Merry Christmas from the Family

If ever there was a year for a Christmas letter, this would be it. However, considering my Christmas cards are sitting in the box by my bed, waiting to be addressed, a Christmas letter is totally out of the question. So, to all of my blog friends and family, this is my Christmas letter to you....

Merry Christmas 2009!

It's hard to believe that another year has passed. It's even harder to believe all that has gone on in our lives over the last year.

This time last year, Brian was an Alltel employee and his future at AT was in question as the Verizon purchase of Alltel was soon to be completed. A year later, Brian is happily employed by Verizon Wireless as an equipment engineer. Since June, Brian has gone to New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago, Indianapolis, Houston, Dallas, Omaha and Seattle. Some of these places he has been to multiple times. We are very thankful that God has so graciously protected us. Until last December, Brian was the interim youth pastor at our church. He is now teaching an adult Sunday school class and helping with small groups on Wednesday nights during youth.

This time last year, Brian and I had a little secret that we only told everyone about just before last Christmas. Elizabeth Ann Bennett came into our lives in May. She is the perfect addition to our family and completes us. Everyone who "meets" her tells us how sweet she is. We are so grateful that God gave her to us. We have heard so many stories over the last year of families who have struggled with infertility or who have had babies who Jesus called home. We are incredibly thankful that God gave her to us especially after my struggle with anemia. She is sitting up on her own and desperately trying to figure out how she can keep up with her sisters.

Ellie is halfway through K5. She is doing so great! It is amazing the difference a year makes. She is thriving and learning so much. Her confidence level is increasing daily. We have been amazed at the ways she has changed. She started school without any issues. Brian and I were the ones who were sad when she walked into her new class the first day of school. She did an excellent job in her school program and even smiled for her school pictures. She continues to amaze us.

Mollie is hilarious! My friend Karen says that what Mollie is lacking in stature she makes up for in personality. She is the perfect compliment to the other two girls. She has little fear and fits right in to any situation. She loves her friends and her school (mothers day out). She is growing up so quickly. Mollie is sleeping in a big girl bed and is very, very close to being potty trained. She is a great big sister and adores Ellie.

I am still serving as the WEE Care Director at LRFBC as well as doing web development for ABSS. I've been doing some web work for the church as well as doing bookkeeping and payroll for my dad. I love being a mom and taking care of our family. It's amazing how quickly the days pass and how there never seems to be enough time.

God has taught us so much over the last year. My mom's verse for the year is, "Be still and know that I am God." What a perfect verse for our year. It has been a year of ups and downs. We praise God for His protection and for providing for us. God is good!

We pray God will bless you in the coming year.

Thanks for keeping up with us.

Blessings!

The Bennetts