearing from you as your family makes its way into a new year!
Much love and hugs,
Rob, Jenny, Ben, and Rainey.