Christmas Greetings!

Christmas 2010

Do you ever look at your life, at your job, your family, your friends and just want to hold up your hands in thanksgiving to God? We are blessed with two of the most beautiful children. Madeleine is 6 ½ and is in 1^st grade. She began playing soccer this year, is a daisy girl scout, and started piano lessons this September. We are amazed that in one year’s time she has begun to read and really enjoys it. We love her inquisitive mind, her mother hen nature, and her heart.

Last week Everett said, “I’m cute.” Obviously, he hears that a lot. He sure is cute though! He loves his sister so much and loves to do whatever she is doing. He goes to school at our church, Oak Lawn United Methodist, and loves playing outside, fighting with his light sabers, and playing with balls. Although he never tried to climb out of his crib, a few weeks ago we decided we needed to move him into the toddler bed. Why would you move a child who is trapped in his crib into a bed where he can roam free? Well, that is a very insightful question… We are wondering if the terrible 2s, should instead be named the terrible 3s. There is never a dull moment when a boundary can be tested!

We give God thanks for our two places of employment. Lee continues to work at Raytheon, just 10 minutes from our house and Kerry continues to work at Oak Lawn UMC. We both feel incredibly blessed to work with people we like and to enjoy the work that we do. We also give thanks that we still like each other after 10 years of marriage! For our anniversary we used our passports for the first time in a long time and went to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica.

We keep busy ferrying the children from activity to activity, and doing endless chores around the house. This year we had a possum living in our attic, our garage door unit fell from the ceiling, and the outlet behind our washer and dryer stopped working. How do we have time to fix everything around our house, go to work, and play with our kids? It is never dull! We continue to try to stay active. Lee has faithfully walked with some friends every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning this year and Kerry participated with her mom in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walking 60 miles in 3 days. Together they raised over $6500 to fight breast cancer! And, they have already signed up for next year!

When we think back on the year of 2010, we wonder how it flew by so quickly! We are incredibly blessed with health, joy, love, and faith. We do ask you to keep Lee’s mom, Sherry, in your prayers. She is in a nursing home and we try to visit frequently. Her health is declining. From our family to yours, may you experience the wonder, the joy, and the peace of this wonderful Christmas season!

Lee, Kerry, Madeleine and Everett Smith