Holiday Letter 2010

Every year I am running around town trying to find paper that matches the photo Christmas card I pick out and then because we send out 50 Christmas cards, I have to buy 3 packs of the stuff. So I'm gonna go along with everyone else "going green" and use that saying to say "I don't want to spend $15 in paper for these letters when hey, you can just read it on my blog for free and I can include pictures!" See, its a win win situation.

Where to start? This year has been a year of ups and down to say the least. I'll give a brief synopsis so you don't get too bored here. I had to have my gallbladder removed, which resulted in a hospital stay 10 days post op due to staph and strep infection of the incision cite. In the middle of those 10 days, we went to Destin. Had I not been so sick, it would have been an awesome time, and the kids had a blast.

One of our best friends got married in Kansas City this year and since I had only been out of the hospital for a little over a week, there was no way we were gonna make it, or would we.....Insert Public Service Announcement for Kansas City, Missouri. I had no idea that place would be so much fun. If you are ever looking for a little getaway, southwest flys there and we got our tickets for 4th of July weekend for like $60 each. We stayed at the Rapheal hotel which was so awesome. I'm not even sure awesome describes it. It was built in the 20s and was originally an apartment complex. It has been restored, but they did so without losing its original qualities. Such a treat and different than staying at your generic Marriot. This place had character. And it was located in America's oldest shopping center called The Country Club Plaza. Lots of upscale shopping without even getting in your car. We walked everywhere. This is hands down mine and Rick's favorite vacation next to our honeymoon.

Jacob turned 5 in September. Some of his highlights were graduating from preschool, learning how to swim, got a wii for his birthday and now is semi-addicted to it, grew a love/obsession with football and God, was in his first Christmas program at church (don't think he liked this very much), he loves to ride his 3 wheeler (we're working on the bike thing). Jacob is a perfectionist and because he didn't ride his bike perfectly the first time he hasn't been much interested in it since. He went to his first NFL game with daddy, and only missed one MTSU home game. Oh and the biggie was starting kindergarten, which I can now talk about without crying. Even though I get less hugs than I used to, he's still my baby boy in many ways. Still likes to be cuddled first thing in the morning and when I go to his school to help out, he melts when he sees me- which makes me GUSH. We plan on putting him in his first sport this fall which will be football.

My baby princess sweet Maggie turned 3 in September. She had a big year too. She is now potty trained and doesn't even wear a pull up to bed anymore. Which means this is the first time in 5 years that a diaper was not apart of my daily routine!! She graduated from her crib to her big girl bed. This upset Rick more than it did me. She loves her room and usually sleeps with 10 stuffed animals. NOT KIDDING. She attempted to learn how to swim too, but possibly will be fully skilled in this next summer. She got her first hair cut, first (and hopefully last) bout of pneumonia, flew a kite for the first time, first canoe ride on the Hiwassee, graduated to a booster car seat so she can be more like her big brother, and started dance classes this fall. She is like a little show dog when you ask her to do first, second, and third position. She loves helping mommy in the kitchen. One thing that hasn't changed is her attachment to her blankie and thumb! Since Jacob is now in school, I discovered how I have never really had much alone time with Maggie. So its like she gets to experience being an only child for 5 days a week from 8-3. She is mommy's buddy. And this one will cuddle with you all day and night long. LOVE THAT.

I am no longer in grad school. I absolutely loved it and it came quite natural to me, but staying home with two little ones made this so difficult. One thing was gonna lose attention, kids or the school work. I only have one opportunity to stay home with my kids before they go to school, so this was a no brainer for me. Once Maggie starts kindergarten I will return to grad school, then I'll have lots more time during the day to devote to my studies without feeling like I'm neglecting my children. I still work part time for MTSU training foster parents. This has been very sporadic this year so I became a Pampered Chef consultant. Well, I also happen to love the product so this is a way for me to earn products. If you need anything from PC you can visit my website https://www.pamperedchef.biz/jennifertrew.

Maggie and I had a chance to go to Baltimore with my parents to visit some family up there. It was awesome to have that one on one time with Maggie, there were lots of great conversations in the car with my mom and dad- in fact, I don't remember the radio ever being on unless it was a baby einstien cd to get Ms Maggie to snooze. We had a wonderful time spending quality time with relatives who we don't get to see often, and now planning on vacationing together next summer.

Rick has had a big change this year. He left Fifth Third after 6 years with the bank. He had an opportunity to help start up a title business so he is now with Keystone Title. The title business is where his mortgage career started so its familiar territory for him. Although 5/3 was a great learning experience for him, it was time to move on. His stress level was reduced drastically which has allowed him to be able to enjoy the family more. We love having the new Rick that doesn't have to take the stinkin blackberry everywhere.

We put together a slideshow of some pictures from this year. We hope you enjoy it. The song is called Ordinary Miracle by Sarah McLachlan and we feel like it really speaks to our life right now. Every day that we get to wake up and be a family to enjoy the ups and downs of life, and get to experience two children growing into people is, in our book, an ordinary miracle. We hope you stop to enjoy the ordinary miracles in your life this Holiday Season.

With Love,
The Trews
Rick, Jennifer, Jacob, and Maggie